“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.” – T.S. Eliot
These past few weeks have shown me some painful endings. The end of my time living and serving every day with Team Awakening. The end of 4 fantastic months in Central America. The end of familiarity. The end of easy communication. The end of the first leg of the World Race.
To make an end is to make a beginning.
Now, let me tell you why I’m thrilled about the beginnings.
Beginning to live life with Team Halas.
Team changes are only as scary as you make them. I was anxious about letting go of my old team, but God has blessed me abundantly with this new family. These 6 individuals are strong, passionate, fun, caring, and so intentional about diving into our team and ministry. I’m thrilled to have the chance to live and learn with Kristen, Amanda, Zach, Jan Carlo, Kyle, and Alexis.
Beginning 5 months of new experiences in Asia.
Stepping off the plane in Thailand felt like entering a whole different world. I have always heard God calling me to Latin America, and these past 4 months have done nothing but confirm that. Serving in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica was a complete heart connection for me, and I didn’t know if I’d find that in Asia. Thankfully, it didn’t take me a whole week in Thailand to figure out that my heart’s going to connect anywhere I let God teach me to relate with people. Thai people are so warm and welcoming, and I’ve loved every minute of this first week. Well, maybe not how much I’m sweating, but definitely everything else!
Beginning to communicate in new ways.
After a week in Thailand, sometimes I still wonder why people look at me funny when I say something in Spanish. I’m realizing how blessed I was that I could communicate in Spanish the past 4 months, and how much easier that made it to start new relationships. One thing I’ve learned the last week though is that shared language is not the only way to communicate. Teaching English without knowing Thai seemed like a daunting task at first, but so far it’s been so fun.
Beginning to minister in harder atmospheres.
Our first week here we had a great day teaching English to university students, and we ended class with a prayer. Being able to speak the word of God to students in a country that is 95% Buddhist, 3% Christian was such a privilege. I can’t wait to share about Jesus in this region and partner with local believers in the great work they’re already doing.
Team Halas has been in Asia for one week. So far we’ve:
*Taught 3 English classes and learned enough Thai to get into trouble with it
*Danced in the street during a torrential downpour
*Ridden elephants and shopped at the famous floating market
*Survived an expedition into a bat cave at dusk with 8-year-olds for guides and fed bananas to wild monkeys
*Learned how to make Pad Thai and fried bananas
*Performed songs and interviews to be aired on a local radio station
*Experienced squatty potties, 103 degree heat, and massive jetleg
*Laughed a lot, made new friends, and received a lot of blessings.
Bring on the new beginnings. I’m ready for them.
