My breath caught in my chest. This was it, I had to say goodbye. As I squeezed my tiny Thai friend goodbye, I thought of God’s perfect orchestration of our meeting. She kissed me on the cheek and I returned the sweet gesture. Because Ting is deaf, I held up the sign for I love you. She returned the sign and Angela and I walked out of the bar. I’ll never see her again.
Another goodbye; nothing new right? You do it all the time.
I wish it could be so simple. Yes, every month we leave and have to say goodbye to everything we’ve known for a month. After saying goodbye five times, it doesn’t really faze you anymore. Change is constantly happening; nothing is ever constant for long. But this time, goodbyes were tough. Maybe the hardest they will be until I say those tearful goodbyes at final debrief.
My month in Thailand was incredible. From peeling garlic in the kitchen to playing pool in a bar, my ministry looked a little bit different every day. Last month, I feel like I actually made a difference. I didn’t see anyone healed or come to know Jesus as Lord. I didn’t build a house for someone or provide a tangible need for someone.
But I made friends.
I gave my heart to Thailand. I invested fully in whatever I was doing and that made all the difference. Although spiritual warfare became a reality for the first time in my life, I wasn’t focused on what Satan was trying to stop me from doing. My eyes were fixed on loving the girls God had put in front of me. They were what mattered to me most. Who cares if I wasn’t sleeping or if Satan was filling my head with lies? It didn’t stop my ministry and that’s all that mattered.
Lately I’ve been reminding myself to appreciate the little things about the life I’m living on the race. It’s really easy to be desensitized after six countries of ministries, scenery, and people. I was lying in my hammock the other day with the sunlight peeking through the palm trees above me. It’s easy to be used to that. Brushing my teeth outside with an incredible view of the stars above me and baby ducks waddling around me? I forget that’s not normal.
Take a moment today to appreciate what’s around you. Even the small, seemingly insignificant things should be appreciated.
