Thai T-shirt

Thai t-shirts are often hilarious, because the English written on them doesn't make sense...for example, here's one...

"Elephants are people too."

What? I know what you're trying to say, but I think you missed it. But I guess with the Buddhist belief system of reincarnation, elephants could have been people before in their past life....at least that's what you think...

Daw bought her 1st Bible!

After coming to prayer group with us at Mahathai last month, Daw told us she'd like to have a Bible. She went back home and started reading. After understanding more, though she's always had an interest in Christianity, Daw told her husband she'd like to take all the idols out of their house. She didn't need them and didn't believe in them anymore! Her husband said ok, whatever she wanted.

Today, she went with her new mentor, Yu, to the Christian bookstore and bought her first Bible. She sat in on our staff prayer meeting, showing off her new Bible to everyone! She asked for me to pray for her reading of the Bible, particularly the book of John right now. I would also ask everyone prays that she is a great influence in Mahathai, with her family and friends, and Christianity. And pray for Yu, as she mentors her. Woohoo! Praise God!

Joy becomes a Christian!

I'm just going to write a billion blogs about all the ways God's working here recently! He's always working, but right now, God's letting us in on some of what he's doing!

Another lady in Mahathai just became a Christian! Her name is Joy, and she's the neighbor of Nong, another lady we are praying for to become a Christian. She's been interested in Christianity for a while through another church. Her daughter often comes to our functions. She's pregnant and due in April. A while ago, she had a fall, a few of us stopped by her house to pray. Just this past week, she had some pregnancy complications and went to the hospital. Kieow and Dave were able to go visit. While they were there, she accepted Christ as her Savior!

Joy's already told her mom about her decision and is looking forward to coming to our church once she has her baby. Please pray for her husband to respond well to her conversion and her baby's safe delivery as well.

My Neighbor Came to Church!

Hopefully you remember Oom from my earlier blogs and prayer letter. She's my neighbor across the street from me who is interested in Christianity. We've been praying for her to accept Christ. We've also been praying for her relationship with her husband.

She has now come to church for three weeks in a row! And their son nows has come to live with them. He's two years old and used to be cared for by Oom's parents. Oom and Nim are doing better in their business, making a change in what they sell and their work hours to spend time with their son together and apart. Oom has started being discipled by Kieow weekly. She came to our house last night with some questions, and we got to pray for her. Please do pray for her husband, Nim. He is not yet interested in Christianity. Pray for their relationship as she begins to pursue the Lord wholeheartedly. Praise God he has let her come to church!

God-directed Visits

Yesterday, we walked around the loop of Mahathai to gather children for kids' club. I passed by two older ladies who smiled sweetly and we started chatting. She mentioned her husband who's not feeing well and tears just started welling up in her eyes. I asked if I could visit him and she told me when he'd be there and where they live.

So yesterday afternoon, I brought Kieow back with me and we visited the couple. He seemed to have gotten in a motorcycle accident three years ago, but thought nothing of it until a while later his legs became numb. Kieow said many of the problems that have arisen are because they don't have the knowledge about medical care and government policies that they need not to be swindled or not cared for well. I was so thankful Kieow was there to talk to them having used to work as a nurse. They lived in a one room home built with wood and tin, not completely closed in. They've only been in Mahathai a couple months.

At the end of our first visit, we offered to pray with them. Kieow thought aloud, "Well, if I'm going to pray, we'll have to explain what it is first." Wow, we got to help this couple pray to God for the first time! Kieow explained to them how we believe we can pray to God anywhere, anytime, and he will listen. Unlike their Buddhist beliefs that they must go to the temple. The woman's tears were pouring down her face after the prayer. I'm so thankful God brought me to meet her yesterday and help her. I felt like I had 20 billion times more than they had. And I don't deserve what I have either. But God has blessed me richly. I pray God would bless them richly as they learn about him! The kingdom of God is coming to Mahathai, praise God!

What Not to Do in a Taxi

While sitting in a taxi the other day, I looked at the sun visor and saw this hilarious sticker! I guess if you had to drive taxis all day, you wouldn't want to be stuck in a taxi once someone farted. Also, the fine is about 15 dollars if you happen to throw up in a taxi.

Flat Emma Visits Thailand

I took a paper doll around my Thai neighborhood for an American 3rd grader's school project. She had a great time exploring as you can tell.

Where's Emma? A big church picture of everyone at church this past Sunday.

Emma riding in the back of our church pick up truck with the kids we just picked up from Mahathai on the way to Sunday worship.

Valentine's Day Campus Ministry party. Don't you love the flower bouquet stuck in the water bottle?

Ying helped Emma cook some Thai food. It's easier if they squat and cook on the floor.

My English students pay respect to their new teacher by the "wai".

Flat Emma celebrates Chinese New Year at the mall. Aren't the lanterns so pretty?