BIG FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
I am only $93 away from being FULLY FUNDED!!! I am soooo humbled and thankful for all who have made this happen for me. THANK YOU to all of you wonderful supporters who are reading this, and contributed in any way!
**You should know that all donations made after my goal is reached will not go to me. Instead, they will go to Adventures in Missions.
Anyways, back to my blog…
Month one is done! Living in Thailand has been such an adjustment, but one the Lord has guided me through so gracefully. The entire squad is about to pack up all our bags and leave for a week for something called debrief. Basically, it’s a week dedicated to processing the race so far, resting, getting away for a bit, and filling us back up before some more months of pouring out. This being said, when I return from debrief, my team will be assigned a new ministry. So, I had to say goodbye to the lovely ladies at Wildflower Home.
I have been warned by previous racers that always being on the move makes for some tough goodbyes. Often, we get to plant seeds without seeing fruit—sometimes we even prepare the soil without getting to plant seeds. Regardless, this means that there are many relationships we build that we have to become okay with leaving.
In my last post, I gave a description of what our time there at ministry has looked like. It has been such a beautiful blessing to work with those strong Thai women, whose smiles light up each day. They have treated us so well, especially with our delicious lunches! Last week, we had the privilege of getting to play bingo with all the women, share the gospel, and enjoy sweet time together. We were told all about Wildflower Home, and that there are actually many others around the world, providing shelter and teaching women skills to succeed independently.
On Friday, my team spent our last day at the Wildflower Home. We actually got to exchange our shovels and hoes for some stylish clothes! Our ministry hosts asked a few of us if we would model some handmade items for their online store. We had a blast doing this, and also walking around taking some pictures to remember it all by. For lunch, we got french fries, rice, and vegetables! I am truly going to miss the fresh food grown there. After, the women showed us how to make soap (so self-sustaining) and we helped stir it in big barrels. We played music, danced, and ate brownies and cookies the women brought out for us.
Eventually, it was time to leave. With our vehicles waiting behind us, the women invited us to stand in a circle outside the front door. Even the women who had been more reserved went out of their way to hug us and see us off. We took a photo with them, and they thanked us for all of our hard work. Then, they gave us soap, and said they’d keep us in their hearts! It has been so wonderful to work with the Wildflower Home, and I know I will cherish the memories I have made there. I am sad to leave, but God has protected my heart from anything but thankfulness and given me an excited heart for what is to come.
Random: I am currently trying to get over an annoying cough. If you could say a quick prayer it would be greatly appreciated.
Praises to God and His perfect plan! Blessings,
Lexi Hatten 🙂
