I grew up wishing to be 16 so I could drive, then I wished I was 18 to be an “adult,” and then 21 so I could drink—but by that time, I wished I hadn’t wished my life away, because the years go by faster and faster.
Once I was accepted I wished it were January so I could leave and now I’m sitting at the end of month 10 wishing I could rewind to month 1.
I was nervous about Asia; it was never on my bucket list. I made it through Cambodia, and this month we were in Bangkok. Our ministry was teaching English, partnering with Rahab, a ministry in the red light district, and a Bible study with families in the slums.
The school we were teaching at offered 4 different levels of English, Pre-1 for those just learning the language to level 4 for those more advanced. Luckily, I was given Level 3! Trying to teach idioms, intonation, vocabulary and the difference between show and chew.
Who knew the English language was so hard!!
I’ve eaten twice my weight in rice from 7/11 and street carts, laughed harder than I have all race, and enjoyed life!
This month was so different; it didn’t feel like ministry, it felt like real life. We weren’t pulled in 9 million directions, we were able to meet the given need of teaching.
The coolest thing about this school was the Bible stories written within the curriculum. It’s a way they introduce the students to Jesus.
The two girls I got the closest to we’re Su and Anessa. I met Su at school; she was a new Christian and had gone through the school to learn English.
Su was crazy. Crazy cool. She constantly went out of her way to make us feel welcome, she had the most contagious smile and although she picked on me the most, I would say I was ranked high on her favorite list. We became family and did life together this month.
Meeting Anessa was such a God thing. She was Su’s friend, stationed in Bangkok. We met at church and instantly connected. She hung out with us on the weekends, shared testimonies and quickly realized how much we had in common; our childhoods were similar and we both desire to have big families.
In a matter of weeks these strangers became family.
We are about to head into month 11 and I’m sitting here wishing I could pause time.
So let me ask you, what are you wishing away?
