I’m in Thailand.
I was standing on an open-air patio looking over the balcony, on the 64th floor of a somewhat known super-fancy hotel (filming site for Hangover II) less than a week ago in Bangkok. I was in my world-race best, which includes a plain cotton dress from a market in Phnom Penh, a cardigan I’ve carried for 5 months and worn thrice, and my chacos. Oh, and lipstick so I knew I’d really blend in. Laughably, the chachos are what got me into the hotel when the flip-flip wearers got turned away due to dress code restrictions. Bet they’re re-thinking that rule.
The view over that balcony was stunning and humbling. The city was lit up and you could see just how expansive the metropolis is. The river flowed lazily below us, with several lighted boats full of people celebrating the Loy Krathong festival. Couples and friends were sipping colorful cocktails and chatting all around me as they took pictures. I accidentally ended up there alone and without a camera, which was honestly the best possible outcome.
I stood there for over an hour, shifting my gaze from the city far below to the full moon way above. Those were precious moments catching up with the Lord after multiple chaotic days of traveling. They’ll remain sacred and secret because not one picture was taken up there from that once-in-a-lifetime vantage point. One thing I will share. I spent a considerable portion of my 64th floor time in awe of where God has brought me. Physically, yes. I couldn’t believe I was in Bangkok for Thanksgiving. But in so many other ways as well. I was making a mental landmark– a place devoted to gratitude and praise for the Lord’s hand in my life.
When the Israelites got to their promised land and started having second thoughts, Moses had to take a minute to step back and remind them how far they had come and who had brought them there.
He says, “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deut 1:30-31).
The Lord has carried me all the way I’ve gone until reaching this place, and he will continue to do so. And now I have a landmark and scripture that will always remind me of that evening on the 64th floor. I highly recommend making these. At times in the middle of anguished psalms, the writer says that he will remember what the Lord has done. In the middle of confusion or despair, he says “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” (check out 42 and 77).
We’re almost halfway done, and I’m looking ahead to a month on this beautiful island of Phuket. The views are stunning, but we’re living amidst deep roots of pride and idol worship for this nation. Ministry is still shaping up in the day-to-day, but we’ll definitely be doing outreach around the island, teaching English, and praying hard for this area.
I know Buddhism is prevalent here. I’ve known that for a while. However, I saw a woman standing in prayer before a statue my first day here and it broke my heart in a new way. Such a familiar posture. Such a broken context. And she was so earnest. She doesn’t know.
So we’re setting out to work alongside the American missionaries we’re staying with as best we can this month. Stories to come.
Love,
Jenna
