I'm in Thailand...

and I've been here for three weeks today. Sorry to be such a slug getting this started. Vacationing takes it's toll, you know? Truthfully, I've been trying to get my finger on the pulse here in Chiang Mai, sort of figure out what I'm doing here, and see if God wants me to put my hand to any of the things He's been doing here before me. My good friends, Kris and Jen, live here and invited me to come and stay as long as I want. The obvious perk to that invitation is getting to spend time with them in a beautiful setting where they've lived and done ministry for the past 7 years. I love spending time with them and they are great role models for me, so I decided I should seize the opportunity. I've prayed for them all these years and finally get to make good on the promise to come visit them.

There's only one snag in that scenario...they aren't here, at least not now. They were here...they picked me up at the airport, we had a few days before Kris left on a ministry trip and then Jen and I hung out for another 10 days before she left to join him. Now, I'm here in their house for the past week on my own. It's not all bad. Before they left, they gave me some great contacts and an excellent orientation to the city, so I'm not lost...well, not completely.

The day after I arrived, I attended the Thai house church they're part of. What a blessing! The church met that week at the home of Than and Aut, (two married believers who run a bakery called The Upper Crust), and was filled with children, mostly from Blossom Home, a ministry to kids forced by their parents to work in the night market. That first day at church I met Jyup, Sangwon, Ku, Meebia, Sitigon, Sitipon (twin brothers), Audo, Tiwagon, Abba, Bang, and Boaht. These are good examples of how different Thai names are to English names. It's challenging to keep up, to say the least. However, this little band of believers in this deeply Buddhist country have been a real blessing to me. The first Sunday I attended the church, I taught them "How Great is Our God" and they love it. They translated it into Thai for the second Sunday and sang it with all their hearts. I've included a video of them singing it this past week at church.

Last week, Jen and I went over to Blossom Home to teach the kids some music. They are learning English from Jyup on Saturday mornings so they are keen to learn some music in English. As it's coming up to Christmas, I decided to teach them "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and they've caught on pretty well so far. We'll work on a few other things too and teach them to the church. It should be good for the body of Christ. Meanwhile, when I'm not going to the kids home, I've been to the dentist a few times, and I'll be returning to the dentist on Monday for a wisdom tooth extraction. Thanks for your prayers. Also on Monday, I'll be going sight-seeing with the landlord, a retired police sheriff who lives with his retired English teacher wife here on the property where Jen and Kris' house is. He knocked on the front door yesterday and asked me where I would want to go, in rather limited English (better than my Thai), so we agreed on a woodcarving shop just outside of the city, I think.

There have been many blessings in the past three weeks. I've enjoyed meeting a lot of great people, particularly Melva and her husband Mark. These folks live in Colorado and come to Thailand to help with the Blossom Home several times a year. I met Melva the third day I was here and we instantly bonded (due to the fact that we were both born in the same great state of Oklahoma and also because she laughed at everything I said.) Unfortunately, they left three days after I met them, but I have no doubt God put them in my path here for a reason. They are very generous people, evidenced in their offering to let me ride their scooter while I'm here. This makes it much easier for me to get around and much cheaper too.

Mark, Meebia, Melva, Sitigon, Tiwagon, Abba

Meebia (in black), and her twin brothers
Sitigon and Sitipon, Bank and his baby
brother Boaht (I'm holding the baby),
Tiwigan (girl in red) and Abba (in front of Meebia).

So, to all you faithful blog readers, ("Hi Mom!"), welcome to the new site, and as always, thanks for your prayers.

Until next time,
LC from TH