Our time in Mae La Noi was put to an abrupt halt, but those five & a half days or so were so special & memorable, and i’m so thankful for it. Before leaving for the seven-hour drive through the mountains and countryside of Thailand last Wednesday, we were all told varying things about our hosts, the town, ministry, and what living was going to look like. So we left with little expectations, but excitement in our hearts for what’s to come. The drive itself was beautiful to say the least. Many times we were all taken aback by the scenery & thankful for this life we are living. I often found myself singing these lyrics as I held on to the back of the Songtheaw May we never lose our wonder Wide eyed and mystified May we be just like a child Staring at the beauty of our King While it was a beautiful drive, it was also pretty bumpy, so a couple of us had motion-sickness. Needless to say, it was good to finally get there. In Mae La Noi, we were greeted by our host family helping us unload all our packs from the top and inside of the car. The house was two stories where the living room areas, bathroom, and kitchen were on the bottom, and the bedrooms were on the top. We made our way upstairs to the bedrooms where mosquito nets were set up across the rooms for us. The family was immediately so welcoming and we were all excited to be there. Most of our meals, with the exception of lunch a couple of the days, were at the house prepared by Mae (the mom of our host family). There was little to no furniture downstairs, so meals were, what some called, “family style.” There was a large mat on the ground, we all sat around it, and ate together. It was basically like eating at a table with your family without the table & it was more fun. Since we weren’t there very long, we didn’t necessarily fully delve into ministry in the way some of us were expecting to. But what we did do was so fun and so worth it. Pa, the dad of our host family, was such a nice man with such a huge heart for the Lord and his community. He had previously lived in Chiang Mai, and after moving to Mae La Noi (a much smaller and starkly different community from what he was used to), he decided to be very intentional. So he made connections with directors of schools and officials in the Thai government. In those five & a half days we visited two schools that have been operated by Buddhist traditions. But because of the connections and relationships that Pa had developed, Christians are able to come in. Our team spent time with around 150 kids and shared testimonies that kids could relate to, acted out skits based on Bible stories, played some songs, and played games to have some fun. I definitely enjoyed that time and seeing how the kids were so receptive to it. Pa & Mae also wanted us to have fun while there. So Pa took us to a lake close to the house where some of us went swimming. Pa is also involved in soccer with many people in the community, so we went to watch him play & some of us played soccer ourselves and basketball with some local youth. On Sunday, for church, we went to Pa’s sister’s home. Rappi opens up her home to eight young girls from surrounding villages who may have needed a better home or whose parents couldn't necessarily care for them. Rappi is such a special woman whose heart and passion for God is shown so well not only on the inside but outside as well. Rappi’s family, Pa & Mae’s family, and our team sat all together in their living room for church. It was something that I have envisioned church in the states to feel like - comfortable, simple, intimate, and like home. With our meals, living arrangements, & activities, we were so well taken care of for those few days. On Monday afternoon we were told that one of the men that Pa had connected with, who is an immigration official, was questioning what we were doing & why we were there. So, without expelling all the details, we were told that we would be leaving the next morning to head back to Mae Sot. I was not expecting this, I was definitely shocked. We were so sad, and it was sad to see the family so upset about the situation. We’re not quite sure what our next step is since it was not planned for us to be back in Mae Sot. But it is what it is, & i'm going to make the most out of this. Personally, I was & am very sad to have left Mae La Noi. The family were such incredible people & I loved their hearts, and, under the circumstances, it was not easy to leave. Please be praying for this team & I as we unexpectedly transition back. I see the goodness of God through it all, and I trust that His ways are better & greater than anything we could have "planned."
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This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV Archives
June 2017
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