Jolene Miller, Vision Team

Positively Feminine spoke with Jolene Miller about her church sponsored mission trip.

PF - Where did you go on your mission trip?
Jolene - Thailand.

PF - What was the purpose of your trip?
Jolene - I went with a group called the Vision Team. Their purpose is to introduce young people to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the Asian people. Vision Team also exposed us to opportunities for future service in Thailand, and encouraged us to share our vision with family and friends at home.

PF - How many were on your team?
Jolene - Sixteen young people, ranging in age from late teens to early 20's.

PF - What did you do in Thailand?
Jolene - We did a lot of prayer walking. We would break off into small groups and walk through neighborhoods, all the while praying together for the neighborhoods and anyone we saw on the street.

We helped the missionaries living at the base with routine cleaning and upkeep duties.

We also went to a Karen village where we helped Mae, a 21 year old single woman, build a bedroom outside of her house. She has dedicated her life to providing a temporary home for ten to twelve children. Many of the children are from poor villages, whose parents have difficulty caring for their basic needs. Mae feeds and clothes the children, in addition to sending them to school and telling them about Jesus. The bedroom we built was for the boys she cares for.

PF - Does Mae get paid for her efforts?
Jolene - No, but she does receive some assistance from the missionary base.

PF - How has the trip changed you?
Jolene - It gave me a burden for the people in Asia, including Thailand. It has made me more thankful for the freedom in the United States, and has made me look at missionaries differently.

PF - In what way do you see missionaries differently?
Jolene -  I used to think that being a missionary was a lot of "fun." But it's much harder than I thought it would be, especially the financial burden and being away from home.

PF - What most surprised you about the trip?
Jolene - How friendly the Thai people are. They are so friendly.

PF - What is the dominant religion of that region?
Jolene - Buddhism.

PF - Are the Thai people open to the Gospel?
Jolene - Yes.

PF - What did you most enjoy about the trip?
Jolene - I loved the traveling, the culture, and experiencing different food.

PF - What are some of the things that struck you about their culture?
Jolene - When you fly into Bangkok, you look down and see lots and lots of Buddha temples. They're all over, outside houses and businesses. Also, prostitution is a big problem. I think they're trying to legalize it.

PF - What was the food like?
Jolene - Very good! Typical Thai food contains curry, lots of spicy things, rice, and peanut oil. A popular dish is cashew chicken. There are lots of fruit drinks available, such as pineapple shakes.

PF - What did you not necessarily enjoy?
Jolene - The language barrier.

PF - What are the dominant languages in Thailand?
Jolene - Thai. Many of the people can also speak some English.

PF - Would you like to return to that part of the world?
Jolene - Yes. Definitely to visit; possibly to serve. 

PF - In what area would you most like to serve?
Jolene - In the Chang Mai area of Thailand. I'd like to do something with kids, perhaps become involved in the nanny program or the Compassion Home. The nanny program (CHARA Ministries) allows girls from the United States to live in Thailand and take care of orphans and abandoned babies who are awaiting adoption. Most babies are adopted around the age of two. During the school year many villagers can't afford to send their children to school, so they send them to the Compassion Home where they live during the week, attend school, and go to church.

PF - What do you wish people at home understood about Thailand?
Jolene - How many Thai people have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ, and don't know who He is.

PF - What advice do you have for young ladies who are considering taking a missions trip?
Jolene - Go for it! Do it now before you get married, and before you have many responsibilities. Don't worry about the financial aspect. If you're supposed to go, the finances will work out.

PF - Do you have anything else to add?
Jolene - Adopt babies! There are so many orphans in Thailand. Some orphanages are so full that there aren't enough cribs. Babies have to sleep underneath the cribs.

PF - Why are there so many orphans?
Jolene - Some are born to single moms, and some are AIDS babies.

PF - How can we pray for this part of the world?
Jolene - Pray that God will open the Thai people's eyes and hearts; that they will come to Him and stop serving and praying to idols. When we drove down the streets, we saw many people bowing down to statues of Buddha. Pray that the missionaries will be able to form good relationships with the Thai people.

 

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About Jolene: Jolene and her husband Matt live in Holmes County, Ohio. She is a  Sunday School teacher, and they both serve as Vacation Bible School coordinators for their church.