When you imagine fall in the Midwest, you probably think of pumpkin patches, the vivid reds, oranges, and yellows of the falling leaves, and warm oversized sweaters. Football games under the lights, apple cider warming your hands in your favorite mug, and cool nights sitting around a bonfire with friends.
Man, do I miss those things.
But I can say that, as much as I miss home, there’s no place I’d rather be right now. The vegetation here is greener than ever. The rain gives everything a dewy, magical look and the low clouds wrap around the mountain tops, making you wonder what lays underneath.
The weather is beautiful, always warm and bright even when there are clouds covering the sky.
I have found a new love for Thai tea and how it’s so orange and creamy. I still have no idea what’s really in it besides the ice, but it’s really irrelevant when it tastes so good.
At the local school, Thai soccer is a sport I may never get tired of watching. Participating is a whole other story, I’ll leave it to the boys who come to play and play well.
Every day I wake up and am surrounded by a family that I have grown to trust love more than ever and there’s plenty of room for those things to grow. And in the times where I need to rest in the Lord alone, there are places to go and be in solitude. God really has provided me a safe place with this team.
But like every season, this time in Kanchanaburi will pass as well. In fact, it’s going to end sooner than we had imagined. As you know, my first three months are meant to be in Thailand, then on to South Africa and then Nicaragua. Due to a change in the Thai visa policies and a need for more ministry opportunities, my entire squad (yes, that is 50+ people!) will be relocating to Cambodia for our third month out in the field!
Don’t get me wrong, this is quite an exciting turn of events but I will be sorely missing Pii Pang, her incredible family, and our translators, Noona, Dao, and Gale. The farm we live on has become our home but Cambodia calls! For our last month in Thailand though, we will continue our current ministry. English camps have really kicked off! The kids are so sweet and ready to learn, it’s hard not to fall in love with their smiles. Preaching and getting to know God better with the community has been such a blessing. Farming, although still hard, has become enjoyable even when it means we have to spread manure all day.
