Pt. 1

Hello lovely folk!! Thank you for your interest in my journeys! I feel so grateful for this opportunity and still in shock that this is my life right now! 

I’m currently on a plane to Bangkok, I believe it’s almost 5am but time is playing a big prank on me so I don’t be knowing anything. 

The past week has been eventful to say the least! I arrived in Gainesville, GA last Sunday  (Jan. 18th) to begin a week of training camp. Quick explanation of who all attends training: There are multiple “races” that occur at the same time- my semester race is the Southeast Asia one. I have a squad of 10 people and then 2 leaders who are on the this trip with me. There is a different squad going to South Africa, another one going to Costa Rica/Columbia, and another one (alumni) going to the 10/40 region. So all of us were at training camp together! It was fun to get to know other squads- we will all reunite back at camp in May to debrief our time and I’m so excited to see my friends from other squads and hear about their time on the mission field! 

Training camp was filled with getting to know my squad, worship, guest speakers, sessions, and fake mission field scenarios! Scenarios included going to a busy market to buy our lunch, a kids ministry, a “house visit” where we practiced going into someone’s home to evangelize, and then an airport scenario where some of us (me) had our bags lost- had to go one night without my stuff which included my sleeping bad and pillow :( that was an interesting night but hey- we roll with the punches! 

My squad is a lively group- I love them all already! They are a younger crowd, I’m the oldest by a couple years but it’s been so fun to get to know everyone, I feel very close to these people and I’ve only known them for 9 days! 

Because of the snow storm we actually had to leave training camp early- so we headed to Atlanta on Saturday morning to stay in a hotel the next two nights to be near the airport. Those days were chill and it was nice to get some alone time and call family/friends before heading off! 

Travel days are long but my excitement hasn’t diminished! Once we arrive in Bangkok we have an 11 hr bus ride to Chiang Mai which is where we will be doing ministry in Thailand. Cheers! 

Part 2

Sawadeeka! [thats “hello” in Thai. or cheese. pretty sure it’s hello though]. We’ve been in Chiang Mai for 4 days now! It’s been a crazy, exciting, beautiful 4 days!! We are staying right above a coffee shop (yeah, you’re jokingggg, dream come true!! Airship people- you gotta come to Thailand, coffee is elite here ). We haven’t started ministry yet so it’s been a lot of walking around, team meetings, night markets, a sabbath dinner at our host family’s house, and adventures! Went to a waterfall on Saturday- Chiang Mai is so beautiful! I’ve already fallen in love with this city and its people. Everyone is very kind and respectful-  the language barrier is killing me, I just want to talk to everyone! Yesterday we went to church and they provided lunch for us after! I sat with Faa- a Thai girl my age who was so sweet! I’m excited to see her every Sunday, I’m thinking we will be friends:) Afterwards we walked a good bit to a different night market (very popular here, they are everywhere!) Saw some cool temples, ate some good food (+ had to get my bug dinner out of the way- had a cricket and no I didn’t enjoy it), and listened to some live music! I love it here.

I’m learning so much, processing a lot, and ultimately SO grateful for this opportunity! Experiencing God’s creation on different sides of the world will never fail to leave me in awe. I’m left amazed at His vastness every time. 

Thanks for reading, more to come! 

Sayonara for now :)