Some basics for those of you just now dropping in: My sister and I are on an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries across 4 continents. We’re headed to: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cambodia, and Thailand. The work will range from country to country in partnership with established ministries in each area.
It’s month 5. My team is in Bangkok, Thailand.
We’re teaching workshops at an English Center.
The spice of Thai food* is very different from the spice in South America. We’ve been in Asia for two months, and I love it. I really do. But I’ve been missing South American spice.
I’ve been missing bright colors and empañadas and greeting strangers with a kiss. I’m missing Pastor David and Pastora Esther and at least a dozen children that will forever be a part of my heart. Not to mention the thrill of really beginning to understand another language.
So today I’m reminiscing. I’m imagining the unbearable Bolivian heat and the sound of hermanas laughing as they cook lunch for 200 Compassion International kids.
On the day of these photos I sat down to draw a portrait of a very quiet young girl. I’d been trying to gain her trust for some time, and she had agreed to sit with me. Halfway into the portrait, we were surrounded.
I stood up an hour and 15 portraits later. Thankfully, Katie came down to take some of the pressure off. She and a few artists collaborated on the masterpiece featured below.
I didn’t get pictures of each kid. I did get a shot of Ismael. He was just a face in the crowd at the time. Later, one of my teammates agreed to become his monthly sponsor. Now he’s a full time Compassion kid. She carries a stuffed bear he gave her in her pack, and we pray for him all the time.
Thailand has been amazing, and you can look forward to at least 2 more posts about it.** But for today I hope you’ll indulge me a bit of nostalgia.
Te extraño mucho, America del Sur.
*When you order street food here it usually comes with a packet of spice and a packet of sugar. It took a while for us to work up the courage to use the sugar, but with the encouragement of our host we finally did. Game changer! A sprinkle of sugar cuts the spice so that you can use waaaaayyyy more. You get more flavor without piling on the heat. Thai life hack. You’re welcome.
**I say this also for accountability. Finding the motivation and time to blog on the world race is a challenge.
