Thailand Team – Update #7
We were sad to leave the beautiful green field’s and mountains of Phrao after our time at Seed of Hope. On our way back to the city we stopped at the Sticky Waterfalls to cool off and have lunch. What an amazing place to experience. We then headed to Chaing Mai to begin our debriefing time together and visit another organization.
We checked into our hotel and went to dinner at the street market where the Meier family and Alexa met us. We have enjoyed spending time with the Meier family and getting to know them. As a team we have come to realize how important it is to encourage our mission families overseas. We ended our evening meeting in a beautiful area in the outside lobby where we were able to process, share and discuss all we were feeling about our time in Thailand so far.
The next day brought a new perspective for us and we were able to enjoy a fun adventure at Chai Lai Orchid Elephant Reserve. We learned about the history of elephants in Thailand and were able to experience them up close…unforgettable. Our tour guides were from the Karen tribe and an opportunity to share the gospel with them presented itself. They received it well and we were able to pray for them together. Praise God.
The next day we were able to visit Connie’s Home, one of the many organizations Paul Meier is involved with. Connie and Richard take care of orphaned children as they prepare them for their future forever homes, international adoption. What a wonderful organization and we had an opportunity to play and love on the precious children. We then headed off to spend time together debriefing as a team and later after dinner debriefing with the Meier’s and Stowells.
On our last full day in Thailand we participated in a Akha tribe cooking class. Again learning more about the culture of the students we spent time together with at Seed of Hope. We learned to prepare dishes we can hopefully come back and share with family and friends. Later that night we had a western dinner with all our hosts. We were ready for American food and enjoyed our last meal together.
Our time in Thailand has changed each of us in different ways. It has stretched some of us. It has made some of us re evaluate our future plans. It has strengthened our understanding of what God is doing in the world and most of all it has forever touched our hearts. Worshiping, building relationships and sharing testimonies here has really helped us see even through we are on the other side of the world we share the same struggles.
Thank you for a church who supports us, and a church body who prays for us. God is on the move!
With Gratitude,
The Thailand Team