Something so tall and so majestic has to be one of the neatest thing I have ever ridden. The sounds of huge feet hitting the ground and the jolt of over exaggerated bumps as the elephant walks, with nothing to worry about. This has to be the most excited I have ever been to ride an animal. I mean who can say they have ridden an elephant...not many. I feel so blessed to be apart of this journey only God could bring me on.
Now...the huge anaconda most held afterwards...I could have done without but the ostriches they guys rode definitely made my day.
We had the opportunity to take a day to just pray, worship and read the bible aloud, making most of the way thru the New Testament. Jesus is always renewing my love for reading the bible.
We also got to take a day to travel to Laos, Burma and the Golden triangle.
The Golden triangle is a river that joins Laos, Thailand, China and Myanmar. We crossed the border from Maesai to Burma, where we spent there to get familiar with the culture and take a prayer walk. This place compared to just a few steps away in Maesai, was so diverse. You could definitely feel the oppression and brokenness. People are so broken and in need here. As I walked the streets of what seemed like an outside mall, beggars came up to me asking for food and money in Thai...feeling so bad that I could provide anything for them, I could only say no in Thai. I felt God comforting me about this as I took the prayer walk over Burma, telling me that sometimes we can only pray. So I prayed every thought, every desire and want for this place out to Him. I really feel that every prayer made a difference cause afterwards just passing people as we walked out and back into Maesai, there was an essence over the place that seemed so different.
Saturday
Today Is my mom's birthday and I'm celebrating it from afar. The farthest I have ever been from her and the longest. I couldn't have made it this far without her, her support and encouragements. She loved me and taught me how to love and most importantly she taught me about God's love for me so that I may be able to pour out onto others! Her and my dad taught me about Jesus at a very young age and now because I have been taught so well I get to pour out what I know and treasure so dearly to others. She raised a missionary in me. It wasn't all peaches and cream and we both had our moments but we made it. She always told me that before I was born God told her I would be a missionary and she did everything she could and more to instill Jesus in me and be able to love like He did. Now, Here I am, in Thailand, in a 1% Christian population where their are many groups that are Unreached, that still praise Buddha. Like he will have anything to give to them once they die, while they have given everything to him. I get to show them who will fill that empty spot in their heart, who will provide for their every need and who will turn their sadness into joy. All with prayer and walking the place with joy abounding from me and showing love with all that I say and do. I love you mom!:)
Thailand has been one of those places I will never forget. The doors my team opened for Maesai YWAM at the school with the kids. And the lessons we planted in the kids at the drop-in center, Agape orphanage and the kids from the school, we showed love to all of these kids. A big awakening to my heart is the fact that all the Drama's and lessons we taught these kids, they will never forget it. Never! Watching the kids from both the school and the orphanage act out all the drama's we did for them, that will always be something they remember and maybe even generations to come. The childlike faith in these kids, I believe will change Thailand. I believe a break thru over Thailand is about to come, an awakening in each heart here that will just roar over Thailand. Thailand will never be the same again.
God is so good! I can't wait to see and experience all He has for The Philippines. Please pray that we as a team finish strong. It's been a long time on the road and so it's totally normal to feel tired but it's not allowed...God is bigger than being tired and He will renew our strength.
Thank you and God bless you!:)
Katie Jones
Wildatheart
