A Journey of Seeing and Walking Together — A Mission Trip Reflection from Thailand

Yipeng Zou

---

At the end of October, I traveled with PG and Alison from Austin to Thailand to visit missionaries and learn more about their lives and ministry. Even during the long flights and busy schedule, we clearly experienced God’s care and protection.

Arriving in Thailand

After hours of flying and a transfer in Seattle and Taiwan, we finally arrived in Chiang Mai. It was my first time in Thailand. As we drove from the airport to our hotel by the river, I noticed how different everything looked from the United States. The buildings, traffic, and surroundings felt like going back in time many years. It made me think about how easily we take comfort and convenience for granted.

That evening, some local missionary friends—Peter and Wing—took us to a night market. We drank fresh coconut water and enjoyed delicious curry beef noodles. Thailand is quite affordable, which is why many people from around the world now choose to live in Chiang Mai.

Wing also shared honestly about missionary life. Two things especially stayed in my heart:

First: the pressure on marriages.Missionaries often don’t slow down enough to address tension in their relationships. Problems may grow quietly until they become painful and hard to repair.

Second: having a strong calling.If someone goes into missions without a deep foundation and steady walk with God, the reality of hardships can be overwhelming.

Her sharing reminded me that serving God must flow from prayer, preparation, and obedience.

Traveling to Hat Yai

After a wonderful hotel breakfast the next morning, we flew more than two hours south to Hat Yai. Warren kindly picked us up at the airport and brought us to lunch, where we also met Christy. We then settled into a house provided by Launch Global.

That evening, we had dinner with Warren and Kimberly and heard about their ministry among Muslim communities during the past five years. Their work is meaningful but also full of challenges and pressure. Listening to them gave me a deeper respect for their faith and perseverance.

(We even had a small moment of humor when the house key broke in the lock, and we had to find tools to get back inside!)

Worship and Fellowship

On Sunday, we joined Grace Church for worship. The service included prayer, songs, and a message from a visiting pastor. What touched me most was the passion and energy in their worship. Adults and teenagers served together, and the pastor’s daughter played the drums beautifully.

After church, we enjoyed a simple but delicious meal of chicken soup noodles and had deep conversations with the pastor’s wife. Almost everyone in the church was actively serving. Their dedication encouraged me.

That afternoon and evening, we spent time talking with Christy about her studies, family, and personal struggles. It was a blessing to listen, share, and pray together.

Missionary Community

The next day, we joined a missionary gathering at Space Coffee Shop, a ministry café created as a meeting place. Missionaries from the Philippines and the U.S. shared updates and prayer requests. We read Scripture together and prayed for one another. The atmosphere was warm and sincere.

That evening, we shared dinner and dessert with several missionary friends and ended the day with joy and gratitude.

Walking Prayer and Returning to Chiang Mai

Another day, we went to Christy’s neighborhood to do a walking prayer—silently praying for families, workers, and the community while we walked under the hot sun. Even in the heat, we felt God’s presence.

Later that day, we flew back to Chiang Mai and stayed at a villa provided by Austin Stone Church and Launch Global. There we unexpectedly met the founders of Launch Global, Bob and Susan, which felt like a special gift from God.

That night, while celebrating Peter’s birthday over dinner, Wing again shared about the pressures of ministry and family life. Her honesty deeply moved me.

Unfortunately, both PG and I got food poisoning. He began vomiting in the night, and I had stomach pain and weakness. But even in sickness, we experienced care and support from one another and from God.

Meeting Faithful Servants

We also met with Philip and Kathy, who shared about walking through cancer with their daughter and learning to trust God in suffering. Later we had dinner with Joey and Jenny, who have four children—one adopted—and homeschool due to the kids’ needs. They used to serve in China but had to leave because of government restrictions. Now they continue serving in Chiang Mai.

Visiting Grace International School

One highlight was visiting Grace International School, founded in 1997 mainly to serve missionary children. Today it has over 700 students from elementary through high school, about 80% from missionary families. The school helps children grow academically and spiritually, while allowing them to personally choose their faith journey. However, they face teacher shortages and financial needs and greatly appreciate prayer support.

Final Days

We also spent time shopping for Christmas gifts for missionary children and enjoyed moments of fellowship with families at home, sharing laughter and simple joys.

On our final day, we watched a rainy soccer tournament at Grace International School. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams won first place, and the parents—many of whom had previously lived in China—cheered happily. Later we shared a meaningful prayer time with Weiwei, lifting up her visa needs, teaching license, emotional health, and her children’s faith.

Our journey ended with a final meal together and a warm Thai milk tea before departure. My heart was full.

Closing Reflections

This trip allowed me to see missionary life up close—not just the ministry, but the struggles, sacrifices, faith, and perseverance behind it. These brothers and sisters have chosen to follow God into unfamiliar places and continue trusting Him through uncertainty and challenge.

My prayer is simple:

May God protect and guide them.May He give them wisdom, strength, and courage. And may He lovingly care for their childrenand lead them into the future He has prepared.

All glory be to God.