I. Love. Thailand.
Even before I arrived, I knew this month held something special. God promised my team and me an abundance of joy, laughter, singing, praying, strengthening, and healing. When I reflect on our month with Remember Nhu, God blessed us with everything He promised and more!
…And let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)
Remember Nhu provides a beautifully safe place that meets the physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual needs of children at risk to the sex trade industry in Thailand (and all over the world). I’m in awe of God’s blessing and abundant favor woven through this ministry.
My team and I helped in two main ways this month.
First, we literally used machetes to clear an overgrown jungle.
Each week day, we arrived at the land, armed ourselves with our machetes and attacked the 8 foot tall grass, tangled vines, and ant covered trees. We sang, we laughed, we sweated, we chased down crazy looking bugs, and served the Lord and our new friends at Remember Nhu with gladness.
On our last day of ministry, I looked down the hill to “our field” in awe. What was once a useless plot of ground, overgrown, intimidating, and unsafe had transformed into a space of potential. With this rich and fertile soil, Remember Nhu will plant a garden, create a fishing hole along the river, and add on to the existing bike trail. There’s more work to complete the vision, but we laid the foundation. I loved watching our progress throughout the month, and the obvious transformation after our four weeks!
Second, we spent time with the children at Remember Nhu. Each evening one of the four children’s homes invited my team to dinner. We sat family style around big tables for dinner and then play, play, play time with the kids. Each night, I became a big sister to 30 joyful Thai kids. We became masters of Uno, Skip-Bo, pick-up sticks, hot wheels, marbles, frisbee, jump rope, and soccer (aka futbol). What a month of games, games, and more games! I loved the moment when the littles learned my name and remembered me. With their sweet voices, it came out sounded something like “Kaze”, so soft and sweet. Big eyes and joyful smiles ready to receive my love!
These goodbyes were the hardest on the Race so far. My new friends grabbed my hand, jumped into my arms, wrapped themselves around my neck, and planted the sweetest baby kisses on my cheeks. LOVE. SO MUCH LOVE.
I never want to forget their faces. I will remember Thailand. I will always remember month 7 with Remember Nhu.
If you want to learn more about Remember Nhu or go a step further and support a child check out their website www.remembernhu.org.
Love, Love, Love
Kate
And a few more pictures because words are never enough.
