Hi everyone!
Well, the dust has finally settled on my time as a Serve Asia worker in Thailand, and I’ve swapped the humidity of the field for… well, the slightly more predictable Scottish rain. It was an absolutely incredible adventure, but if you’d seen me during those first few weeks, you would have seen a version of me that was equal parts inspired and completely bewildered! (You can catch up on my early-days jitters here: When God says go, and you actually go).
Now that I’ve had some time to reflect (and the mosquito bites have finally healed), I thought it was time for a proper follow-up. Instead of a standard report, I’ve written a letter to my past self—sharing 10 things I wish I’d known before I stepped off that plane. If you’re even slightly considering heading off on a short-term mission, I hope these little nuggets of wisdom help you pack. Just remember: while you’re busy checking your suitcase, God is already out there, three steps ahead, preparing the way for you to join him exactly when the time is right!
A Letter to the Person I Was Six Months Ago
Dear Me,
I see you. You’re sitting at a gate in Glasgow Airport, the grey Scottish sky outside the window a stark contrast to where you’re headed. You’re nervously counting out Thai Baht, trying to wrap your head around the exchange rate and the journey ahead. You’re double-checking your chargers and feeling that heavy mix of adrenaline and the quiet whisper of ‘what have I gotten myself into?’
You have so many expectations for how this journey will go, and while I don’t want to spoil the surprises, there are a few things I wish I could whisper in your ear while you’re sitting there in that terminal. You’re about to learn that growth doesn’t happen in the moments where everything goes to plan—it happens in the gaps between them.
Most importantly, you’ll learn that this isn’t about your own strength; it’s about the simple, daily act of walking in obedience to the One who called you here.
1. Flexibility is your new best friend
You love a good schedule, but you need to hold it loosely. Here, ‘Plan A’ is usually just a suggestion. Being flexible isn’t just a survival skill; it’s an act of worship.
When things go sideways, don’t resist—pivot. Trust that God is in the interruptions just as much as the intentions.
2. No two days are the same
Expect the unexpected. One day will be spent in quiet reflection, taking prayer walks around the town and soaking in the atmosphere. The next, you’ll be clinging to the back of a motorbike, wind in your face as you travel out to meet local believers in the villages. And some days?
Some days are just about trying to stay hydrated. Accept the rhythm. God doesn’t demand ‘high productivity’ every 24 hours; he just asks for your presence.
3. The mosquito war is already lost
I’m sorry to tell you this, but you are a five-star meal for the local insects. You will spend a small fortune at the local pharmacy trying every cream, spray, and remedy on the shelf.
Nothing will work.
It will actually get to the point where ‘not being eaten alive’ becomes a top prayer request. Just accept the itchy badge of honour and move on.
4. Own your mornings
By the time the sun sets, the heat and the day’s intensity will have drained your battery to 1%. If you wait until the evening for your Bible study, you’ll likely fall asleep mid-verse.
Give your best energy to God—do it in the morning when the air is still cool and your mind is quiet. You need his word to fuel you before the world starts asking things of you.
5. Document the ‘Tired’
There will be nights when you can’t find the words for a profound journal entry. Write anyway. Even if it’s just one sentence: ‘It’s been a long day and I’m tired.’ Future you will value those honest, raw snippets of reality just as much as the long essays. It’s a record of you showing up, even when you’re running on empty.
6. The heat is a physical factor
Don’t underestimate what the temperature does to your mood. When you feel irritable or overwhelmed, drink water and find shade. Often, it’s not a ‘crisis of faith’—you’re just overheated. Be kind to the body God gave you to do this work.
7. Don’t sugar-coat it for your prayer group
Keep in close touch with those amazing people praying for you back home. They are on this journey with you. Don’t polish the rough edges; tell them exactly where you’re struggling so they know exactly how to intercede for you.
8. Say ‘Yes’ to the food
Take every opportunity to try as much local food as possible. Your palate is about to go on its own adventure! And if a local offers to teach you how to make a traditional Thai salad, take it!
Don’t worry about whether you’re ‘working’ in that moment—that afternoon in the kitchen will become one of your fondest memories when you look back on your time.
9. You are a witness for the workers
Though you might find yourself questioning why you are even there, remember: you are observing the missionaries already based there. Be a support for them; pray for and encourage them. When you get back home, you will have first-hand stories of what it is actually like for them to be there full-time. It becomes your job to share their stories and ask the Lord of the Harvest to send more people to join them.
10. Obedience is the victory
You’ll have days where you wonder if you’re actually ‘doing’ enough. In those moments, remember: you didn’t come here to be a hero; you came here to be obedient. Despite the bug bites, the exhaustion, and the changing plans, you are exactly where he called you to be. Every small conversation is a stitch in a much larger tapestry he is weaving.
Hang in there. You’re doing better than you think because he is faithful even when you are tired.
Love,
Your ‘Future’ Self
If Erica’s story has inspired you, or if you’d like to find out more about OMF’s Serve Asia short-term mission programme, head to our Serve Asia pages.
Explore short-term opportunities to join our teams in Thailand
