12 WaysYou Know Thailand Has Become Home

When I first arrived to Thailand all of the following seemed strange to me.  Now they have become normal.

1.  You consider barbecued pork and sticky rice an appropriate breakfast.

2. You accidentally say "open the light" instead of "turn on the light."

3. Anything more than $1 for lunch seems expensive.

4. You carry around a sweat rag, also known as a handkerchief, to mop your forehead and neck because not sweating is just not an option.

5. 99% of the time you use public transportation, including buses, motorbike taxis, the sky train, song taows, subway, taxis, and tuk tuks, or you just walk.

6. You consider bread and cheese luxury food.

7. You don't feel silly using an umbrella in the sun because it is actually cooler that way.

8. If you don't have an umbrella, you hold whatever is in your hands, be it a bag of vegetables, your purse or a book, over your head to shade you from the sun.

9. You go to 7-11 almost every day because it seems to have everything and you pass one (or more) every block.

10. Thai and English can be used interchangeably, without much notice as to which language is being spoken or heard at any given time.

11. Rice is a staple, eaten at least once, if not three times, a day.

And last, but not least...

12. You have mastered the art of swatting away mosquitoes while using a squatty potty.

I miss many (but not all) of these things as I've said goodbye (for now) to Thailand.  But I'm looking forward to China becoming home and being able to make a new list after I've lived there a while.

Goodbyes That Hurt

Mixed feelings during my last Sunday at LifePoint Bangkok Church. Sad to go, but happy I have so many friends saying, "See you later."

 Goodbyes are never easy.

We've all had experiences with them.  Goodbyes from school, from a neighborhood, for a short vacation, for a long overseas adventure.  Sometimes it's tempting to withdraw, not pour much into relationships because we know that eventually we will move on.  But that's not how God called us to live.

"What would it look like to live so that it hurt when you left?"  One of my friends asked me recently.

It would look like deep relationships, strong friendships, giving of yourself, committing fully where you're at, learning from the people around you, improving your surroundings, enjoying your circumstances, being accepting and in return being accepted.

While I haven't done that perfectly, I have given it my best shot, and God has given me a lot of grace by spreading between the gaps.  The result is a deep, gut-twisting pain as I prepare to leave this land that has become home.  Saying goodbye to friends I've invested in for four years hurts.  But I know it's a good hurt.  It's a heart wrenching that points to many hours, days, and years of wonderful relationships and time invested well.

Two of my aunties/English students.

As I've said a "for now" goodbye to many friends, I've gotten a lot of different responses.

"Don't worry, you'll be back."

"Can I come visit you in China?"

"I'm mad at you."

"No need to say goodbye...just see you again."

"Can you not go?" 

"Remember when you came the first time and couldn't speak Thai at all?"  N asked me in Thai.  "Adrienne from your team washed my feet, and I didn't understand.  I was a new BJD student and not a Christian yet."

"I'm afraid I won't have any friends anymore."

"The doors are more than open for you to come back whenever God leads!"

"Who am I going to eat MK with?"  (Our favorite hotpot restaurant.)

"I wish you all the best, a good job and a higher salary."

"You are more than welcome to come back to join us."

A four year old's bedtime prayers, "...and pray for Julia going to China."

Goodbyes are never easy, but I'd rather they hurt.  How is God calling you to invest in those around you so that when you have to say goodbye it hurts?

Eating Lebanese food with small group friends the week before I leave Thailand.

Let the Coundown Begin

"Next Stop...CHINA"

I've officially begun my countdown to saying goodbye to Thailand (for a season, hopefully not forever.)  The specific calling of helping my team get established in Bangkok while raising up Thai disciples, leaders, and churches has been accomplished.  After almost a year of praying about my next steps, I can see God clearly leading me into a time of serving in China, learning a new culture, and equipping through counseling classes.

With my time in Thailand coming to an end, each moment with friends has become even more precious.  Last weekend I joined the BJD students on their outreach debrief/island trip. We spent time as a dorm family enjoying God's creation, exploring the beach, climbing over rocks, hiking trails, playing card games, and swimming in the clear salty water.

First day at Samed Island

 
After the sun went down we gathered on the beach for a time of worship and reflection about the outreach.  As each student shared, God's work in their heart throughout the outreach was evident.

"It gave me a greater appreciation for what I have.  Sometimes I think I don't have very much, but when I saw how people on the border were living with almost nothing and yet they were happy, I realized God has blessed me with so much."

"There were so many nationalities represented in Mae Sot, and many people without papers from Burma.  It opened up my understanding of the world and gave me a bigger perspective."

"I come from a hilltribe where not many people know God and there are a lot of needs.  I used to think that when I graduate I want to return to my hilltribe to serve, but now I see the need in other places is so much greater.  I want to go back to the border to serve among the Burmese people after I graduate."

After a yummy seafood dinner with BJD students.

It's hard to put into words how much I will miss these students and all the friends God has given me here in Thailand.  At the same time, I can see many ways that God has prepared both me and others for this transition.

He has filled hearts with the desire to serve and share the amazing message of Christ's sacrifice and salvation with this nation and beyond.  He has raised up leaders and disciples to continue His mission of Kingdom expansion.  I know my Thai friends and all the people who call Thailand home are in the good hands.  They not only have passionate Christ-followers living in their midst, but more importantly, they are in the hands of the Father.

Riding the speed boat to the island.

Thailand, I will miss you.  Thai friends, I will miss you even more.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon!