Rachel Hampton

Trouble with being far from home… August 24, 2009

I have good news and bad news. The bad news first. My granddaddy passed away. The good news. My granddaddy passed away. I’m happy for him because I know that he is looking into the face of God today. How amazing is that? That has given me so much comfort and joy while I’ve struggled with the knowledge that he is gone from me for now. It makes it harder knowing I am so far from my family as well. I heard that he was sick and immediately started praying about him as well as whether God would have me go home if something happened. Selfishly, I was thinking that I needed to but didn’t want to miss out on what God wanted of me. Over the week or so, I felt God telling me to stay here. That was hard to hear. I wanted to be with my family. Mourn and rejoice with them. Be there for them as they grieved. But I left home knowing that something like this may happen and that I was serving the Lord…sometimes we have to leave family and follow him no matter the cost. It doesn’t make it easy but it makes it right. And what peace God gives when you’re following His will. And my family is amazing. They kept encouraging me to stay here as well, telling me that my granddaddy would want that and that he was proud of me. I was even blessed enough to spend a few minutes on the phone with him. When I mentioned that I wished I was there with him he responded, “You’re where the Lord needs you”. That is granddad…focused on God til the end. So selfless and amazing. I will miss him but I will also see him again. This I know!

We are now on our way to Malaysia. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful country; especially the port we will be visiting. It’s a four-day voyage and I’m hoping for some fun waves…though I’m sure a lot of people are hoping just the opposite. My last few days in Thailand were good. I was able to meet up with a new friend. Andrea, my good friend from church back home used to teach in Thailand and put me in contact with one of her friends still there. She came to the ship with her students one day and we made plans to hang out on Saturday. A few friends and I headed to a local church first. Though we had a bit of trouble getting there, we made it just in time for the service. It was a small church of young people that met in a kind of coffee house setting. The worship was great and in Thai and well as English. It was very low key but really enjoyable. In fact, it felt kind of like home since I walked in and there was a guy sitting there in a Liberty University tshirt (the college in my hometown). Small world. Seriously. After church we wanted to go grab a bite to eat. It had been pouring while we were in the service and as we came out we saw that the streets were completely flooded! Might want to work on your sewage system…just a thought. We were going to go to a nearby restaurant so waded in the shin-high water and rain for a few blocks. We ate at a small Thai restaurant with seating outside under an awning. The four girls Kristin brought with her were so sweet and interested in the ship. We talked for awhile about that as well as their work as teachers in Thailand. It was such a good time of fellowship. We even discussed Saved by the Bell since I had on my Zack Morris necklace. And a very cool thing was that one of the girls went to Liberty and attended Thomas Road. I got to talk about my home church with her and it felt so nice! We had a great time with them and then headed back to the ship. I thank God for little moments like those. They make the world feel so much smaller and it’s encouraging to meet fellow children of God in random places. Off to a meeting to hear about how ministry went in Thailand. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be in Malaysia! Please continue your prayers