A Funny Memory

I was remembering Christmas in Thailand for some reason today. Two years ago, piling in a taxi with a family on our team, we headed to our Christmas day service. Saying "Merry Christmas" to the taxi driver led to a conversation as always that goes like this:

Taxi Driver: Oh, it's Christmas?
Us: Yes, today is Christmas. So Merry Christmas!
Taxi Driver: Hmm...I knew that was sometime this month.

The abnormal part of the conversation followed. The taxi driver moves on to share with us all of his English knowledge of Christmas songs. So, all of our taxi ends up singing Christmas songs all the way to our church office. :)

Sharing Thailand at Youth Night

A church member and friend of mine invited our church's youth over to her house for their normal Friday night events. We made Thai food for them and I was able to share a bit about how God led me into missions.
Sticky rice, the American way! We still steam the rice over the water, but on a stove. It reminds me of watching my neighbors toss that basket of rice up and back down each time they made a batch. After adding a bit of coconut milk and mango on top, it was a perfect Thai dessert!
I am honored at the opportunity to share with the youth. I always feel when I am asked to speak that I have such an important position. I must speak true words of God's and none other. I hope those youth were encouraged in their walks of faith by me.

I Bought My...

Airplane Ticket!

Yep, September 2nd it is.

Funny card from a sweet friend...
Front of the card: "Don't forget to pack..."

Makes You Smile

Some ladies in our church enjoying one another at the block party.

Bible Study Group

What a sweet blessing while I've been home--to be part of this women's group. They have been such constant prayer warriors and friends eagerly ready to hear what is up in my life. Praise God for fellowship groups. I do look forward to returning to my teammates in Thailand and our women's bible study group there too!

Ode to Ellie: the Encore

Back after popular demand, my amazing poetic skills. I wrote this poem to my ever beloved car, Ellie. I was saying goodbye to her for two years to serve in Thailand. I have returned to enjoy her for one last year. Now in the works is the selling of her to another owner. I must then leave her forever. Another poem will come upon that sad day.

When I was asked which one would do,
Your blue glinted at me and I chose you.

I sat down with you when you were oh, so young,
only 231 miles of yours had been done.

Together we've been through the ups and the downs,
the twists and the straight aways around town.

Sometimes others have treated you bad,
beaten you up, gotten us both sad.

Yet each time we know that there's more to us,
Than you being a car and me being thus.

Oh, Ellie, my Ellie, for once you can't come,
as I travel far, unless you can swum.

I leave you in the hands of my bro,
knowing you'll be cared for while I go.

In the next two years while we're apart,
Know that I'll hold you dear to my heart.

Total Request Live: For those faithful blog readers, please leave a comment requesting another blog post to be re-posted. There are some good ones out there. Which were your favorite tales of Thai Currie?

How do you eat an Elephant?

My dad asked me this question while we were on the phone once in college. I was too overwhelmed by all that I had to do. Of course I didn't know the answer. He replied, "One bite at a time." Of course you know I don't eat elephant, but its a good metaphor. That's the answer I get from God a lot recently too when I pray in the midst of being overwhelmed. God just says "One day at a time." No more answers than that. But could I handle knowing more than just today?

I'm also reading about the Israelites leaving Egypt and entering the wilderness right now in the Bible. It seems like the same thing with the Israelites. They are God's people. They should know God loves and cares for them. The plagues! The Red Sea! Yet they still doubt. What will tomorrow hold?? Yet, God only gives Moses direction for one day at a time. He shows his presence guiding them everyday, cloud by day, fire by night. God is with me. So as I go through my errands before departure and working out my schedule to pack in as much time with friends and family as possible, I must remember...one bite at a time and God is with me!!!

Time with Friends

Girls Nite at my friend's house. We all made a dish. Can you guess which is my creation?
As you can imagine with my amazing cooking talents, my contribution to the dinner was icecream sundaes. My friend, Leah, actually made the whipping cream. Here I am proud of the creation. Come to think of it, I might not have even made my own sundae!
It's been a huge blessing to be home for the birth of Naomi, Leah's newest addition to her family. Naomi is growing fast. Here's Susannah and I posed with her.

Don't Feed the Elephants

Our neighborhood had an elephant. Sometimes he could be seen bathing in the swamplands as I drove past on the bus. Other times, I'd pass him in the evening as his owner took him around the market. People would pay a small cost to feed him. Now that will all change, read excerpts of this recent newspaper article.

BANGKOK — You can still feed elephants in Thailand's bustling capital — but it could cost you.

Bangkok authorities said Monday anyone caught handing bunches of bananas or sugar cane to the hulking beasts — proffered by their handlers to make money — faces a $320 (10,000 baht) fine.

Thailand has about 2,400 domestic elephants. There is little demand these days for the animals' traditional skills in logging and other labor, so owners sometimes loan them for begging from tourists and locals in major cities.

Previously, mahouts — as elephant handlers are known — and their accomplices were fined for bringing an elephant into Bangkok, but those feeding the animal escaped punishment. Typically a tourist would pay 20 baht ($0.62) for the privilege of handing a bunch of fruit or vegetables into the elephant's trunk.'

Original article: click this link.

Older and Wiser

I am the newest long-term missionary at this camp. I'd say one of the greatest parts of this camp is the time I get to spend with the more experienced missionaries. Sitting around the table hearing from the missionary to France who became a Christian at La Brie while Francis Schaeffer was still there! The missionaries here who were also missionary kids, so they have pretty much spent their whole lives doing this!

I have thought that there may be a rhythm to the life of a missionary that I just need to figure out. Yet my friend and missionary to Japan for 30 yrs says, "If you figure out what that is, let me know!" I'm always thinking there's a way to get through life by my own performance and intelligence rather than God's grace. Thankfully God has patience with me, and teaches me how to live only through him.

Camp ends tomorrow. Another good thing: There's a missionary family here who are interested in buying my car from me when I head to the field! That's good news.

One Year in the US

I have been back in the U.S. for one year now. Wow, crazy to think that to be true. It some ways it has gone fast, and in some ways slow. I am grateful the Lord has been faithful to help me adjust back well. And he remains faithful to prepare me for another departure.

Eating Brain

Yes, no typos there. I thought of all of you immediately when this happened. I gotta tell you what else happened at missionary camp. The camp hosted this Pig Roast for us. Yes!! A pig was roasted for 18 hours with an apple in his mouth for us. Gross, yes. Wierd, yes. I just hadn't ever been part of this kind of thing before. As we were in line for seconds, in front of me I see the camp staff pulling an organ out of the pig for the guy in front of me. The missionary to Ecuador has just asked if he could have the brain of the pig to eat!!!!

I return to the table to tell this atrociously insane story to my friends at the table. Thankfully a couple of the teenagers responded as I did. Yet the women who grew up as a missionary kid in Brazil only responded, "Oh yes, we ate chopped-up pig brain with our scrambled eggs at my house." WHAT??!! And then the missionaries to Denmark and Bolivia shared their own stories of strange food. All I can say is....only at a missionary camp.

Missionary Camp

There's a camp just for missionaries? Yep, and I'm here at it right now. I can sit around a table with the missionaries from Taiwan and laugh about how everyone gets our two countries confused. Then a guy at the table with us asked me, "How far is Bangkok from Thailand?" I realize that even we missionaries get these two countries confused. I didn't know how to answer, until I realized he meant Taiwan, not Thailand. I've been able to reunite with people I've been in training with before my first term. I can feel free to talk as much as I want about Thailand here, as everyone talks about their experiences. "When I was in Thailand-" does not seem like such an odd beginning of a sentence. :)

I'm enjoying being reminded of how deep, wide, high, and long is God's love for all of us. Please pray that the Lord encourages all of us here and prepares us for our service to come. Not much time left now.

A Church Visit in Florida

The farthest distance I've ever gone for support raising...Naples, FL. I leave tomorrow on a plane for the trip. What a blessing it has been to me for this church to be a partner in my ministry. They haven't even met me yet. Please pray for me as I meet these new folks and share with them. May they be encouraged by what God is doing in Thailand. I'll head back Monday just in time for a conference. I'm headed to a conference in Brevard, NC for long-term missionaries (which I am now!). May the Lord give me strength for the traveling days ahead.

Most Excited About

A friend asked me today what I was most excited about when anticipating my return to Thailand. I responded quickly with, "the people!!" I imagine walking down the asphalt road between the tall grassy swampland into Mahathai community. I will just have to contain myself from jumping on everyone with such happiness to see them again. I will have to stop at every person's house. Some people that don't even really know me will see my smiley face in front of their door. :)

Then there's all my neighbors. Wow. The ladies who make the amazing spicy food next door to me. I want to grab a Coke from their cooler and sit and talk about their families and all that has happened in my absence. Before I left, I taught them "Hello, How are you?" But they would just respond by asking "How are you?" instead of answering "Fine." Then there's Uum across the street who sells noodles and has grown so much in her love for God. Oh, there are great stories of quite a few people who have grown in their faith.

After there's no one else to see, which will take a long time, I want to walk through the market and see all the fruit and flowers again. Then I want to ride on the bus past the grassy swampland blowing in the wind and cross over the highway on the U-turn bridge looking from up high at all that is below. I pray to rejoice in my return and praise God for all of Thailand. What a joy to once again grow alongside my Christian brothers and sisters there, as well as to be used by God to share his love with others!

Frozen in Futbol

Walking through the mall today, I passed a kiosk where eight people, men and women, were frozen, eyes fixated on the same spot. "Hmm....", I wondered, "What is so interesting?" As I walked past the kiosk myself, I turned to check out this fascination and saw a widescreen TV with the World Cup Germany v. Spain game on.

Though an uncommon sight in the US, seeing people frozen watching soccer in Thailand wasn't abnormal. Games weren't on 'til about 1 am because watching English teams were the favorite. Once I saw a Karaoke bar at about 1am packed out with people watching the game. That should happen more often. What an awesome community event.

Handicraft Ministry Video

My teammate made this video. Our team's ministries were the highlight of Mission to the World at General Assembly this year.

Napada Thailand from MTW~Thailand on Vimeo.

Bangkok, Thailand: Napada handicrafts employs women from low-income communities enabling them to improve the lives of their families while forming community with Christians and learning the truths of God.

Getting the Ducks in a Row

For those of you who haven't glanced to the right side panel, I have 100% of my support! The Lord has brought it all in and is ready to send me off!! Man, that last 20% just came in like a landslide. I think God was saying, "Get on back there, ya' hear!" haha.

The logistics have begun. Yesterday, I decided to give away my teacher stuff. No need to keep storing that. I'm trying to sell my sweet Toyota Camry named Ellie. The passport is being sent off for quick renewal today and then I apply for a Visa next. I'm getting my Japanese Encephalytis shot tomorrow. Whoop, whoop!

The other day, all of this was tough. Yet while talking to a friend recently, God gave me peace again. My life is under the complete control of a God who is just, compassionate, and knows all. He loves me more than I can imagine. I pray to be able to trust him and be compelled by the love of Christ these next two months of preparation. (2 Cor 5:14)

More are Being Called

Mission to the World just accepted three more missionaries to serve on our team in Thailand!! I'm so excited. I met all three of these people last year while they brought a group of college students to serve for the summer. Check out Trey and Kiki's blog, "Bangkok and other Places" on the side panel. Lisa said she would let me know when she gets her blog finished and I'll add it too.

My good friend, Rachel, has also decided to apply again to return to Thailand!! She served with me for a year there in 2008. Her blog is already there, "Thai Spice." Praise God with me for faithfully raising up missionaries for His service to make Jesus Christ known among the nations. And praise God for raising up teammates and friends to serve with me. Please pray for their time preparing to leave over the next year. Woohoo!

4th Memories

I'm actually celebrating the 4th in this country this year. Here's a pic of when I celebrated in downtown Bangkok at the party the Embassy puts on every year. I enjoyed getting the shot with my shirt that said "coke" in Thai with my Coke can.

So far in my life, I think I've celebrated the fourth in England, Japan, Honduras, and Thailand. Japan might have been the best because we all had sparklers to hold! I remember an English lady asking me how to help her American boyfriend celebrate the 4th. I laughed thinking about how to describe our culture: hotdogs, watermelon? Oh, that reminds me of another funny story. My Thai roommate turned to me on the fourth of July last year and said I needed to go eat some watermelon. I looked back in confusion. She said, "Isn't that what you do to celebrate this holiday in your country?" Happy Fourth! (And happy birthday to my brother too!)

Out West!

What a cool place to visit! The landscape and architecture are like none I've ever seen before. Deserts, cactus, and mountains that look like they are part of a Western movie. I have waited to go see my aunt who lives there for about 25 years. It was so good to have a mini-family reunion there with cousins, aunts, an uncle, and my granddad. We did lots of fun stuff. Here's a few pics.
Our family drove up to see the amazing views of the Grand Canyon.

We hiked down the mile and a half to the first rest stop. I wish I could have hiked all the way down! Maybe next time.

















































































And on the way to the Grand Canyon, I was able to stop through and see my college roommate of two years, Miriam, and meet her two children. What a blessing!

Thinking of September

"Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
-Psalm 116:7

So many things to do before leaving in September back to Thailand. Everytime I see family and friends I feel assaulted by my mixed emotions. And why haven't I gotten my passport renewed yet!!?? I brought this before the Lord last night while praying, and this verse was a good answer. God said to me through that verse,"Melanie, rest in me again. Remember all I have already done for you in the past. So rest in knowing I will care for you each of these days in the future." I am thankful to have God who cares to have a relationship with me.