This was our third time visiting the Golden Land as a family for mission. Our feelings before the trip was a mixture of dull and anticipation. We looked forward to meet the familiar faces and at the same time, apprehensive about what we were going to do there.
We flew on a comfortable Silk Air flight and arrived in the evening. We were warmly received by an M. As usual, we needed to settle our currency exchange before checking into the hotel. We booked 8mile hotel. That was by far the nicest and cleanest hotel we've stayed and everyone was happy, especially the children.
2 families with 2 children each, a couple and 2 singles were in the team. We traveled light and mode of transport was mostly grab. 1 day at English centre, on a Sunday, an 1.5 hr ride to a village church, 2 days at a training centre. We gave talks on relationships, public speaking, interviews and tips on writing good resumes and conducting inductive bible study. I gained some insights from the talks and even got arrowed to do a short public speaking speech on why I wanted to teach.
In addition, we also visited a show room ran by another M company selling crafts made from recycled materials such the traditional longyi cloth into bags, pencil cases, calendars, cards etc. We bought a pretty christmas wreath. That was the one and only time we traveled down town on cab. Returning back to 8mile from town was a nightmare, we were stuck in non air con cab with a smoking driver for 1 hr! LC finally caught a quick glimpse of the world famous Sri Dagon Pagoda, but I told myself, that would be the last time I would be found downtown.
The highlight of the trip for me was meeting the M again. Fellowship and prayer time with them were the precious moments when God moved our hearts to pray as One united in Christ for the lost souls of the land. We prayed and encouraged the M to persevere in the place where they are called, that their labour in the Lord is not in vain. God reminded us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. There is only so much we can do, but God can extend whatever we have planted and make it grow and flourish in his time.
The question at the end of the trip was often, 'Would we make another trip?' I would say a definite YES, but I need to persuade my kids on why we should make another one. To bless those God enables us and to give him glory for what we have witnessed in the growth of the local churches and people.