I was trying to think of a blog that would sum up Thailand. Something that would recap my time here. We are now finished with Month 9 of the World Race and with our all-women teams. It is time to go back to Family Force 6 and share with them all that I learned this month. And since I am going to share with them, I thought, “Why not process while typing and get two things done at once (team time and a blog).
So here are my concluding thoughts on Thailand:
- Intercession is great. I learned so much from intercession this month. With doing intercession 5x a week, you can’t not help but get hooked. It was great to worship, pray and just sit in the presence of the Holy Spirit with 11 other amazing women of God. Intercession doesn’t have to look a certain way, yeah there can be steps you go through, or it can be lifting up prayer requests or singing worship songs or even speaking life into others around you. Intercession is a time to lift others up in prayer and supplication to God. I now have a long prayer list that will keep me busy for awhile.
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I was able to open up and just have fun this month. I would say this is my favorite month of community thus far on the race. Whether it is 11 pm dance parties, walks to 7-11, random photo shoots, or team times. This month has been a lot of fun and a great time for us just to be girls.
- This month I learned to love. I was able to see the true beauty and strengths that God has given his children. Even if someone has a quality that drives me insane- or they are a prostitute I can push past those thoughts and see these people for whom God has truly created them to be.
- Judgment has always been an issue for me. Judging people as I walk down the street, counting people out before I know them, only knowing them for their first impression on me. I caught myself constantly judging those around me. This month that judgment has gone away. Seeing the girls in the bars or the old men holding the hand of a young Thai girl—I can’t judge them, they are broken and hurting and lost and all I can do is pray for them and love them as Christ would.
- This month has been a month of health for me. I was exercising every day and doing a world race version of weight watchers. I felt healthier and had more energy to keep up with this crazy lifestyle. And through this all, I was able to lose 2.64 pounds in three weeks. Who says the girls need to get fluffy on the Race. We can fight against it… and win!
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The ministry this month was tough for me. Relational. To prostitutes. I never thought I would see myself doing this. When the opportunity came to serve at an English camp- I jumped at the offer. It was through this that God affirmed my love and passion for kids. I was excited for a break from kids this month- but when bar ministry was not exactly what I expected; it was the children’s ministry that redeemed the month for me.
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It’s okay to be different. Whether it is buying Sprite while in an alcohol dominated bar, or being the quiet one of the group. It is okay. Being content with the person God has made me to be. Even though I was not the crazy one in our group- I still had the time of my life and laughed a ton. I still have my introvert moments, but definitely know how to come out of my shell and have a grand ‘ole time with the girls.
- Guys can't do everything. It has been great being on a team with two men of God for the first 8 months of the race- but this month has shown me just how important women time and community has been. There is a different trust/vulnerability level you can get with women that will never be possible with the opposite gender. And I have enjoyed digging deeper with Relentless Rescue, bearing my heart to them knowing they love and support me through everything.
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- Something big I learned this month is that: my heart is still for Peru. Throughout the race, I have been praying for a country or a ministry that I really felt led to. My time in Peru on the Race wasn’t too great and I was falling in love with other countries and ministries (such as all of Africa). But after experience a month of Asia- I realized that I still love Latin culture the most and definitely still have heart and passion for the country and people of Peru. What that looks like in my future, not too sure, but excited to find out and see what God reveals to me.
Yeah- in general, this month would not make #1 on my list. Many girls on my team have fallen in love with this place and even are considering coming back, which I think is great- but it is definitely not for me. Maybe a visit sometime in the future. I have enjoyed riding elephants, going bamboo rafting, having an 11pm dance party, shopping many many many times in the market and having fun laughing and picture times with my team. These women have been amazing and I am sad to be parting from them. But I knew the time had to come. This month has redeemed community for me if anything.
Here is my picture slideshow recap from this month:
I also made a video clip video this month which you can find by clicking here!
