This month my team and I are teaching English at a Buddhist government school in Mai Ai, Thailand! These are 10 of my favorite memories I have been blessed to experience in Thailand!
1. A group of 10 little girls running towards me to give me a hug! After they hug me they giggle and smile like it’s the best thing in the whole world! I love these sweet little girls so much!
2. Hanging out with the teachers after school and trying squid for the very first time! After dinner Melody played her guitar and we worshipped with the teachers. The teachers danced and clapped with us as we sang Build Your Kingdom by Rend Collective. It was crazy how God opened this door to worship with them!
3. Snuggling with a tiger! It was crazy to be so close to a wild animal that God created.
4. Getting swept off my feet by an elephant on Valentines Day! It has always been my dream to ride an elephant and I am so thankful I had this opportunity!
5. Going to a small village church and worshipping with other Christians in Thailand! In Thailand only 0.9% of the population is Christian. Over 90% of the population is Buddhist. On every corner in the small village we are living in there is a temple. Students wear Buddha pendants around their neck. Every morning most of the students pray to Buddha. We don’t see many Christians here in Mai Ai, but they are still here! It was an amazing opportunity to worship God with the other Christians in the community!
One of the temples one of the teachers took us to visit.
6. Dressing up in a traditional Thai clothes and being in a parade. Ministry doesn’t always look like you will expect on the World Race. This day we where able to be a light of Jesus in the community by simply bringing a smile to people’s faces!
7. Partnering with our incredible ministry host Kru Dang. He has been the only Christian teacher at the Buddhist government school we are working with for over 20 years. He loves The Lord and it is so evident in the way he loves his students. It has been such a blessing to work alongside him to further the Kingdom of God at the school!
8. Waking up every morning surrounded by the beautiful mountains and rice fields in Mai Ai. When surrounded by God’s beauty my heart sings with thankfulness to God that I am blessed to bring Jesus to this village.
Photo credit: Jenna Orabutt
9. The smiles of the the children! Thailand is called the Land of Smiles and it’s obvious why because the children’s smiles can light up a room. The beauty that their smiles carry a contagious joy. Pray for the beautiful children of Thailand that they will come to know Jesus!
10. Getting to live life with 5 amazing girls who love the Lord and challenge me daily to grow in my faith! I wouldn’t want to share this journey with anyone else!
Thank you for all your prayers they are definitely making an impact for the Kingdom of God in Thailand! I couldn’t do this journey without you guys!
