After my first full week of ministry in the mountains of Chiang Dao was full of the new, the difficult, and the gratifying.
To start things off, we arrived at the orphanage and introduced ourselves to the kids and the hosts. Everyone adjusted in their own way for the night, which for me looked like a walk uphill with my friend Brooks to see the mountain range and clear my head for a while. Shortly after, everyone headed back for dinner: a delicious Thai soup made by our host that nourished my soul – the first of many amazing, home cooked Thai meals. The team discussed how we were doing and what things might look like going forward that night, as well as more important logistical factors, like our team name – Pinkie’s Pals.
Pinky’s Pals
Early in the morning, the boys headed out to church in a village a few hours away that our host planted and worked at for a time. The area was so pretty, and everybody there was so welcoming. They sang American worship songs, gave us coffee and tea, and even prepared lunch for us afterwards. During service, we got to sing them worship songs, and then our host gave the message, which touched many of the locals there. I was filled with joy and peace being there, and all the boys seemed to be as well. We ate lunch with a ministry group of teachers from Australia, which was such a fun and unexpected time! The fresh mango was a crowd favorite – the best I’ve ever had. After church, we went into the village and, lead by our host, we met and listened to the stories of a few locals there, then proceeded to pray for them. One lady we prayed for there made beautiful shirts by hand, and she so generously gifted them to us.
Hand made shirt and the village
My next two days consisted of resting, and I went back to the city with Kailey and Drew from my team to the hostel where the rest our squad stays. Drew and I had good quality time with each other and with Jesus, and were able to explore and be adventurous as well as rest; it was a really nice, fun time.
Drew with a peanut butter smoothie, so happy!
The first morning of ministry, we took part in an orientation lead by our host about how ministry will look, and about the Thai culture and language. We then headed to do what the majority of our ministry was for the week: digging. We were assigned the project of clearing out a wall of dirt and rocks to make room for renovations in hopes of expanding the orphanage in the future. The vision is a new bathroom where we are digging currently, and eventually to have a boys’ home behind that. The next few days of digging were quite tiresome, and certainly required perseverance to keep up both our progress and our positive heart postures in the process. Along the way, however, there was so much sweet time spent with each other and the kids that was so uplifting and recentering for me. On Saturday we taught the kids English, going over school supplies and incorporating vocabulary, conversation, and crafts stations into the mix. We also took over church and Sunday school on Sunday morning, with my friend Isaiah preaching the message after our fun reader’s theatre activity. I am so thankful we were able to take on the opportunity of teaching and leading over the weekend!
The team teaching English
In the midst of it all, God showed me reminders of His goodness everyday, and when I felt lost, overwhelmed, or like giving up, He refreshed my soul in the way that only He can. One thing God has been teaching me through this week is to bring myself back to Him; to abide and partake of my daily bread. He is enough. Nothing revives the soul or makes you whole like Jesus. Spending time with Him and meditating on His word is of utmost importance, and personally I cannot imagine how much harder the week would have been without doing so. He reminded me to walk in the Spirit and let Him guide me, that I can lean on Him and not on my own strength.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
– John 15: 4-5
Amen.
These new experiences are really making you stronger in your faith and stretching your boundaries. I’m praying for peace and joy to be your daily gifts from our Lord.