My Mission Partner

I remember the first time Raquel and I showed up on campus. We were both newbies, just getting used to all the new and strange things. Now we feel much more at home here.

But today, this girl, my mission partner, is leaving to fly back across the ocean to our homeland. (I will be staying here for a few more months.) I think it's safe to say that she is not excited to leave this place - this special place where 300+ precious students come to learn.

I know we've both grown in many ways over the last few months. We've been through a lot together and I'm going to miss so much about her.

Here's just a few of the highlights:

• Deep conversations under our mosquito net at night - She really got me thinking sometimes.  
• Our plans for having short prayers in the evening didn't happen - I won't exactly term them short, sometimes they got pretty long... but that was ok. 
• Taking a cold bath together in our sarongs - If you were nearby, you'd probably hear a few shrieks and outbursts...
• Getting covered in sweat and dirt and then getting drenched with rain on our intense hike up the jungle mountain... and yet enjoying every minute of it. 
• Laughing at each other's jokes - sometimes actually rolling on the floor laughing (You know what I'm talking about, Raquel ;)
• Comparing teaching experiences and funny classroom moments with each other 
• Seeing her carefree curls bounce up and down as she hurries across campus to her next class
• Getting into funny, embarrassing situations together - like when we snuck up on a sleeping visitor with one of the girls and then ran away (very rapidly to say the least) when he started to stir. 
• Oh yeah, the amazing back massages she'd give me sometimes after a long day 
• And so much more...

I'm grateful that this girl was willing to come on this adventure with me - all the way across the ocean to be teachers together in this foreign land. We've made so many memories that have bonded us together. I look forward to making more fun memories with her in the future.

Thank you, Raquel, for being my mission partner and letting God use you to touch the young lives at Sunshine Orchards! I know the students will miss you too!

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26

Weekend Adventures

This last weekend the Steck family, Raquel, Hailey & I went on an adventure to see some new places in Thailand. I'll take you on a little photo journey through our weekend. 

 One of the many beautiful views during our car ride

 The old station wagon - almost ready to leave. 

We spent the night in a hotel in Mae Sariang (about 2.5 hrs from the school).  It was so nice to have warm showers and real beds to sleep on there. 

On Sabbath morning we enjoyed a special breakfast while we watched Ouachita Hills Friday night vespers live. Raquel's sister gave an encouraging message for her senior speech. It was so nice to see all of my family members come up on the screen during the program. We were so thankful to have a faster internet connection to be able to watch it.  

 Here's the five of us girls - Hannah, Sharon, Raquel, me, and Hailey - by a painting at the hotel. 

They're a fun bunch to hang out with. :)

After we packed up we headed up to the highest mountain in Thailand. The road was steep, curvy, and bumpy, but the views on the way up were beautiful. Once we arrived at the top, we weren't able to see very much because of the clouds, but we enjoyed our time nonetheless. 

Hannah Marie & Hannah Joy :)

We had to pull out our jackets because it was chilly due to the higher elevation. 

 We had many photographers on our trip. 

We ate our lunch at the top of the mountain. The school's cook had sent some special curries (fake meat curries with garlic, tomatoes and onions) along with us for our picnic.

Notice the sign (7 - Living Together). 

We thought it was an appropriate place to get our extended Steck family picture. 

We enjoyed a hike through the jungle after lunch. 

Here's another pic of our adopted family 

That was a big tree!

 Enjoying the view arm in arm

The front view - with a random Thai guy

A pagoda at the top of the mountain - made in honor of the King of Thailand. 

We enjoyed the view and tried to stay warm while Mr. Steck read to us from an inspiring book called "One Miracle After Another." We almost read the entire book during our weekend trip. I've read it before, but it's definitely worth re-reading. We serve a powerful God! 

(If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so.)

We then drove over an hour to a campsite near the gorge. 

Our little campsite the next morning - I enjoyed sleeping in my hammock. :) 

We had our breakfast by the rushing river. 

The Sunday morning breakfast that chef Hannah (Hannah Steck that is) had prepared -
Spaghetti, homemade spaghetti sauce, papaya, pineapple, bread & more. 

We then walked to the nearby gorge and hiked a trail that had another nice view at the top. 

Walking across that bridge at the top of the gorge was exciting. :)  

 Next we drove back to Mae Sariang and down a long, pot-holed, bumpy road to the Salawin River. 

We took a boat ride just before dusk - the temperature was perfect. 

I looked a little dusty from our drive out there. 

 The other passengers on our boat ride. 

We had a wonderful time. I will always treasure these memories with friends. 

We made it safely back to the school at a late hour on Sunday night and thankfully we were all in one piece. Praise the Lord for His protection over the many miles we traveled!

Acclimatization

It been just over two weeks since I first set foot in Thailand. I think I'm becoming more accustomed to life here at Sunshine Orchards.

(Note: For more detailed updates, you can go to Raquel's blog- raquelariel.blogspot.com.)

I'm getting used to the cold showers, although I still cringe when I pour the first dipper-full of frigid water over my body. Speaking about bath time... Here's an excerpt from my recent journal: "Because we got back late from shopping in Mae Sot and it was already getting dark, we had to take our baths without much light (the bathroom light is not working right now). With the help of my flashlight, I saw lots of little particles in the big water bucket... Evidently the filter is not working very well right now. After pouring a few bucket fulls of cold water over my body and soaping up, I noticed something floating in the water. I examined it a little closer in the dim lighting and found it to be a drowned, tiny, whitish, lizard-type creature. I quickly disposed of it in the toilet. To think that that dead thing could have been poured over my head! I guess that's the joys of being a missionary. :) It makes life more exciting. You never know what will happen next. "

I'm starting to get used to the schedule and having worship so early (5:30 am), even though I would rather sleep in. I enjoy hearing all the singing and seeing the friendly smiling faces so early in the morning.

I've been to the three towns that are in the nearby vicinity - Mae Salit (10 min), Mae Tha (30 min away), & Mae Sot (almost 2 hrs. away). Going to the market is an interesting experience for sure. There are many different sights, sounds, and smells such as squirming eels, golden fish, huge live catfish & other types of fish, tiny squid in containers to be sold; dirty market streets; nauseating smells of pork and other meat mixed with strong smoke smells; staring people (our white skin gives us away); many racks of colorful clothing and much more. I was surprised to see that they have a fancy store in Mae Sot that is similar to a mall on the bottom level and a Walmart on the top floor.

I enjoyed eating the delicious food at some local restaurants too - vegetable/tofu curry, pad thai, yellow mango shake, to name a few of my favorites. I think I feel best when I'm on the simple diet here at school. though. I still haven't come to enjoy bamboo shoots or durian yet. The people here like their food spicy hot, because some of the curries have had quite the heat. I like a little spice, but sometimes it's just too much to take. Raquel and I sometimes like to end our meals with rice, coconut milk and a little drizzling of honey to end on a cooler note.

I've been getting used to bringing an umbrella almost wherever I go... except for last night I left it behind and Raquel and I got quite drenched on the way back to our hut after visiting the girl's dorm.

Taking off my shoes before going into any building is becoming second nature. You have to take your shoes off in some small shops in the market as well.

I'm also starting to interact more with the students here. The day before yesterday, I helped five of the girls sweep and mop the new girls' dorm that was recently built (They haven't moved in yet.). It was an interesting experience, because the girls did not speak very much English or they were too shy to speak it. There were many smiles, laughs, and giggles.

We had a hard time understanding each other. I would say something and they would just giggle and laugh and talk to each other. Then they would try to tell me something and I would say, "Huh, what was that?" I enjoyed working with them though. This just creates in me a greater desire to learn their language, so I will be able to communicate with them better and know what they are saying about me. :)

There are still a lot of new things ahead of me. I will be starting to teach classes next week when the second school term begins. We're on the school break right now, but there are still about 90 students on campus.

The plan is for me to teach English to grades 8, 9, & 10. I'm feeling a mixture of excitement & trepidation. I pray the term will start off well. I'll probably be laughing a lot and a praying a lot. I've been hearing that I have a few mischievous students in my classes. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Bottom line, I know I will need much wisdom and strength from the greatest of all Teachers in order to be successful in this new endeavor.

I will also be a teaching a vocational computers class in the afternoon. I don't know exactly how to plan for these classes, but I'll just have to do my best.  After blanketing everything in prayer, I'll just have to "jump in and get my feet wet."

It's not all bliss & happiness being a student missionary - I've had those moments of being tired after a long day, feeling out of the loop when the students are talking in Karen, missing home and family, having a sore back and a sore throat...

I still face similar challenges & distractions to the ones I had back home in Arkansas. And thankfully, I still have a mighty Savior who can help and strengthen me just as He has done before. I just need to trust Him fully in this new place, no matter what I face. It's reassuring to know that God is there, wherever we are.

I am very grateful for this opportunity to be stretched and challenged. I'm reminded of one of my favorite verses...

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Proverbs 3: 5, 6

All of us foreigners wore Karen shirts last Sabbath. So thankful for friends!

Note: If you have been noticing random capitalization, out of place punctuation, or mixed up word order in my posts, it's not because I have bad grammar skills. :) It's due to my computer trying to auto translate/correct what I write. Hopefully I've fixed that problem now. It's somewhat amusing to see what it did to my posts. Technology is not always helpful.

Sabbath at Sunshine Orchards

It is my first full day here at Sunshine Orchards. 

The bell rings five minutes before worship begins - it’s an early hour… 5:25 am.

Many feet are hurrying to the chapel… Everyone takes off their shoes before walking up the steps to go inside. I’ve never seen so many sandals and flip-flops at the same time and place before.

We all sit cross-legged on the hard wood floor. (I hope I get more accustomed to the hardness soon.) There are so many children pressed into the room. I sit with the girls on the right side of the room. 

Soon many young voices are singing with gusto. These kids really seem to enjoy singing. I enjoy listening, but I only wish I could understand it all. 

Once in a while I glance across the room and catch eyes with someone. We share a smile. I like these kids already. :) They are probably wondering what this new tharamu (teacher) is like. 

Later after a breakfast of potato curry, rice, & vivid pink dragon fruit, we all meet in the chapel again for the church service. The kids are shy whenever they go up front and giggle when they make a mistake. Even though the kids have been through so much, they really seem to enjoy life - though it’s simple. 

In the middle of the mission story, we hear a gecko loudly interrupting, “Uh-uh, uh-uh… uh-uh.” We all smile and laugh quietly. 

The sermon is about the “good news” about hell. The children seem to understand and take it all in. I’m glad it’s in English and then translated to Karen so I could understand it too.

For Sabbath School, the children divide into their different grades. I join the group going across the road to the 9th & 10th grade classroom. Sabrina shares about the prodigal son who wanted his inheritance right away. She told how he wasted it all and even had to feed dirty pigs. 

He was drawn back by his father’s never-ending love for him. The father longed for him to come back. Our Savior longs for us to come to Him. His love is so deep and everlasting. 

Lunch consists of rice, a tofu curry, and pad thai noodles. It is one of my favorite meals so far. 

The afternoon is free, so we decide to drive up the narrow, curvy road through the mountains to a waterfall. I’m amazed at how many eager girls fit into the back of the truck. On the way their voices fill the air with energetic singing. I love to hear the passion and joy in their songs.

Around the curve there is a breath-taking view of the towering mountains contrasting with the true blue sky above and the living green in the valley below. 

The waterfall is a rushing slide that splashes into a bubbling pool at the bottom. I join the happy, screaming girls as we take turns sliding down the waterfall into the cool pool below. It’s fun, even though it’s super cold. 

The girls love having their pictures taken with us golawahs (white foreigners). They take turns standing by us and smiling for the picture. 

We then decide to travel up to a bigger waterfall. The girls are delighted! After driving a little farther up the mountain, we have to walk through the jungle, across a bamboo bridge, over big rocks, and through a few trickling creeks to get there.

This waterfall is much bigger than the last one. It is beautiful!  The water is spraying us with a gentle mist. I stand in awe and watch it for a moment with my feet in the cool water.  I’m so thankful for nature…

We hurry back for AY, which is another enjoyable gathering in the chapel. During the meeting, sweet little Juju sits in my lap. Her tiny hands play with my watch. Every once in a while she looks up at me and giggles and smiles. She didn’t take long to warm up to me. 

After supper at the Steck’s house, we help with a few dishes and then check to see if the internet is working. Thankfully it is, so I am able to talk to my siblings all the way back in America. 

We are tired after a long day. It was full of many new experiences.  Even though I’m sore from sitting on the hard floor for so long, I’m thankful I’m here. I do miss home, but I’m glad to be a teacher at Sunshine Orchards…

Missionary Dreams Come True

Ever since I was little, I've had an interest in mission work.  It probably all started when I would listen, spellbound, to my mom read stories to us of great missionaries (such as Bruchko, Singer on the Sand, Taught by a Tiger, Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward, Jim Elliot, Eric B. Hare stories, and more) who worked with savages and all sorts of people, leading them to Jesus.  It thrilled me to hear how they each made an eternal impact on the lives of the dear people they ministered to. Also many of my family members and friends have served some time as overseas missionaries. These inspiring stories and firsthand mission reports worked together to spark a longing in my heart that someday, I too, could be a missionary in a far-off country for more than just a few weeks. (I have had the privilege of going on shorter mission trips to Honduras, Serbia, & Cuba for a few weeks at a time).

Now my dreams are becoming a reality. Recently, the Lord has opened the way for my college friend Raquel and I to spend a few months in Thailand at a learning center and children's home (orphanage) right on the border of Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. It's the same area where Eric B. Hare worked! I had applied to volunteer at Sunshine Orchards quite a few months ago after getting some recommendations from others and I had not received a response from the school for quite some time. I began to wonder if God had a different plan for the next school year. My parents and I decided that I should spend a week specifically praying about possible mission opportunities and seek further direction from God. The very next day, when I opened my email, there was an acceptance email from the principal at Sunshine Orchards in my inbox.  Right away I thought, "Lord, is this a sign that I'm supposed to pursue this option..." After praying and talking with people who have spent some time there, I decided that the Lord did seem to be opening that door. There's nothing better than to see God open doors and lead you to the place He has for you.

Another blessing was to have my friend, Raquel, agree to join me in this adventure. My parents had expressed that one of the prerequisites for me to go as a student missionary, was to find a girlfriend who could come with me.  Raquel had written in her journal of an interest to travel overseas as a missionary, and had prayed that God would lead someone else to have that same desire. God's ways are truly higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.

So it's official now! Our plane tickets have been purchased and we will soon be applying for our visas. We are planning to leave the US on August 19, which is less than a month away. I'm planning to stay there for around seven months and come back in March after their school graduation. Raquel and I will be primarily teaching English to the upper grades there at the school. Thankfully they know some English, so there isn't as much of a language barrier. I imagine we will be helping with many other thing as well like working with the students in their vocational work & helping with some medical mission work. Part of the reason I wanted to take this break from school is so that I can gain experience in different areas (education, medical work etc.) which will hopefully give me clearer vision of what kind of education I should pursue.

It doesn't seem real yet, but one thing I know -- it's a great to see God's plan unfold before my eyes. I know it won't always be easy being separated from family and friends and trials will come. But, I can rest assured that my Redeemer lives and will see me through whatever arises. I like this definition of a missionary:

Just recently, I copied a song entitled "A Passion for Thee" in my journal, because it really resonated with a cord in my heart. I want this to be my motto as I embark on this mission venture.

~ ~ ~

Father, fill with Thy Spirit, and fit me for service,

Let love for Christ every motive inspire;

Teach me to follow in self-less submission,

Be Thou my joy and my soul's one desire.

A passion for Thee;

O Lord set a fire in my soul, and a thirst for my God.

Hear Thou my prayer, Lord, Thy power impart--

Not just to serve, but to love Thee with all of my heart. 

 ~ ~ ~