Ten gifts from Thailand

The change of season has arrived. Although it feels right to leave for a while and I do have an abiding peace, it has been so hard to leave this land and these people I have come to love. In my last 10 days in Thailand, I listed 10 gifts God gave me during my time there:

My epic and unforgettable farewell party was a total surprise; so many dear friends came together to send me off in style!

1. Team-mates who have become family. We have shared laughter and tears, and so many crazy adventures together. We have lived our dream and our calling together to the fullest we could, in our own flawed and imperfect ways. We became part of the furniture in each other's homes, set the world to rights around many a table of somtum and grilled chicken with sticky rice. We've screamed together in frustration over innumerable cultural blunders or parts of the culture we understand but don't like. Your children have become my nieces and nephews. Our lives have become inextricably linked. As iron sharpens iron, so you have sharpened me. Other times, you've sawn off my rough edges and we've stayed friends through it! 

2. Thankful for each Thai friend who has made space and welcomed me into their heart and home, walked with me patiently as I took baby steps to integrating in Thailand the past 4 years. You didn't need me, yet you introduced me to your world. You have enriched my life.  I've learned much from you, but best of all, I've seen Jesus in you. Seeing Him through your eyes has made Him even more beautiful. 

3. The incredible mingling of flavours in Thai food that set my tastebuds tingling, the vast range of cheap and yummy Thai snacks and fruits so readily available - durian, mangoes, lychees... how I will miss you! I will miss eating out as often as I want, and knowing it is cheap, healthy and delicious!

4. Sandy: my faithful companion, guard dog and baby for the year I lived in Surin. The little stray puppy was absolutely a gift sent from God for this time. My heart breaks to leave her behind, yet I'm comforted by the fact that her new family adore her almost as much as I do.

5. Thanking God for the privilege of being able to learn Thai, a tonal language. Despite many a language blunder, calling 'older sister' an 'evil spirit' or telling children to 'pee' rather than 'point' to their heads, I had the joy of being able to operate in the Thai language to a good degree of fluency. 

6. Thai & Isaan music that makes me sing along. I've loved being able to immerse myself in this part of the culture that is so beautiful. It's hard to choose just one track to share but here is a song about how I will miss my friends here. It brings back memories of my little Thai sister singing it for an audition!

7. Thankful for the fruit that I do/ don't see but God has brought and will bring from my time in Thailand. Today I had the privilege of hearing a few of my Thai sisters share ways they have been impacted through our friendship... I'd never have guessed. What a blessing to worship and pray with them. He's the God who brings abundance out of our small offerings, even just who we are when we're not trying to be or do something. Be encouraged as you live a life of love, it speaks loud because God puts a megaphone to our little voices. 

8. Thankful for the unique beauty of Thailand... year round hot weather, rainforested mountains in the North, tropical beaches in the South and rice fields in Isaan! I'll miss £4 Thai massages!

9. For the partnership of so many dear friends in the UK and beyond who have made serving in Thailand possible and have carried me with your prayers. Your letters and cards have lifted me so many times. I have been inspired by your example and encouragements. 

10. My heart is full with all that God has given me these past 4 years in Isaan. The biggest of these I will take with me and hope to nurture for the rest of my days... God's heart and passion for those who don't have any opportunity to know Him. It's not about changing their no to a yes, it's giving them the opportunity to choose. 86% of those in the unreached world will never meet a Christian. They'll have heard of and enjoyed Coca Cola but never heard of Jesus. This needs to change. 
I was one of these till I heard of and met Jesus at 13 and He has since been the Joy of my life. How tragic that so many are denied the opportunity to choose Him because we who know Him haven't made Him known. Today I thank God for letting me feel a fraction of His love for the unreached, and I pray that this will continue to grow, find an outlet and bear fruit whatever I go. <3  your