I don’t want to spend my life wandering the world. Sure, I would love to visit countries and experience new things, but I don’t have that wanderlust many World Racers so strongly feel that it’s literally engrained in them as a tattoo. I embrace this World Race life as I know He’s called me here this season, but I don’t want this life moving from country to country forever.
When I signed up for the Race, it wasn’t primarily about the travel. That can be done any time. I just wanted to grow with God, and I didn’t know how else to do it. I wanted a lifestyle that’s spiritually like a burning hot cup of tea rather than the lukewarm one I was swimming in (not literally…I can’t swim very well). With so much faith and trust that my words are constantly met with the deepest convictions. I was sick of drama. I was sick of my petty problems. I just wanted to get away and focus on His work.
In two months, He has taught me more than I ever bargained for. It wasn’t through the snorkeling, waterfalls, or elephants but through the quiet places. He has taught me as I sat on the balcony overlooking the city. He has taught me as I strolled down the streets. He has told me that I can grow with Him anywhere I am in the world so long as I am intentional about it.
So how is this my month 2 recap? This was the month where I found the motivation that I was looking for. The World Race has provided tools in which I can grow, but it is only through His timing that it could happen. We worked with Lighthouse in Action, where our host, Emmi, was intentional with prayer. I carved out time in and out of ministry to focus on God. I didn’t have a plan but through the Holy Spirit, He put me in a place where I got to naturally grow with Him, and it was (and is continuing to be) FANTASTIC. I’m starting to really get to know Him through His word and understand the ongoing conversations we need to have.
Because of our large squad, each team cycled through three different ministries. My team helped out at Zion Café and Lighthouse in Action the first week. We served alongside the amazing women in the kitchen. I met several customers from all over the world, and due to my lack of restaurant experience, I nearly dropped an ice mocha on a couple from Brazil on my birthday. Thank goodness for grace and the laughter that resulted from that. Our second week was spent in bar ministry. We would do prayer walks in the morning and ask God where He wanted us later that evening. The afternoons were spent at the bars getting to know people and helping out if needed. Some members of our group would go out at night to connect with the men and women in the red light district of Chiang Mai while the rest stayed in doing intercessory prayer. The last week was spent doing intercessory prayer for our entire squad and planning worship for the teams going out for bar ministry and the remainder of our squad. It was difficult to truly jump into a specific ministry because we were constantly switching. However, I know that we have made an impact as a squad. We took turns babysitting one of the women’s three-year-old son, Nong Be. At the end of the month, I could hear his English improve drastically and saw how he soaked everything up like a sponge, such as when our team led worship at the café. During debrief with our host, Emmi told us that Nong Be told her that he now knows Jesus. Tears, my friends. Tears.
My highlight of the month was getting to know the Thai interns at Zion Café–Pan, Benz, and Ting. They are not believers, but it was so great to converse and get to know them. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to be myself around them. We’ve gotten to share a lot with one another, and I miss them all so much!
At my home church, we like to talk shapes. One is a triangle, which represents up, in, and out—our relationship with God, the focus within our own community, and when we go out and serve. It is important to have a good balance of the three. I haven’t talked a lot about my team yet but I will surely dedicate a post about them soon because they are the people I’m living life. We are slowly continuing to get to know one another. I can say that it’s not easy. God put us together for a reason, and I can already see how He’s used my teammates to help me grow.
I currently don’t have time for photos so a recap in photos will come the next time I get wifi. Our third deadline is coming up soon, and one of our teammates, Karen Ashley, is still in need of $970 before April 1. She is a truly a joy to be around, and I cannot imagine having her go home early, so please check out her blog on the left and prayerfully consider supporting her. I would appreciate it so much!
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