Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Xtreme Camp

So many great things have happened since I wrote my last blog. I went to Xtreme Camp with 1200 youth and young adults from all over Thailand . I loved jumping and dancing with them as we worshipped the Lord. The emphasis of the camp was to pray for revival in Thailand and to act on our prayers by reaching out to the youth around us. Speakers from around the world taught workshops and morning and evening sessions to equip us to be more effective in ministering to people.

At the camp, I made some new Thai friends and spent most of my time with a group that came from Vietnam. Most of them speak very little English (and I don't speak Vietnamese), but we were still able to communicate and we became very close.

After I returned from the camp, my church went to a park to evangelize. I was amazed at how effective this was. We had simple conversations with people, and as the Lord opened the door, we shared the Gospel with them. I think around 6-8 people accepted Christ that day. I was paired with a Thai girl who did most of the talking (because my language skills are limited). The 3 college students we talked with were very inquisitive about God. They prayed prayers of salvation (they said they want to try out Christianity--it's a start) and we exchanged phone numbers. God is so awesome! I am praying that the Lord reveals Himself to them and shows them that He is the only True Way.

I have heard from different people that there seems to be less resistence to the Gospel here than there was before. I think many people are curious to hear it because they have not really heard the Gospel before. I have had the opportunity to share different Bible stories with a Thai friend and she is so surpised and impressed by the miracles God has done.

The last great experience was a recent event called the "Bangkok Call." Many churches came together to pray for the nation of Thailand. Five different praise and worship bands played and we prayed for many things. It was like a continuation of Xtreme Camp! The event was held outside, so many passers by stopped to see what was happening.

And a not so spiritual experience, but one worth sharing...
I finally tried ice cream in a sub sandwich roll (many street vendors sell it). The vendor put sweetened sticky rice in the roll first, he scooped in multiple flavors of ice cream, and he finished it with chocolate syrup. It was actually really good! Who would've thought?

Monday, October 15, 2007

Cotton candy crepes and holiday adventures

After 8 straight days of English camps, I was ready for a vacation. We had two English camps at school before the holidays and I helped with an English camp for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)once school was out. I enjoyed being with the kids and getting to teach them songs and games, but it was very tiring keeping up with 1st and 2nd graders.

I was blessed to be able to travel to Phi Phi Island (in the south of Thailand) with some friends for 3 days. We took the bus (overnight for 11 hours if you get a direct bus) and stayed in a bungalow on the beach. We payed about nine US dollars per night for the bungalow, which is great considering we had mattresses with mosquito nets, a fan, and we shared bathrooms with all of the other bungalow dwellers. It may sound primitive, but my friends and I really enjoyed it. We relaxed on the beach, went hiking 2 times, and kayaked in the Andaman Sea. The water is very clear and you can see tropical fish and coral from the surface. God's creation is so incredible! While the scenery was beautiful and it was fun to be with my friends, I have to say that the other highlight of the trip was the food. They cater to foreigners there, so we got to eat American breakfast and real sub sandwiches (these are luxuries, I promise).

Taking the bus was really good for me because I was able to see the countryside of southern Thailand and see the people who live there. There is a greater concentration of Muslims in the South than in Bangkok, and most of the southern Muslims wear distinctive dress to set them apart. I live near a mosque in Bangkok and I hear the calls to prayer more than the required 5 times per day, but sometimes I forget about their presence. Recently I have been more aware of the cultural and religious diversity of my area, however. There are many Indians (who are probably Hindus) who live in my area, and most of the Thai people around me are Buddhists. The Lord is putting a greater burden in my heart for the people around me, especially those I buy food from on a regular basis. I pray that the Lord uses me to share thte hope of Jesus with them very soon.

Oh, I almost forgot about the cotton candy crepes. I went to a Western style palace built by King Rama V in the late 1800s and then to the ancient temple ruins of Ayutthaya (one of the historical periods/royal dynasties in Thailand)on Saturday. That area is famous for a particular dessert that comprises crepe-like bread with cotton candy-like sugar strings. Arroy mach (very delicious). Some of my Thai co-workers took me on this trip. It was fun and I know that God is allowing me to share His love and truth with one of them. Praise the Lord!