This week we have learned that our schedule looks a lot different than expectations. As we have adjusted to our life in Thailand, it seems a lot more like college days than our last month in Cambodia. We live as if in a dorm, with 42 close friends. We eat American style breakfasts. Games and English convos are easy to come by. Great coffee shops are on every corner. And yet, with all these norms, our days are looking a lot different than I’ve ever lived.
We have noticed as a team this month is more about giving up our agendas and being flexible to see what God has in store. As one who likes order, this month has already been a growing one. I am noticing the strain it is for me to lay down my thoughts and expectations, to accept and be flexible for His plan. But where it’s hard for me, I know I need to press in to learn.
So, in going with His plan; we have gotten to meet and have such quality conversations this week with people here!
We got to meet an adventurous couple who sold everything in America in order to see the world. We met up with them one afternoon at a temple. Then a few days later, we crossed paths again! To hear their stories and experiences fueled us about how they had abandoned the American life to discover where they might next call home.
Another day, while walking at a temple, we were just about to leave as there were no monks. I was a little disappointed, when all of a sudden a few university students asked us to help with a video project. We enjoyed discussing hobbies and similar favorites. Once the video taping was done, the student said “I want to tell you about myself, my family is Christian.” As a team we gave each glances of “oh my word!” We were excited to make our first friend and I’m excited about our upcoming opportunity to go to a soccer game with him and his friends.
I know what you’re thinking… ‘So you haven’t talked to monks?’ … We have! It’s been a real neat experience to learn and be able to ask questions of monk life. In particular, we got a chance to speak with one who gave us a break down of his philosophy of sensations being the root of all our suffering. If we were to rid ourself of ‘oneself’ then we would be led to a life without suffering, but also feeling of anything happy as well. This conversation was brought about as we sat down with one monk, he left and another came to sit with us. His English was excellent and he brought on good questions to open up the conversation and to go deep. Needless to say I have a lot more questions and interest to learn about their culture.
I even had the chance to say ‘hello’ to Angela, of friend of mine from college! She happened to be here for a mission trip from Colorado, and we got to catch up at the night market!
This week has wowed me of how things have come about, how God has crossed our paths with cool opportunities to say ‘nice to meet you.’ I’m nervous, but also excited to see how this month dele cops as I more clearly learn what it means to lay down my own agenda.
