April 16, 2009. Chennai, India. I was on an “around the world” trip with my good friend that would last for over nine months. In Chennai, we were spending some time with local ministries and organizations, including one that helped local Indians who suffered from AIDS (children and adults). On this specific day, we went… Read More Week 16: India & AIDS
Almost two years ago, I was in Arequipa, Peru. I connected with a couple who help run a home for young Peruvians with mental and physical handicaps, most of them severe. I remember my first afternoon visiting the orphanage. Most of the individuals have severe mental handicaps. Some of them can communicate a little; many… Read More Week 6: seeing (part 2)
Years ago, during a night in the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, I had an ever so small encounter that, for whatever unknown reason, has left a lasting emotional impact. I meandered through a crowded night bazaar with sidewalk shops and stands, enjoying the evening and people watching (as I always did without… Read More Week 5: seeing
One day in northern Laos, I decided to take a secondary road (one not shown on Google Maps, as I noticed later) from a small city called Hongsa back to the very popular city of Luang Prabang. It ended up being the longest, craziest, most intense motorcycle drive I’ve had yet (thankfully it was just… Read More What I learned from a day on my motorbike in northern Laos
In Nepal, there was the expected and the unexpected. I got more than I bargained for. There were more beautiful places and friendly faces – this I mostly expected. But there was tragedy when the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit on April 25, killing over 8,000 people and injuring thousands of others – this was most… Read More Nepal
Myanmar/Burma… I found something special there, something I haven’t often (if ever) found in other places while traveling. Due to the amount of time (meaning I did not have enough of it), I only received such a slight glimpse, but enough of one to know I love the country and her people. The words that… Read More Beautiful places and friendly faces
This is my last week as an English teacher in Phayao. It’s somewhat strange and surreal when I sit down and think about all I’ve been through while here. I taught 27 and 24 classes a week, and stuck out the term. I learned so many things about myself. I’ve learned that I’m both weaker… Read More Moving On
The best way for me to shed light on my current journey in this season is to allow it to be seen in fragments. Often, any clarity on my thoughts, struggles, growth, and weaknesses come to me in such a way – fragmented. I become aware of my heart in stages, and as pieces they… Read More Awareness
Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Thailand! This week has been a breath of fresh air, as there are midterm exams at school and there has been little to do, with early days all week. Many days as of late (before this week), I have found myself weary, tired and exhausted. Speaking over the noise with… Read More Commitment
As we head north on a VIP bus, out of my window I can finally see the stars, perhaps for the first time since I’ve left home. Or it’s only now I’ve been still enough to notice them. I have a spark of excitement and anticipation. The quarter moon hangs low over the horizon, a… Read More Phayao
