His Ear?

In the Thai language, there's a whole 'nother set of words to use for royalty. So when I'm talking about the King of Thailand I need to use different words than when I'm talking about Joe Schmo.

In Thai tutoring this week, I learned that there is even a special word to use when speaking of the King of Thailand's ear!! Yep, and successfully, I read that crazy long word though I had no clue what it was...since I often neglect to talk about his ear. Only one more tutoring session before I've graduated my studies for this two year term.

How Can I Pray for You?

On Wednesdays, before prayer group, I walk around Mahathai visiting and inviting people to our prayer group that evening. Yesterday I spent some time with the family of a girl who attends our Joy Kids club on Saturdays. Thankfully, God gave me good questions that led to learning more about her family.

Gam lives with her parents, grandmother, and possibly more people in their one-room house. Her grandmother has a small laundry service. She, along with many women in Mahathai, do this job. They pick up clothes from people in nearby neighborhoods, wash the clothes, iron them, and deliver them back. As I see in Mahathai, they drive by on their motorcycle holding high a set of hangers with newly-ironed clothes to be delivered. Gam's mother doesn't have a job right now. Though I mentioned our handicrafts ministry as a possible source of income, Soam didn't sound interested in being crafty with her hands. We invite women and teens to make cards and bags at our office, sell them, and provide income for many in this community.

Nearing the end of my visit, I asked them how I could pray for them. Through her smiling face, I saw Gam's grandmother's eyes well up with tears. "Could you pray for my family's happiness?", she asked. Please do pray for Gam's family's happiness, that it made me found in Jesus Christ the true source of joy. Pray for us as we desire to give words of hope to many in this community. I'm thankful she was willing to open her heart to me for a moment.

Got P'd On!

It was inevitable with all those babies and toddlers running around diaperless at Mahathai....and it happened today. Cute little Butter, her translated name from Thai, came in during our prayer meeting. She stood beside me ackwardly while I coaxed her to sit in my lap. I should have known better. If I was a mom I'd have known that expression. I picked her up and within seconds of putting her on my lap, I knew what happened. I got peed on!! There's a first time for everything. Now that it finally happened, its all downhill from here! :)

Can You Sin while Sleeping?

My neighbor, Oom, who just became a Christian is reading the Bible like a maniac. Yesterday we talked after she got back from a family vacation to the beach. "Is going on vacation wrong?", Oom asked. I said no, with a bit of confusion. She said she was just so happy with her family, she didn't know if that was ok. I explained more about how God loves us spending time together with our families. He gives us joy in him. She said she's reading the Bible all the time when she's bored. Her husband, Nim, is so confused. She said she ran across somewhere in the Bible about how you can do something wrong while sleeping. She wanted me to explain. I haven't figured out where she got that from, but it was an interesting question. I love how she loves God so much now she wants to obey him in every way she can. Some people walked by saying hi and asking her about her trip. I love seeing how she knows so many people and told her what a great impact she can have on them as a Christian. Oom said she just can't stop smiling. Praise God for his work in her life and the opportunity to see it.

What I Saw in the Mirror

Yesterday, while washing my face I glanced in the mirror at myself. But what did I see sitting on my shoulder but a huge cockroach!! I screamed and threw my shirt around. Then running into my Thai housemate's room, I screamed "Get it off!" (Of note, Tang doesn't speak great English and she just got two teeth pulled yesterday so she's in a bit of pain and confusion.) Tang jumped up though and helped search my shirt and my hair while asking, "What happened?" Finally, I got across to her about the big bug that I saw on my shoulder. We went back to the place of the crime and found the cockroach (which, by the way, can fly) chillin' on the doorpost. Tang took him out with a spray of some repellant and a wack with the repellant bottle. Then I began laughing hysterically at myself...

Snow in Charlotte!

One of my sweet friends from my home church in Charlotte, NC drove by my parents' house during a crazy snowfall as of late, to take a picture for me. Isn't that sweet? Here's my childhood home, and where I'll be visiting again in about 5 and a half months.

So Long Rachel!

I sent Rachel off at the airport last night. She's headed home to America after finishing her 11 month term here. Please pray for her transition back home. And pray for me to adjust well to life here without her. Our team was blessed to have her serving with us. I'm praying for you, Rachel!