What I Learned in Thailand

Thailand 2012 Team

Our group left on January 14, 2012, from Taipei, Taiwan, destined not only for Chiang Rai, Thailand, but much more. After two plane rides, a few rather lengthy truck-rides (i.e. in the back of a truck truck-rides), a couple nights spent in a hostel built for Taiwanese businessmen who come to give aid to Thailand, and another lengthy truck-ride up into the mountains, we found ourselves in a sleepy little town called Da Tong. It was there we stayed for the majority of the trip. It was a beautiful location, nestled in the mountains with a Buddhist monastery up a long staircase on one side and a massive Buddhist temple/memorial on the other. For breakfast we would go to the local morning market where we discovered several new foods we never knew existed before such as mangosteens, a sweet and juicy, yet tangy fruit.

Each of us taught about 14 classes, all different grades, at the local Chinese school throughout the week. The kids were a lot of fun to teach because of their enthusiasm and desire to please the teacher. This is where what I learned from Thailand comes into view. 

1. I realized less can be more. Those Thai kids didn't have much (especially the ones we visited in the mountains) but they were happy which is more than can be said for many Taiwanese and American children who get almost everything they want.

2. People can thrive in what I would consider to be very poor, dirty conditions. I realized that don't really need so many of the things I call necessities back in the states. 

3. The Lord just brought to mind the prayer of Jabez which I used to pray quite often but not as much anymore. I would pray, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territories, and place your hand upon me, and keep me from evil that it may not cause me pain.  The Lord has blessed me countless ways: I have an awesome family, godly friends, good jobs, fantastic opportunities and more. Much has been given. Much is expected. God has enlarged my sphere of influence more than I ever would have thought possible a few years ago when I was praying that prayer. He's placed His hand on me and has protected me from evil. I praise God for answering my calls to Him.

4. I think God taught me more about leadership while I was in Thailand too. Bethany Williams, my team leader, was back in the U.S. while we were in Thailand so I was left in charge of my team as the assistant leader. It was good for me to experience more responsibility in that regard.

5. I learned to have a greater appreciation for the country of Taiwan, leaders, and the good 'ol U.S.A. 

Thailand was beautiful, but it is under a huge amount of spiritual oppression. Please pray that God would remove the blinds off the eyes of the Thai people. And one last thing, don't take what you have for granted. You have more than a probably 80-90 percent of the world's population. Live open-handed.

(Photographs courtesy of Reuben Mitton)

Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)