Got home this morning and thought I’d repost this short conclusion. It was in my last post about Chiang Rai but it was buried at the bottom. It deserves more attention.
This journey has been about contrasts. From the strange backwater country of Myanmar to the bustling global center of Bangkok. From the Klong Toey Slum to Raffles Hotel. From the amazing city of Singapore to the remote rural city of Chiang Rai. And even now as I sit in a cheap little hotel near the Bangkok airport after being booted out of an overbooked posh hotel, I am struck by the dissimilarities a few blocks can make. And irritated by the flea bites on my legs.
The contrasts can be stark. But one thing is not so different. In each place I visited there was rapid change happening. The opening of an entire country in Myanmar, protests in Bangkok, the rapid rise of Singapore, the super highway in Chiang Rai. Change is happening and people are impacted deeply.
But there is another similarity. In each location there are people hungry for hope. Hope for a way out. Hope for a job. Hope for a child. Even in Singapore there is hunger for meaning, purpose, or something other than the short term high of consumerism.
I have met amazing people doing great things to provide hope (pictures below). They have taught me a great deal. It is possible I have encouraged them, but it is certainly true they have encouraged me.
My intent is to not forget the hearts of the good people I have met. And to always treasure the hope they share.
Rachel with Tawee Donchai, The SOLD Project Director.
The beautiful and loving Plah works with students and teachers in Chiang Rai.
Ash and Anji Barker serve in the Klong Toey Slum of Bangkok.
Church planter and entrepreneur Ako.
U Chaw hosts a house church in Myanmar.
Rachel and me with Roy & Bonita Thompson; they offer hope to sex workers in Bangkok.