I'm officially back at home, in snowy Massillon, Ohio. Carrie and I flew back from LA on the 13th. I drove her home Monday and hung out there until Thursday. I came home Thursday evening. Maggie and Jacob came home for the weekend so I got to hang out with them. Now, that brings me up to today.
We spent debrief in Thailand on an island called Koh Samet. It's about a 20 minute boat ride off of the main land. We arrived there Wednesday and stayed there until Sunday. It was absolutely beautiful. This was right in front of the cottages that we stayed in. Jacqui and I shared an adorable cottage merely 25 yards away from the beach. We were definitely beyond blessed to be experiencing this relaxing place for debrief. It was crazy being at this point. The 2 months seemed to have flown by. God did so unbelievably much in that time, but it was hard being there because He still has so much to do in Thailand. When we were driving to debrief I struggled with the idea of leaving Thailand. I know it's a pride issue if I think that I have to be there for God to move, but I truly don't believe that that's why I didn't want to leave Thailand. I think the simple explanation for not wanting to leave is because I have enjoyed being used by God for a greater purpose.
Koh Samet |
I have found it extremely hard to try and explain what God has done in the last 2 months. During our debrief week in Thailand we talked about our most and least memorable experience, challenges, things that impacted us the most, strengths, and weaknesses. We basically hit everything you could talk about. When we got back to LA and had debrief with everyone there it was hard as well. You try to communicate with the other teams what God did, how fun or hilarious the trip was, but yet nobody fully understands besides your team members. So many times we were blown away but what God was doing that it left us speechless. He left me speechless so many times on outreach because of His goodness, and yet I still find myself struggling to communicate how wonderfully good He is months later.
This blog could be extremely long if I took the time to write out every single thought of mine in detail so I'm going to hit some basic stuff to wrap up outreach.
Things that God taught me while on outreach:
1.) He showed me that at the end of the day it's just me and Him. Every single thing I do, say, and think effects our relationship. It effects our relationship positively or negatively. I have the free will to choose which way I will effect our relationship.
2.) Speech is so important! I don't want to waste my words. I either give Satan or God my tongue.
3.) He showed me that I am an atmopshere changer. I have the capability of building the kingdom up or knocking it down.
4.) He showed me that He is a God who speaks. He wants to speak to me and He will. He is a God who speaks continually throughout our day and it's our decision if we want to hear Him or not.
This may seem like simple things, which they are, but at the same time they're difficult to life by 24/7.
Outreach was a time of deep conviction and transformation. God is still doing so much in me. He's helping me live this stuff out back here.
While in Thailand God entrusted me with certain people and ministries. Just because I'm back home doesn't mean that God wants me to stop praying for/supporting these people/ministries.
I feel called to pray for certain things they are:
1.) the prostitutes in Chiang Mai
2.)Ton and Mama (University students below)
Ton, Carrie, Mama, and myself |
3.)The Sila Home Staff
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my outreach team and Sila staff |
4.) Ching Ching, Paddthai, Seng, Ahka, and Chris (specific children from the Sila Home)
It's hard being home, but I know that God has me here for this season in my life. I'll be working at the daycare at my church until June. I will be taking one class at Ashland Seminary starting at the end of March. I'm changing my major to Christian Counseling so the courses available this quarter are limited. I'm not exactly sure how much longer I have left of seminary (graduate school), but I believe it's around two more years. This summer I'm going back to Yellowstone National Park again to work with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. I'll be a server in the Mammoth Dining room again.
I'm not exactly sure what God has planned for me after I graduate from seminary, but that's more than okay. I know He has plans for me and right now it's getting deeper training in counseling. All I know and need to know is that God is good, faithful, and He is all I need.