Hi friends!
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. The last time I wrote a blog, I was in Malaysia. Now, my squad is debriefing in Chiang Mai, Thailand, because our time here is already coming to an end!
I’ve tried to sit down and write a blog so many times during my time in Thailand, but as you can probably guess, it’s been a struggle. So, here we are. As I reflect on my time in Thailand, there have been many highs, but also many lows and things I’ve had to wrestle with the Lord about. This blog is essentially a reflection on one of the key lessons He taught me throughout my time here, so I hope you enjoy 🙂
What does it mean to serve?
One of my biggest struggles in Thailand was the change in ministry. In Malaysia, each person from my squad was paired with a refugee child, and we taught them English. It was such a privilege to have that one-on-one relationship and dedicated time to invest in the child God gave me. In Thailand, we were also teaching English, but unlike Malaysia, our ministry was with an established English school. There were full classes of kids, and we would only see the same ones once, maybe twice a week.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this ministry was such a blessing, and I love kids, so I truly enjoyed our time at the school. However, it was difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to form the same kind of deep relationships with the kids as I did in Malaysia. I wrestled with the Lord a lot because in Malaysia, I could actively see how He was working and moving, and I could witness the fruit that was coming from my labor. But in Thailand, I had to ask myself:
“Do I choose to do ministry because it makes me feel good when I see the fruit? Or am I truly here to serve Him… whatever that looks like?”
Many times, I’ve been eager to do the things that, from my perspective, will bear the most fruit. But in Thailand, the Lord was asking me to hold up my ministry host’s hands. And I didn’t always do it with an eager, willing heart because it seemed less important than whatever I had in mind for ministry. It is so easy to equate success in ministry with tangible results or visible outcomes, but the past few weeks He’s been reminding me how true service is about obedience and faithfulness in the unseen.
The truth for me is that many times, it’s hard to accept the fact that where God has me is the best possible place for me. Often, I feel like I’m trying to reason with Him, logically convincing Him that something else would be better for me (ridiculous, I know). But He is so patient and loving through all of my questioning and doubts. I’m incredibly grateful for His gentle correction, and He is still teaching me so much about complete surrender—sometimes needing to correct me quite frequently! 😂 But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
How You Can Be Praying!
- pray for A-Mane (our school ministry)
- pray for the spiritual warfare here in Bangkok… pray that our host and her family would be putting on the full armor of God daily.
- pray for all of Thailand! There truly is such a harvest there so be praying that the long term missionary’s would be strengthened by the spirit to continue being faithful laborers!!
- pray for my fundraising process (HUGE PRAISE: IM NOW 70% FUNDED!! 🥳)
- if you feel led to give, you can donate at: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2024-world-race-gap-year-24g0903/participants/isabella-ormey
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