What has been both months and moments of planning begins today as we (my two youngest children, my mother, and I) begin our journey in Thailand for Service-Learning and my Scholarly Project with INMED and the culmination of my Master’s in International Health.
This has been both a spiritual and professional journey, unexpectedly leaning in as God changed the plans I thought I would do. In many ways, this day feels like a chilly November day in 2012, when I left Kansas City for Ghana on my first service-learning after my graduate certificate program—excitement and uncertainty, peace and openness to what I was about to learn.
I had thought this particular journey would take me elsewhere. After ten years of working in HIV care in the US, I had imagined I’d find myself in Kenya or Southern Africa to continue diving into that expertise, but God had other plans. Rather than seeing this as a detour, I prefer to see it as an invitation to something greater God has for me. I think about Abram being called to a land he did not know and his faithfulness in following that call.
A trip like this is the perfect reminder of Tozer’s concept that there is truly no separation of the spiritual and the secular. Service-learning (hands-on learning for skills with humble service to others) is not just an opportunity for training but also for formation. The technical skills learned walk side by side with the personal and spiritual formation God intends for us.
Reflecting back on the 5 weeks I spent in Ghana in 2012, I can say it profoundly shaped my approach to care, my career trajectory, and my passion for global health and medical missions.
After an almost 30 hour jouney, we touched down in Bangkok about 8 hours ago, traveled to Bang Khla, and are now preparing to serve in whatever capacity we are able. As Paul instructed in Ephesians 5, we are to make the most of every opportunity in these days, and that is how I intend to grow and to learn on this journey. Every circumstance is an opportunity for growth, and I’m excited to see how this will shape me.
I have high expectations that through this experience, God has much to show me and much to form within me—both spiritually, personally, and professionally. In this type of work, uncertainty is normal, and trust, openness, and a willingness to be redirected are essential.
I invite you to follow on this journey as we learn and experience this culture for the first time. Maybe you are following along with us now, or perhaps you are looking back at this to see if the Bangkla Baptist Clinic is the right place for your service…. either way, this blog will serve as my way to reflect on what I am learning, how I am growing, and give a glimpse to the day-to-day life of the various ministries where we are blessed to serve in Thailand.
I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve. I am so blessed that my children get to experience this with me, and I am eager to continue to share all I am learning with you.