English Camp

English camp was the greatest way to start my life here. I just loved it. It was only for a weekend but it was wonderful. I only started teaching yesterday so all last week it was a struggle to build relationships with any of the students. English camp solved that problem.

Preparing to leave on Friday...

We had a buddy system there at camp. I was given a Thai student and after every session we were able to talk about what was spoken. The meetings were applicable to our theme, "Who are you." My team member Corey (from Michigan) spoke on "Who I am, " then Dustin spoke on "Who God is" and the fact that He is Holy, Just and Love. Wor, my roomate and who is also staff at the centre spoke on "Who is my Neighbor." We had a few testimonies, drama, and a special speaker on Saturday Night. I was so blessed by what was shared. Throughout the whole camp we had translaters and I was so thankful to God for those who have the gift of learning languages. It came in handy. Who am I? Corey --BAy translating... Who is God? Dustin--Wan translating... Who is my Neighbor? Wor--Max translating... My roomate Wor and I... ok so every Thai does a peace sign in their pictures...it's like the cool thing to do here :).... My buddy was a girl named Aung. She expressed interest in God the first time talking to her. She said in broken english, "I've never experienced God, I am buddist, but someday I wish to experience him more." I told her that because she came to camp and because she has met people at the centre, God is already revealing himself to her. She was happy to here it. Her interest only strengthened from then on. We had wonderful talks about my salvation and growth in the Lord. I was able to share the whole gospel. She asked me once, "what do think of me," I didn't really know what to say but responded with, "I think you are cheerful and fun, and I also think you are searching for the truth and that is a good thing." She smiled. I asked her the same question, "She told me that I seemed happy all the time, but also very focused ( I think she meant at peace too). " She wondered why Christians could be so happy all the time and how they are filled with peace it seems. I was able to share with her about how the Holy Spirit comes to live in those who accept Christ and is able to fill us with Joy and peace. I told her that the more I become dependent on God the more I'm able to see how he provides and be filled with Joy as a result. I also assured her that it was not a "over-night" thing...that it was a process even in my life. I told her, "It's like your English, you don't know it overnight, but you will. Well, with the joy you see in me, it's taken time. It will take time to know more about God, and it's ok if you don't understand everything just yet. Just keep asking questions." Needless to say, I've built that first relationship I was looking for. I went to dinner with her yesterday and plan to have a movie night with some of her friends. Pray the Lord would give increase :) Thank you all for praying about this weekend...the Lord was very Present. Aung is the girl in the middle of this picture... Pray for me as I'm not quite adjusted to the food yet. I don't mind some, but the smells of some others are a bit of my distaste. This is egg and pork...lots of egg and pork here. This dish I actually liked and ate. Yes, you are seen Thai's preparing food on a mat on a floor with counter tops all around them :0)... Our games crew, Brooke and Jen...pray for Jen as she returns home to California for furlough for 3 months. it's a lot of transition. She's been living in Thailand for 2-1/2 years. She told me how hard it is just being home in like a mall and being able to here all the conversations. She said she feels like yelling, Be quiet! to everyone in the stores. Here you just become accustomed to not understanding any of the conversations that when you get home it's a reverse culture shock. So be praying for her. My very lovable Thai roommate Wor... Gyou, student leaison, translator and Christian; and Wanham, a student and Aung's sister. She also showed a lot of interest in the things of the Lord.. Card games like uno, are a great way to practice their English and build relationships. :o) Our rooms and beds...yeah no such thing as Serta matresses in Thailand... The showers never cease to amaze me :0) .... Sorry I couldn't post more...it just takes so long to post this much, and you only have so much time in a day right? I'll be posting again soon. Next item of prayer...I started teaching this week, pray for wisdom...it's a beginners course so it can be hard. Other events this week: Cooking night: Canada Day theme. Team member Jen from Ontario will be organizing a cookout with Hamburgers and Onion Rings. Friday night Party: Independence theme (4th of July), I'll be "MC-ing" the event. we'll have hot dogs over the fire, rice crispy squares (just so you know, you can't find marshmallows anywhere here--Brooke brought them from the states--so it's a big thing :0) ), and relays and games. Pray for good whether. Brooke will also be giving her Testimony.

Friends in Small Places

I almost half died from having a heartattack after seeing this little creature skid accross the wall in my room. I was opening the curtains when I saw him...he hurried across the wall to bury himself in the darkness. At first I thought there was a big Cocroach (spelling?) making himself comfortable in my room :0( Thankfully, I found the siluette of the little thing peering through the curtain, I could rest assured it was only a little lizard; the cutest one by far. I was stupid enough to think I could catch him :0) They are incredibly quick. I told Beaw and Wor (my two Thai roomates) I saw hime and they told me, "We have many friends in this house." I saw another little one in my closet today....it still took my breath away before I realized what he was. :0) So for all those who are praying about loneliness...ha rest assured I have more company than I want sometimes :0) ------summer camp starts tonight... please pray...Opal, our team leader, was a little disappointed that not many were attending. Pray for her heart to be lifted by the "little" that come and that God would do a work in those few.

A New Home

Some of you know about a "discipleship home" I mentioned in previous letters. Well, I was able to make my home there. I have two Thai roomates, Beaw and Wor, who are great. I also have a large room to myself. I settled right in. I'm really glad this place opened up again, because I'd been really hoping for this living arrangement. The greatest thing is that it's litterally across the street from the Centre.

My Arrival here from the start has only been exciting. I'm loving it so much. Aside from the heat and the city smells...I'm so glad I'm in this place and that God has me here. I've only been here for a couple of days, but I feel at home already. The team at the Centre is incredible and I'm anxious to begin teaching. I start next week. It's very layed back and there is nothing to fret about. The people are very forgiving here.

My day starts at 12:00 or 1:00 and ends sometime in the evening depending on the nights. I've only been getting about 5 hrs of sleep since I've been here. I'm a morning person so it's been hard. Hopefully I'll adjust to the noises of the animals and city streets and be able to sleep right through it :0) I've already been lost after a "song tum" (public transport) dropped off me and a couple others in the center of Chiang Mai University...which is huge! It's like 4 blocks or something, it's crazy. I've eaten Thai food and ordered in Thai. (Sorry Beth...I haven't eaten a spider...nor will I :0) ) I've opened a bank account here and bought a mobile phone and...well a bunch of stuff. It's so hot here. It's like 'insta' sweat :0) I'm adjusting better than I thought I would though. Even the Thai are complaining about the heat, so it's not just a westerner thing :0). Be praying about a Thai tutor. I have a friend here that says it's helped her. Since I have Thai roomates I thought of asking help from them first, but I like the idea of a Thai tutor too. I'm going to wait a couple of months probably to see if I can afford it. My friend pays about 200 Baht per 1hr session; it would be about 100 dollars a month. I would probably look at doing it for about 4 months. I'm praying about it for now :0). Be praying for English camp this Friday... the staff and some students will be going about 30 min. away to spend the weekend teaching and learning english and giving their personal testimonies. Many of those coming are not believers. Pray we could build great relationships and that many could come. One young girl came last year and was saved shortly after. I thank God that I have this opportunity to "break me in" and allow me to get to know the students before I start to teach. I'll write again soon...

This pic is for you Roger...just so you know I'm well taken care of :0)

This was at night Bazaar...like a huge outside market/mall.

goodbyes

6:oo flights are never a fun thing. I'm a morning person but nothing could have prepared me for what was coming. 3:30 I woke up Sat. to make it to the airport in plenty of time to catch my flight. However, the only flight that was cancelled had to be mine. I had to fly a domestic flight from Portland to New York before connecting to my international flight to Bangkok. After two long hours of discussing impossible options with the Delta personel all they could provide me with was, "techniquely, we are only responsible for getting you to New York; regardless if you miss your connecting flight...." (which was at 11:35, and the next flight delta had to offer was 11:30). Ummm...what do you say to that??? :0) I was ready to cry. Had I known that information two hours before it would have been great to buy a ticket for a different 6:00 flight. I called Thai Airways to see what could be done but, of course, they were not open on the weekends. All possibilities seemed to be lost. We tried Jet Blue to see if they had any earlier flights to New York, but we weren't so fortunate. However, the nice Lady at the desk escorted us to United Airways which had a room on a flight leaving at 6:45. After that point I really don't remember all that transpired, except for running to security. It was closing in on 6:45 so the nice Lady at United Airways told me to run and leave my bags with my parents to pass them through. So I'm franticly going through security when I remember, "I haven't been able to give my parents a proper goodbye...(not even a hug)." I look back as I'm going through and they're both standing their crying...and then all the crying came. I feel bad for the security guy who was the one to receive it all. There is something about men with women crying...it's so humorous as I look back. Poor guy didn't know what to say or if he said to much to make me cry. If any of you know me...I hate to talk when I cry and so as he's asking me questions, I can't form the words and I just give up trying all together, and walk away...(oh please smile at this, because I laugh now). Anyway, so at this point I'm sobbing and I'm normally a silent cryer, but I make it to the gate so tempted to turn around and go back..."it's so unfair," I thought. Litteraly 5 min later they started boarding. I was actually flying into Laguardia (spelling??) Airport and needed to get to JFK, but the nice Lady from United Airways prepared me with everything I needed to know and I got there in no time. While I was in the plane...still sobbing :0)...I looked out the window (partially to escape from all the stairs and concerned faces in the plane), and as we lifted above the clouds I was expressing to the Lord all my frustrations, but also thanks to his provisions, and then I saw the sun; faithful as ever. We don't always see it because the clouds are in the way, but it was there in that plane. I thought..."wow Lord, now that's peace. There were so many clouds this morning, and yet You were there...ever faithful!" It was a really BAD morning....but I still serve a great God!" "Peace which passeth all understanding" is how it's put right? I remembered the team I had praying for me. Thanks team...you know who you are....thank you for praying worriors. I was able to call my Mom and Dad once I was through ticketing through Thai Air... I had a 17 hr flight to Bangkok (flew up to the arctic east over russia and down again). Then from Bangkok to Chaing Mai...it all seemed like a dream, but I was happy to be there.

"send off prayer"

OH where to begin! Greeting from the southeast, My trip was quite stressful starting out, but let me tell you one blessing along the way. I was able to spend time at Camp Good News three days before coming to Thailand. I thought for sure I'd be crying all the time their, but God gave me an incredible peace. On Friday (Jun. 20) , they gave a "send off prayer time." It just so happened that almost every area of my life was represented there. My dad prayed first (representing my homelife), then the president of NBBI, Barry Beebe (from my years in bible college), Pastor Trent Boyd ( represented the churches I'm affiliated with and is part of my support team), Natausha Daigle (my accountability partner and best friend represented all my friends and girls we've discipled together), and lastly the Director of CEF, Mr. John Romano (representing my years with CEF). Yeah, I thought for sure I'd cry... I thank God for all the influences he's given me over the years. When I think of being in Thailand, I never think of being alone. This prayer time reminded me that I have a great team of christians back home who are praying and involved in every part of this trip as I am. This is my attempt to keep you all involved. Please read when you can. I've been blessed every day I've been here. I hope you enjoy the Entries from Thailand.

Acts 20:24"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."