Where’s the freaking air conditioner?

I hate heat. I do. I get frustrated, irritated and if anyone touches me while its 90 above, I will tell them to move away nicely.

 

Lets be real, coming into Asia I knew it was going to be hot. I just didn’t know how hot.  Well after being here a month and actually feeling the heat; yep it’s hot. 

 

One of our first days of ministry here in Thailand, I was walking to the slums. This is where we get to hang out with the people there, and play games with the kids. 

 

Two minutes into walking to the slums, I was dripping… literally so sweaty. God knew I wanted to turn around and go back ASAP, but I continued. After about 10 more minutes of walking we were there. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I wanted to run away and find some cool air. But I didn’t. I didn’t because cool air does not show Jesus to these parents and kids. So I did what I normally wouldn’t. I decided to play a game of soccer. Why? Because the only way to Love something you hate more and more is to act on it when you don’t want to. This probably was one of my favorite moments in ministry. I broke a shoe, let in 12 goals, and laughed a whole heck of a lot. 

 

God showed me a lot from this day. I also loved that it was on our first day of ministry, so

I didn’t waste more time complaining! His timing is so good. 

 

This is a new season for me. There is only 2 months left (well one now oops… Little late on the blogs) of the race and it would be so easy to just ride the rest out. Take the easy road. But I don’t want that! I don’t want that because people need Jesus just as much in Asia, as they did in Africa. And kids want to play soccer just as much in Asia, as they did in Africa. Why not learn to love something that you thought you hated?

 

One of the first nights in Thailand, our whole team was up because it was really hot. I wasn’t grateful for anything at this moment. We were debating how we could afford to pay for the air conditioner that was sitting in our room, but we didn’t come to a conclusion on that. 

 

Then this happened. And I would recommend trying this if you are the type of person to complain a lot. My teammate, CC, gave us a real, raw,  and hard talk. We had just finished finished spending time in countries that had nothing. They don’t have the option to turn on a air conditioner. This is just a seasons for us, but they live in this every year, with no relief. Don’t you think we can do it for this month? Hello… Reality check. She challenged us to stop ourselves every time “it’s so hot” or “I’m hot ” was going to leave our mouth. Ok, I’ll be real. The next day, the amount of times I had to stop myself from saying it, was unreal. It made me realize how unthankful I was. It was such a cool lesson that has stuck with me. 

 

I’m in Asia, with no air conditioner. Sometimes I’m up till 1:30 in the am with my team cause our room is so hot. Sometimes you have to run to the mall across the road to scope out a cool area for team time just to get a little relief, but would I trade it? Honestly, no. 

 

Here’s what I know about God. He doesn’t call us to be comfortable all the time. No, sometimes he puts us in situations we dont like at all, like being hot 24/7. He knew this would be 3 months that would require endurance, strength, perseverance and a lot of Joy that could only come from him! 

 

Why would I avoid things that make me the most uncomfortable?  Thats boring. I mean, aren’t these the things that call us into greatness and make us more like Christ. 

 

I don’t wanna complain all the time and keep reminding the people around me that I’m hot; they know I’m hot, because They are to! 

 

It’s just a simple, cool lesson that can shed so much light on what’s really important.