Moving Forward

I am often in Thailand in my dreams. This recent image of our neighborhood was taken by a new intern on our Thailand team, Krystle. You can find her blog on this list in the right column. She and another intern, Sarah, have joined the team for the year. Praise God because it came at a great time to keep our English school in operation with teachers.

My team leader wrote me yesterday asking of my anticipated target date to return to the field. I have received 53% of my monthly pledges needed to return. We are optimistic and thankful for God's provision so far. Please pray alongside me for others that are interested in partnering with my ministry there regularly. As I pray in this season of settling-in as well looking forward, God continues to give me clear signs of his calling to keep moving forward. God desires for me to be there, bringing the Gospel to His people that don't know him yet. I would love for you to be there with me, whether working alongside of me or supporting me from here. (I'll get you a picture with an elephant if you go with me!)

Blog Changes

After two years, maybe the blog needs a new look. What do you think? Should I keep fiddlin'?

What NOT to Store for 2 Years

I am still working through my storage from the last two years. Today I pulled out an old hamper with some cute stuffed animals I've collected over the years. I found a little green frog that holds a heart saying "You Are Special." I can't remember where I got that. I pushed the heart to make it sing a song. The song sounded strained and went on for two minutes 'til I shook it to make the pitiful thing stop. That battery is dying. Don't keep old singing stuffed animal frogs, ok?

Highlights on the Road

Hailing from Charlotte today. Last night, I gave a presentation to a small group at the church I grew up in. What a blessing to see the faces of people that have helped raise me since I was in first grade.

My parents were able to come to my presentation last night. What a blessing! My mom said she was able to understand a lot more of what I was doing from that. My dad was so happy to see me present, on the way home he stopped at Wal-Mart to buy me a laser pointer! "Can't have my daughter pointing at a screen with her hand when she could have a laser pointer for only $2!," he said. I have been encouraged to share the tough parts of being a missionary during these presentations too. One of the toughest parts is being away from my family for so long. I got teary-eyed sharing that while my parents were in the room. They did too. But more than anything, that showed them how much it hurts me too to be away from them. I'm so thankful that God provided that opportunity last night.

On a funny note, I received a normal question over church dinner, "Did you enjoy the Thai cuisine while there?" Yet one friend of mine added, "especially the special dish called....CAT!" Everyone likes to ask if Thais eat dog and cat. :)

Left Out Pancake Mix

I have left out my pancake mix for three days now. Open and sitting on the counter. At first, it was because I had no container or closing thingamajig. But then it felt like freedom. No bugs?! No bugs after a minute, after five, after a whole night, after 3 days??? In Thailand, a constant line of ants go from the wall down the floor and to the trash can. If I leave anything on the table, ants are on it in less than a minute.

Remarks on my Age

While visiting churches recently, I've had some interesting reactions.

"Honey, you look ten years old. How do your parents feel about you being a missionary?"

"What are you at this Missions Conference for? Are you a missionary kid?"

In case you are one of the above surprised that I am older than ten years old, I'm celebrating the big 3-0 coming up in February!

Beetles, Lizards, and Squid...

...the three essential parts of any presentation about Thailand to children. What a fun evening! I drove to a Missions Conference in Denver, NC to get acquainted with that church and speak to the children. Here's some comments made by them as I went through my slides...
Melanie: What do you see missing in this picture? I am trying to help them see the kids are in the truck going to church without their parents.
Kids: Seatbelts!


Melanie: This is a type of bug found in Thailand. I'm thinking I know more than them, which is always the wrong assumption.
Kids: That's a rhinocerus beetle! We have those in North Carolina.

Melanie: Last week, this is what my neighborhood looked like. In Thailand, a lot of rain came at once and flooded the streets.
Kids: Thai people must all know how to swim!

Really, I thank God for helping me communicate God's heart for the nations to those kids. It was a blessing to me and them. May they know the power they have to pray for the world and to share with their friends the hope they have in Jesus.