I don’t want to blog. End of story. Why would you want to read about my past week in Thailand? I wouldn’t even blame you for leaving this page before I finish. Before I left America I had so many people tell me how jealous they are of me, and how they’d like to go to Thailand, and how it was good of me to do bar ministry, etc. I don’t think anyone will be jealous of me after reading this.
I don’t want to be here. Don’t get me wrong, this place is beautiful, “the land of many smiles” is just that, and I’m exactly where I’m called for this season. I have to fight for my heart every day, and still haven’t come to desire being here…
It rains all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to Koh Sirey (got sir-ah) and worked in the rain. I’ve also been to Bangla Road a few times to pray in the rain…
I’ve never been so itchy in my life. I have so many bug bites, and am constantly scratching. Of all the bug bites I’ve ever had, these are the most annoying…
I love being with kids. I love holding them. I love rocking them to sleep. I love playing with them, and being crazy to make them laugh. But our ministry isn’t to the children, and the culture is so different… we can’t pick them up, we can’t touch their heads or hair, we can’t even greet them ‘til they say something to us first…
I’m homesick for Indiana and Uganda, both my homes. I’ve made this place my home, too, because God is my home, but it’s different and not my favorite. I long to be around people who genuinely love me, and show it. I don’t feel that here, which makes for a lonely life.
I’m tired all the time. Most nights we don’t get to bed ‘til 12:30am at the earliest, and I'm wide awake sometime around 6:30am. Then on top of that 3 days I go to do manual labor. It’s hard. Somehow I make it through the day, thank the Lord.
Spiritually it’s hard to live in a Buddhist nation. I’m honestly thankful I’m here in Thailand for only 3.5 months. Props to those who stay here longer. It’s so dark, and we’ve been attacked so much since being here, both spiritually and physically.
BUT I know who I’m serving is greater than all. I know where my hope lies. I know the One I serve has a plan and is faithful. I know the battles I face are already won, and I’m not alone. I know where my strength comes from. I know my prayers are heard and my cries don’t go unanswered. I know who is bringing in the harvest, and that it’s coming. I know He doesn’t overlook my faith.
His name is Jesus, and He conquers all.
