Last week has been one of the more memorable weeks on the race so far. My parents were here! I loved catching up with them, doing ministry with them, and exploring the beauty of Thailand together.To change it up, I thought it would be nice to have my parents share on my next couple of blogs what God revealed to them during their time with me in Thailand.
Dad, I love you and I am so grateful for the Godly example you have set for me throughout my life. Thanks for flying across the world just to hug me and show me your support. Also, Happy Birthday (Tomorrow)! 🙂
Also, enjoy a glimpse of PVT through my recap video below!
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“Leaving Chicago on an overcast Sunday afternoon, we felt a nervous excitement about meeting Megan in Thailand. After about 24 hours of travel we arrived in Bangkok at 4:30 am. Kind of nutty to think about but we were committed to attending the Parent Vision Trip offered by Adventures in Missions. We found our way to Chiang Mai and eventually got to connect with our courageous daughter for the first time in over 7 months. Since Megan left the USA last fall, Jana and I have been praying about what we can do more of, or less of, to become more courageous in our faith. This trip certainly was a small token of our intentions.
Besides the obvious language barrier and heat, the first real pinch of being uncomfortable was the Thai expectation that you go barefoot when inside. Because it is very hot all we were wearing were flip flops and sandals. So, taking our shoes off meant exposed bare feet. I won’t go into the conditions of the bathroom situation, but let’s just say they were not what we were used to. I remember pausing and thinking, NO I won’t remove my shoes…for several moments I stood there at the front desk of the second floor of the Zion building. After a few moments, I realized this was part of my journey I should just roll with it.
As the week unfolded we were asked to consider changing several of our behaviors to accommodate the culture of Thailand. Exposed by some brief training from the staff gave us a glimpse into what was normal and not normal for this country. My response all week was very interesting…why did I have to change?…while walking down the busy sidewalk heading back to Lai Thai Hostel where we were staying it occurred to me…”I am in their country” These people are permitting me access to their country and expect me to be willing to respect their ways of living together. How arrogant of me to assume I should be able to just waltz into their country and do whatever I want. A sort of “kick in the pants” to myself occurred…which then resulted in another keen insight for me.
God loves all his people. Red yellow, black and white…This is his planet, his people, his culture. He has given us a guide book for how we are to act in His world. I was reminded of the passage of scripture in Colossians chapter 3, where Paul invited the people to love one another and put to death the earthly nature and clothe yourselves with the fruits of the Spirit. Duh, I thought to myself we have completely taken over His planet and made it what we want it to be. In the same way I scoffed at taking off my shoes for the culture of Thailand, God must be perplexed by my tendency to live however I want to, in His land. He has established for us a way to live together and as uncomfortable as it can be, I must be willing to take off my shoes and engage in the culture and expectations that He has for me…regardless if I think it is silly or unnecessary.
Thanks God for bringing me across your globe to help me see with your eyes that which I tend to be blind to.”
