If I am being honest, the reason why I signed up for the route that I did for my World Race, was because of two countries. Nepal and Thailand. These are two places that I have always wanted to visit and God created a route so this dream of mine could be fulfilled.
Oh Nepal. Month 3.
I loved every part of you. You were gorgeous and your people were beyond amazing. I experienced God in new ways and saw miracles happen right before my eyes.
Oh Thailand. Month 8.
I have wanted to visit you since the first time I tasted Pad Thai. I have wanted to visit you since I found out that I could touch and ride elephants in your country. I have wanted to visit you since I saw your beautiful beaches of Phuket. I have wanted to visit you since I heard how happy your native people are. I have wanted to visit you for a long time now.
Thailand was on my list of countries to visit for many selfish reasons and then Jesus wanted to play a game with me.
It was called, LET ME SEE HOW MANY TIMES I CAN ONE-UP KELLI.
Good one God. He always knows the perfect time to play this game. I wonder if He just sits up in heaven and says, “Oh this one is going get her gooooood! Wait for it….wait for it….BOOM!”
I’m pretty sure He does. Yep, I’m convinced.
Well from the second we arrived at our ministry site in Chiang Khong, Thailand, God decided it was time for the game to start.
Remember I had 4 things on my Thailand list:
1) Eat Pad Thai
2) Touch an Elephant
3) Visit Beaches of Phuket
4) Meet Happy Thai’s
I know. I could have made a longer list and asked God for more, but I have become very content in the simple things lately.
Game starts……NOW!
One-Up #1:
God said oh you want to eat some Pad Thai in Thailand, well here is a group of Thai’s to teach you how. Wait they aren’t just going to teach you how, they are going to let you make a whole batch for some orphans and then let you sit and eat it with them. Oh by the way, it’s going to be the best Pad Thai you’ve ever had in your life. Peanuts. Lime. Chicken. Perfection.
SCOREBOARD:
God = 1
Kelli = 0
One-Up #2:
God said oh you want to see and touch elephants? Well here go ahead and ride one with your parents and feed it while on top of his back. Oh yeah I’ll show you another one getting a bath in the river you are rafting down on a bamboo raft and you will float right by him. Oh yeah did I mention, your parents are in Thailand with you.
SCOREBOARD:
God = 2
Kelli = 0
One-Up #3:
God said oh you want to see the beaches of Phuket? Well sorry my child, you don’t get to go there this trip. I have something better in store for you. You get to go to the mountains of Thailand. You get to hike to the tops of them. You get to be above the clouds. You get hot days and cold nights. You get to see Hmong villages hidden away in the mountains. You get to see the parts of Thailand that not many people get to experience. I just showed you a part of the world that is very special to my heart.
SCOREBOARD:
God = 3
Kelli = 0
One-Up #4:
God said oh you want to see how happy Thai people are? Well here are 16 kids that want to shower you in love. Here is a host who never stops laughing and smiling. Here is the host’s whole family that wants to take you in as their family. Here is a home away from home that you never even knew existed because it is tucked away in the mountains. Here is a town of people who smile and give you hugs on your morning walk.
SCOREBOARD:
God = 4
Kelli = 0
Well. Lesson learned.
I had so many dreams about what Thailand was going to be like and Jesus crushed those dreams the second I got there. God said, “My child you dream too small. Let me do the planning and I’ll fill your heart with love and fill your whole spirit with joy.”
He continued, “I have so many amazing experiences and moments waiting ahead of you. Just trust that my plan is way better than yours. Keep dreaming because I want to fulfill those dreams above and beyond anything that you can imagine.”
Wow. I’m throwing up my white flag.
GAME OVER.
Final Score:
God = 4
Kelli = 0
Father,
Thank you for being you. Thank you for always being faithful to fulfilling the desires of my heart. Thank you for allowing me to dream. Thank you for experiences and memories on this earth. But most of all, thank you for love. I love you so much! I ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN!
Enjoy this video that my teammate Jenna made of our time in Thailand! There might even be a special guest appearance of my parents! Enjoy!!
