It started in the Southern part of Thailand on Phang Gna at Share the Love for the first week. That was an amazing week.
Ministry looked like yard work, I got to use a lawn mower for the first time in 8 months! The smell of fresh cut grass was wonderful. We also pulled weeds and cleared grass from the side walks and the bottoms of trees. We were with team Spades at Share the Love so we would alternate between yard work and outreach ministry.
Outreach ministry was Bible contests, home visits, teaching English and giving testimonies. We also cleared trash at the beach too and got to jump in the ocean for an hour. The best ocean I’ve ever swam in and I’ve swam in a good amount now around the world. The waves were perfect and the temp perfect. A wonderful time to chill after a week of hard work.
This week was so much more than all this though. We built friendships with the staff. We were able to pray for healing of the leader there and see God heal her sore elbow. We got to present a special worship song and dance for the congregation at church. And enjoy authentic Thai food and fellowship afterward. We saw so many beautiful sunsets that week. And I got to walk their dog that was stronger than me. He actually walked me. This place was so peaceful and a great start to our stay in Thailand.
They taught us a lot about culture in Thailand that helps us to respect their culture. Like how to greet people of different ages and how to pass them and how to sit. And to never point at people also never point with your foot or sit with it on your knee. And always leave your shoes outside unless your entering a business. This is a few of the culture differences they taught us.
Something I’ll never forget about this week. Before I say, I have been feeling lead by the Lord to start using my voice so that I can use it for the Kingdom. So I’ve been pushing past my comfort zone and worshipping and leading worship songs and my team and squad have been very supportive and uplifting through this growing process. I had decided I wanted to possibly buy a guitar the month prior if I could find one affordable. The grocery store nearest us had guitars…go figure. Also they had watches and mine had broke so God really placed this grocery store along my path. But I decided to not look at the guitars because I was afraid I would be disappointed by the price and not able to get it. But still felt like God had them there for a reason. So my team and some of Spades team went into town a few days later and I asked Mel to look at the prices and let me know. Well she gets back with me about the price for a medium size. And it was unbeatable so I said yes get it please! And I don’t hear anything after that so I’m wondering if they didn’t see my message and just left it in the Lord’s hands. Well they walk in with a guitar and case and I am so excited and ask “ how much do I owe You?” and Haley who hands it to me says you don’t owe me anything I bought it for you. Haley plays guitar and leads worship and is very talented with the guitar. She said I really am just so excited for your future in music and I’m excited to see how God uses it. She picked out a black one just like the color and design of her first guitar. And bought me a purple pick. It was all so perfect I felt so overwhelmed by her kindness! I still feel so blessed from that day. She wanted to pray over the guitar and me. So they all gathered around me and prayed over the future God has planned and that Baley and I would use our music to glorify the Kingdom of God. I’m not sure what God has planned but I’m excited regardless. P.S. my guitars name is Baley =D!
Oh and one of my teammates, Marah had a scary encounter with a Huge scorpion in her shoe. That she tried to pit her foot in. Then some other squad mates one being Kasie was trying to get out what at the time they thought was a beetle. And Kasie brushed it with her finger trying to get it to fall out then after some more tricks the Scorpion the size of my hand not beetle falls out and starts running and everyone starts screaming and scrambling while our hosts proceed to smash it! It was probably the scariest thing that I’ve witnessed so far. But everyone is alive so that is great!
This was my amazing first week in Thailand!!
Blessings,
Naomi =)
