Thailand. The land with the sultry air and heavy clouds. The land of curry and spice.
The land so far away and yet so close to me.
You see, Thailand is the land that captured my heart. Nearly ten years ago, I changed my address to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and kept it that way for almost four years. My experiences during those four years withing its borders expanded my view of God, of myself, and of the world around me.
And this summer, after five years of separation, I was reunited with this old friend.
Since I've been home, everyone has been asking me how my trip was. It's a tough question to answer. Because it was great, incredible, refreshing, rejuvenating, and any and all other positive adjectives you'd like to insert. Mostly though, it just felt like going home. To the familiar that I had just left behind. My heart beat strong and clear. Something felt right. Like I was in my house. At my home. Near my heart.
This feeling might have brought out the cheesy side of me.
Visiting all the old haunts with all kinds of great people.
Sailing rivers (like two hi-so sailors) with yum food.
Hugs from all grown up kids.
Food so yummy I couldn't stop eating.
Reconnecting with far-away sister-friends.
The whole experience was so good. And yet so hard. I was so hit by the darkness of the culture, the discrepancy between the rich and the poor (with me included in the rich segment), the sexual sin that seems to have risen in prevalence, the utter lostness of the land. Even in the eyes of close friends, I saw hurt, raw pain. I saw blatant examples of how the enemy is seeking to destroy.
I wanted to fix it. I wished to alleviate their pain, to change the situation. But I couldn't. I felt panicky with only having two weeks.
And that's when I knew I had to trust that there is One who loves this land far more than I. One who loves these souls far above what I can even comprehend. One who truly does reside in Thailand. One who rightfully calls it His house, His home, His heart.
Flying back to the land in which He has me now was hard, but it was peaceful. In my heart I know that this is where He has me right now. This is where He has asked me to faithfully serve Him, and He now calls me to intercede on behalf of those in that far-off land I love.
For my Father really does have the whole world in His hands.
