I had every intention of journaling every night I was in the village. But I failed. I did however successfully journal the first night.. Here it is:
Thailand is amazing! I have felt nothing but awe and love since the moment
I've landed. I can say with confidence that I am operating out of life and
peace. I am determined to not be the one constantly journaling or stuck behind
the camera but to be a sponge and soak in as many smells, and sights and smiles
and nature as possible. But here I am journaling my first night in the village.
I am succeeding at bug bites though, soaking in enough toxins there :)
So far working with a giant team can be crazy. Re- organizing bags in
hallways, completely taking over the hotel lobby, shoving people into the backs
of trucks. Someone is basically always not feeling well and/or I've lost my
battle buddy. I am thankful for patiene and organization:)
I am blessed with a team that feels like family though. I've known most of
them less than three days and I love them.
And the country itself is just gorgeous. The hills of the North seem almost
untouched except for the occasional Wat or rice paddie. Rolling hills, deep
jungle meadows, randoms streams and trees everywhere. I love to see so much
green and with leaves of every type imaginable it seems.
The truck ride was epic for me. And from what I saw and what was said it
was the easiest truck ride yet. We were in a toyota truck that at first glance
is quite dinky. 6 of us in the bed of the truck, 5 in the cab. No personal
space, LOTS of laughs and getting to know people.
amazing amazing amazing.
At that point, my hut momma turned the lights off and I had no idea where my flashlight was so I quickly wrote some bullet points that are fondly revitalizing the ride and the things it taught me. strange, i know, but let me keep painting you the picture.
Notice that I journaled that the trucks seemed dinky at first glance, but they really are amusing and amazing trucks with breaks and suspension that I am so thankful for. SO it was approximately an 8 hour drive to the village from Chaing Mai. we stopped at a gas station, and again in Om Koi to eat delicious lunch. Let's talk about windblown hair..and chapped lips, try chapped face. ha it was neat though. that was just the portion on the super freeway. which is basically nothing once you get over the whole no seat belt and can't see where I'm going thing..
You basically wind through forrests of Teek and other amazing senery where monks bless the trees visible by dimly orange fabric drapped in no particular order..
Eventually you get to the dirt roads, or rather the less paved roads. At this point I switched with someone who was dying to sit outside and I sat shotgun, yes, on the left side of the truck. I cringed almost continually as we raced right along pot holes and cows and the drive didn't flinch.
For reals though, there were portions of the road where I was sure our 70 mph pace wasn't conducive to keeping the kids in the back safe. but our driver was (is) the most amazing person alive, successfully avoiding all perilous plunges into the jungle, all stubborn cows, all pot holes- like seven at a time. Yikes.
I switched back to the truck bed to continue the deeper section into the jungle..the actually dirt road. This was a much rougher road, but like I said before it was in the best conditon any previous team member or staff could recall.. I have bruises and blurry pictures from this section of road..and I loved every single moment of it.
I came to the conclusion that I much preferred sitting in the back of the truck, bouncing around, feeling the wind, soaking in the beauty and conversing with my teammates. I understand that's not for everyone but seeing the road and it's obstacles stressed me out BIG time and I wasn't even driving.
Here is what I learned from that section of the journey that God continued to bring to mind even til now. The idea of being where I am at 100%, being along for the ride..enjoying where I am vs. stressing out over what is coming or how it gets done.
At any rate, God is the driver in my life, pardon the cliche. My choice here was shotgun or passenger..both can be great! in shotgun I loved getting to know my driver. as a passenger in back I didn't ever have a thought that our driver couldn't handle the road. I trusted him with my life..we didn't speak the same language, I had never met him, I didn't know His character but I got in the truck and enjoyed every moment completely oblivious to the "risk" or possibility of him being an unskilled driver. In retrospect, I am impressed that I wasn't going all control-freak on him..good judgement call because he turns out to be the most skilled driver, the sweetest, most genuine man that I met in Thailand-who better to trust with my trek.
This comparison, my current choice is the same but nto physical every time. I don't physically need to get into the truck and fear pot holes or enjoy scenery, in this comparison the driver isn't a short guy that I can't communicate with.
Here I am choosing ( and regularly) to trust God to make my life beautiful and fulfilling and God-honoring or I am choosing to freak out, stress out, fear the planning and the directions and the skill of God's control. Well, doesn't that sound ridiculous?
Jet is great and amazing ( you'll hear alot more about him) but isn't God the MOST trustworthy?
Hasn't His past faithfulness to lead me and guide me proved enough for me currently trust in His future and hope for me?
the ride will always be epic when we have a Good Driver and we trust Him, of this I am certain.
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