It's about time I write a new blog, isn't it? I guess it's been about a month. Oops!
This has been a pretty crazy month. Lots of goodbyes and hellos. We just said goodbye to two people who were with us for 6 months, and hello to 4 people (a married couple and two friends) who will be with us for a year. It's weird for me living in an environment where you live with people and do ministry with them, therefore building close relationships, and then having to say goodbye and move on to the next people. There is a temptation, especially the longer you've been in a missionary situation like this, to close yourself off and not get too close, because you know you will have to say goodbye. What a shame that would be, though, missing out getting to know people who each have something special to offer, simply because I will have to say goodbye soon.
I guess I have been thinking about goodbyes a lot lately... maybe a bit too much, to be honest. Starting in December, we had about 6 different people leaving over the period of the next few months, myself being the last of this chain. A friend who has become very close to my heart, Bethany, will be leaving in less than 3 weeks, and I will be leaving about 4 weeks after that. With her departure date nearing, I can't help but think of mine, as well.
Part of me is looking forward to going home, and part of me is really sad at the thought of leaving. I have no idea what God has in store for me next year, which is honestly very exciting. Nerve-racking at times, but exciting. He has gently lead me each step of the way on this journey, and I know He will continue to do so faithfully, teaching me about Himself and His ways all along the way. My future is pretty much a blank slate. People have begun asking me what it is I will be doing when I get home, and all I know right now is: get a job. It will be nice to earn money for a living again! Aside from that, I really believe God hasn't revealed anything else to me. There are a few things I wouldn't mind doing if God led that direction, but I want to be sure He is the one initiating it and not me. So, for now, I'm a blank slate!
As far as things here at Baan Nam Jai, it has been really good lately, but pretty challenging. Just when I feel like I get solid footing with what I'm doing, a new challenge is thrown my way (which is always a good thing). This week, I have had a crash course on parenting! I am standing in as house manager for the boys' house right now while their normal house manager is away. I've been doing night shifts (which isn't new) and morning shifts with Brooke who has been here for 2 weeks now, in addition to teaching preschool. Most of the boys have honestly been great, but one boy has been having some real challenges and needs prayer. So, if you can take a moment right now, please pray for Foon. There have been a lot of changes in his life lately: Aphae being gone, a new nanny in the house, his dad coming to visit (who recently became a Christian, praise God!), switching rooms around so he is now with the younger kids, and schedule changes on top of that. As a result, he has been acting out in HORRIBLE ways. For the last 3 mornings now, he has been having complete breakdowns whenever he is corrected. Part of this is probably testing, seeing whether we are going to be firm with him, but I believe there is a lot of spiritual stuff going on as well. It's like a switch is flipped, and he's in crazy, angry, I-want-to-get-a-knife-and-kill-myself mode. So, please pray that God will do a miracle in healing his heart and getting to the heart of whatever is going on. And please pray that God will give me wisdom in when to be firm and when to have grace with him. Thank you so much!
Ok, I must go now: time to celebrate Australia Day. Happy Australia Day, everyone! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! :)
