Christmas Church Events

Caroling to the fish vendors at the market

The front of our church during the Christmas outreach special service! Wow!

I helped a short-term team and the Thai staff put on a Christmas play at our Christmas outreach service.

We began outreach in a the Police Flats neighborhood with this big event where at least 150 people showed up, half at least were kids.

Our English program had a Christmas party for all the English students. About 50 showed up for games and hearing the Christmas story.

For Thai Father's Day, we invited lots of families to a special Father's Day Service.

The Thai staff and our team leader, Dave, who make all the events possible. Please pray that our church may grow not only in believers, but in servant-minded members and a Thai pastor.

As these Christmas events were awesome in the number of people that heard about Jesus, the follow-up is difficult and the numbers attending church service have remained the same. Please pray that God may bring more Thais to know who He is and what Christmas was about!

The Necessity of a Machine Mouth

I started my prayers when Ying's mom threw the chicken feet into the sweet curry that I was stirring for dinner that night. Ok, ok, its really not that much of a stretch compared to guinea pig in Peru or a cow tongue in Mexico.

Ying's dad says they're easy to eat because your mouth is a machine. In goes the chicken foot and out goes the bone. Ok, I tried it. In went the chicken foot. My mouth said, "This is food?" and out went the chicken foot. I couldn't find anything but bone! I failed. But I did attempt.

The machine mouths...
-In goes the chicken foot, out comes the bone.
-In goes the watermelon, out come the seeds.
-In goes the shrimp, out comes the tail.
-In goes cherry stem and out comes the stem in a knot (no idea, but its gotta be easy for them here!?)

The trip was great fun, pictures to come. For now, I'll leave you with an interesting fact, squid eggs have high cholesterol, so limit your consumption.

"Bai Tiaw"

In Thai, "Bai Tiaw" means going on a vacation. Ying, one of my roommates, has invited me to visit her family with her and then go to Koh Chang, elephant island! Its an honor to be invited to someone's home. When Thais want to hang out with you here, its not usually at their house. Usually, you meet in a common place. Due to social classes and honor values, they would rather not devalue you or feel lower themselves. However, when you are invited over, you must bring a gift. The gifts can be pomegranates, cookies, etc...

While all my roommates work with our team in Bangkok, they all live in very contrasting areas to this big city of street dogs and traffic. Ying's family is planting a church to the East about 4 hours by bus...I think its near the water, because I'm expected to eat lots of fish. My week should include some fishing with her dad and herself...lots of their food comes that way. Then Ying and I take off for a few days on our own to an island to enjoy the beach.

Please pray for my week. May I be humble, encouraging, a servant, gracious, patient with my language abilities, and communicate clearly. Happy New Year!

A Sweet Christmas

I just got off the phone with my family. Though I wasn't present for the unwrapping, I got to hear it happen. I talked to God about today a lot. After reminding myself that He knows my heart, I just upfront said today was going to be hard. But I don't want to wish this holiday away due to the difficulty. I don't want to busy myself to indifference. I don't want to cry the whole time either. The Lord met me there.

Wierdly enough, He encouraged me with reading about the Israelites in the wilderness. I always learn a lot thinking about that. They complained about where they were. They complained about what they had to eat. They were in fear about all the things God promised he'd do because they just couldn't believe He'd do it.

I'm here, and its because God purposely took me out of my home to use me here, like He took the Israelites out of Egypt. Though home looks more appealing at times, and I have to depend on God's provisions that I don't understand here and I don't get very much control of, He's over this. Just like how the Israelites left camp when God's cloud led them out and set up camp when God's cloud stopped over an area....I must just see how God moves....and right now, it's be being here. So, I'll use my time to pray for Thailand. One day, may the Thais celebrate Christmas, not go to school or work, and sing about Jesus on this day! And may I remember all the great things God's doing here. Just look at all the posts so far!

A Laugh for You

In what country do people neither win or lose?

TIE-LAND!

Merry Christmas,
Thai Melanie

Caroling to Bangkok

The merchants sat on the counters at the market cheering after we finished our round of "Joy to the World." Possibly ten aisles of fish vendors, fried pork sellers, and other food assortments were serenaded Saturday night by our team as we caroled our neighborhood. We sang on the corner to two noodle shops. On to the slum community, we caroled to those surprised by our coming, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (Raw Khwaamsuk Wan Christmas).

The motorcycle taxi drivers, all fifteen of them at their normal part of the market, etch in my mind the most. The angels of the Lord chose to sing of Jesus's coming to the shepherds in the field. I'd say this motley crew of motorcycle taxi drivers would be an excellent modern day comparison in our Bangkok neighborhood. Hanging out all day, sipping on whiskey, waiting to cart people from their bus stops to their homes, these guys worked. As we sang to them, I was excited to think how we are here now also singing of Jesus's coming to these guys. May all those people one day understand the reason.

Today is Christmas Eve. I'm celebrating at my team leader's house with their family. And as I bought fruit at the stand, vegetables at the market, and got on the bus and motorcycle taxi to their house, I desired so much to awaken all these Thais to what tomorrow is! Keep on praying for all of Thailand!

Thinking Back

At the age of 17, I met this woman named Vanessa on a mission trip to Mexico who was a three year missionary. She taught me the language, shared with me her stories about ministry, and shared with me her heart for ministry. On the flight back to America, I decided I wanted to be a missionary.

Today I sat at the end of a long table of our Thailand ministry team and realized I WAS HERE. Though sad and homesick some, I'M HERE. In Thailand, telling people about Jesus, experiencing life across the world, and all that comes with that. So, here's a moment, ten years after that day on the flight back from Mexico, where I thank God.

Merry Christmas to you all, around the world, between here and home.