Well, tomorrow we are leaving for our mid-point debrief… It’s a bittersweet feeling. I am so very sad to leave this ministry but I am so incredibly thankful for all that God has done here and all that He will continue to do after we leave.
In Thailand, they have these paper balloons that you can light a fire under (sort of like a mini hot air balloon) and send it off into the night sky for “good luck”. Thursday, being our last night out at the bars, we decided to write on the balloon and send it up into the sky to symbolize our letting go of the women and giving it all up to God. So, at the end of the night, after all of our goodbyes were said and hugs were given, we all stood at the beach and took turns writing declarations and the names of all of our new friends on the balloon.
Saying goodbye was harder than I thought it was going to be, I have come to love these women and think of them as my friends, not just as a “ministry opportunity”. Even though I plan on keeping in touch with these women, I know that I have to let go and let God take care of them and just trust that He is going to keep sending people to minister to these women and bring them to Him. It is hard letting go, it’s one thing whenever you are there, you can be a part of the process, you have some feeling of control. But, whenever you are gone, it is completely up to God.
I truly hope that we have touched these women and they will always remember us. One thing I do know is that they have forever changed me. I will never be the same after leaving here. These women will always be on my mind and in my heart. I know that someday I will be back here in Phuket, but until then, I just have to “let go and let God”.
