It’ll take quite the experience for a month of ministry to top what the Lord did through us in Thailand.
We stayed on a self-sustaining in farm in Chiang Mai – the northern part of Thailand. Where the mountains are! Our ministry host, Pat, is one of the most fearless disciples I’ve ever met in my life.
Each morning, Pat drains the sewage system into buckets to be carried to fertilize the many crops grown on his farm. On Mondays, he visits local Buddhist schools in his village to teach the kids English and share the gospel. With everyone – and I mean everyone. Mostly, he just loves them with fierce, unconditional love.
On Tuesdays, after farm work, Pat and some of his boys visit youth detention centers. His boys were once there. He invites youth who are trying to turn their life around to live with him and his family on his farm. He disciples them closely and teaches them life skills, and English, so that they don’t have to (or want to) revert to their old life. At the detention centers, they share Jesus, and mostly just hang around and play with the boys. It is obvious that he is highly respected and wanted there.
On Wednesdays, Pat might go visit some hospitals, and pray over intensely sick people. He might go to the local mall to catch a movie with his beautiful family, all while inviting strangers to come with, and, of course, sharing the gospel. He probably has work to do on the farm, like planting more trees and crops, feeding the pigs and buffalo, or weeding. He might be helping someone build a house, and that house is probably on his farm as he also sells portions of his land to people for cheap.
Thursdays and Fridays look like Mondays and Tuesdays, but really, Pat just lives life and spreads Jesus and love wherever he goes.
On Saturdays, Pat takes the boys to the local market to buy more plants and crops, and eats some real weird food. They work on the farm when they get home, and then he usually spends time with his family. On Sundays, they have a little church service with everyone who lives on his land, and he invites the children from school, too, if their parents will let them.
Pat empowered, encouraged, and challenged us to join him in all this in our time with him. Our nights were spent sitting in a circle watching the sun set behind the mountains, eating home – grown food, and intently listening to stories of Pat’s life and his bold faith in the Lord. It was definitely a busy month; one to remember, and one I surely won’t forget!
