For the last two months, my team and I lived in the mountainous region of Chiang Dao, Thailand in the countryside on a homestead with Wanida and Aaron Yakoh and their glorious family of twelve children, along with pigs, turkeys, chickens, and dogs —Oh my! Wanida and Aaron received their calling from the Lord while in college to someday steward a household for orphans and cultivate an accepting and Christ centered family. Little did they realize that later on their life would look like something out of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen.’
My team and I got to experience their lifestyle and were able to first hand see into Thai culture by being immersed into many different aspects and work environments over the last six weeks. We taught English classes in a Public school, Kindergarten, and Monk school! Spent a few weeks doing maintenance and gardening on their farm as well as harvesting fruit. Got to take an overnight trip to the village, went on a few excursions including a trip to a majestic rice field, and spent the rest of the time at home and with the children. We helped plan and facilitate family worship, Bible school, and home church services too. There was hardly any free time and when there was it was spent resting and sleeping to make up for the exhaustion. We worked hard and kept our eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.
But in all honestly, our time in Thailand was very challenging and we all collectively hit a slump of burnout, apathy, and frustration. Many times I considered throwing the towel, booking my ticket, and leaving the field to come home. Not because of how hard things were, but because of feelings of inadequacies and low self worth to serve well or up to standard. I just ultimately felt like I was not enough. But the Lord showered me in his favor and strength, He revealed and yanked out deep roots and set me free of the oppression and heaviness of all I was feeling. It was a daily struggle and a daily showering. After confiding in my family about how I was feeling, my brother sent me this verse which I set as my lock screen to remind me daily that God openly gives His strength through all the times I’m weak especially, my time in Thailand.
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31
Other than the adversities, Thailand was so full of blessings and surprises! Our Mentor Oriolyne surprised us all with an unexpected visit the first week we arrived in Thailand! Her enthusiasm and love of the country got us all very excited to be there. She also joined both teams our first few days and helped us all get acclimated into our new environments.
My friends and teammates completely surprised me on my twenty second birthday by splurging and putting together a weekend in the city! We came across a hip market filled with handmade goodies, retro music, and vintage clothes and after went to eat long awaited and craved Mexican food! For desert we walked to a 7/11 and grabbed a few goodie and then spent the night at a hotel which they picked out and made arrangements for in advance! The next morning, we went out for brunch, where I was completely caught off guard by fact that the whole squad worked it out to surprise me!!!!! My heavy heart was completely filled by just those two days and that love truly carried me on through the next five weeks. I had never had a surprise party happen before, but I have always wanted one! And now my dreams and desires are fulfilled! 
Our last week in Thailand, our Coaches Mike and Char Benson visited us and truly walked in our shoes in the ministries and community we had been living in. They loved on us, spoiled us, and brought a kind of presence that just feels familiar, comforting, and makes your heart warm. Their affection and smiles made such a difference and their counsel and guidance helped guide us through processing and getting out of the burnout, hurt, and exhaustion we were dealing with. 
And all the other blessings which may seem small but meant the world to me. We found a wonderful and forever cherished laundromat, ate delicious home cooked meals everyday made by Wanida and her family, went on various 7/11 runs, had an in home/make shift movie night with our sleeping pads, a variety of snacks, speaker, a laptop, and some string lights), saw the beauty of the Forrest on the bus ride back and forth from Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai, laughed with the children, learned how to play a few chords on the guitar, had access to a coffee shop with inexpensive ice cream only 10 minute hike away, and felt settled into relationships and friendships with those on my team and back home. 
Thailand, thank you for the growth. For a season of hardship and increasing endurance. And thank you for the precious moments, celebrations and being celebrated, and all the many memories to carry on forever into eternity.
