I know, I know... It's been almost a year. Almost a year? Really? Doesn't seem like that long. But it has. And it's been a crazy year of things not working out the way I thought they would. In almost every thing. Nothing is how I had pictured it. And then there was Covid which completely shut everything down for three whole months. I'm tired. I haven't been 100% healthy in about 2 months. I'm hoping I'm on the uphill battle of that. I had plans to visit America. Visit family. Visit friends. Visit my church. Eat some of my favorite things that I haven't had in almost 3 years. I originally planned to go in December of last year. But the plane tickets were so expensive. Now, looking back, I should have bit the bullet and bought the expensive plane ticket. I bought plane tickets to go in February. But then Covid. The airline canceled my flights. Now, who knows when I will be able to go back to visit. Because not only is Covid still very bad in America, but Thailand is still closed off. And even if they reopen for me to return, I'd probably need Covid testing, Covid insurance, and 14 days of quarantine. Things are crazy with the pandemic. Even though things have reopened as normal here in Thailand, I've noticed there are quite a few shops and such that have not reopened. I'm guessing they're not financially able to reopen after having closed for so long. So sad. The churches and English center here were closed so I couldn't do any volunteer work at those locations. I took on teaching online, but that's not my favorite thing to do. I like hands on teaching more. Although online teaching is more flexible and easier in many ways, it's still not my favorite. And it had it's difficulties as well. Sometimes with connections. Sometimes lacking that personal touch. And sometimes just with figuring out how to draw students out to participate fully. But in all of this, I stay faithful in my call to serve the people of Thailand. Maybe that doesn't look like the set up ministry I had envisioned with a church or English Center. Maybe those things are on hold due to Covid and school just restarting. But I'm still loving as fully as possible and helping others when I have the opportunity. Sometimes that involves helping with translating. Sometimes it's teaching English, math, science, or history. And sometimes, it's just helping with technology phone and computer questions from Thai teachers. Not at all what was envisioned for this year. But still developing those relationships where others know they can come to me and ask for help. Others trust me enough to ask for help. Relationships. That's the most important thing. That's what I'm here for. So I guess in some way, I'm being successful in little ways. Below you can check out some pictures from my teaching this past year. Pictures of a few online students, a few face to face private lesson students, and some group class teaching at the English Center.
These are some of my online student pictures. The last one is one of the adults I teach practicing job interview skills to become Cabin Crew. Some students studied 2 hours a day, twice a week with me and some study just 1 hour a week. It's up to them.
Students I teach in person.
Students I helped teach at the English Center.
This is a thank you from a student I helped with her school English work.
Life and service here don't come across as picture perfect, but I choose to serve and love well in all things. Life here in Thailand isn't easy by any means. Even though I have learned the language, there are still so many things I don't understand. So many culture differences. I'm always learning. It can be exhausting at times and make me feel like crying, but overall, I wouldn't trade it for anything else. And then, there's always the beaches here. When I'm worn out or beaten down, I take a quick trip down to a cheap beach and sit by the water to refresh my soul and spirit for a weekend. Unfortunately, with Covid, that has not been possible lately.
A short trip to Phuket paid for by a friend.
Next time, I'll try not to wait a year before updating here. Thanks for taking the time to keep up with my story and walk with me on this journey.
