If you lived in the South growing up, chances are you’ve heard of Six Flags New Orleans. I went there several times as a kid, and would usually have a great time!
There was one ride in-particular that sticks out in my mind, though. The Muskrat Scrambler. It wasn’t a big ride. Nothing too fancy. It just was a lot of fun. The track was compacted and would take 90 degree turns and fantastic stomach churning drops. Sometimes you’d feel like you were gonna fly off the side, but you always were fine. My friends and I were always fans of the Muskrat Scrambler.
Big whoop, right? Why in the world would I ever mention this? It’s because this month in Thailand has been a lot like the Muskrat Scrambler.
The drops, the turns, the ups, the downs, wondering whether or not you’re gonna fly off the cart. But ultimately, having an awesome time through the process.
This month was a growing and challenging month for me in two ways. First it was a big month for logistics.
Kyle and I had to get to Thailand from Costa Rica, which wasn’t exactly a cake walk. Then somewhat facilitate a debrief for the first days that we were here. Then the whopper came. We needed to start the ball rolling on getting visa ready for India. And we need to do it this month. This required passports, photos, forms on forms on forms, and tons of signatures.
We had to leave ministry after the first week to print everyone’s applications, print other forms, get the proper signatures, and work out all the kinks. You might be wondering why this is such a big deal. India has apparently decided that it likes being one of the hardest countries to get into. They turn people away all the time, and make it quite difficult for anyone to get into the country in the first place.
So, getting 44 people into India without really mentioning that we were doing it for missions was not an easy task. Between 2 trips to the Indian Visa Control Center, numerous trips to print shops, and tons of time redoing applications, we were exhausted. In the end we got it all done. Through the genuine grace of God and His provision all 44 of us cleared the process and got visas to India.
To date it’s the most Kyle and I have ever done with logistics. It was hard, it was complex, and there was a lot of problem solving involved. But it was worth it. Just a bunch of drops and turns on the Muskrat Scrambler.
The second reason this month was so much like a funny little Six Flags ride is because of our ministry. We worked with Pastor Ekachai doing a whole mess of different things. We taught English at schools and villages. We sang songs and did skits. Spoke and shared testimonies. Did dances and played with kids. Even did some ministry in prisons. A lot of stuff on stage. A lot of stuff in front of people.
Something you might not know about me is that I used to be mortified to be in front of people. I hated it. I would get the worst stage fright and lock up. I’m tons better about it now, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for me. This whole month was a challenge for me in that regard. I have a tough time being the center of attention.
The first time I did the nativity skit? Nervous. The first time I taught English? Scared to death. Sang in front of a group? Please.
God broke me of this a great deal this month. He took my comfort zone and stretched further than it’s probably supposed to. He showed me that I have the ability to do these things for the Kingdom, so why should I be nervous? The Thai people are extremely friendly. I’m pretty convinced we can do no wrong here, so it’s not like I was ever going to be judged. He taught me more about my voice and how powerful and useful it is. That it is a strong gift He has given me.
One of the things I’ve heard a few times on the Race is that the devil tricks you into think your strengths are your weaknesses. Ol’ satan tried to make me think that I would be terrible in front of people. Gave me anxiety about it every time I would hop up there. But God said no, no, no and showed me that, that just isn’t the case. He’s shown me a new side of myself I wasn’t entirely sure I had.
The Muskrat Scrambler took many kidney punching turns. A lot of stomach churning drops. And even a few whiplash-inducing spins. Thailand wasn’t much different.
We’ve all but finished here. The final big spin/drop/turn of death on the Scrambler is that we have team changes at the end of this month. It’s a good thing, for sure. It’s meant to grow us and challenge us more. Keep us from getting complacent. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy. I will learn a great deal through this process, I’m just not sure what yet. I will also miss being a BFF. I love my team dearly. We’ve been through a lot, and I will always cherish our time together.
But, to everything there is a season. The changing of seasons isn’t bad either.
As the Muskrat takes me down to the bottom to end the ride I’m thankful for it’s twists and turns. I may feel a little beat up, but it sure was fun. It may have made me scream like a tiny, tiny girl a few times, but I know I enjoyed it.
I owe a lot to Thailand. I love it to death.
About to take another death-defying 90 degree turn,
Seth
