After forty plus hours of travel, four countries, and three plane rides, we are all safely in the land of Thai. And I am absolutely in love.
All forty-three of my squadmates and I arrived in Bangkok dazed, but wide-eyed with excitement. Each of our teams piled into the bed of pickup trucks with all of our packs and headed to the YWAM base. We spent two days fighting jet lag, going through Thai orientation, and adventuring around the streets of Bangkok.
Already, the adventures have been plentiful. There is always time for “firsts” and man, have I had some:
-
Being served our first lunch of rice, stir fry, some mysterious possibly fish meat and condensed cows blood in curry.
-
Munching on fried crickets and maggots with my team in the market.
-
Eating squid on a stick on the side of the road for dinner.
-
Finding the best pad thai I have ever had from the market.
-
Somehow managing to order amazing iced coffee from a street vendor for breakfast.
-
Tasting crazy looking, new fruit and LOVING it. Also laughing with the two Thai ladies who attempted to teach us how to pronounce the fruit.
-
Having my nostrils invaded with smells you’ve never imagined or smelled in your entire life.
-
Breaking all Thai cultural rules by being super American and pointing at everything, crossing my legs, putting my feet on tables and chairs, and touching everyone’s face and head as displays of affection.
Despite all of the crazy things I’ve already experienced the past few days, the Lord is doing something way bigger. He showed up to me so radically the first morning I was here and I can’t stop thinking about it.
I had just grabbed coffee and breakfast with my friend Ali, and we were sitting on the roof looking out on Bangkok. Bibles opened and hearts focused on the Lord, He clearly revealed Himself to us. It took less than a day for us to realize that this is where our hearts belong. Thailand has already stolen our hearts and there’s no getting them back. These people so evidently need the Lord, and my entire being jumps at the idea of bringing God’s Kingdom to this country. I cannot wait to come back someday, but I know I’m here during this time for a reason.
On the roof, I couldn’t stop smiling I was so overcome with joy. We were worshipping God, giddy with His goodness, shouting over and over again. I felt like I was in a dream. People talk and sing about shouting from the rooftops, and there we were, literally doing that very thing. There was no other place I wanted to be in that moment. All I wanted was to bring God glory and let these people know about my Savior.
Since the beginning of our debrief a week ago, The Enemy has been attacking our squad. He has been trying to hinder us from resting, getting with the Lord, and preparing ourselves for Thailand. He’s been trying to discourage us, yet it’s done the exact opposite for me. I’m pumped. He has no place or power amongst us. His efforts are amounting to nothing. His attempted work simply means that we are about to do big things. God is going to use each of us incredibly. He has such amazing things in store for us over these next three months. And that amps me up.
I’m so happy to be here. Words don’t do justice for the thanks I have for my Father. He loves and pursues me so much so that He brought me to Thailand. He brought me to a place I very may well call home one day.
This is it. This is where I belong. This is what I was made for.
I was made for God.
I was made for His plan.
I was made for His glory.
