Thailand: Month 9
Lighthouse in Action (Zion Café & Love Acts)
Chiang-Mai
Team Ampersand
I always:
+ plan on returning to Thailand (for ministry and for vacation).
+ savored our meals. Zion Café provided us with delightful, delicious breakfasts and lunches. Street food was our dinner of choice. Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, Penang Curry, Papaya Salad… oh, the list goes on! Spicy, yes. Incredible, absolutely!
+ smile when I think of our adventure to release lighted lanterns. It was magical. And hilarious. Who knew you had to endure extreme heat and almost burn your hand before you release them? Otherwise they will sink into the river below you.
I sometimes:
+ became overwhelmed by the gigantic street markets selling millions of goods—anything you could ever want or imagine.
+ refer to this month as the “month of prayer.” We prayer walked the streets, multiple times a day, every day. We interceded for hours every night. We entered the bars at night with eyes open, but prayers murmured. We prayed before every “date” with every friend we met. We prayed. And prayed. And prayed. And the Lord heard our prayers and met us with compassion and faithfulness.
+ start weeping when I think of the horrors I saw—horrors that are everyday life for so many beautiful children of God.
I never:
+ regretted buying all the “treasures” I found at the aforementioned street markets. Nor did I regret carrying around an additional “treasure bag” for the rest of my time on the Race.
+ did quite master the intonation of the few Thai words I learned. Phonetically, as follows: “Sawahdeekahhhh” (hello for a woman); “Kapkoonkahhhh” (thank you for a woman). If you are at home and attempting these words, be sure to drag out the last syllable and have it rise, I think. (and if you are a man, take away the “kahhh” and replace it with “kaaap”)
+ tired of meeting new friends and going on “dates”. It was one of my top five favorite things I did all year.
Cambodia: Month 10
Hope Transitions (children’s home, construction, kid’s ministry)
Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, Kampot
Team Ampersand
I always:
+ refer to Cambodia as the most enchanting, magical land to which I have ever been. …bubble trees, sleeping grass, lotus flowers, cashew trees, teeny tiny baby frogs…
+ tell people about the day I taught Tae Kwon Do / self-defense to the women in the outlying village of Prey Veng. The skills I taught them will undoubtedly be tested. I am thankful to have used the gifting the Lord has given me to empower His precious daughters.
+ think of the church and community center on which we were helping to put the finishing touches when I see the colors bright orange and gold paired together. We painted massive metal gates gold and lanterns on top of a fifteen-foot wall enclosing the compound bright orange. Shocking, almost obnoxious, and somehow perfect colors for the location.
I sometimes:
+ miss washing out of a well by the moonlight next to seemingly never-ending rice fields. Odd, but true.
+ wonder what “naked baby” is doing today. “Naked baby” was a hilarious 2 year-old who, per his name, always ran around without any clothes. He was such an interesting child, always doing interesting things, so we started narrating his life: “Naked baby being a D.J. Naked baby dancing Gangnam Style. Naked baby painting the wall with bright orange paint…noooo!”
+ laugh when I think of the authentic Mexican restaurants we encountered in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Needless to say, we ate there often.
I never:
+ again want to eat balut (boiled duck fetus) or dog.
+ slept in a “princess palace” until this month. Except our princess palace was mattresses on the floor and a mosquito net rigged to not fall down—all hot pink.
+ ever, ever again in my whole life, want to see a spider of the size I saw….climbing out of my teammate Joey’s short sleeve shirt.
Malaysia: Month 11
YWAM Penang (Kawan Homeless Shelter; Adventist Hospital)
Georgetown; Penang Island
Team Ampersand
I always:
+ tried to order plain naan with no sauce from the Indian restaurants next door. But, they don’t understand naan without sauce no matter how much I explained or gestured, so I always got a little to-go baggie of yellow curry sauce alongside my naan. Why would I ruin perfectly good carbs with sauce?
+ adored attending PENHOP (Penang House of Prayer).
+ am grateful for the time I had this month to process, dwell, and reflect upon my journey this year. It has made re-entry so much smoother.
I sometimes:
+ am amazed at how much money we raised for the Heart Patient’s Fund at the Adventist Hospital– $10,000USD!!!
+ long to be instantaneously transported back to Southeast Asian heat.
+ still think I’m waiting for the Dengue Fever to hit me (several of my teammates were sick with it in Cambodia, but it has an incubation period, so I spent half of Malaysia wondering if it would get me).
I never:
+ tired of being on the rooftop at sunset.
+ before have had Thanksgiving outside of the States. It was a great day and a great meal.
+ knew how many things would be laid upon an altar this year. And while, at times, it has been painful, I am grateful for the refinement through which the Lord has brought me. This year was transformative. Praise the Lord.
