Last Thursday I began to write a blog about everything that was going on here in Chanthaburi, but I just couldn’t find a way to end it. Now after my second week here I have found that ending. We arrived here on the 13th of September after three days in Bangkok as a full squad. We met our hosts pastor Ekatchai, and his wife who we call Mom. They showed us to the upstairs of the church where we set up sleeping mats and clotheslines, and then showed us the bathrooms, which we share with snails and lizards. Pastor E. took us to various tourist places on Sunday and Monday, and it was all super awesome. Then Tuesday our first week of ministry hit. We taught English at a youth rehab center, and in the afternoons taught English at the church. The week was filled with singing “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”, sharing a few testimonies, stumbling over how to say hello and thank you, and singing “It’s a 60’s Party” about a million times to the youth in the rehab center. Although ministry was fun my team just wasn’t feeling the Lord work through us. On top of everything we all were sick. The stomachaches, headaches, and fevers were relentless. I personally struggled with all of these and a heat rash. There were times in that first week when I felt as though I wasn’t called on this team, or even in Thailand, and just wanted to go home. My prayers felt as though they were going into thin air. On Sunday I was so miserably sick I wasn’t even up for going to the service. I laid on my little mattress pad holding my pillow pet, and just wanting the comforts of home. Then came Monday, the Lord had answered so many of those prayers of healing, and I was just feeling the overwhelming love from my team. We went to this beautiful 30-kilo waterfall and a mountain top temple. At the waterfall we swam in the water and danced as the pouring rain fell over us. When we were at the temple our pastor asked us to sing and pray over the city below. The day was filled with the overwhelming presence of the Lord, and his loving embrace. Tuesday and Wednesday we were able to work with some children, who had parents with leprosy. Now if you know me, you know that I love children. Being able to be with those kids, and see them laugh and smile was the greatest thing. Knowing I brought that joy to them only filled my heart with even more joy. We also had a lot of off-time Thursday, and we were able to go to our favorite coffee shop Kays. At Kays we met an awesome guy who had been teaching English for the past year, and he told us some really awesome spots to go, and where to find some baked Mac and Cheese. Then tonight, after a full day at the market we drove a half an hour to pray and worship with a church member. In that short time I reflected over these past two weeks. These past two weeks have been hard, testing, and so rewarding. Last Thursday I felt that I had hit the bottom. I cried out to the Lord and felt that I received nothing. All I wished for was to pack my bags and head back to Mankato. Now, as I finally finish my blog I know that I have a good father who will never let me fall.
“I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” Psalms 119:75-76
Until next week,
Claire
