Food Poisoning...in America?

Yes, though I survived (Praise God!) Thailand with only one food poisoning experience, I have already gotten it after being home for only two weeks. I am walking around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Not too bad, but I wondered for a while if I was having sympathy pains for my pregnant friend I visited today. No, it was just a turkey sandwich from a good bagel shop here.

Neighborhoods

Yesterday I took a walk around my neighborhood. I've been so amazed lately at the quietness of the neighborhoods here. There's three cars outside of one house but I can't hear a sound or see anybody. Where is everybody? Inside, I guess.

In Thailand (you know, I've said that phrase way too much already, and I'm sure people are tired of it. But I'm processing here, so just try to listen.)...In Thailand, when I opened our front door, the noise could push me back inside. My neighbors were playing Isaan folk music from the NE of Thailand loud while pounding their papaya salad down to get all the juices out. Trucks would drive by full of vegetables with the guy in the front seat screaming in the microphone something about cucumbers. The motorcycle taxi drivers would wizz by looking for someone needing a ride. They'd honk their horns to let people know someone was coming back to get them. Across the street people were sitting and eating fried pork, going in and out of the convenience store, ordering pork balls at the cart passing by, as well as fruit from the fruit stand.

Now you can understand why it seems quiet here.

They've Grown!

I visited the church I've grown up in today, Back Creek ARP in Charlotte, NC. What a crazy feeling to know I've been there since I was in first grade. My parents picked that church for us because our Sunday School teacher gave us gum and the pastor's prayer didn't make us all fall asleep. That's what I remember at least. As I found people to sit with today, I noticed they were all sitting without their kids. The youth were on a mission trip to Mexico. All those kids were first graders when I was a senior in high school. I taught their Sunday School class. That same year, I went on the Mexico mission trip and felt God's calling to return as a missionary. Now those same kids are taking their first international missions trip. Praise God. May he raise up more servants from that trip this week.

Missionary Approval

I spent the week at Readiness Evaluation week with Mission to the World. All career missionary candidates attend this week for the purpose of seeking approval and a confirmation of their calling to missions. Thankfully the Lord has approved my calling through Mission to the World to continue pursuing missions past this two year term. Now I am planning the next steps towards returning to Thailand.

During the week, we spent time with refugees in Clarkston, Georgia as well as doing many simulated activities relating to church-planting on the mission field. It was a strenuous week since I had just returned from Thailand, yet the Lord was faithful. The assessors were able to speak valuable insights into my life that will help me process my time in Thailand as well as grow me spiritually. Thank you for your prayers.

Want a Bot?

Finally got to go to O'Charley's on Saturday night. I had been thinking about that place while in Thailand a lot. After our meal, we were getting out our change to pay the waiter. I have all these Thai coins in my purse. So, I gave one to my waiter thinking he'd like it. He did. His response made me laugh. He looked at it and said, "That's what's up!"

Beauty of the Sea

While in Thailand, visiting the beach, our short-term team found a cute little baby octopus. I love that about Thailand, all the amazing wildlife there.

Going Back on a Pagoda

Part of re-entry supposedly is getting used to people's comments upon your return. I haven't had much experience with that yet, seeing this is my 6th day in America. But while Rachel and I were having breakfast at the Holiday Inn, a nice elderly lady sat down with us at our table. Shortly into the conversation, we told her we were in Atlanta for debriefing as missionaries from Thailand. I explained that I'd be here for an evaluation week as a missionary candidate to go back long term. She replied, "Candidate? What are you going to be doing? Being in a bathing suit competition? If you even want to go to Thailand, they should let you. They should seat you on a pagoda with four oarsmen and take you there!" Hahahaha....