Christmas Outreach at the Office

Our biggest outreach event was an adult Christmas party at the church on the Saturday before Christmas. We invited our neighbors, English students, and random friends from all over to come eat, play games, exchange presents, and hear about the Truth of Christmas. Praise God for the turnout and the fun had together.
Thai staff, missionaries, various church members, and random other people still at the party during clean-up.
Dave shared about what Christmas is all about amidst the chaos of the evening. The downstairs of our office was full! We pray that many good friendships were deepened and the meaning of Christmas was understood.
Hong, another English student of mine, and her mom also showed up for the party. Her mom turned to me in the food line to talk about Christmas. She knew it was Jesus's birthday. but as I talked, I thought how we have lots of Thai holidays for people's birthdays. It probably doesn't sound very special to her. I wish and hope some of the message of the evening helped her understand.
I'm proud to acknowledge May, in the gray shirt, as one of my English students. He lost at a game, and was forced to dance in front of everyone. But it doesn't look like he's hating it. :)
We played a Thai-version of the traditional present exchange game. I would go forward, choose a number, and whoever's present had that number would have to come and give it to me. No stealing. I received this awesome Banana Brothers piggybank.

Mahathai Christmas

This year was our first year to hold Christmas at Mahathai's new community center. We had a Christmas play by the children, a dance performance, a sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and good fellowship of games and food. Praise God for the people who heard the Gospel as well as the new friendships made that evening.

So many people came out that we've never met. And as we went around to invite people, they all seemed willing to go. What an answer to prayer to see more unity in the community as well as interest in our activities there.

The losers of any game have to stand up front and look like folks while doing a dance like grilled chicken.

A lot of make-up and hair doing happens before any production here, no matter how small. Its all about the presentation!

Some of the characters for our nativity play during the party. The pictures didn't come out so well of the actual play. Don't you think even the sheep is smiling underneath that paper plate?

A bunch of the kids and teens surprised us with a whole dance performance during the evenings. They were so excited and smiling through the whole thing. I enjoyed seeing them take ownership of the evening.

Pawn and Kieow holding two of the cutest kids at Mahathai. The one on the right's name is Butter, and she just started letting me hold her. She lives next door to the community center where I go almost everyday.

Merry Christmas from Thailand!

Merry Christmas, everyone. Thanks for your thoughts of me over the holidays that bring you to check up on my blog. Thanks for your prayers for me over this season. This Christmas marks my second round through of celebrating here in Thailand. Today, the colder season showed signs of being gone, as I was sweating riding in the back of the truck to shop for Rachel's Christmas present. The poinsettias set out in front of the shopping center in the shape of a Christmas tree were slightly sad looking in a "We need water!" way. But their attempt for Christmas was admirable. And most of all, being able to spend Christmas Eve with one of my team member's families makes the season more complete. We still had some hot chocolate, hamburgers, and Polar Express watching. And of course we read from the Bible about the Christmas story--about Mary's response to the angel when he told her she was going to be the mother of Jesus. May my response to being here during this season be equal in the faithfulness of Mary. God is doing good things here, and I am honored to be his servant. (Pictures of all the amazing things God has done already this month are forthcoming...)

Great Thai Names

Thai people have really long real first names. Actually, just some are really long. Maybe I should suggest, Supercalifragulisticitspialidocious. But, anyway, so they all have nicknames too. Lots of different ones, as you've seen from my website.

Well, the newest neighbor to our community center at Mahathai is "Donut"! And his sister's name is "Butter". And they are just about cute enough to eat up! Pictures later....

Who is Jesus?

On Saturday, we had a Christmas party for our Childrens' English classes. We teach three classes, about 30 kids. This party was just the beginning of Christmas parties here, we have another tonight and one on Saturday for other ministries at the church. Though they involve a lot of work, the parties offer amazing opportunities to share Christmas with people.

As we sat around a felt board, Pawn shared the Christmas story. Five words were in English to teach them--sheep, baby...and Jesus. When Rachel introduced the word Jesus, my students turned to me and asked, "Who's Jesus?" They had never heard of that word in Thai or English. Then as the story continued, one of my students' mom begin thinking aloud with me trying to clarify, "So, Jesus is God?" Wow, what a great opportunity for them to know that Christmas is not just a Western holiday about Santa Claus. Please pray for God's name to be made known and for their hearts to be open to hear!

More Singing...

My English class and Rachel's had their test today to end their 20 hours of instruction until next cycle. We had some spicy papaya salad together and sang the 12 Days of Christmas. Big hit! (We didn't have time for the Thai version, but thanks for all your help on ideas.) At the end of the song, Pack said he would ditch that girlfriend because she's too expensive! All those presents! :)

Singing Salesman

A honey salesman just stopped by our office. When we bought honey from him, gave him some Christmas brownies, and departed with "God bless you"....he begun singing for us in gratitude. He's still singing....

Wild Cow Flowers?

Yesterday, one teenager from Mahathai gave me a big yellow flower. When Tang saw it, she said, "Watch out!" If I smelled the flower I was holding, I would go crazy because some kids in her village did once! The flower's name was the Wild Cow Flower!

Pray for my Neighbor

My neighbor, Oom, just split up with her husband. She owns a noodle stand across from my house. We have been friends since I first came here, deepening when she asked me about Christianity last year after Christmas. Since then, we've had opportunities to pray with her. She has a two year old son who lives with her parents in the NE area. Her husband was always against her coming to church with us. So now that he's "out of the picture," I pray that God would be working on her heart. Please do pray for her heart, her business she's managing alone, and for her to have enough money to provide for her son. Christmas time would be a great time for her to visit our church.

Merry or Happy?

My Thai housemate walked around saying "Merry Thanksgiving" on Thanksgiving day. When she realized it was "Happy" she asked me why. Why do we only wish "Merry" for Christmas and "Happy" for Thanksgiving and New Year?

Either way, the house is decorated for Christmas now, thanks to all the interns in the past that have left their decorations here. And two small trees and some Christmas music. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year's!

Since last time I blogged....

...the airports are open!

...Thailand no longer wears yellow or red unless you want to be identified with one of the previous protesting political parties.

...the King of Thailand turned 81 years old! But he's in the hospital and wasn't able to attend his party, so please pray for him.

...I ordered a pork salad which somehow included squid....I guess that's an assumption that everyone likes squid with their pork?

...I wore pants one day because it was almost chilly!

...I began creating a Thai re-vamp of the "12 Days of Christmas" for our Thai church's Christmas parties over the next two weeks! Any suggestions?

The Moon is Smiling

Tonight, while teaching English, Ming received a phone call from her brother-in-law. The class was interrupted for the news, "The moon is smiling!" What? We had to stop class and run outside to search for the moon between our tall buildings. Finally seeing it between some power lines at the end of our street, there it was. The moon was in the shape of a smiling mouth with two bright stars as the eyes.

Amidst the tough instabilities in Thailand, I felt like Noah and his family after the flood when they saw the rainbow. God promised them not to have another flood like that one on the earth. And God reminded me tonight of his promise that He is working in this earth through that smiling moon. Amen.

Thai Idioms

Last night, while sweeping the last of the stairs in our house to finish my cleaning sweep, one of my housemates came in and saw me. She exclaimed, "It's going to rain tomorrow!" Somehow or another, my cleaning caused her to predict the weather tomorrow? (And badly if she was because it's probably not going to rain today, its now "cold season.")

I replied, "An idiom?" She said, yes, it was an idiom...something about being blessed with my cleaning. I figure that idiom meant either she was blessed by my cleaning yesterday or she was surprised I was cleaning because it happens about as often as it rains during cold season. :)

Still Praying the Psalms

Please keep praying for the country of Thailand. Keep reading up on the news and lifting this country up during your prayer times to the Lord. Our life here goes on as usual in some ways, yet our hearts are heavier. I think about the people in the Bible who felt a Godly sorrow while those on Earth were not following the Lord. Though the airports are closed, the prime minister is stationed far from Bangkok, and the protestors are demonstrating hate toward one another, God is using this time to proclaim his name among the nations and show everyone they are a people who are in desperation without the Hope of God.

"The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice; the earth melts...
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!'"

-Psalm 46:6-10

Pin the Nose on the Turkey?

Yesterday evening, our team got together to celebrate "The Day We Thank God" (translated literally in Thai). We all cooked up what we could find on this side of the world, which made for a very awesome meal. We sang some worship songs to God as well as thanked him for all he's done over the last year. And then we played, "Pin the Nose on the Turkey." Actually, it's like the red flappy thing hanging from its beak, called the Snood or something.

Favorite quote of the evening, sitting beside one of my Thai housemates, she asks, "Is this turkey?" as she eats her ham. Poor thing has never had either. We can't get turkey really here, but ham was a special entree for the special day.

More Supplication than Thanksgiving

As tomorrow approaches, I find myself in a state of more supplication than thanksgiving. Yet, my heart holds fast to the Psalms that promise God's hand at work among the nations. One of our friends, Mahathai's community leader, tries to eat only 60 cents worth of food a day (enough for one meal) so that he can pay the four dollars a day it takes to send his kid to college. The economy is rough here, and I can see it on the faces of my friends who have food stands at the market. Otherwise a busy market at lunchtime, presently it is very quiet. Not to mention my supplications to the Lord to be working in this unstable situation here in Thailand. An unstable government and its divided country struggle against one another. I know why the Lord brought me to read Isaiah, in the Bible, through this time. God proclaims his power over the nations, their need to repent, and his ability to give mercy to them. Please pray for our country this holiday season. Pray that God will bring about great outcomes from the otherwise seemly consuming confusion here. And pray thanksgiving for the ability to trust our God, and know He is all we need.

Here is my Thanksgiving prayer copied from another missionary in a similar state of awareness, "Thank you, God, there is enough. In You there is enough love to cover every mistake, enough light to brighten the darkest hour, enough power to meet every need."

Loy Gratong Holiday

The Loy Gratong Festival reflects the Thai's multi-faceted religion of Buddhism with Animism mixed in, since they worship the Spirit of the Water on this day. They treat it much like a Valentine's here, for its romantic feelings of the lights on the water. It is beautiful, but also very sad. Though we went to watch, we tried to explain to our friends that Jesus already died for our sins. We don't have to ask for them to be taken away by gods of the water. Though the Thais mix this holiday with Thai culture so much, they just explain it as a pretty thing to do that makes them feel good.








Thai people celebrate this holiday during a full moon in November. They buy small boats made of flours or bread. Communities join together for the festivities at rivers or lakes in their community. They set the candle-lit boat to float with their family or boyfriend/girlfriend. As the boat is pushed off, they pray that the things bad in their life would go away as well. They believe the Spirit of the Water will heal them of their problems and worries if they set their boat to float.








During the evening, a parade passed us, with many beautifully dressed people. They were carrying an idol of some type to the main stage.









It felt like a festival in many ways with the booths, fireworks, balloon games, and food as we walked around the lake. This guy pictured here makes lollipops in the shape of animals. I got an elephant with a monkey riding on his back. Come to think of it, I still haven't eaten it!

Teaching the Moms

I just recently started teaching English for some women at Mahathai. Last Thursday was my second class and seven women showed up. I didn't yet know three of the women. Women we already know well invited their neighbors. What fun. We study together in the community center in the afternoon right before its time for all of them to head home and make dinner for their families. Since most of the women don't know any English, we've spent ten minutes on "Hello" alone, then "What's your name?", and the letters "A" and "E". I'm so excited about the relationships being made in there. Praise God for all those women and my ability to teach them.

The Wedding Adventure

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Wow, the weekend wedding was an experience I will remember always. We went to rural rice-field Thailand, or as my roommates from there say, "the REAL Thailand." Cold bucket showers, eating bugs, eating animals that were alive the morning before....But also, getting to be not only at but part of my English student's wedding was a privilege and honor. She asked me to help prepare the food, be a bridesmaid, as well as help emcee the reception. At night, I would sit with Bible and pray beside my friend while she bowed to her god and prayed to it. I was dressed up like Thai "superstar" twice and everyone wanted to take a picture with me.

Through this experience, God helped me know how to be part, as well as not be part in the Buddhist ceremonies. God also provided some opportunities to share the Gospel in tidbits, but more than that, sharing it with my life. The Isaan people taught me more how to love and live in this country. And one old grandmother even told me in her English, "I love you more than anything in the world."

Standing in at a Wedding

Tomorrow, I'm heading out to the NE of Thailand to be in a Buddhist wedding. One of my English students, Goong, is getting married to an American guy. His family can't come to the wedding. Yet for traditional reasons, he needs family to stand with his during certain ceremonies. And since Rachel and I are the only white people Goong knows, we're going to be her husband's "family." Really, the hilarity of this situation could go on for a while....

Please pray for us to know what to do and what not to do. Pray for us to be able to eat everything, understand more than usual, and love our new family. :) Pray for us to have opportunities to talk with them about Jesus Christ as we sit through the ceremonies together. We are honored to have this opportunity and I can't wait to show you pictures next week!

Between the Refrigerator and the Buddhist Shrine

Last night, with my portable white board leaning against the refrigerator, I sat on the floor facing my three English students. In Mahathai community, I've been volunteering my services of English to the adults there, hoping to get to know them. Yesterday was the first day of class in one of their houses. Three nice ladies, all moms of teenagers I hang out with on Fridays, and I struggled through English. I realized they had no foundation for English at all. I mean, we spent a good ten minutes on how to say hello and what does it mean.

At one point, I leaned back to relax. What was a leaning against? Teem's Buddhist shrine! The statues of gods, tigers, and elephants were looking at me. What a memory. And what a opportunity to make better relationships with these women. Pray for me as I think like a teacher about how to go about the lessons. And pray for the souls of these women, that they'll come to know Jesus.

I said that?

At church on Sunday, while watching dishes, two of the YWAM staff girls invited me to play basketball with them at the park that evening. Not sure, I answered, "Maybe I'll come."

After they left, Bun (the top person, pictured two of my other housemates, Yu and Kieow) remarked on how I was a Thai person already. She said I didn't just say no to them, I said maybe. That's how you say no in Thai. I felt bad. I didn't even know that I rejected their invitation...

I'm still learning the art of speaking indirectly and in a circle. The one time I mastered it, I didn't even know.

You Know You're Sick When...

It feels cold in Thailand.

The last four days, I've been down with strep throat. I knew I was coming down with something when I was wearing a jacket outside. Praise God, it came and went quickly. I'm glad to be back in gear.

A Native Born

Rachel and I found a gym not far from the house. There are "regulars" that are there every week, but we have yet to talk to them really. We nicknamed one lady, "Janice," because that's the only name we could read on the check-in list at the front desk.

Anyway, today while struggling over the bench press, Janice saw my vain, pathetic efforts, and came over to help out. She spoke very fast Thai, while imitating each step I needed to take. Then she left me to it again. I followed the movements of hers. But when letting go, the weights crashed against each other causing everyone in the gym to glance over. Usually they are sweet to people making mistakes by pretending not to see them. But I was still embarrassed enough to prematurely end my workout session and head to the locker room.

Janice followed, nicely enough, and started talking to me. She was surprised I could speak Thai, and asked if I was born here. I had to ask for her to repeat her question, "Born here!?" Wow, what an honor to be asked, but no way. Still struggling with the language, but thankful to be thought of as a native born. So, that begins my friendship with Janice. Maybe in time, I'll know her real name and stop calling her Janice.

Wildlife Sightings

While chillin' at King's Park on a nature walk with three of my favorite missionary kids and Crystal (their mom), we kept our eyes peeled for wildlife! That's a great part of living in Thailand.

We saw a couple kids jump out from under a bridge. Maybe from being a teacher, I thought they were up to something. It looked like they were holding something in their hand, so I asked what they had. Then, out pooped this Rhinocerus Beetle. Cool, huh? A dark, hard skeleton and some funky jaw snappers.


And the moment I've been waiting for!! The sighting of a monitor lizard coming out of the water! Since I've been here, my friends speak of all their sightings, and I never see one!
This is a common occurance in my life--
Friend: "Oh look Melanie, a shooting star!" Melanie: "Where?"
This guy had hopped out of the lake and was crossing the walking path to the canal on the other side. Quite slowly he walked, so I could really enjoy it. (Ok, this isn't my picture, it was googled.)

Let the Little Children Come

Last night, nine girls came to the Mahathai commmunity center with us to pray for their communty. Over the last two months of hosting this prayer meeting, we've had a range of four different adults come, one grandmother, two mothers, and the community leader. We've struggled with whether to invite the billions of kids following us like the Pied Piper around the community. No, I love them. But they struggle with praying at the prayer meetings. They can't stay focused. We keep reminding each other, Jesus said "Let the little children come unto me." Did he let them come to everything?

Last night, the 9 girls just clapped and sang along, leading worship themselves practically. Then as Pramote shared a small message from the Bible, you could have heard a pen drop. He spoke of God's faithfulness being like the sun rising each morning. Pramote tried to ask them what they see first every morning. They answered, "my mom and dad" That made me smile.

Then we prayed together for their community. I'd find myself opening my eyes, having their little eyes looking at me. And then I would see them close their eyes, clasp their hands, and pray too. We pray here outloud and all together. What a blessing to see God working in the hearts of these 9 children. Its so fun to imagine how Mahathai will change as these girls are Godly influences there.

Fruity Tooty

Coconut, pineapple, banana, strawberry, watermelon, orange, lime, or cocoa! "Ban" or fruit shakes rock here in Thailand. Iced coffee rocks too, but I'm not a coffee drinker. So, I'll stick to these. While eating in the market, its fun to order a ban from my friend. Only 50 cents. If you come visit, I'll buy you one!

More English Pictures

Rachel and my English classes chillin' after a hard two hours of learning English.

I'm not trying to be a supermodel in the middle of the group. There just weren't any more desks!

Southern Belles of Thailand

Today I found myself using an umbrella against the sun as I walked down the street. As I looked around me, I wasn't the only one. Previously, the only image in my head was a lacy parasol that ladies of the high society use when they walk in their big dresses through the gardens. Nope, surprisingly now, I've joined the club--minus the lacy umbrella and big dress. The sun is strong here at 15 degrees latitude. I passed a church member's store the other day without an umbrella. She stopped in mid-calculation to give me her umbrella. She said she'd pick it up on Sunday after church.

House with One Heart

YWAM, Youth with a Mission, has a dormitory and mission house in our neighborhood. We've been partnering with them a lot in our different ministries, mercy, campus, and church planting. They offer housing to college students in their dormitory which is called Ban Jai Dee-aw "House with One Heart." These college students attend bible studies and worship within their dorm to and learn about Christ. Since its a non-denominational mission group, YWAM has encouraged these students to visit our church on Sundays. Two of the girls sing with our worship band every Sunday. Right now, that makes our church primarily composed of college students and kids! What a lively and challenging body for God to work in!

Did you know...

...I have worn flip flops for 14 months straight! I think I have beat the record for most of my hippie friends in Asheville!

Barefoot and Teaching?

Every week, I teach my English students barefoot! When I first came, it felt impolite and informal to not have nice shoes on while teaching. But in Thailand, as in many Asian countries, we must take off our outside shoes when coming indoors. Even at some restaurants!

One of my Thai roommates, coming back from an American visit, remarked on how she got to keep her shoes on. I told her how wierd it was for me to take mine off at church and while teaching. Funny, how different we are.

Missing My High School Reunion

My high school has our ten year high school reunion soon, which I will be missing. Thanks to Facebook, I have caught up with almost everyone from that phase in my life. I enjoy the shocker of telling them I'm in Thailand. It's also a shocker to tell them I'm a missionary. Though God has placed the idea in my head in high school, God was still growing me in how to walk as a Christian. As I write my high school friends, I feel like I'm still right in that point in my life. But at the same time, so much has changed. I'm sure that will be how it feels all my life.

I grieve lots of different losses on the mission field. Living here means growing distance between my friends, missing my niece and nephew's many milestones as they grow up, and not being able to sit by my granddad while he's in the hospital. Yet, being a missionary has its amazing honors as well, following God's desire for my life right now and being able to talk about Jesus with people who have never heard of Him. May God receive the glory from the sacrifice.

Carving Chicken

Over in America, its a tradition of who does the turkey carving--so professionally and smooth. Well, last night at a birthday party, I helped prepare the chicken. We don't have turkey here. It's way expensive. (I did hear about a lady who smuggled one by plane here last Thanksgiving.) Here, you just grab your battleaxe, or big knife, and just chop it in smaller pieces. Right through the bone. No need to divide the pieces from each other beautiful, just hack it up! It was kinda fun to have whack at it!

Frosty in Thailand

Rachel busted in my room the other day screaming, "Frosty the Snowman!" Yep, the Thai radio station was playing the song! Why? Maybe they liked the melody or the beat? She said the DJ's were speaking all in incomprehendible Thai, but she heard the words "Frosty the Snowman" and was perplexed. But she heard them right. I always liked teaching because of all the daily surprises there. I'd have to say living here might keep me all the more entertained.

You Know its Hot When...

...your Thai housemate comes back from a visit to America and remarks, "It's really hot here."

Will You Come?

I walked through Mahathai today inviting people to pray, "We're praying this evening in the community center. We'll be praying for everyone in this community. You are invited to come. Everyone's invited to come." Thai people are too sweet to say no directly to your face about anything. Instead they'll say, "Sorry, my grandchild just peed all over my pants" or "I have to finish sewing this and making my husband's meal before he comes home" or "I have to prepare for my guests coming tomorrow." As I write this, it makes me think about that parable in the Bible where the man invites many to his house for his banquet feast but all his friends excuse themselves for various excuses of their own.

Four kids came as well as two teenagers, one woman, and one man, the community leader. We prayed for their health, their studies, Thailand's government instability, and for God to demolish the strongholds of evil spirits in the community. Praise God for those who said yes to the banquet this evening. Please keep praying that when God extends the invitation to his banquet in heaven, our friends at Mahathai will accept Jesus Christ and come.

Jolting Grace

Today while walking, I was just sulking. Ugh, it's early....ugh, why am I here...ugh, why am I feeling like this, God? While looking ahead, an orange-robed monk was walking toward me on the same side of the road. Oh, it's 6:30am, the monks are out for their alms walking. Passing a road on the right, a older woman was kneeling, holding up her offerings for the monk who would reach her soon, pleading under her breath toward her god. She feels like me today. Why were we given this life? What are we to do with it? Who are we? Kneeling and pleading for relief.

The monk ahead had turned, and stood over another neighbor. Chanting in the Pali language, this young man bestowed on her blessings in exchange for her offerings. She kneeled before him with hopes of these blessings.

My heart breaks. I should see this every morning. The reminder of our inability to be God ourselves. The inability to make ourselves better. God jolted me with the reminder of how He came to us. He sent His son to die for us. For those ladies on their knees, for that monk, and for me. Forgive me for my complaining. Thank you, God, for your gift. Please help me to share it with everyone around me here.

To Market, To Market

Our Market, or "da-lad", is about one minute from our house, all I have to do is cross a crazy intersection. And here I am. At the most beautiful place and best smelling! Ok, I'm lying. This one part smells wonderful. Then walk toward the meat and fish section and it's a whole 'nother story, for another blog post. :)


You can buy a bouquet of orchids for only 30 cents! Most of the strings of flowers you see however, are bought to string on cars, buses, house spirit houses or temple idol statues. That is why they are in such abundance here.


The fruit is also amazing here. Living in the tropics brings a lot of heat and bugs, but also a lot of delicious and crazy looking fruit! Some of my favorites are the pink one in the middle called Dragonfruit. It is dalmation spotted on the inside. The big fruit on the far left is like huge grapefruit/orange combo called Som-o. Welcome to the market!

The English Team

We four ladies teach and lead the English program for our church plant. Rachel is in the front, Pawn and Yu on the sides. Aren't we crazy? Wouldn't you love to be under our instruction? Paul also teaches with us, but he just wasn't there for the crazy picture!

The Pearl and the Blowfish

A couple weeks ago, Rachel and I took a vacation to the beach of Phuket. One day, we visited the South Sea Pearl Farms. There I met my favorite part of the whole trip--this crazy blowfish. The video takes about 30 seconds--but the blowfish will deflate before your very eyes! He makes this hilarious farting noise that I'm disappointed to say I couldn't capture on video as well. But you can hear some Thai and me laughing. Below are some other great pictures from the Pearl Farms. The farm is set over water, with strings of oysters hanging from the wood below the water. Below Rachel and I are riding a long tail boat to the farms. Also while we were there, I noticed these boats, which were destroyed by the tsunami a while ago. This area was seriously hit. Can you see the pearl? It's pretty amazing that nowadays farmers breed pearls and don't just go searching for them.






Our tour guide is holding Pearl, the daughter of the pearl farmers who reside in water homes at the farm. It was really interesting to get out of the hotel and see some of the people who live in Southern Thailand. There is a much larger Muslim population here. On the way to the farms, we passed quite a few squatter communities, where every house had a bird. The tour guide said they have bird singing contests every year for money. The people were very friendly. I enjoyed learning more about the lifestyle of those who live near the water.

Wow, What a Storm!

Last night, I was awakened by some serious thunder! My room shook. The lightning came in through my curtains and made it feel like daylight. Normally, I love thunderstorms. But this one was past fun. It was extreme. I thought of my friends who live in the squatter houses with tin roofs. How can they handle this. Finally, I went back to sleep.

This morning, as I opened my curtains, I imagined seeing complete destruction. How could anything still be standing after last night? But everything was normal out back. Our streets were flooded- at least halfway up my calf in some places. And when it floods, its a wonderful smell of sewer and dog poop. Looking down the street, I saw a shoe under water. I waded around, making jokes with the neighbors about swimming. Flooding is a common thing in the streets around here, but this was higher than usual.

By this afternoon, the street was dry in front of my house because of the sunshine. I think about how God made the climate different here in Thailand. Raining never pitters down all day long here. It gushes. It dumps. It pours. The palm trees do look beautiful in the rain, like God made them especially for this weather. And before you know it, its evaporated already and the sun's out again.

Gung's First Wedding Shower

One of my English students is getting married and moving to America next month. So, after our test this week, we threw her a wedding shower! I wanted to share this American custom with them. They kept asking why we call it a shower?
Rachel and my English classes came together for the party!

These willing volunteers had others fashion tissue wedding dresses on them. Gung, in the middle, loved getting to be the judge of the game.

Look at the food for our party. Lots of watermelon, papaya salad, fried pork, pizza, cake, and sticky rice!

Newsie Sighting

The new fruit stand guy across the street from my house wears a white fuzzy, plush Newsie hat every day. Very hilariously cute on the old guy. Wanted to share. I tried for a picture, but it scared the neighborhood.

School Rules

A new tidbit I learned-- All teenage girls have to wear their hair cut short, like my blog right below this one. I thought that they just were being teenagers, wanting to everything alike and follow fashion. Nope, its a requirement! Wow. And at least some of the elementary schools require their girls to wear long pigtail braids. Crazy huh? And all students, Kindergarten to college, wear uniforms.

Teeny-Boppers out for Icecream

Each Friday night, I find myself with some giggly teenage girls either at Karaoke, an icecream shop, or just playing games at Mahathai. Too bad, I don't know their lingo or their favorite songs, because I'm still trying to figure out the normal language. But I try. Here's some pictures of our icecream trip together.

Our church has been helping at Mahathai for about 3 years, and these girls were the first to respond to Gospel. Many of our staff spend time discipling them and trying to keep them involved at our church. They help out with the handicraft ministry which makes cards, jewelry, and bags for income (www.mtwthailand.org) as well. Good fun times together.

Uhn, Dak, and Dang cheese!
They're too shy and self-conscious to have their pictures taken, but I tried anyway!
The fearless leaders of these crazy girly-girls, Dang (my co-worker and housemate) and I.

Our Neighbors Moved

Our next-door neighbors moved out today. We will miss ordering papaya salad from them by peeking out of our door. I'll miss Baa-Mee sticking her face on the door waiting for me to let her in and give her candy. The lessons in the NE Thai dialect were fun too! Thais move very often! Yet this family found an area that was cheaper for them than our neighborhood. Here's some last pics together.
Mom, kids, Rachel, and I.
Their dad helps with their restaurant as well as drives a motorcycle taxi.
Here's our neighbor two doors down. His dog is named Moo Dang which means, red pork!
Aren't they cute? They had a little too much fun with my camera.

Heavenly Meat

The other night at Mahathai for Pawn's birthday dinner, we started talking about all the animals that you can eat here. I thought my dad had eaten crazy meats! Well, let's give you some hints on what meat is called "Meat from Heaven" in Thailand. In the past, the NE Thai people would trade weaved baskets for the family's pet to eat! But now, the police prohibit this. Yet, they are still eaten in Vietnam.

DOG! You got it right! They give it this beautiful name to make it sound more appetizing. Does it make you want to eat it more? We should talk to Heavenly Ham about why they call their meat "heavenly" ?

My Monkey Friend

Faa loves to jump and hang all over me when we get together. I call her "Ling" which means monkey. Here's an older picture of her hanging on without my hands helping her out. Her name, Faa, actually means "sky". Beautiful, huh.

Her mom became a Christian about 5 months ago, Praise the Lord! She's the only adult Christian in Mahathai. Her father left her family for another woman, which happens a lot in Thailand, just after that. She has an older sister, Jane, who's a very active teenager at our church and also is one of the few teenagers who are Christians from Mahathai. Her younger brother is a lunatic, like she is, and maybe 3 years old.

Last Sunday after church, while I was on the computer, she sat right beside me and colored. She looked over at me and said, "Melanie, do you love God?" It melted my heart. I looked right back and said, "Yes, I love God. Faa, do you love God?" She said, "Yes, I do." And we went right back to emailing and coloring. Aren't those the sweetest moments?

Old Wives Tales of Thailand

I know, I haven't written a blog in a whole five days. Sick. Not bad, just a bit. While sick, my Thai roommies seek to care for me and seek to give me the advice of Thai culture and their moms.
-I'm sick because its rainy season. Rain makes people sick. Don't go out in the rain, or you'll be sick.
-While sick, I should not drink cold liquids. It's something about temperature inside your body. So, when I bought an icecream, they were confused.
-Eating really spicy food should rid me of headaches- especially papaya salad.
I didn't exactly follow all the rules, but I'm feeling better!

for the love of the doctor....

Yesterday was Rachel's birthday....and after a party time at the house and Starbucks, we jumped in a taxi towards a Mexican restaurant that we heard had Dr. Pepper. Thailand doesn't have Dr. Pepper. And we were in that taxi for an hour. The restaurant was across town! The taxi driver kept telling us, wouldn't it just be better if ya'll ate papaya salad. Easier to just as delicious. Wow. But it was awesome, and fun, and a story to tell.

Night out with the Girls

Our Girls' House had a night out last night together! What a privilege to live with all these girls, work with them, and serve with them! Thanks God!

Left to Right: Ying, Me, Kieow, Tang, Yu, and Rachel

Dogs and their Chicken

While passing the normal dogs eating at the market today (yes, we have MANY dogs here), I noticed one. He had some chicken on a stick. And oh so delicately, he was pulling it off the stick and choppin' down.

Praying at Mahathai

We began having prayer meetings at Mahathai last week. Every week, we invite people to be prayed for and worship God with us at the newly built community center. The first week, we prayed with the two teenage girls who are Christians there. This week, they brought their moms! One mother is a new Christian. The other, P'Wan, is interested through her constant conversations with Kieow about Christianity.

As I walked around the community, invited people, and sat and talked with my friends, I got many responses to the invitation for prayer. One boy asked me to pray that his family would be happier. We prayed right in the street together. Another lady, who's recently began reading the Bible, asked to pray with her for her new pregnancy. Too tired to walk to the meeting, we also prayed right in front of her house. Yet, many just turned their faces or made excuses for coming. One mentioned a financial need she had that we needed to fix first.

Please pray for our Wednesday evening prayer meetings. Praise God for the interest and the conversations it brings up.

You Know Michael Phelps, right?

Since I'm an American, yes, absolutely. Michael and I are best buds. :) One time, in a Bible study, we played two truths and a lie. They believed me when I said I knew George Bush. But, no, I don't really know Michael too well, but I am happy for him.

The Olympics have been a cool experience in a foreign country. I can cheer for two teams! The most popular sport here is Thai boxing, the oldest sport in Thailand. When that event is on, the city is at a standstill, seriously. All the motorcycle taxi drivers are crammed around their little TV outside, cheering. In the market, as I was picking out vegetables, the whole place cheered at the same time. Each produce guy staring at his little TV at who was winning the boxing match. Even the other customers were craning their necks to see the TVs. Even in Mahathai, little kids are sitting around watching the Thai girl when the weightlifting competition on their 6 inch TV screens. If you wanted coffee these last two weeks, you'd better wait 'til a commercial.

I'm kinda sad that the fun is over. It was fun to have something on TV at the right time here. China time is Thailand time. Unlike when they want to watch English soccer. People have to wake up at 2AM or stay up at the karaoke bars.

One Year Party

For my one year anniversary, I had a party at my house. My Thai housemates made some rockin' Thai food and I contributed Poppyseed Chicken and a chocolate cake. 32 people were there, including my housemates and I. English students, Teens from Mahathai, neighbors, and co-workers. Woohoo! What great friends God is blessing me with here.
Spoons is still a popular and dangerous sport!
Thai staff, housemates, and a cool new guy who studies English with us.
A few cute neighborhood kids came to the party too. Here's Bam-Mee. She helped me play Uno.