During our 6-week-long stay in Thailand – the longest time we have spent in any country during this year – we had plenty of opportunities to draw nearer to God, as our provider and strength, and to grow in our relationships with our teammates.
The Green Squad was first to arrive at the new Ministry point in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and immediately delved into various ministry opportunities. The Blue Squad was however not far behind, having traveled all the way from Cambodia. Soon the whole team was reunited and ready for action.
We spent little more than a week in Chiang Rai, doing a mixture of manual labour, kid’s ministry, house visits – where we visited believers in the community, spending some time with them and praying for them. A few people on the team even got the opportunity to preach and share at the church we served.
When our time in Chiang Rai was finished, we packed our bags and left for the next Ministry point. The team was ready to move on, but the means by which we would be traveling was a bit of a shock to us all. That’s right. Time for a Travel Challenge!
Split up into groups of three, we embarked on 6 days of adventure, traveling 2000 kilometres from Northern Thailand down to Phuket. This was a journey filled with excitement, danger and some fun detours and side quests. This was truly a stretching time but by God’s Grace – and many times unconventional provision – we persevered. Whether it was a nice bed and a meal or just insect repellent and some warm water for a coffee, God used people to provide for our needs.
After the Travel Challenge ended, the guys and girls split up, both groups going on a much needed weekend retreat. The timing for the weekend getaway was perfect, giving the team some time to rest and prepare for the next Ministry point in Khok Kloi.
We learned quite a few lessons at our next Ministry point like how we could serve our hosts and the community even by doing tasks that seem mundane but that are necessary. We also learned that kids ministry can be dangerous, when half the team fell through a stage at a school – the Lord really protected us and no one was seriously injured.
With a hop, a skip and a quick hitchhike, we found ourselves in Krabi, a tourist hotspot with it’s shops and night markets on the beach. This is where we had the half year debrief. We used this time to sit together and reflect on everything that has happened since we left South Africa – the good, the bad and the funny.
The Lord blessed us with many opportunities to evangelise, explore the breathtaking environment, embark on amazing adventures and enjoy our time together as a team. We made a few friends and met many new faces as we journeyed through Thailand. However, the highlight of our time in this country was without a doubt seeing some familiar faces. The time had finally arrived for the Parents Visit.
At last we were able to see our loved ones. The first week’s stay was in Krabi and afterwards we spent another week on Ko Pha Ngan, an island filled with potential for adventure. At both these locations we got to go on amazing adventures with our loved ones including, but not limited to: Scooter exploration, island hopping, deep-sea diving, snorkelling and swimming at gorgeous beaches and speedboat trips.
In the evenings, the whole group would come together – sharing a meal and stories – as one big, blood-bought, Jesus centred family. Overall, the Parents Visit was a massive blessing to both the students and the parents.
Thailand was without a doubt an amazing time for the team, as we got to see so much of the culture and places in the country. It was a privilege to proclaim God’s Word, show His love to the people there and to show our loved ones a glimpse of our yearlong journey.
During the seven weeks we spent in this country, we were always surrounded by family. Not only did our loved ones come visit, but we also got to meet church family that blessed us with their generosity and hospitality. After seeing how far we have come and how much we have been through together as a team, we have truly become family as well.
Until we write again, blessings
The One Year Team 2025