First of all, I want to apologize for my lack of updates this past month. I am such a relational person, and I spent every moment of free time loving on the children at the children’s home. I still have another blog I am going to write about last month, but in the mean time I just wanted to give you an update of where I was and what I was doing this month. We are now in Chiang Mai, Thailand, after one of the most luxurious overnight bus rides from Bangkok, where we spent a few days for a cultural briefing. Thailand has the art of luxury bus travel down. Not only did our seats recline almost fully flat, but we also had a leg rest, back massager, super thick blanket, pillow, and enough food to keep us full for the entire 10 hours. Thank you Thailand for making our World Race travel day one of luxury! After our 10 hour bus ride we arrived to our ministry site, Remember Nhu, in the countryside just outside of Chiang Mai. After four months of the Race, I have come to realize the importance of not expecting anything until we actually arrive at our ministry locations. Despite the fact that we are an all girls team going to an all girls children home, our ministry this month will not be working with the girls. We are doing manual labor for the entire month, which I am kind of excited about! Our contact informed us that we are the first group of world racers that was not an all mens team. In the past the men would come here to do a month of “manistry�, while the women spent their time working with women working in the bars and on the streets. I find it quite ironic that the one all girls team was sent to a location that once was a “manistry� location.
Mary and I showing off our goodies while cuddled under our pink blankets.
Remember Nhu is a ministry that provides homes and a proper education to girls who are at risk of being sold into the sex trade industry by their family. Their hope is to prevent as many girls as possible from being sold into sex slavery, while educating local people on what really happens when they sell their children. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate the exploitation of children in the sex trade industry throughout the world. For more information on their ministry you can visit their website: http://www.remembernhu.org/about/
Angela working the pickaxe, digging massive holes for a fence post.
I am so excited to spend a month away from the distractions of this world in the countryside of Northern Thailand! We have so much peaceful time to just sit in the Lord’s presence as we gaze at his beautiful creation all around us. It is amazing how much clearer the Lord’s voice is when the distractions of everyday life are not there to distract you. I am beyond excited to spend more time pursuing the Lord and my team this month. I know I am going to walk away from this month more madly in love with my Savior and more deeply united with my amazing team, which fills me with such an amazing joy! Oh and one more thing, we will be sleeping in our tents this entire month. Yes, that’s right, I will be sleeping outside for the next month. As of right now, I actually enjoy having my own space, however check back to see how I am feeling after spending a month outside with all of God’s little critters. I only will get internet once a week, so check back next week for another blog!
My lovely tent home in our little tent village! Love it!
