One of the important things we wanted to do on this trip was spend a bit of time with Esther Weatherall.
Sunday night provided just that opportunity, first with a Shabu hot pot style restaurant meal, then with a little stroll through Chiang Mai's famous Walking Market inside the old city walls. Bonus: We were able to pick up Bell at her university dorm, and it made for a happy little group. [For those who know Ken and his eating preferences, yes, he was able to find enough favourable things to dump into the mix. No squid though, thank you very much.]
There is for me a sense of something coming full circle in the fact that Esther is now here in Thailand serving as a full time missionary with YWAM Chiang Mai. In fact, back in 2008, when Highview was all new to this "Regions Beyond" thing, I met with a supervisor named Charlie McCordick who was assigned to help me with a 'Missions Elective' during my post grad studies. And this is exactly what he said to me. That we'd know we were really a sending missionary church when....When someone from Highview would choose to make global work their vocation.
And here we are.
Esther's story of her introduction to and continuing development towards what she's doing today is hers to tell. I'll just mention here that it was a first visit to Hot Springs that got the ball rolling. I've had a front row seat to that growth for almost the whole way, lesser recently as she has branched out way beyond the ministry of New Family Foundation and has forged her own relationships of mentorship and ministry partners. Still, it's a very rewarding thing to watch God do something over a long haul period of time, from Esther celebrating her 18th birthday on this first trip, to her emergence as a capable adult with lots to offer. It's exciting to imagine what God has in store for her in the future.
If you are interested in connecting with Esther, to find out more and contribute to her ministry, you can check out Charitable Impact. Or check out her specific work with YWAM at Bahn Dem Rak.
Blessings and strength and joy for your journey, Esther!
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