Almost 18 years...

Later this week, I’m celebrating 𝟭𝟴 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 in Thailand with ZOE. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed and how much God has done during these years. There have been countless highs, many challenges, and so many moments where I’ve seen God move in ways I could never have imagined.⁣

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As I reflect on this milestone, one memory from my very first year here stands out. It’s a moment that confirmed why I left everything behind to follow God’s call to Thailand—a moment where I saw, firsthand, the incredible ways He transforms lives.⁣

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I had just started NextGen at ZOE and launched school break camps for the kids we were ministering to. Little did I know, one of the first camps would change me forever.⁣

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During worship one day, the Spirit of God filled the room in a way I had never experienced before. Around 50 kids and 20 adults stood completely still and silent as the Spirit moved and ministered to each of us. It was one of those moments where time seemed to stop, and God’s presence was so tangible, you could feel it.⁣

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As I stood there in awe, an 8-year-old boy squeezed my hand to get my attention. I bent down to hear what he wanted to say, and he whispered with wide-eyed wonder, “God is here, isn’t He?” I got chills. I smiled and said, “Yes, He is!” His face lit up with a smile so big, it brought tears to my eyes. At that moment, I knew the goal had been accomplished—these kids were having a real, personal encounter with God.⁣

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That day, so many kids gave their lives to the Lord and started their journey with Jesus. It was the kind of moment that makes everything—the sacrifices, the challenges, the unknowns—so worth it. This is why I left everything behind to come to Thailand: to see lives transformed by the love of Jesus. There is nothing like introducing people to Him, leading them to the Lord, and walking alongside them as they begin their new life in Christ.⁣

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Eighteen years later, this memory is still a vivid reminder of 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 “𝘆𝗲𝘀” to God’s call. Moments like that boy’s awe-filled whisper, “God is here,” keep me going.⁣

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