Today has been a good day. I ate barbecued fish for dinner (yes, I said barbecued fish...it tastes really good) and had a companion on my commute home from work ( a Thai co-worker who is a Christian and speaks English). Besides that, I was blessed to lead some praise and worship songs for the Native English Speaking Teachers' session in Revival Week at Bangkok Christian College. All the students go to chapel each day and watch a presentation by a music, drama, and dance ministry group from northern Thailand. The presentations use Thai history and Bible stories to share the love of Jesus Christ. In addition, all the faculty and staff attend evangelistic meetings during part of their lunch break. It was clear that most of my co-teachers did not want to be at the meeting, but I believe the Lord is using the songs and truths spoken to make them think about Him and eternity.
I have enjoyed taking part in various ministry opportunities, such as singing back-up for the praise team at my church last Sunday. I also know that the Lord is allowing me to speak about Him to my students and co-workers at various times. I know that many seeds are being planted.
On a less serious note, I would like to inform everyone who uses disposable whiteboard markers that you are missing out on the fun of refilling and reusing whiteboard markers ( the brand here is called Wyteboard Markers, hence the blog title). Recycling is very important here and we do not throw away our markers when they run out of ink. Oh, no. We use medicine dropper-like objects to rewet the fibers inside the markers. The first time I did it, I forgot about the medicine dropper and tried to pour the ink directly into the marker. Let's just say the my ringfinger and fingernails were no longer white:)
My friends and I found a Mexican restaurant that serves food Chipotle style! It doesn't taste the same, but it is still Mexican food! I've been twice.
There's not much else to say, so I will leave you with a few thoughts in Thai:
Mai pen rai (it's ok, never mind)
and
Phrajow way pon (God bless you)
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Never buy polyester bedsheets!
I know most Americans would never think of buying polyester bedsheets, but I could not read the label. It was all in Thai and somehow I did not see through the plastic that the sheets were not cotton. The first night in our new house, I did not have pillows (the store forgot to deliver them with my bed) and I had polyester sheets. It was very hot and difficult to sleep. The next day, I went to a better store and found not only a fitted sheet, but a flat cotton sheet as well (flat sheets are difficult to find here). I know it sounds crazy, but I have never been more thankful for cotton in my life.
I am making more Thai friends all the time. Praise the Lord! Wanee ben wan an gan. (Today is Tuesday) I'm learning more Thai from different people, which is really good. Whenever I'm with Thais and they sing a praise song that I know in English, I sing it in English while they sing Thai. A Thai teacher at BCC has asked me to write the words to some of the songs for her in English. She wants the student church at BCC to sing songs in English sometimes--partly for me and partly so that the students can learn them in English too. Many of them are English speakers.
Ok, so I have to write about the new student church at BCC. A church is being planted by students and faculty at BCC. It is on Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:30. I have heard that it is difficult for some students to go to church on Sundays, but they are able to go on Thursdays. Students lead the praise and worship and play a major role in the planning and facilitation of the services. A teacher preached the sermon, but they would like students to preach eventually. The church was birthed out of a high school cell group that has been in existence for many years. It is very exciting to see the students' love for the Lord. There were about 40 people at the first service, including teachers and university students and high school students outside BCC.
Today, I was talking with my director at school and she said that she had a headache. I asked if I could pray for her and she said that was ok (she is not a Christian, although she has been very exposed through working at BCC). After I prayed, she immediately said that she felt a little bit better. I was surprised (I should not have been, but I was). This is the second time she has challenged me to trust and believe God more. I believe the Lord is going to do a work in her and in many of my co-workers.
I got a taste of home when I ate Mexican food with my friend Eric, his roommate, and some other Thai friends. We had a great time eating and talking, especially about Pentecostalism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Thais are Christian and are interested in seeing their church go to a deeper level of passion for the Lord. It was a great night.
I know the Lord is ordering my steps and using me in many ways that I am unaware of. God is so good!
I am making more Thai friends all the time. Praise the Lord! Wanee ben wan an gan. (Today is Tuesday) I'm learning more Thai from different people, which is really good. Whenever I'm with Thais and they sing a praise song that I know in English, I sing it in English while they sing Thai. A Thai teacher at BCC has asked me to write the words to some of the songs for her in English. She wants the student church at BCC to sing songs in English sometimes--partly for me and partly so that the students can learn them in English too. Many of them are English speakers.
Ok, so I have to write about the new student church at BCC. A church is being planted by students and faculty at BCC. It is on Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:30. I have heard that it is difficult for some students to go to church on Sundays, but they are able to go on Thursdays. Students lead the praise and worship and play a major role in the planning and facilitation of the services. A teacher preached the sermon, but they would like students to preach eventually. The church was birthed out of a high school cell group that has been in existence for many years. It is very exciting to see the students' love for the Lord. There were about 40 people at the first service, including teachers and university students and high school students outside BCC.
Today, I was talking with my director at school and she said that she had a headache. I asked if I could pray for her and she said that was ok (she is not a Christian, although she has been very exposed through working at BCC). After I prayed, she immediately said that she felt a little bit better. I was surprised (I should not have been, but I was). This is the second time she has challenged me to trust and believe God more. I believe the Lord is going to do a work in her and in many of my co-workers.
I got a taste of home when I ate Mexican food with my friend Eric, his roommate, and some other Thai friends. We had a great time eating and talking, especially about Pentecostalism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Thais are Christian and are interested in seeing their church go to a deeper level of passion for the Lord. It was a great night.
I know the Lord is ordering my steps and using me in many ways that I am unaware of. God is so good!
Monday, June 4, 2007
You know you've been in Thailand too long when...
You know you've been in Thailand too long when...
You see an insect crawl out of your salad and you continue eating it (the salad.
You consider the lizard in your apartment to be your roommate.
You enjoy squid eggs more than regular squid.
You consider crazy bus and truck drivers that endanger your life to be part of the experience.
You get excited when you see street vendors selling bugs so you can take pictures.
You like to drink out of a bag.
Just kidding! I have had all of these experiences, but I know I have not been in Thailand too long.
Things have been very busy here. I am starting my 5th week of teaching and I know most of my students' names. Praise the Lord! My 5th grade classes usually understand me when I teach them, but my 4th graders are still catching on. I'm still learning about classroom management and other things, but I realize that it's all a part of the process. Please pray for me as I will be starting to teach an after school class tomorrow.
I've had some really positive experiences with my students, which really helps me keep going. One day, I was talking to my friend Sarah in the US and I asked her to pray for breakthrough with my 4th graders. That day, the class went very smoothly, the students enjoyed themselves, and they seemed to understand everything. It was so encouraging. It gives me hope that there can be more days like that.
On a lighter note, I was shocked when my 5th graders started singing Disney love songs and knew all of the words. I was checking their homework books and laughed out loud as they sang Beauty and the Beast, Pocahantas, and Aladdin songs. It was great! It seems like they are only interested in superheroes, but I guess not!
Praise Report!
My roomates and I found a house! The rent is very cheap. We have to buy a good amount of furniture, but it is worth it because of the inexpensive rent. It is very large by Thai standards and we will have plenty of space to invite people over. We have been painting and cleaning it for the last three weekends and we will hopefully move in this week. The whole situation shows that God has given us favor. The owner of the house is friends with a Thai woman in our church and she gave us a good price because she knows our friend. Also, my school sent a van to help us move our belongings. We did not have to pay to rent a truck. I am amazed by the Lord's goodness to us.
I'm still adjusting to being here and still trying to figure out my schedule. Sometimes these things stress me out, but God is with me and is helping me speak life and trust Him to lead me.
I almost forgot to say that I have been able to go to a devotional/prayer meeting with the Thai Christian teachers before school. I expected to go and not understand anything, but one of the teachers translated for me the first time and continues to translate for me. I cannot tell you how much it encourages me to fellowship and pray with other believers at my school. I realize that God is in control and will use all of us to make an impact on the next generation of Thai leaders.
My friend Eric from Lee University (and a fellow Coloradan) arrived a couple of weeks ago and is teaching in the same department that I am. I also met a girl from Tennessee who is Christian and is teaching at BCC also. The Lord answered my prayer for American Christians! I feel a little bit selfish praying that way, but I am so glad they are here with me.
It is really good for me to sit down and think about all of the ways God has blessed me. It helps me keep the right perspective.
You see an insect crawl out of your salad and you continue eating it (the salad.
You consider the lizard in your apartment to be your roommate.
You enjoy squid eggs more than regular squid.
You consider crazy bus and truck drivers that endanger your life to be part of the experience.
You get excited when you see street vendors selling bugs so you can take pictures.
You like to drink out of a bag.
Just kidding! I have had all of these experiences, but I know I have not been in Thailand too long.
Things have been very busy here. I am starting my 5th week of teaching and I know most of my students' names. Praise the Lord! My 5th grade classes usually understand me when I teach them, but my 4th graders are still catching on. I'm still learning about classroom management and other things, but I realize that it's all a part of the process. Please pray for me as I will be starting to teach an after school class tomorrow.
I've had some really positive experiences with my students, which really helps me keep going. One day, I was talking to my friend Sarah in the US and I asked her to pray for breakthrough with my 4th graders. That day, the class went very smoothly, the students enjoyed themselves, and they seemed to understand everything. It was so encouraging. It gives me hope that there can be more days like that.
On a lighter note, I was shocked when my 5th graders started singing Disney love songs and knew all of the words. I was checking their homework books and laughed out loud as they sang Beauty and the Beast, Pocahantas, and Aladdin songs. It was great! It seems like they are only interested in superheroes, but I guess not!
Praise Report!
My roomates and I found a house! The rent is very cheap. We have to buy a good amount of furniture, but it is worth it because of the inexpensive rent. It is very large by Thai standards and we will have plenty of space to invite people over. We have been painting and cleaning it for the last three weekends and we will hopefully move in this week. The whole situation shows that God has given us favor. The owner of the house is friends with a Thai woman in our church and she gave us a good price because she knows our friend. Also, my school sent a van to help us move our belongings. We did not have to pay to rent a truck. I am amazed by the Lord's goodness to us.
I'm still adjusting to being here and still trying to figure out my schedule. Sometimes these things stress me out, but God is with me and is helping me speak life and trust Him to lead me.
I almost forgot to say that I have been able to go to a devotional/prayer meeting with the Thai Christian teachers before school. I expected to go and not understand anything, but one of the teachers translated for me the first time and continues to translate for me. I cannot tell you how much it encourages me to fellowship and pray with other believers at my school. I realize that God is in control and will use all of us to make an impact on the next generation of Thai leaders.
My friend Eric from Lee University (and a fellow Coloradan) arrived a couple of weeks ago and is teaching in the same department that I am. I also met a girl from Tennessee who is Christian and is teaching at BCC also. The Lord answered my prayer for American Christians! I feel a little bit selfish praying that way, but I am so glad they are here with me.
It is really good for me to sit down and think about all of the ways God has blessed me. It helps me keep the right perspective.
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