It’s official… We wrapped up our time in Malaysia and I find myself in Bangkok, Thailand.
It has been several weeks since an update and so I’ll do my best to get everything important written. First, leaving Malaysia was honestly not as hard as expected. I think what I’ll miss most about it will be the people I’ve come to know and love. (Especially my student). I grew to love the culture of Malaysia. The people are so hospitable, they don’t have a lot to give and yet any time you sit in someone’s home you will be leaving with some form of a meal or beverage. It put a lot into perspective when I was in Malaysia and also just grew my heart a lot for kids ministry. I think the Lord taught me so much there and a piece of my heart will always be there.
As for Thailand… We are staying in a hotel which means, you guessed it- BEDS!! I’m here with just my team which is only 9 girls so not the whole squad. It’s been good and challenging in its own way. I think there’s been a lot more spiritual warfare here in Thailand than there was in Malaysia, which has made things a bit more difficult. I’ve struggled with a lot of thoughts mentally, making me feel honestly just sad and uncomfortable in my situation here. So currently I’m working on giving it all to God even in moments where I feel like this. It’s easy to surrender and give parts of your life to God when you feel good, it’s a whole different story when you’re struggling mentally.
So going off of that- our ministry includes teaching English at an after school program, throwing events (especially Christmas events), singing on stage at events, worship, and evangelizing. I was given a role called Beauty for Ashes during training camp which has equipped me to host women’s events. So I am hosting my first event Dec 6 and 13. I’m over the moon excited to finally step into that role and hopefully come into fellowship with other women and share the gospel with them. Thailand has provided so many ministry opportunities it’s kept us busy but it’s also been so fulfilling, especially after spending a day dancing and teaching all of the students. I think my cup has been filled so much during our ministry here, and sometimes it’s the only thing to help my mental state of mind.
Funny Storyyyy
Okay so me and my team are in Thailand for less than a day and we are headed to a Christmas event being thrown at a college. On the ride there we are told that we will be performing in place of a K-pop band that got the date mixed up and could no longer perform. So my team, on the spot, 20 minutes before our performance, came up with a set list and did indeed perform in front of a large audience. The front row has people covering their faces in secondhand embarrassment, so it’s safe to say the performance was by no means pretty, but we did it!! Moments like that have me saying in my head, that no matter how badly it went, as long as I did it to the glory of God I can deal with it.
My little introspection:
The more I read my bible the more I see that our lives will for a fact be filled with hard things, because we are in a broken world, but we’re still called to worship and praise God in those moments. It’s what we do in those hard moments that matter. 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5 says “That no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” and Job of course talks about how he was put under so much affliction and yet in Job 1:20 it says ” Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped.” also Job 5:22 says “At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.” So recently even when things are hard I try my best to shift my focus on still praising Jesus because he’s deserving whether I’m in shambles or not.
Prayer Requests:
- First and foremost my mental health
- The unity and protection of me and my team
- That we can see someone’s life saved by the gospel
- Funding!! Guys I’m still only 55% funded and will indeed be sent home from the race if I don’t get fully funded by February. If you or anyone you know would like to help support me it would be greatly appreciated! The link to my funding page is below.
- All the people of Thailand!!
(My funding link)
https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2024-world-race-gap-year-24g0903/participants/olivia-reiling
You can also find the link in my insta bio. Zelle, Cashapp, or apple pay also works! (Oliviareiling)
