Country: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Dates: 5/20/2023-7/19/2023

Team Name: TnT

Local Currency: Thai Baht

Local Languages: Thai

Ministry Partner Name: TawSaeng

Favorite Memory: There were several good memories throughout my time in Thailand and I would say my favorite memory would be a gradual one. Over time, the kids we worked with began to feel comfortable and started to open up. You could see how they just wanted to hold your hand or would get excited when they saw us. I loved each day walking into ministry and the kids would just relax from their stressful day at school and were ready for whatever game or lesson we had for them. I loved the relationships we got to build with our kids.

A High Moment (something really good): The ministry that my team got to work with gave us several opportunities to experience Thai culture. We got to do home visits, go out to eat with TawSaeng staff and some of the kids, and just having conversations. We got to hear, learn, and speak Thai. I felt like our ministry emersed us into Thai culture and I absolutely loved it! It allowed me to connect with our kids and with locals.

A Low Moment (time I felt low): I felt really hopeless at some points. I feel a lot emotionally for people. So, coming into Thailand where there is a lot of brokeness and sin, it was hard to push against it. I kept asking the Lord where He was in certain situations and I just wanted others to find hope in Him and not in their current situations. Reality hit of how evil the world was, but the Lord showed me that through Him there will be repentance.

What God Taught Me: God taught me to be patient. A relationship with the Lord sometimes does not happen over night. It is gradual and requires patience. He also taught me to slow down and enjoy the moments I was in. As the Race was coming to a close, I learned to just sit with Him and thank Him for giving me these opportunities. He showed me to have hope and to trust that He is in the middle of everything, working everything for His good and for His people.

A Spiritual Growth: Like I said above, I feel a lot of emotions for people. I usually take people's burdens and they become my own. It automatically becomes this weight on my shoulders. The Lord grew me in how to give it to Him. How He carries our burdens for us. This allowed me to spend more time with Him and trusting Him with the burdens I had.

Favorite Squad Memory (thus far): We got to have some of the parents come and visit us here in Thailand. It was a sweet time of watching squadmates reuinted with parents. We got to do ministry alongside them, visit elephants, go to a traditional Thai restuarant, and share moments from the Race. It was amazing to see how the parents jumped in and took everything in. I loved getting to meet the people that raised my lovely squadmates.

With all of that being said…

Thailand, you were a jewel hidden inside of a treasure chest. You brought so much color and newness. You took a piece of my heart. You showed me that this world is desperate for the Gospel and we are all in need of our Heavenly Father.

Blessings,

Joana Quintana