My team and I leave Threads of Hope and our ministry here tomorrow. That means I am leaving fantastic friends, sunsets over the ocean, and the relationships I have formed under the mango trees. It seems odd leaving this place. God has talked to me so clearly and taught me so much here. I look at the trees and the water and I can’t deny His love for me. He whispers in my ear with the wind, “this is all for you child”.
Pastor Al and his wife Maria who have been our guidance this month, as well as caretakers, are some of the most serving people I know. Ate Marina(sister Maria) cooks us each meal and they are all so wonderful I can barely stand it. Pastor Al gives us rides to the beach on his F.R.O.G. (a vehicle of his own design that stands for Fully Rely On God) whenever he catches us walking. They prepare a church service for over a thousand people each Sunday and all of the community knows them well. They give at every opportunity and I have been blessed to know them and see their example this month.
We spent the majority of our time with their daughter JoJo. She is a lively woman of God who does more then she is asked on every occasion. She has been our tour-guide, translator and encourager. Besides working with the teams that come to Threads of Hope she leads the teenagers and young adults here with lessons on Sunday and Wednesday. The kids here look up to and trust her, and she is deserving. JoJo opens her home to everyone here and people are always at her door asking for guidance. She runs to help no matter what that looks like. Her sense of humor is hilarious and she is always a joy to be around. I will miss her greatly.
God has been doing so much here, long before we arrived, and since we came I have seen so much happen. Last night I got to be a part of my new friend Ana accepting Jesus as her personal Savior. I could have cried a river of joy. I got to pray for and serve the “Ladyboys” here who work every night in front of gawking faces as entertainment. People in town yell out rude and insulting comments to them, but for at least one day I know they felt God’s love while we served them a meal and played ninja. Who knew adults could have so much fun playing child games?
I have counted bracelets that will feed children, climbed a mountain at 4am with teenagers to sing at sunrise, and played with kids whose idea of a game is usually punching each other in the gut. I befriended a dog whose name once was “wah wah”(pitiful) and we renamed her Hopeful.
This has been a month of simple pleasures and intricate lessons and friendships. I have been blessed and though I am sad to leave, I know I am taking so much more with me to Thailand.
Thank you so much to my supporters. You are doing so much by allowing me to be a part of this great adventure God has me on. If anyone would like to join me please follow my blog by clicking “Follow Me” and supporting me by donating. You can do this by clicking the “Support Me” button on the left side of the page.
Love y’all, Kels
*Photos by Hannah Adkison
