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.