Untitled {because words can't quite sum it up}

Oh, what to say. How to start.
How do you sum up something that has changed you so much. How do you describe how God has worked in your heart and life. How do you explain the places and the people that have come to mean so much to you. The place that has become like a second home and the people that have become family to you.

How?

Honestly I'm not sure. And I don't think I could ever fully describe it and truly explain what these last 5 months have been to me. But, I'll try. I'll try to at least give a little glimpse of how this journey has changed me, shaped me and made me new.

So these past 5 months, I've learned what it truly looks like to walk with the Lord every step you take. What it means to trust Him even when you don't have all the answers. I've learned how to listen to the Lord and follow Him wherever He leads. To step out and do whatever He asks, even when it's hard and doesn't make sense. And the rewards and joy that comes from doing that. I've learned to speak up, that God wants me to use my voice and that He's given me things to say, so I should say them. I've learned what it looks like to be an encourager and what it looks like to just be there for and truly support other people. I've learned that ministry can look all sorts of ways and it's not always what you expect, but if you're doing it with the Lord it's always worth it. I've learned to see things, people and places through God's eyes. And I have realized how passionate Our Father's love truly is. And I've learned so much more that I'm sure I don't even realize yet.

I know these may just seem like words. But to me they're not. They're things that have changed in my heart. Things that have made me different than I was before. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.

So, DTS has come to an end. I'm sitting on a plane heading home with a million emotions. I don't want these 5 months to be over. I had to say goodbye for now to these people that have come to mean the world to me. And it was so hard. I have laughed and I have cried with these people. We've had our ups and our downs together. These people, my school, my friends, they have inspired me, encouraged me and been an example to me of what it really means to follow Jesus. I have so many amazing memories I will never forget. Yes it was so hard to say goodbye, but even knowing how hard the goodbye would be, I would do it all over again. Despite the pain of saying goodbye, it was worth it.

Someone told me a Winnie the Pooh quote this week and it sums up what I'm feeling so well. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Yeah....it was definitely so worth it!

So, back home I go. I'm not sure what God has next for me. But I know it will be good. Even though this feels like an ending, I know it's actually just a new beginning. The next chapter in my story. The story God is writing for me and I can't wait to see what He has in store.

So this is not the end of the adventure. Not at all. I'm continuing this adventure with Jesus. The One I've come to love more than anything. And honestly what could be more exciting than that!
~Rachel

Weeks 7 & 8: Coming to the End

Well outreach is coming to a close. Our plane back to Denver leaves in the morning.

We'll spend our last week of DTS back in Denver with all the other teams from our school that went out. I'm sad to leave Thailand, but I'm so excited to see everyone and be all back together again!

It seems like we've been here forever, but at the same time it feels like we just got to Thailand yesterday!

Our last week of ministry was so good! We were able to pray for and encourage many of the church members and we also got to go to their neighborhoods and perform skits there.
Our last full day of ministry was definitely a highlight. In the morning we did kids ministry. We did some games and songs and then acted out a couple Bible stories for them. It was great! The kids liked the Bible stories so much that when we asked them if they wanted to play a game or wanted us to act out another Bible story they chose the Bible story! It was a fun morning!
Then in the evening we did a program for the church with worship, a couple skits, testimonies and a sermon. It was a powerful time and to end it we got to pray for a lot of people there. It was awesome!

The last few days here we spent on an island for debrief! We spent time processing all the things that have happened over the last 2 months here in Thailand. We looked back on all the people we had met. We told stories of things God had done. It was an amazing time just realizing how much God has done during this time and that He has used us! And also it was a great time of looking back and seeing how much we've grown individually and as a team.
We really have grown so much since we first set out 2 months ago! I have grown so close to all these people and they are like family to me! Each and every one of them is so special to me and I can't imagine going on this journey with anyone else! It just wouldn't be the same! They are all a part of the memories I have that I never want to forget! I wouldn't trade this journey I've been on for the world!

Thailand has changed me. God brought me here and I will never be the same because of it. 

And honestly that's ok with me.
~Rachel