Thailand Reflections #6

The Lord has done a marvelous work in me personally, in the team as a whole, and in the various places we visited along the course of the trip. I came into the trip with physical and mental health struggles, uncertainty as to how exactly the team would be a blessing to the places we were going, and confusion as to what God was doing in my heart and in my life. The Lord was very kind to me, granting me to experience more joy than I have in a very long time, even in the midst of horrible constipation and stomach pain and unfamiliar and often uncomfortable living situations. 

Additionally, the Lord really bonded the team together and from my perspective granted us love and unity which we had not experienced that fully before Thailand. I now have so much hope for the upcoming second semester, trusting that the Lord is doing a mighty work in us personally and as a team. 

Lastly, the team was able to be a blessing to so many schools, churches, villages, safe homes, orphanages, and even a refugee camp, while simultaneously being blessed far more abundantly in return. Even through a language barrier, the love of Christ was able to shine through us by the means of songs, skits, games, crafts, and most importantly being present with kids in the name of Jesus. 

I have realized so clearly that the wisdom of God is beyond comprehension, and the means by which He uses His people to proclaim the gospel, plant seeds and water them, however small those means might seem, are able to be used by the god who gives the increase and is calling His people out of this world and into His kingdom. God was so good to us, and the love and service which the team received from so many of these organizations in return was beyond humbling, as we came to love and to serve people who had very little, yet the people gave to us and served us and loved us abundantly.

– Todd Stracke