Every day as we neared 4:00 pm and began wrapping up work for the day, our team would begin looking for the kids to arrive home from school. As soon as we saw them it became quitting time, because they were so eager to play games with us. Each evening we played volleyball, soccer, frisbee,Continue reading “Bonding and braiding: Thai games”
Author Archives: JourneyToJireh
Breaking bread and sharing cultures
One of my favorite evenings on GROW’s campus was the Hot Pot night. Throughout the week, we would play with the children as soon as they were home from school and we had finished work. Physically, we were exhausted, but there was always energy to play soccer, volleyball, frisbee, basketball, and more. We got toContinue reading “Breaking bread and sharing cultures”
Blessings in backpacks: witnessing a child’s first gift
Before going to Thailand, our team had the idea of bringing donations with us to further the impact of the trip and involve others outside of our team. Our Shook teammates, families and friends jumped at the idea, and we were able to collect enough supplies to fill ten, 50-pound bags to bring to GROW.Continue reading “Blessings in backpacks: witnessing a child’s first gift”
Constructing a home for God’s children
The majority of our days in Thailand were spent doing construction. My mind reflects back to the article GROW published prior to us leaving for the trip about GROW being a construction site for God. It is a place where something is built for a specific purpose, but it is more than just physical –Continue reading “Constructing a home for God’s children”
The villages: witnessing familial relations
Before coming to Thailand, I thought that most of the kids at GROW were true orphans and without families. However, I quickly learned that most of them have some level of relationship with their parents and siblings. The children were often rescued from physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition and more, but most of their mothersContinue reading “The villages: witnessing familial relations”
The hill tribes: a forgotten land and people
After church wrapped up on Sunday, we piled into the truck to head to the kids’ villages in the mountains to see their families and how they grew up prior to coming to GROW. With eight of us in the back of the truck, squished together, I knew it would get interesting. However, this isContinue reading “The hill tribes: a forgotten land and people”
Healing begins with family: sharing worship and testimonies
Sundays at GROW are focused around church and home visits. They do not allow work on Sundays to keep holy the Sabbath day, something I greatly respect. The day prior, Faa had asked me to share the message at church – it should be about 40 minutes she said. 40 minutes?! I was anticipating fiveContinue reading “Healing begins with family: sharing worship and testimonies”
First impressions of Thailand: a land of hospitality and hope
It’s hard to explain the culture in Thailand and on this mission. Quiet and serene yet joyful and friendly. So much loss, but the community and the children have hope. Our team of 10 arrived to Wiang Pa Pao, Thailand, after a grueling 32 hours of travel and little sleep. Traveling from our home airportsContinue reading “First impressions of Thailand: a land of hospitality and hope”
Orphans of the Light
Eyes that sparkle, smiles that shine,Squeals that could only be divine.Innocent giggles, dances of cheer,You’d never know the trauma they feared. Abused or trafficked, orphans of night,Yet unafraid to witness God’s light.Vulnerable stories, courage displayed,“God, hold these children tight,” I prayed. A faith profound, beyond their years,Worship and praise that moved us to tears.Tender hearts,Continue reading “Orphans of the Light”
Nothing but noise: seeking God when life is loud
“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save theContinue reading “Nothing but noise: seeking God when life is loud”
Life on the Outside
Outsider. Over and over again in my life I’ve felt like the one on the outside. The odd one out. The one that lives furthest away, who is not in a relationship, who is too emotional. Outsider. When I think of Jesus and his disciples, I imagine they were outsiders too. Jesus literally strived toContinue reading “Life on the Outside”
Growing Pains
Growth. Sometimes it’s hard to see how much you’ve grown when you are in the middle of arduous, monotonous days. You push through relentlessly to just “get to the other side” of the latest mountain God asked you to climb. You focus on getting through each day. Eyes ahead. Grind. Sometimes, we must slow downContinue reading “Growing Pains”
Navigating a potential cancer diagnosis
For the last few months, I have been ridden with anxiety. I didn’t think it could be possible to have more medical issues but, nevertheless, I had ~25 doctor’s appointments this year. After seeing my primary doctor for my yearly physical in late October, I explained my extreme fatigue, other symptoms and begged her toContinue reading “Navigating a potential cancer diagnosis”
Tongues of fire: a Holy Spirit encounter
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone, to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through theContinue reading “Tongues of fire: a Holy Spirit encounter”
Fighting a culture of drug abuse: Gemma’s story
“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of thisContinue reading “Fighting a culture of drug abuse: Gemma’s story”
