Special Reunion

The older I am, the more I see how God so carefully and intricately connects people. Back in 1990, I was enrolled in a Kindergarten class at North Broadway Elementary School in Escondido, CA. Newness of school was accompanied with a new group of friends. Instantly attached to one such friend, I grew along side her as we ended up in the same class until 3rd grade. Although at different school from then on, our paths continued to cross as we remained in touch through church and family functions.

I would say "randomly," but I serve a God who is incredibly intentional, we both ended up as 2 people of a small minority of Californians who attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas in the fall of 2004. In a school of over 15,000, we rarely saw each other except through mutual friends.

However separated, both of us worked as summer staff in the junior high group at our home church 2 separate consecutive summers, and we both had a mutual friend and mentor, Tricia Dealy, who planned on moving to Thailand as a missionary.

This idea of moving to Thailand to work with Campus Crusade for Christ sounded a little crazy to me at first, but after talking to Cayla about it, I became more excited about the idea. Although it worked out that I came to Thailand with CCC and Cayla finished her education at Baylor, our lives continued to cross in amazing ways.

Just this past month, I received an email from Cayla saying that she accepted a job offer as an English teacher... in Bangkok, Thailand... and would be moving there at the end of May.

Coincidence? I think not!

So, clearing time out of her demanding teaching schedule, Cayla and her boyfriend Matt flew up to Chiang Rai this past weekend to visit my home. It was so refreshing spending time with them as we braved an elephant excursion in the rain and explored Night Bazaar in the rural Northern province.

I am just so amazed at how God brings His children together in a way that we could never arrange!

back in the saddle

It's the only title I can think of because it has been a while since I had posted anything new. I know I want to say something important and meaningful. Since nothing comes to mind, maybe I will just simply relate recent happenings!
After a week in Bangkok and then another on Elephant Island, home in Chiang Rai has never been sweeter. Here are a few highlights of the trip:

The Children on Koh Chang are precious as ever. These kids have been learning worship songs and really opened up to me this time. It was so fun to practice my limited Thai vocabulary and even teach them some English words like "cloud" and "star" (nearly impossible for them to pronounce poor things!).
One day we hiked to the other side of the island where there were deserted white sandy beaches. The kids were hilarious as they tried to show off in front of the camera while playing in the water.


Our work team was in charge of eliminating a rock hill in the way of the bathrooms. With hoes and pick-axes we did major damage to the intruding hill as we cleared a path to the hong nam (bathroom). Everyone worked so hard, even the little bitty Thai girls!!

I stole this picture from Judy Christian (thanks Judy!) of the girls sleeping area. We basically turned the church into a dormitory decorated with mosquito nets and simple sleeping bags on the tile floor. Man oh man is a mattress an awesome thing to return home to!


All of the 15 students who accompanied us from Chiang Rai had a blast. Difficult even for them to adjust to the rough life style, they did not complain even once about the accomodations or bathrooms. In addition to their fabulous attitudes, they set a high work standard for us Americans to follow as they powered-through everyday with unceasing energy.

In conclusion: great trip. happy to return to my bed.
Here are more pictures of the journey:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2175619&l=f7748&id=9204387

Urban Backpacking

5 minutes before we were supposed to leave for the airport Tuesday morning,Amanda shook me awake out of a deep sleep. With that start to the day, our arrival in Bangkok was met with little enthusiasm. Tab and I had a whole day ahead of us with a small number of necessary things to do. After applying for a visa to Vietnam, we decided to take a cab down the street to roam around one of Bangkok's greatest malls Central World Plaza. One thing we forgot to calculate in this plan was that we both were still carrying 2 weeks worth of luggage! Trying not to waste gas and time, we agreed to haul our things around until heading to the guest house. Toting my large "backpacker's" pack, a huge bag with my tennis shoes, flip flops and purse inside, as well as my laptop in its carrying case, I was a little weighted down! Similarly burdened, Tab and I looked absolutely ridiculous in this posh mall! So silly, in fact, that I had to take a picture :).

We even saw the movie Penelope, and the easy-going Thais let us bring in all of our stuff (even our cameras and laptops!).. good thing we're not pirates.. that's what you call those who illegally copy movies, right?!!

introducing.. Ting Mayuree (aka: p'Ting)

The best part of this year in Thailand has been the friendships acquired. Working with 3 Thai CCC staff has been such a privilege as we have been able to learn about life and ministry in Chiang Rai. Because they are such a huge part of my life, I decided to take the time to introduce them separately over a few entries :)
One of my closest friends here, p'Ting has become not only a co-worker, but a sister and confidant.

Unfortunately for her, she was in charge of being our "cru" (teacher) during our Thai lessons. Putting up with all of our excuses and laziness, she patiently taught us the difficult tones, vocabulary and grammar.
Her English proficiency was such a blessing to all of us and she happily served as translator all year.
We have spent many nights together laughing and hanging out until it was too late to go home. Those sleep overs produced a strong friendship that I know will last long after I leave this country.
Once hearing that I was interested in aerobics and fitness, she introduced me to the Thai wonders of outdoor techno aerobics at the university. So fun! I cherish my afternoons spent with her there, sweating in the humidity and singing 80's songs mixed with a techno beat.

Although she is 30, we joke around and act like college roommates, giggling over boys and planning trips around the world.

When my family came, she along with p'Check helped show them around the local market, explaining each strange food item. Afterwards, they graciously taught them how to cook a full Thai meal, even though p'Ting and p'Check did most of the work themselves!
From helping me get jeans hemmed to bringing me a bowl of boiled rice when I was too sick to eat, p'Ting lives her life to serve others. I am so thankful for her friendship and the sisterhood she has extended to me. I will miss her so much next year!

heading South..

Tuesday marks the beginning of yet another journey to the South of Thailand. After welcoming the American Summer Project team at the Bangkok International Airport, we will spend 3 days acquainting them with Thailand and its customs.

Thrilled to get a chance to serve with students, we will meet a group of 15 students from Chiang Rai and 7 students from Chiang Mai at the bus station on our way to Ranong. The whole group consists of 12 summer project people, 8 stinters, and 22 students, and we are excited and ready to make an impact in Jesus' name!

We will be returning to Ranong, a province greatly hit by the 2004 tsunami, to load onto a boat carrying us to the small Koh Chang (Elephant Island). Here, we will continue the work of building a functioning island village.

The Chiang Rai students are composed of various ages, backgrounds and religious beliefs. As some do not yet believe that Jesus has the power to save them, we are praying that this trip will open their eyes to God's persistent hand in their lives. They all have amazing hearts and the desire to help the Mogan people on Elephant Island, and I hope that they would be blessed beyond measure with this chance to serve.

Please pray specifically for Ying, a young woman with great potential to make an impact in this world, and a dear sweet friend to me. She is going with us not knowing any of the other students, and I think her heart is becoming so open and teachable to spiritual things. Below is a picture of Ying, myself, and Gaow: both students will be attending the service project.

Also please pray that we would be able to reach out and bless the Mogan people on an individual level. Many still do not trust in Jesus, and I think that a group this large could really minister to their hearts.

I believe in a God who can do big things, larger than I could ever imagine. And I know He wants to work mightily in the many lives involved in this trip!

Since we will be working in a remote area, I will be leaving my computer in Chiang Rai to be returned to on May 31st :)

the Thai pedestrian

A common site in Thailand, elephants surprisingly walk around the streets, their owners leading them around providing food for any bystander to treat the gentle animal (for a small price of course)! One night in Chiang Mai, we were driving back to the Christian's house and happened upon this elephant, (chang), soliciting at a street-side restaurant. Luckily, I had my camera available and was able to snap some shots of Tabitha feeding the elephant. Notice how the elephant is parked like a motorbike! So cute!

my bedroom: THE NOOK!

Hey hey, while my room was decently clean, I thought I would take a short video to show everyone what it looks like! With 2 real walls, and 2 make-shift ones, this corner has really grown to be a place of comfort. Please don't judge the decor, as it is challenging to find a bedspread and curtains that do not have Hello Kitty or some other unknown animated character on them!! (seriously). Although excited to live in a real room with a door next year, this little niche will always have a place in my heart! :)

IBS

After MUCH neglecting, I am once again motivated to pursue the joy of blogging :)
The past 2 weeks, I have been in Chiang Mai for IBS, a chance for the Thai CCC staff to receive seminary training. In the mornings, the Thai staff took an Old Testament class, while us Stinters watched a video by Christian Therapist and author Dr. Dan Allender from Mars Hill Graduate school.


During the afternoons, we were able to join the Thais in various seminars including painting and singing instructions, automobile repair, English and computer classes.


Because of limited available housing at the CCC headquarters in Chiang Mai, Tabitha, Amanda and myself were invited to stay with Mike and Judy Christian, long-time staff here in Thailand. It was so fun to escape to a real home everyday and receive some needed R&R! Here is Shana, Tab, myself and Amanda helping out a little bit after dinner one night.


For lunch, we had catered Thai food. Dessert everyday consisted of a new variety of Thai fruit. Nga, a type of fruit bountiful during the rainy season, was served one day. It reminds me of a crazy bouncy ball or child's rubber toy. But it's real. And it's good! Arroy mak (very delicious)! You peel the pink and green skin and chew on the grape-like inside; however, watch out for the pit!

Last weekend, I was able to celebrate my dear friend Leinie's 26th birthday with her in Chiang Mai. It was fun to get out around the big city and eat some great farang (foreigner) food, see a movie, and do some shopping!! Here we are (from left to right): Leins, me, and Tam at Miguels, the only Mexican food place in Chiang Mai.

Happy Homes

Happy Homes orphanage has given hundreds of children the chance to live. Victims of HIV and AIDS virus, these children were banished from the villages after their parents died. Seen as evil spirits, they were abandoned in the wilderness until rescued by people who value their lives. By providing a home, clothes, and education, Happy Homes has communicated the gospel to these small precious ones. These toddlers now have a hope for their future, knowing that Jesus loves them and has a unique plan for their lives.

Our team was able to take an afternoon to visit one of their homes in Chiang Saen (about 45 min. NE of Chiang Rai) and simply play with the kids. We were able to provide diapers and other needed supplies, but we also came loaded with a ton of hugs, kisses and attention! Here are a few pictures from a few hours with our new little friends.

season for everything

So, I have been listening to a series of sermons on Ecclesiastes by Matt Chandler. Although I have heard and memorized popular passages, I have never actually studied this book in depth until now.

While nestled into a corner of a Starbucks in Chiang Mai, I began to contemplate the fact that God did create everything for a reason. He does allow things to happen. He has us all experience certain times in our lives where we don't understand the greater purpose. He has set eternity in our hearts, and yet sometimes we are unable to grab hold of a filler for that deep void (Eccl. 3:11).
Matt said something that really struck me, that I hope I will remember for a long time: "Find the things that stir your affections for Christ, and saturate your life with them."
It is easy for me to be that girl sitting in a coffee shop discussing my observations of life. It is easy for me to float from one place to another relinquishing my right to participate in the realities of love, fellowship and death.
But, what it really comes down to, is that God has me here for a season. This season He has created, ordained, and allowed to be a season of toiling, loneliness, doubt, occasional boredom.. so that I could experience a harvest, fellowship, certainty, and fulfillment.
I strongly believe that I will never know the full reason I was brought here for this season, this year. I know that Jesus wanted to get me alone, away from my family, friends, and my comfortable lifestyle, to speak to my heart. He wanted to get me to a place where I would be able to respond at the slightest whisper, instead of Him having to yell to get my attention.
July 2008 will mark the beginning of another season in my life. I'll be returning back to the US to finish up a degree at Baylor. I'll go home to the noise and the distractions that represent a lifetime of struggle for me. Listening to Jesus will transform into a different type of challenge than it is here.
My job then is to accept each season as it comes- embrace it, eat, drink, and take pleasure in my labor because it is God's gift, His purpose for me right now (Eccl. 3:13). He has called us to rejoice when He has given us plenty to eat, drink and harvest. Likewise, He has called us to rejoice when He has given us little to eat, drink and harvest.
There is a season for everything.
No matter what season I am in, I will keep my eyes on my Savior because I am lost without Him.