Life continues on in the manner that has become “normal.” The day to day is exhausting and I cherish the weekends, although they fly by too fast. In spite of the exhaustion I am feeling God’s presence and help daily. Church has become a vital time of encouragement that prepares me for another week. Today while singing in church I was reflecting on the week and praying that God would search my heart and bring to my attention things where I had fallen short or needed to work on. My attitude was one of expecting “condemnation” for my faults. As I was praying this we began singing a song that really showed me that God had searched my heart and knew my flaws but loved me abundantly anyway. He works on me to make me more like Christ but He loves me perfectly throughout the process. I choose to focus on God’s grace and mercy towards me instead of focusing on the ways I fail or the things that I should have done differently. The words of a song by Jimmy Needham pop into my head almost daily he sings, “Christ’s blood commands my guilt to leave.” I am reminded that my sins have been paid for by Christ and no longer have power over me.
“At the Cross” by Hillsong
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my ways
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
Oh.. I know You love me
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Little Lessons
Well another week is finished. They just seem to fly by. I don't even remember most of what happened but I am very thankful for the weekend. This week has been one of small victories that encourage us through the days. We are learning that most things do not work when you need them to and that nothing goes as planned. I've been reading a little book called God Alone (a book of devotions) that was a gift from a good friend back home. Everyday has been a devotion that feels as if it was written specifically for whatever situation I am facing. The first day's idea was that our fruitfulness for God is dependent on our fellowship with Him. There is so much to be done here that I feel very overwhelmed. I also have a hard time knowing that results do not happen overnight. Two themes that keep popping up are: faithfulness, perseverance, and dependence on God are all necessary for us to see fruit and that fruit grows slowly and little by little. I'm learning to rejoice in the small things and to say "may pen ray" (that's alright) to the numerous little things.
The highlights for this week would have to be the relationships that we are building. Sunday we spent some time with another ministry team that is mainly from Australia. Their ministry is really an encouragement to us and we enjoy getting to know them. This week we have also been making great steps in our relationships with our Thai teaching partners. They have always been generous and kind, but communicating is difficult since they speak only a little English and speak even less Thai. On Wednesday after school Khru Oi (the third grade teacher) invited us to go eat ice cream at Big C. She drove us in her car and we did a quick shopping trip for school supplies.(Big C is a grocery store that is kinda of like a mall with restaurants and additional shops) Then we went to this delicious ice cream shop that we had never been to. When we tried to head home the car had trouble starting but did start just enough that we could back out into the way of other cars before it died again. So we all hopped out and pushed it back into the parking spot where a nice stranger fixed it for us. (At least we were with Khru Oi who was able to ask for help.) She also invited us to go to the talaat (market) with her this weekend. On Thursday she spent some time at our house in the evening which was enjoyable. My teaching partners Khru Pat and Khru Pear have been very kind as well. We are starting to be able to communicate a little better and are enjoying each others company.
Side note: Sarah and I flagged down the ice cream cart/motorcycle vendor yesterday. We each bought a container of ice cream just for fun. Mine actually had milk powder and some calcium (most ice cream is not made of milk or anything dairy).
Funny story for the week (which actually happened a week or two ago)
One of my students has CP and manages to get around quite well but still has some challenges while at school. He has such a sweet spirit and is very smart. One day when he went to the teacher's bathroom (which he uses because it is more accessible) he locked both latches on the door even though one of our English speaking teachers was just outside waiting for him. This student suddenly started calling out for Daniel to save him from a snake. So Daniel (in his own words) said he pictured this huge snake coming out of the toilet about to attack our student. So Daniel, like a superhero, kicked the door in and witnessed a small worm slowly crawling towards our student. I just thought you would get a kick out of one of our stories about our students/school.
The highlights for this week would have to be the relationships that we are building. Sunday we spent some time with another ministry team that is mainly from Australia. Their ministry is really an encouragement to us and we enjoy getting to know them. This week we have also been making great steps in our relationships with our Thai teaching partners. They have always been generous and kind, but communicating is difficult since they speak only a little English and speak even less Thai. On Wednesday after school Khru Oi (the third grade teacher) invited us to go eat ice cream at Big C. She drove us in her car and we did a quick shopping trip for school supplies.(Big C is a grocery store that is kinda of like a mall with restaurants and additional shops) Then we went to this delicious ice cream shop that we had never been to. When we tried to head home the car had trouble starting but did start just enough that we could back out into the way of other cars before it died again. So we all hopped out and pushed it back into the parking spot where a nice stranger fixed it for us. (At least we were with Khru Oi who was able to ask for help.) She also invited us to go to the talaat (market) with her this weekend. On Thursday she spent some time at our house in the evening which was enjoyable. My teaching partners Khru Pat and Khru Pear have been very kind as well. We are starting to be able to communicate a little better and are enjoying each others company.
Side note: Sarah and I flagged down the ice cream cart/motorcycle vendor yesterday. We each bought a container of ice cream just for fun. Mine actually had milk powder and some calcium (most ice cream is not made of milk or anything dairy).
Funny story for the week (which actually happened a week or two ago)
One of my students has CP and manages to get around quite well but still has some challenges while at school. He has such a sweet spirit and is very smart. One day when he went to the teacher's bathroom (which he uses because it is more accessible) he locked both latches on the door even though one of our English speaking teachers was just outside waiting for him. This student suddenly started calling out for Daniel to save him from a snake. So Daniel (in his own words) said he pictured this huge snake coming out of the toilet about to attack our student. So Daniel, like a superhero, kicked the door in and witnessed a small worm slowly crawling towards our student. I just thought you would get a kick out of one of our stories about our students/school.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Photos from Khum Kantoke
These women were in front of Khum Kantoke. One was making leis that were given to all the guests, one was cutting fruit in decorative ways, and one was playing a musical instrument. 
This is Misty and I posing in a gold room specifically created for picture taking.
Brittany and I at dinner. Notice the leis (made by the woman out front)
This was our dinner, they just kept re-filling the bowls when they started to get a little low.
Misty and I at dinner. You can't tell we are sitting on the floor.
This is Misty and I posing in a gold room specifically created for picture taking.
Brittany and I at dinner. Notice the leis (made by the woman out front)
This was our dinner, they just kept re-filling the bowls when they started to get a little low.
Misty and I at dinner. You can't tell we are sitting on the floor.
More Photos from Doi Suthep
Just part of the mountain - the trees were quite large.
Around the temple
Bells for good luck
Another part of the temple
Around the temple
Bells for good luck
Another part of the temple
Photos from Doi Suthep
The view of the city from Doi Suthep.
Images of Buddha from the temple at the top of Doi Suthep.
One part of the temple: it is all very ornate and extravagant.
This is the dragon/snake at the very top of the stairs right in front of the temple. There are matching dragons at the bottom.
The stairs up to the temple.
Images of Buddha from the temple at the top of Doi Suthep.
One part of the temple: it is all very ornate and extravagant.
This is the dragon/snake at the very top of the stairs right in front of the temple. There are matching dragons at the bottom.
The stairs up to the temple.
Doi Suthep and Khum Kantoke
Yesterday was filled with Thai culture. I woke up fully intending to do laundry but at the last minute decided to travel up the mountain to the temple at the top of Doi Suthep. "Doi" means mountain in Thai. At the top of this particular mountain there is a Buddhist temple that is frequented by monks and loyal Buddhists trying to earn merit. The trip up the mountain was pretty uneventful although Kalena and I did get to enjoy the trip from the "trunk" of the Land Rover with the seats that face sideways and where the air con does not reach. Needless to say we were not feeling very good by the time we reaching the top of Doi Suthep. Once at the top we had to walk a little ways to get to the base of the temple stairs. While climbing the stairs I noticed several young Thai women hiking up the stairs in very high and uncomfortable looking shoes. Once at the top we paid the foreigner entrance fee and started to look around. We were reminded to keep our heads below the monks and images of Buddha, to take off our shoes before entering the temple, and to not have any public display of affection while in the temple. As we walked through Joel explained a little bit about Buddhism to me and I just felt sadness for the people crowding around the monk hoping to receive merit to weigh against their sins. I was also burdened for the little boy monks who were there to earn merit for their mothers (who cannot really make enough merit for themselves), to receive an education, to be fed, or a combination of all of the above. They are part of the reason we are here, to help those boys be able to receive an education in a much better place. We walked around the temple for awhile and then hiked back down. Kalena and I braved the ride down the mountain again in the way back of the car. We noticed many of the young monks walking down the mountain barefoot in the hot hot sun. Our vehicle seemed to get overheated because the breaks ceased to work very well towards the bottom. We did make it safely and even got dropped off at the grocery store for lunch (while Joel took the car to be fixed).
That night my co-teacher Daniel and his wife Noelle invited all of us teachers to go to Khum Kantoke for a traditional Northern Thai dinner and show. The location was gorgeous and we had a great time. We sat on the floor at low tables, but there was a pit under the table that you put your legs down in. They brought us delicious mixed vegetables, beef curry, fried chicken, pork skins, spicy sauce, fried bananas, and some other unidentifiable but delicious things. The show included Thai singing, dancing, and instruments. It was entertaining and a good experience. At the end they even convinced two of my co-teachers and one of our volunteers to join them in dancing. After dinner we all gathered outside to watch them light these lantern type things (kind of like small hot air balloons) that they released into the sky. The whole evening was very enjoyable and a nice glimpse at Thai culture.
That night my co-teacher Daniel and his wife Noelle invited all of us teachers to go to Khum Kantoke for a traditional Northern Thai dinner and show. The location was gorgeous and we had a great time. We sat on the floor at low tables, but there was a pit under the table that you put your legs down in. They brought us delicious mixed vegetables, beef curry, fried chicken, pork skins, spicy sauce, fried bananas, and some other unidentifiable but delicious things. The show included Thai singing, dancing, and instruments. It was entertaining and a good experience. At the end they even convinced two of my co-teachers and one of our volunteers to join them in dancing. After dinner we all gathered outside to watch them light these lantern type things (kind of like small hot air balloons) that they released into the sky. The whole evening was very enjoyable and a nice glimpse at Thai culture.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thai Food
Sorry for all the posts today. We have spent the entire day at our friend's house using their internet off and on. We don't have internet very often so whenever we do we try to do as much as we can.
Thai food certainly is interesting. Most things are pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of the super spicy things or the curry. The first few days here we ate at the preschool (where all the food for both schools is cooked). The food was delcious. We eat a lot of rice (sticky rice, fried rice, white rice, brown rice, rice patties, rice noodles, and my favorite sticky rice with mango which is like a dessert). Typically you get the rice or noodles, add a little meat, add some sauce or soup over the rice, put peanuts or vegetables on top. Cucumbers are served with every meal (I have to admit I'm getting a little tired of cucumbers). Once we went to observe at a public school and they were very gracious and served us lunch. They were very pleasant and hospitable. They served rice, chicken, and soup (very typical) with cucumbers of course and the very delicious blood. It was either chicken or pigs blood and they make it into a type of gelatin thing. We politely declined. As we sat down there were flies crawling all over the food. My friend/housemate Misty just looked at me and said we just have to have faith. So we gladly ate the food and "had faith" that we wouldn't get sick. (We didn't get sick by the way) It is still a funny memory. We there is much more to say but we are about to head home for the night.
Thai food certainly is interesting. Most things are pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of the super spicy things or the curry. The first few days here we ate at the preschool (where all the food for both schools is cooked). The food was delcious. We eat a lot of rice (sticky rice, fried rice, white rice, brown rice, rice patties, rice noodles, and my favorite sticky rice with mango which is like a dessert). Typically you get the rice or noodles, add a little meat, add some sauce or soup over the rice, put peanuts or vegetables on top. Cucumbers are served with every meal (I have to admit I'm getting a little tired of cucumbers). Once we went to observe at a public school and they were very gracious and served us lunch. They were very pleasant and hospitable. They served rice, chicken, and soup (very typical) with cucumbers of course and the very delicious blood. It was either chicken or pigs blood and they make it into a type of gelatin thing. We politely declined. As we sat down there were flies crawling all over the food. My friend/housemate Misty just looked at me and said we just have to have faith. So we gladly ate the food and "had faith" that we wouldn't get sick. (We didn't get sick by the way) It is still a funny memory. We there is much more to say but we are about to head home for the night.
Fourth of July Pictures
I wanted to show a picture of one of the motorcycle parking lots. This is only a small section of a motorcycle parking lot at Airport Plaza. There are hundreds of motorcycles all parked together where ever you go. 
There are a bunch of fun elephant statues in front of Airport Plaza.
This is some of the gang at the Fourth of July party at the consulate. Sarah, Kalena, Tessa, Brittany, and me.
My three great housemates! Sarah, Brittany, and Misty.
We got our makeup done for free pictures that turned out really cute. We were a little embarrassed to walk around all night with turquoise and pink makeup but it was fun. :)
There are a bunch of fun elephant statues in front of Airport Plaza.
This is some of the gang at the Fourth of July party at the consulate. Sarah, Kalena, Tessa, Brittany, and me.
My three great housemates! Sarah, Brittany, and Misty.
We got our makeup done for free pictures that turned out really cute. We were a little embarrassed to walk around all night with turquoise and pink makeup but it was fun. :)
Sunday Night Market
It is really hard to see but this is a cool walkway lined by trees and those lamps. 
At the market there are tons of street venders who sell just about anything. Masses of people just walk up and down the street looking and buying from the vendors.
Just a look at all the people at the market.
Statues and temples are found all around the city.
This is a food center at the Sunday Night Market.
At the market there are tons of street venders who sell just about anything. Masses of people just walk up and down the street looking and buying from the vendors.
Just a look at all the people at the market.
Statues and temples are found all around the city.
Mars Hill School Photos
This is a picture of the stairs at my school. Everyone has to take off their shoes at that middle landing so there is always a huge collection of shoes. 
This is a picture of the preschool next door (not the preschool that is connected with Mars Hill Academy) taken from the porch of my school.
This is the statue of Budda in front of our school (it is there because it was a public school before we started renting it).
This the porch at our school and all of our fifty two students. They are getting ready for a teacher appreciation ceremony.
This is a picture of my 2nd grade classroom (which I don't actually teach in and won't until Sep/Oct when the other teacher gets here.
This is a picture of the preschool next door (not the preschool that is connected with Mars Hill Academy) taken from the porch of my school.
This is the statue of Budda in front of our school (it is there because it was a public school before we started renting it).
This the porch at our school and all of our fifty two students. They are getting ready for a teacher appreciation ceremony.
This is a picture of my 2nd grade classroom (which I don't actually teach in and won't until Sep/Oct when the other teacher gets here.
Our House...continued
That is the house across the street, but ours is similar. We have a pink fence and pink tile in front of our house. ;)
This is our lovely bathroom (which we are thankful that it has a real toilet). However it is odd that they do not separate the shower (on the right side of the picture) from the toilet (the left side of the picture). It makes things interesting.
This is our only storage space for four people's groceries. We each get a little section.
This is our other kitchen area.
I took a picture of our stove (we don't have an oven) because I thought the brand name was funny. It is lucky flame, and it certainly lives up to its name because we are lucky if we get a flame out of it. ;)
Our house is good for our needs and we are thankful to have it provided for us. We hope to paint and make it a little bit more homey, but it is definitly a blessing.
This is our lovely bathroom (which we are thankful that it has a real toilet). However it is odd that they do not separate the shower (on the right side of the picture) from the toilet (the left side of the picture). It makes things interesting.
This is our only storage space for four people's groceries. We each get a little section.
This is our other kitchen area.
I took a picture of our stove (we don't have an oven) because I thought the brand name was funny. It is lucky flame, and it certainly lives up to its name because we are lucky if we get a flame out of it. ;)
Our house is good for our needs and we are thankful to have it provided for us. We hope to paint and make it a little bit more homey, but it is definitly a blessing.
Our House
<-- Our laundry room (yes that is where we do our laundry) 
Our back "kitchen"
Our front door (Our Thai tutor gets a kick out of the fact that only four of us live in this house but we have so many shoes out front) As you can see this door is also a place where we dry our clothes.
This broom serves as a clothesline. Pretty much very available space is used to hang clothes, especially if more than one person does laundry at a time.
Our front door (Our Thai tutor gets a kick out of the fact that only four of us live in this house but we have so many shoes out front) As you can see this door is also a place where we dry our clothes.
This broom serves as a clothesline. Pretty much very available space is used to hang clothes, especially if more than one person does laundry at a time.
Fourth of July
We had a great fourth of July, at times it even reminded me of home. We had two things to celebrate. First, the freedom of our country that was bought at a high price. Second, our independence here in Thailand. Since we got here we have been tied down without any transportation. We spent a lot of time calling our already extremely busy boss to come and pick us up random places often when our song tow (a form of public transportation) drops us off at weird out of the way spots. Our boss lent us his wife's car for our five day weekend. We were sooo excited! Learning how to drive here is a very scary prospect as there really aren't any rules or laws. People pretty much do what they want. To make it worse the cars are standards and completely opposite (since they drive on the other side of the road.) Sarah (one of my housemates) drove us to the office (the only place we get internet) but we were disappointed that the internet didn't work. But the biggest part of our day was spent at Tesco, the local Walmart type store. We don't get to go very often so it is always a big event. We ate in the food court, which is really pretty good. I even ordered halfway in Thai. After that, we spent hours searching for school supplies, groceries, and other necessities. I even got a fan!!! Which is really exciting since I don't have air con and it is often 94 degrees in my room.
After Tesco we met our boss and some other friends and went to the Fourth of July party at the American consulate. We got our makeup done and housemate pictures taken for free. We also had the choice of several American foods that we are otherwise unable to get here such as: cream soda and ribs. We felt like we were at home since nearly everyone there was American, but we looked up the mountains and trees reminded us that we were still in Thailand. The night ended with a good fireworks show. After a song tow took us back to our car we made a trip to Big C, the other Walmart type grocery, because our Thai tutor told us that there was a sale on isakriim (ice cream). We were pretty excited about an ice cream sale so we made a special trip.
So that was our fourth of July. We were definitely thankful for our nation's freedom and our freedom to travel wherever we wanted. It was Misty's (another housemate) first American fourth of July. She was amazed at how much food there was. Funny note: Towards the end of the night a man came around trying to get us to take free seaweed chips (they had tons leftover) we thought they should have realized that it was an American party and Americans aren't as fond of seaweed products as some other people in Thailand.
After Tesco we met our boss and some other friends and went to the Fourth of July party at the American consulate. We got our makeup done and housemate pictures taken for free. We also had the choice of several American foods that we are otherwise unable to get here such as: cream soda and ribs. We felt like we were at home since nearly everyone there was American, but we looked up the mountains and trees reminded us that we were still in Thailand. The night ended with a good fireworks show. After a song tow took us back to our car we made a trip to Big C, the other Walmart type grocery, because our Thai tutor told us that there was a sale on isakriim (ice cream). We were pretty excited about an ice cream sale so we made a special trip.
So that was our fourth of July. We were definitely thankful for our nation's freedom and our freedom to travel wherever we wanted. It was Misty's (another housemate) first American fourth of July. She was amazed at how much food there was. Funny note: Towards the end of the night a man came around trying to get us to take free seaweed chips (they had tons leftover) we thought they should have realized that it was an American party and Americans aren't as fond of seaweed products as some other people in Thailand.
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