Why did you want to go to Thailand?
When I got the email inviting me to go to Thailand, my heart burst! I immediately knew that I wanted to go and love on those kids. Knowing they came from a culture that was not their own, with very little Christian community and most likely dangerous situations I imagined they all understood what true loneliness looks like. They all are obviously part of a family unit but friends are a really good thing. When we were over their we facilitated friendships for all of those kids. Kids need to know they are loved and even liked. I knew that with God’s strength I could make known to them truth about themselves. Mainly, the truth that they are wholly and dearly loved.
What was your favorite part of your trip in Thailand?
I really did enjoy the entire trip and I do not really have a favorite part but I do have parts that surprised me and blessed me. The first thing that comes to mind is our team. Every member of our team woke up each day willing to love on each other. We all knew we were there to serve the Petersons, the missionaries and their children. I don’t think we knew how greatly we would bless each other. At least, I didn’t expect it. It was a really beautiful and good thing to watch twelve people work towards the same goal, with different minds, different skill sets and different passions. I really loved seeing the Body of Christ work together so well.
How did you experience God in Thailand?
Every morning I would wake up, tired, headache, sun burnt, dehydrated and an overall feeling of inadequacy. I led a group of four year olds around for 10ish hours a day with a couple of other ladies, and that is a exhausting. So I would pray, “God help me. Love me.” And he showed up. I am not surprised by his appearance in my life, thousands of miles away in what I would call a bizarre situation, but I am overwhelmed. I so often limit my Creator and I think I know a lot about him and I think he doesn’t really want to answer my prayers. Is he really listening? He walked with me throughout every moment of every day. He shows up. I believe he wants to do the same for us even here, in Manhattan, Kansas. He just really wants all of me. What a beautiful thing. And I learned that on a beach but I think that we can all know it right here.
Why did you want to go to Thailand?
Well, when I received the invitation letter my first thought was, “what if I don’t like the food?” Then I thought, “that’s dumb, I’m going to Thailand.” I had never been out of the country before, I like to travel with groups of people, like the youth group, or this case a bunch of hip people, and I like serving others. I have previously been on three missions trips to New Orleans, and going to Thailand seemed to be taking it to the next level. The work we did sounded like it was going to be a summer camp, and I’ve counseled at a summer camp a couple of times and enjoyed the work, so this seemed like the ultimate mission trip.
What was your favorite part of your trip in Thailand?
If I were required to pick a single most favorite part of my trip I would name the time we raced tuk tuks throught the streets of Bangkok. We were not driving of course, but experiencing the rush of traffic in Thailand was exciting. I also enjoyed Jaiya’s baptism. She choose to be baptized at dolphin bay where all her family and friends could be present, as well as members of the peterson’s home church. I also like seeing a new culture and listening to the stories of the missionaries present. I really liked getting to know a few of the older missionary kids and staying in touch with them through facebook. Picking up new lingo from australians and thais was also sweet as.
How did you experience God in Thailand?
I experienced God in the fellowship of believers from all over the world. There were people from different cultures, like american and australian, living in all different cultures, whether Indian, Indonesian, Thai, or others, they all came together for one purpose, to worship the same God which they all loved and served. It was really cool to see unity in so much diversity. Everyone there worshiped in different styles and manners, but they were all still unified in the love of God. And I was included in that.
Why did you want to go to Thailand?
I wanted to go to Thailand because it was a phenomenal opportunity to serve. There was a specific and obvious need and we could fill it. I feel the issue with short-term missions outreach is whether or not an impact is actually being made. In Thailand, we knew we would be used daily and serve a very important purpose.
What was your favorite part of your trip in Thailand?
My favorite part of our experience in Thailand was working with sixteen four-year-olds each day for about eight hours. Sound exhausting? It was. I don’t remember the last time I felt so completely emotionally, mentally, and physically wiped out by the end of each day. And it was incredible. For two weeks, I suddenly saw the world through the eyes of little people: they are enraptured by God’s world, they care for one another, they cry when they’re hurting, and laugh when they’re happy. They love face paint, singing songs about hippopotamuses, running around naked, and rubbing sand in their hair. They are boundless, creative, joyful, and express their love easily. They are real and simple and complex and refreshing all at once. I learned much more about the beauty of being a child- a child of GOD.
How did you experience God in Thailand?
I think I speak for our team when I say we were very, very tired. We quickly realized it was not humanly possible to adequately love 90 kids, their parents, and the members of our team on a daily basis. On our own, we are emotional, needy, self-seeking, shallow creatures. But God had work he needed done in Thailand, and so he provided. Regardless how tired we felt, He supplied us with exactly what we needed day to day. Encouragement came in the form of heart-felt thanks from the mouths of parents; refreshment came from humorous moments we shared at team dinners. God kept us healthy, and if one member was having a hard day, another member always stepped up and filled the need. God provided for us in countless ways! The God I experienced in Thailand is the same Savior who has designed me to depend on Him wherever I am. Thank GOD I am needy.