Man, it's good to be back in Asia. The people, the eccentric food, the craziness of the cities. I arrived in Bangkok early in the morning of the 15th, around 3AM, purely exhausted from over twenty hours of traveling from Kona to Honolulu to cold Tokyo (where i got me my lil rice bean cake :) to Taipei and finally to the Land of Smiles. The humidity was stifling as my team and I stepped out of the airport and rode to our destination via song-tou, and I barely could keep my eyes open as we sped down the Bangkok highway bedazzled with lights and golden arches inlaid with pictures of the Thai king. 'He is a great king.' (That's the only thing you can say about the king here.) But oh was it good to finally arrive, shower and sleep in a bed! Thank you, God, for traveling mercies, safety, and health!
For the first two days, my team and I stayed at a ywam base in a more suburban part of Bangkok. Then we hit the road again, this time on a nine hour overnight bus ride up north to Chiang Mai. Talk about traveling in luxury! Whoa baby! For less than $20, we rode like royalty, complete with strange little Asian snacks, hot tea, blankets, pillows, footrests, reclining seats, and a movie. (Ya, try watching 'Bermuda Triangle' in Thai..what a trippy time that was!) Oh, and included was a midnight stop at a roadside restaurant I swear was straight out of a 'Bizarre Foods' episode. Who knows where I was or what I ate. I do remember a warm, rice soup and squatty potties though! (oh the memories of China that flood to my mind)
We arrived in Chiang Mai around 6AM, road-weary but ready to see our new home for the next month...Abba House. Here we will be living alongside young women who have been brought out of abusive homes and brothels, as well as young men who were former drug addicts and delinquents. It's a unique place set inside four walls with a Buddhist crematorium temple as its neighbor. We live on the second floor of one of the buildings and fortunately have an aerial view of the surrounding area. Plus, I'm on a top bunk, so I spend my early mornings gazing out the windows, just watching the place wake up. Here's the link to it: http://www.abbahousefoundation.com/index.html
My team and I will be teaching these girls and guys English, as having English skills can GREATLY help them attain employment here, thus helping them escape the grip of poverty that directs them to more lucrative jobs. We will also perform skits for them, and most importantly, form relationships. Also on our agenda is ministry to the women's and men's prisons here, as well as a home for a crippled children. Plus, we hope to visit the bar girls downtown and scope out the scene there. I'm looking forward to what's ahead! And I'm hoping to blog more often as well as post a few pictures. We will see though, as I am using friends' computers as we travel. I regret not bringing my own computer, but I will live. I mean, amidst all these activities AND elephant-riding (that's right, most likely doing that), I won't be on the computer that much.
For now, I'll leave you all with specific prayers my team has, as prayer is our greatest travel essential and lifeline! I'm praying for sensitivity to Holy Spirit in everyday situations and relationships. For doors and opportunities to open for me and my team, especially as we interact with the people here. Effective methods in teaching English. Humility. Increased faith. Protection from spiritual attack. Continued traveling mercy and health. Love and unity in my team. For the Lord to develop in us a heart for the Thai people. Ease in learning the Thai language!!! Cultural sensitivity.Open hearts (for us too!).
Thank you all for your prayers and kind acts and words of encouragement. I anticipate God will be doing great things through our team. Not because we are special but because we are saying to Him that we are willing to be used by Him to bless the Thai people and be blessed by them as well.
I'll leave you with one more account that was a blessing for me to experience...tonight, as my team and I joined the girls and guys in worship in a simple room with crude Christmas decorations, I could see such joy in those young faces as they sang praises to their Heavenly Father...despite all they have been through in life, from rape by their own fathers to drug life on the streets. It was enough to make me stop singing and just watch in amazement. Thank you, El Shaddai. Khob khun kha!! (thank you)
Ok, that's all for now! Pra jaaw ouy porn kha! (God bless you!)
