Trip to the Mountains 10-12-08

On the Sunday after the welcome gathering at P’Anan’s (my home) I was taken on a trip the Mountains. There I saw many spectacular things and to help you get an idea about I will try to explain what’s happening on this journey through the flow of events via my pictures. Here I am to the left feeling pretty elated on account of some wonderful euphoric culture shock feelings with a Pepsi in hand.

Here’s what the view often looked like on the road ahead.
Stubborn obstacles sometimes blocked our path; the stare-down didn’t last too long, but definitely had to come to a complete stop. (Not much fear behind those eyes).
As we continued along the roads twisted and turned without too many hills or cliffs (to my relief). This one led us to a home owned by the Thai Covenant Church. It’ll be used for future outreaches to the people who live in the surrounding villages.

Here is a proud picture of the King of Thailand posted on a wall outside the house. In Thailand you can’t go far without running into a picture of the much revered King or one of his family members.

To the left are a couple shots from the front porch; it was absolutely breath-taking. Thailand has has a tropical climate with a high degree of humidity. Average temperature is 30'C., varying from 32.5'C to 23.7'C. There are three seasons : hot, rainy, and cool. The hot season, from March to May. From June to October the country is visited by the southwest monsoons bringing billowing clouds and cool showers. The cool season, from November to February, would be better named "warm" season. In Chiang Mai, which has a lower humidity and is usually, but not always, cooler, the temperature drops considerably after sunset.

To the right is a picture of my friend Klairung (Air). She’s taking it easy for a few moments before we head back down the road again to visit the home where she grew up in. Now she lives at CFCE and spends her time studying accounting and English at Payap College. I’ve been experiencing a great amount of help and encouragement from her as I adjust to life in Thailand.

Throughout the drive way we saw fields of corn; what we would think of as Indian corn. I couldn’t help but take note, what being a farmer’s daughter and all, but I saw no modern machinery. Here’s how it’s stored after harvest.

When we came to Klairung’s home, her sister was chopping up marigolds in great quantities. There were whole fields of Marigolds waiting to be harvested, cut, cut again, and then put into bags to be hauled into town.

An exciting seen below: The shaving of a pig, ready to be roasted (I’m assuming).

Here’s another product (a root of some kind) being prepared for market. My friend Eh (a student at Phayao Bible Seminary) is displaying. He was also our driver for the trip and we stopped here at Ohle’s mountain home for a quick drink of water.

Before we left the mountain road we passed by an Elephant home. Eh pulled in the drive so I could get a great picture, but it wasn’t a day to meet and greet them any more closely. I’m not sure that they would have been the family friendly kind, but a great end to an amazing trip.

Chicago Farewell Party 10-4-08

On October 4th, 2008 I said goodbye to many of my friends at Paul & Gretchen DeNeui’s house. Paul is standing in the picture to the right explaining the meaning of the string- tying ceremony; a tradition common in Northern Thailand performed at significant junctures in a person’s life. Two of my friends, Christy Sherman and Jenny Win, are listening intently as Paul explains how the Thai strings are used as a tool for blessing in the name Christ. They are not significant in themselves, but symbolize a blessing spoken, by an individual or family, over another’s life. My friends took turns saying a blessing or prayer for me as they tied one of these strings to my wrist. My Mom, who is sitting next to me in the picture below was also tied in this ceremony. It was a blessing to be blessed!! I have participated in three string tying ceremonies and they have all brought me to tears. I believe that God is able to work powerfully when we bless each other in the name of Jesus through the use of this redeemed Buddhist ceremony, commonly practiced in Northern Thailand. It was an overwhelming experience to be tied by new friends from Thailand, old friends from South Korea and Burma, and old & new friends from the United States. I will never forget the love and support I felt and do feel from all the people who have helped me immensely as I follow what God has for me in Thailand.

Prayer & Fundraising Update 10-7-08

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings!

I hope that you are all doing well in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I pray that you would be blessed this day by His ever present grace and mercy. I’m excited to let you know where I am on my journey toward service in Thailand.

God has faithfully helped me reach 82% of my fundraising needs and I want to thank you for helping me to get to this point through your prayers and generous provision. More preparations are underway and I now have a departure date! I’ll be leaving for Thailand on Wednesday, Oct. 8th and will arrive in Chiang Mai on Thursday, Oct. 9th. Randy and Cheryl Bevis will be there to greet me and have offered to let me recover from jet-lag with their family before I reach my home with Anan Srisuwan and the Thai Covenant Church.

Praise Report:

• God’s faithful provision in all areas of my life (friends, family, money, education, etc.)
  The opportunity to leave for Thailand this fall.
  
• The fellowship I’ve experienced at The Thai Community Church of Chicago and the Thai friends that I’ve been able to make before I leave.


• Safe travel to Minnesota to say goodbye to family and friends along with a great time of fellowship with them.

Prayer Requests:

• That God will continue to provide all the funds I need to serve in Thailand (20% left).


• God’s blessing on everyone who is part of this process of helping me to learn, serve, and grow as I seek to do God's will. (Without the Lord’s leading and the church’s support, I would not be leaving for Thailand.)


• Help with networking and continued education about Thailand and Thai people so that my heart will become more and more prepared for service.
  With Love in Christ,