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.