Мы молитвенно развернулись, Бог дал мир в моем сердце и позволил мне полностью довериться Ему. Вместо того, чтобы волновался, как я обычно делаю, Бог учил меня положить всё моё упование на Него, что он находится в контроле. Прежде, чем я вступила всамолет, я помолилась с надеждой, чтобы Бог послал мне кого-то, кому я могла бы свидетельствовать на английском языке. С этой мыслю, я зашла в самолёт, который был заполнен людьми Азиатского поисхождения. Я не видела ни одного Американца, но с любопытством сидела в своем кресле, ожидая, одного человека, который сядет рядом со мной. На расстоянии я увидела Американского парня который приближался все ближе и ближе. Сомнение подошло ко мне, и я подумала, из всех мест на этом самолёте, я сомневаюсь, что этот парень сядет рядом со мной. Молодой человек подошел к моему ряду, он посмотрел на свой билет и сказал мне, что место у окна рядом со мной это его. Вот Это Да! Нет ничего невозможного для Бога. Когда в моей голове были сомнения, у Бога был другой план. Бог показал мне, что ничто нет невозможного для Него! Как потный, усталый молодой человек плюхнулся рядом со мной, я знала, что это было то, что Бог приготовил для меня. Через несколько минут, мы заговорили. Наш разгавор "куда вы собираетесь" привел к "если ты умрёш сегодня, куда вы отправитесь?" Это был трудный разговор, но Бог был там ведя меня.

Полет самолета длился очень плавно заполненый большим количеством сна, музыки и вкусной еды. Мои молитвы увеличились, когда мы влители в Таиланд. Когда я стояла в очереди, на проверке моего паспорта, мысли бежали через мою голову. Если только бы они не заметели, что моей сестры виза в моем паспорте. Я подхожу к человеку и даю ему мой паспорт. Как я былa наполнена Божьим миром и доверием, я услышала, как хлопнул штамп несколько раз в моем паспорте. Как я посмотрела в верх, на моём лице была самая большая улыбка! Опять же, Бог показал мне, что нет ничего невозможного для Него. Человек не заметит ошибку на моей визе! Слава Богу!

Бог дал мне и моей сестре Кристине, её подруге и мне в прекрасной, красивый отпуск в Краби. С красивыми скалами, чистой голубой водой, это было замечательное начало моего лета. Отпуск прошел очень благословенно, и я была рада начать этот новый путь здесь, в Таиланде с отдыхом на солнце. AКогда мы упаковали наши сумки, мы направляемся в сухой и очень горячей, пустынный город по имени ТАК. Когда мы прошли через ворота Аводы, я получила приветствия многих из наших студентов с улыбками. As I approach my new home where I will be living, I was impressed at how huge and nice our wooden cabin was. We even have a separate bathroom! I was expecting to live in a slum sort of falling apart house made out of scrap and branches, but this was just very unexpecting. God allowed very easy and safe transition to the living conditions and food. The people here are very nice and always have a smile on their face. One thing I knew I had to practice was smiling. As week by week goes by, I started figuring out my role here more and more. I began teaching in public schools twice a week. In one school, I get to work with teenagers and the other elementary. I am happy that I have a variety of students I can work with. At the end of the school day, I am amazed that I have just taught English to about 200 student!

As Tuesday approached, I knew that soon I would be surrounded by my little students, who eagerly try to get a hold of my hand and put their little arms beside mine to see how white I am. As they stare in shock, they wonder how a person could be so white. You may think how is it possible to teach in a complete different country with an unfamiliar language. The first week was a little difficult, but as weeks went by, I was constantly being taught by my students and we found  amazing ways to communicate. The more I am around my students, the greater my desire is to learn Thai. I am also involved in our “We love you club” as a couple of us staff go out to the village and spend the precious time with children. From Bible stories to singing songs, God gives us the opportunity to gently witness to these buddhist children once a week. Some of these children come to our saturday school that I am also involved in. I also teach English here to about 60 children. I am filled with so much joy and the children melt my heart more and more each time. The happiest moment I have had here so far was when I was going through a giving up kind of feeling moment. The day was going by a little rough and I felt like I wanted to just give up. Nothing was turning out right. As I enter the classroom I notice that the students are making colorful, handmade cards. As I approached a little closer, I noticed that a lot of them were making cards for me! From I love you Oksana to teacher Oksana, I was filled with so much joy as each child patiently awaited in line to hand in their sparkly, colorful creation into my hands. God was showing me that these students need me. Not only to learn english. But so much more. To show them love and give them the attention that they are lacking very much in their lives. God was renewing my thoughts and was showing me a greater purpose of being here. As I wake up each day, I know that it is a new day to serve God in all that I do. And it’s not even about works. It’s all about Christ and who He is.  Even when I fail or may want to give up, Jesus is always here to refill me with joy and pick me up and help me to keep moving forward. As days go by and turn into weeks, I am bonding with my students more and more each time. Students in school and our students here in Avoda. The girls and I have a special bonding time when we hang around the kitchen and happily cook. From making powdered sugar, fluffy pancakes to churros, the girls excitedly await to devour this American snack. From sleeping on the floor in the girls cabin, I was awakened many times at night with the realization of how hard the floor really was. As morning slowly crept up, I was awakened by a pain in my back, promising myself that I will never be back to sleep with the girls again. A couple days later, I was back at the floor again. This time it wasn’t as bad. Now I have slept on the floor about ten times already and crazy to say, I love it! I love the floor more than my bed. Well I guess it never hurts to try something new and really try it out. Also, the more time I spend with our girls here in Avoda, the more they keep asking me, “How long are you going to be here for? When are you leaving? If you leave, who will bake with us and make us dessert.” My plane flight says that I am supposed to be here till November. As I prayerfully reconsidered with God, God showed me that I need to stay here longer. I have always wanted to be involved in full time mission work, not just a few short weeks of missions and back home to my life, but I wanted something more. Something where God could really use me to impact children’s lives and really be commited to being there for them. As I look at my plane ticket, I happily crumble it up and throw it in the trash. My heart is here and my life is here already. I am willing to stay here as long as God wants me here. It’s not the location but the heart. Are you ready to serve God wherever He puts you, even from your own home? How can you be an encouragement to those around you? How can you spread Christ’s love and share it with those that are perishing?