I loved Thailand. Green scenery. Beautiful people. Beautiful children. Delicious food. Iced coffee in a bag. Thailand was a beautiful month, but it was also a month for learning lessons.
Be flexible.
I’m not sure if any day in Thailand happened as planned. 2-3 hours of school would turn into 5 hours. A day off involving sleeping in would turn into an early morning jumping in the truck with the family in order to not get left behind on the adventure for the day. Sometimes 8 am meant 7:45 am and most times in meant 8:30 or 9 am. Thailand taught us all to be flexible and to be ready for anything. I now have multiple English learning activities in my back pocket – just in case.
Teachers deserve more appreciation than they are often given.
Being on my feet for 4-5 hours a day teaching groups of 20-40 students was exhausting. Lesson planning each evening took more time than I ever imagined. And my patience was tested this month more than any other! It takes someone special to do this well. Thanks to all you teachers out there for doing this year after year. You are amazing!
I am not entitled to independence.
I experienced a lack of independence in India, but it hit even harder in Thailand. I was raised to be independent, to be able to do things on my own. I could do what I wanted and go where I wanted on any weekend. I have come to expect independence, but God is showing me that I am not entitled to it. Our month in Thailand, our transportation was limited to the small Ranger pickup truck used by our host family. Our outings were dependent on Raem and Nan and their 6 kids. It was tough, but sometimes we have to sacrifice our independence in order to better depend on God and to better serve the people around us.
There is danger in getting too comfortable.
In a lot of ways Thailand was the “homiest” month so far on the race. We had a family. We had delicious homemade meals. We could run to the corner markets anytime. We had comfy beds, wi-fi, and even A/C when we really needed it. All that is really great, and appreciated, but the danger hit toward the end of the month. I got comfortable – and I quit seeking God. It became easy just to nap or surf the internet than it did to be in God’s word. It was also harder to see God moments because we were not forced to rely on him in the same way. I came into my squad debrief here in Cambodia feeling spiritually dry and drained. As I tried to process through it, all I could hear God say was “I’ve missed you. I want to spend time with you.” It’s a hard lesson and one I’m sure I will fight through again, especially after going home, but my prayer is going to continually be that I would never be too comfortable for God.
True family is beautiful but never easy.
Family is a very important concept in my life. Raem and Nan were such a great example of what I would call true family. They had accepted in children that were not their own. Children with rough or unknown backgrounds. Children with emotional baggage. Raem and Nan loved these children. They gave them a place to belong. It was beautiful to be able to watch them work together to raise this family. It was beautiful seeing them raise the kids in Christ. However, spending a month with them also made it clear that it is never easy. Taking in children means accepting them – bad with the good. It means discipline. I saw tears as they struggled to know how to deal with problems that arose. With Raem and Nan it was clear that the love ran deep for each of their children.
God is at work!
For as beautiful and green as the country is, Thailand is a spiritually dark place. Raem and Nan are some of the only Christians in their village. Church is held in small buildings and they are few and far between. We shared in schools where it became obvious that most kids had never heard the name of Jesus. However, God is still at work. My team had the privilege of attending parts of a regional YWAM conference one weekend. It was exciting to see all the missionaries God had placed in the region. It was exciting to see so many people of all ages and all nationalities coming together to worship. And it was exciting to know that God has raised up all those people to see the kingdom come in Thailand!
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I am so thankful for my month in Thailand. I hope to go back someday, even if just for a visit!
{Here’s just a few highlight pictures!}
[Tatton Waterfall – National Park]
[The Whole Family! – Photo Credit: Jackelyn Mead]
[Paul, Naomi & Tip – 3 of the children Raem and Nan have taken under their wing – with the dog, Second.]
[A few of the boys from English camps.]
