Dear Southeast Asia,
What to say to you? I’m not sure I can sum up all the things I feel about you in this letter, but I will try. I learned so many things with you and made memories I will never be able to forget.
Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, you will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent five months with you.
I never thought I could sweat this much or intake as much rice as I have, but you proved me wrong. I didn’t think my Birkenstocks would be falling apart by now, but your waterfalls and flooded streets proved that wrong as well.
Oh Southeast Asia, though my time with you was brief I greatly appreciated it. Your people are kind and generous. They love family and have made me apart of theirs.
You allowed the space for the Lord to work in my life and in yours.
In Indonesia I learned what it looked like to deeply depend on the Lord. I saw how He provided for my team and Zebaoth. I saw God’s love shine so brightly through each person we encountered at the church and saw what it meant to truly rely on Him for everything.
In the Philippines the Lord taught me so much about my identity in Him. Here He called out so many lies that I had been believing and replaced them all with His truth. Though it was a tough month I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
In Thailand I learned just how important prayer is. The Lord showed me His heart for Thailand and for the people and continually asked me to pray for them. His heart for Thailand was also reflected in our hosts, Suzy, Kristen, and Sprite, who cared so deeply about sharing the Father’s love with everyone they came in contact with.
In Cambodia the Lord showed me that we are friends. He reminded me that he wanted to have silly moments with me or get coffee together or really anything. I had amazing laughs with Him, especially as I drove a bike down a flooded street while two kids were pushing me along.
In Vietnam I learned how important it is to keep our eyes on the Lord. Whenever our focus is wavered, we waver. The Lord taught me to keep my eye on the prize, which will always be Him.
Southeast Asia, this is just a brief list of the things I learned in my time with you. Thank you for allowing me to be with you for five months and for allowing me to give back to you. My continual prayer for you is that all of your people may come to know the Lord.
Now that I’m in Europe I promise not to forget all the lessons I’ve learned with you or the people I have met along the way. Southeast Asia, you will always have a place in my heart.
With great love,
Chels
