Sorry for the delay folks! I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted a
proper blog. It’s hard to find enough time to properly put unto words all
of these new experiences.
We just finished up our month in Cambodia and are currently flying over
Africa on our way to Johannesburg, Sough Africa. From there we grab a bus
to Swaziland, and then off to ministry. Cambodia was a much different month
from all of our others, and I’ll try and post an update about Cambodia and
the month of October soon. But I still feel like I haven’t fully filled you
all in on Thailand yet.
Our last few days in Thailand were very similar to most of our days
throughout the month: farming two days a week and more in the afternoons,
teaching English at local schools 3 times a week, and a couple of odd
community functions here and there. Pi Pang, our host, was amazing, and
would always come through for our every need, even our need for caramel
popcorn and brownies. Our last day in Thailand, though, was very different
from any of our days so far in Kanchanaburi.
One of Pi Pang’s friends from the local community (a member of the same
community service organization called Smart Lady Kanchanaburi) wanted to
take our team out on the town. We were told to take swimming clothes and
come hungry. So we all pack into Pi Pangs’s white truck and head on over
to the friend’s business. Once we get there, she takes the driver’s spot
and we end up at a river side restaurant. We skip stones and wade in the
current, and afterwards are talked into trying plate after plate of strange
Thai food: frog, broiled fish, fermented eggs, papaya salad with chilis,
and they even bought us a plate of French Fries to round it all out. But
the day wasn’t over yet! Pang’s friends piles us all back into the truck,
this time headed for a more populated spot along the River Kwae. This part
of the River was more like a City Walk or park area, with wide concrete
steps, almost like an amphitheater, lining one side of the River. Once
again, the current was super fast, and with the convenience of the stairs
and shallow water, most of our team had a blast walking as far as we could
go along the steps, jumping in, and floating along the River until the
stair ended. The current was really fast and easy to float in, making the
whole experience feel like one huge lazy river going under a bridge.
We also got more food after that, but the takeaway from the story is
the floating and the current. God has a funny way of illustrating himself.
My first few days in Cambodia where characterized by an identity crisis of
sorts. I felt like I was floating aimlessly down a river, when that hadn’t
been the plan at all. I know I’m supposed to grow and change on this thing,
but I’ll be sort of in charge of all that, right? I’ll get to set the goals
and make the decisions and my change will be subtle and positive and in the
direction I lead it, right? Not so fast. God’s change is however He
wants it to be. Fast, slow, in all directions at once. Last month was
all about giving my control up to Him, letting him take the reins and
float me down the river how He wanted. Trying to put my feet down and
drag along the bottom isn’t working. I have to kick up and float.
