“the snake longs to slither back to the grass
the fish wants to flop to the sea
the frog wants to hop back to its lillypad
they all just want to be home
and so do we”
Bounma “Bruno Mars,” 26, Monk
p.s. this isn’t a direct quote, it is rewritten to the best of my memory.
home: a place where one flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates from
To me, home is comfort. Home is freedom. Home is selah. Jesus feels like home. This team feels like home. This squad feels like home. This hostel feels like home. This city and its people feel like home. “Home” is a word that Jesus has spoken over my team and our next 9 months. I already feel like it is already being cultivated in these first couple of days.
Our 3rd day here, we had the privilege to go explore a Buddhist temple and sit down and chat with a monk. In that time, I met a monk named Bounma, who likes to refer to himself as Bruno Mars. We conversed and laughed together as he answered any questions we had for him. It was lovely getting to know him and his heart. After awhile, most of the group started to head back to the hostel, but a few of us stayed behind to chat. Bounma ended up inviting us to go teach English with him the next day (which also happened to me my birthday – what a blessing)!
The next day, we went out to meet Bounma in front of the temple. After being introduced to different pieces of God’s wonderful kingdom (scrumptious fruits,breathtakingly beautiful rice fields, and the giddy face of Thai children), Bounma’s curiosity grew. He began to ask us questions about hearing the Lord’s voice. How sweet it was to share our love for our relationships with Christ! He asked us how and when we hear his voice. Abba’s intricacy shined in this conversation and our answers. I got to share about the unique gifts God gives every individual and the effect of spending time with the Lord. I was reminded of the beautifully unique way he interacts with every one of us.
I have faith that Abba’s love can be discovered in the midst of a Buddhist temple. I believe his warmth can be felt in the iciest hearts. However, Bounma’s heart was anything but cold. His generosity was abundant as he showed us beautiful places, shared his thoughts without hesitance, and paid for our fruit and ride to the school. His humility was so prevalent. When asked, “if you could wish for anything, what would it be?” he responded, with a vibrant grin on his face, “I would wish for no wishes.” His heart shined in this response.
I also learned that he loves British rap and watching break-dancing. He struggles with procrastination like the rest of us and is from Lao. I loved laughing and learning with him. His smile was contagious and his sarcasm was refreshingly unexpected.
For those of you curious, I didn’t say yes to this mission trip to robotic-ly convert people to Christianity. I am called to love everyone I come across on this mission the way Jesus loves me. I am called to shed the Lord’s kindness onto my new friends like Bounma.
After Bounma proclaimed that he would wish for no wishes, he backtracked and said, “no – I would wish for a better life.” I pray that Jesus gives him this wish, no matter how different or unconventional it appears on the outside. He knows what is best for Bounma’s heart. He knows what will make Bounma feel at home.
Religion is always morphing and changing, but a relationship with Christ is everlasting.
