In Thailand He has Risen

On Easter morning I woke up feeling so light. Knowing Sunday had finally come and it was time to celebrate that our Savior had risen and conquered death! The only weird part of it all was that I was waking up in a country that was not celebrating with me. In America, even if people are only celebrating the bunny/egg/candy version of Easter most of them are still celebrating, whereas in Thailand it’s really just another normal day.

So I sent a text to my family (since I’m 11 hours ahead my Easter started before theirs) and said “In Thailand He has risen!” And then I kind of randomly burst in tears. I cried as I began feeling the weight of the fact that I felt such a joyful lightness rejoicing in what my God has done for me, but knowing those around me have never had the joy of experiencing the same. I also cried because after typing those words I felt the Lord remind me that no matter what country I’m in the simple truth of it is, HE HAS RISEN! It was rekindled in me that being able to worship, feel His presence, and spread His light in a place that has yet to feel it, is really a true gift, not to take for granted.

In some ways I missed the traditions of home. Like our annual Easter Sunday sunrise service around a campfire, surrounded by people I’ve known my whole life, worshiping the Lord together. Or getting home in the afternoon to finish preparing our feast and wrangling the kids around the table to enjoy our Easter dinner together. But in another way I felt grateful that it wasn't what most would call your "typical Easter Sunday." That I had the opportunity to eat fried noodles with Thai friends and share giggles with watery eyes from the spiciness of too many Thai chilies. That I could go to church and worship in a different language with others who have the same heart to see their nation come to Jesus that I do. That familiarity was removed so I could really spend the day in deep adoration of my Jesus who saved me and gave me freedom to worship Him, even in a lost nation, or I should say, especially in a lost nation.

I think on this day I felt the closest to Jesus I ever have, in the most unexpected setting. I felt intense adoration of Him being my true King. My Savior. My shepherd. My friend. I saw Him and felt Him in a new light and it is something I will never forget.

So now as I serve my last 5 months in Thailand my prayer is that this nation would come to be a nation that knows that He has risen and can now live in the true light of His love because of it. With eyes opened they can run into the arms of our strong and gentle Savior, never turning back.

*****

Also, a quick side note if you will, you're probably wondering why I've been a bit MIA these past couple months and I do have a reason, but you'll have to hold out a little longer to hear the surprise! (: Thanks for the support in reading my work, stay tuned to hear what's coming next!