For those that don’t know, my parents are AMAZING!!! They just flew half way around the world to spend a week with me doing ministry. It was an incredible week. It was full of adventures, challenges, laughs, and most of all, it pushed us out of our comfort zones.
Here is what happened. We were instructed not to see our parents until 2pm on Saturday. Well, a lot of the parents arrived a day or two early to get over jet lag. My team arrived in Chiang Mai Friday at noon. My team and I had this great relaxing afternoon and we planned to get legit Mexican food for dinner. So we had heard that there was this great place called Salsa Kitchen across town.
We set off in a songtao truck thingy to find the place, with only a vague idea of where it was on the map. Well, we found it, and the food was amazing! Who knew there would be great salsa and guac all the way in Thailand. It literally hasn’t happened since Central America. We all loved it so much!! MMMMM!!!
After dinner we took a taxi home, and it being a full moon/lovely evening out, I decided to hop out early and walk the rest of the way home. I kind of just aimlessly wandered the street markets and soaked up all the sounds and sights. I love being in a new place and getting to explore on my own. So I just wandered. Well 10 min later, Scarlett runs up to me and says we just ran into your parents!
I immediately was like, what? Really?!? Are they still there? On some random street corner? She said yes, so we briskly walk off in search of the parents! Lo and behold, they were actually in Thailand!! WOW!!!! I literally couldn’t believe it even though they were standing right in front of me. 🙂
What a moment. 🙂 It was great to see them after 9 months of traveling. We hugged a lot, took some selfies, then I turned and got to meet Caroline’s Dad. Since we literally just happened on our parents and didn’t arrange it, we decided to wander for a bit, then sit and catch up in their hotel lobby. Plus mom brought me my new cell phone. I lost my phone on the bus from Cambodia to Thailand, so I had been without a phone all month. Surprisingly wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
All exhausted, we finally said goodnight, only to have our official hello the next afternoon. We had an intro to Lighthouse ministry and some worship. It was great. We were scheduled for prayer walks, monk talks, bar ministry, and painting.
All of these were good and a new experience, except painting, we do that everywhere. lol But, I was nervous for bar ministry and what it would look like with my parents. I know I wasn’t the only one nervous too.
The first night of bar ministry we tagged along with Jourdans parents. We found this one bar on the strip by the boxing ring. Jourdan and I didn’t quite know what to do with ourselves and our parents. So someone suggested sitting for a drink and maybe playing pool.
For my mom, this whole night was especially challenging because of her hatred of bars and alcohol. She wanted to opt out, but we were suppose to stick together as a family. So she put on a good attitude, and came with us. I could tell she was uncomfortable as we sat at a bar. A real bar. In Chiang Mai’s version of the Red Light District. It was so uncomfortable.
Now my team and I had done some bar ministry in Siem Reap so this wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me, but I had never done this ministry here in Chiang Mai. I hadn’t built that friendship with the girls, like one team had. But I knew we were suppose to go in and love on people.
So as uncomfortable as it was, my family and I along with Jourdans family sat and got comfy. Soon we were approached by a few of the gals that worked there. We ordered some pineapple juice then decided to go play pool with our Dad’s.
We had a great time with our Dad’s and soon we invited one of the gals to play with us. Of course she was great at playing pool and was giving all of us tips and tricks. At one point I was able to be DJ and pick some music.
It was overall a good night. I have no idea what will happen to those girls. I have no idea if we made a lasting impression on them. But I know we put many true smiles on their faces. We were able to give them a few moments of fun in an otherwise ruthless job.
Even with all the uncomfortableness I am so glad we got to go out as a family and do bar ministry. It is something I never in a million years would have imagined doing with my parents.
It wasn’t all ministry either. Since it was Mom’s first trip to Asia we made use of every free moment. We went to the Tiger Kingdom and pet some cute little baby tigers and even a couple HUGE tigers. Dad and I went on an elephant excursion where we literally rode elephants bareback for 45 minutes. Then we bathed our elephant in a pond. It was crazy awesome.
All this to say I will never forget this week and all that happened. The good, the spiritual, the frustrating, the adventure… all of it. It was amazing. I am so glad I got to experience this week with my parents.
I am also so proud of my squad and I loved getting to meet everyones parents. It was such a blessing to serve alongside each of you. What a great week, I am truly blessed.
ALSO, a little surprise, we had team changes literally a few hours before we left for Malaysia.
So I am pleased to announce my new teammates are Alissa, Jill, Kerri, Candice and Sarah! I am so thrilled to be doing the last two months with these gals. More to come on that little surprise later. 🙂
