Details in the Fabric

Sunday June, 22nd

Hold your own, know your name, go your own way; And everything will be fine. -Mr. A-Z

This morning was unsuccessful. I had grand schemes of waking up early (which didn’t happen) to walk my ever-increasing pile of sweaty, stinky laundry to the nearby street store that boasted one or two washing machines in the back for 20 Baht. I don’t have a laundry bag yet, just a large plastic bag used to transport some of my newly purchased school clothes, so needless to say a westerner (Farang) roaming my neighborhood streets with a huge plastic bag of dirty clothes was a comical sight. I’m sure not nearly as funny though, as the Farang walking back with the same dirty bag half an hour later. By this time the handles to the fragile bag had grown thin and I was beginning to worry that they would tear, leaving me to pick up my clothes strewn all over the street, motorcycles and cars whizzing and swerving by. Now that would have been a funny sight. The good news is that the bag didn’t break and I have one or two more outfits for the first couple of days at school so I will show up clean and stink-free. It will be soon though, that I will become desperate. Word on the street (soi) is that I have a neighbor who will do laundry at a reasonable price. I’m not sure how to find her, maybe knock on each door holding a dirty shirt and bottle of detergent until it seems like someone responds with a price. We’ll see how desperate I get. My hope is to read this blog again in just a few short weeks and laugh because tasks such as doing laundry are easy and routine.

This afternoon I will cross the soi to go to the street market. I’m getting hungry so a chicken skewer with peanut curry and maybe a freshly fried pastry, followed by the fresh dragon fruit and the mangotines in my fridge at home sound like a perfect way to end cap an unsuccessful day in Saraburi on a very positive note. Maybe while I’m out I’ll also take a walk looking for this allusive laundry facility, sans fragile plastic bag of course.

Thais Blame Bush Too

Wednesday, June 18th

A joke from Noot today: In Japan the people have in intelligence to develop the country and the natural disaster of volcanoes to destroy it. In the U.S. they have hard work to develop the country and the natural disaster of tornadoes to destroy development. Here in Thailand we have many friendly people to develop the country and our natural disaster that destroys development is our politicians.

Apparently they don’t like politics in this democracy either. They also complain every night on the news and radio about the rising gas prices. I’m not that far away from home after-all. Apparently they’re upset that the U.S. government is warring with Thailand’s only source of fuel, driving up their prices with no involvement in the dispute, just the repercussions of the questionable decision to invade and occupy.

I find it surprising what takes adaptation for me in this new culture and new way of life. The typically difficult aspects of Asian culture, like rice and noodles for every meal, the lack of air-conditioning in a tropical climate, and many many many people in every public place are easy adjustments. What I find difficult is that I cant wear my shoes in public showers. Like the shower at the public pool I enjoyed as a refreshing retreat from the humidity two days ago. It was all I could do to not tip-toe my way through the bathroom, looking completely ridiculous in my quest to seek only dry spots to lay my delicate feet. The American in me (like that little imaginary person sitting on your shoulder whispering the reminders you heard from you mom in elementary) kept telling me how easy it is to spread germs in public restrooms and how really, I should be wearing my shower shoes. Such a thing is unheard of in Thailand though. Barefoot is the way in the land of smiles.

Land of Smiles

Sunday, June 15th

Actually I’m not entirely sure that it is the 15th. Or Sunday for that matter. My last few days have been filled with traveling for hours and hours by airplane. So far that I really think to go any farther would be to start getting closer to home rather than further from it. So goes life on a sphere. Anyways, I have also spent the last two days sleeping off the inevitable jet lag and relaxing with my host family in Bangkok. The way God has provided for me in these beginning days of my life in a new culture truly amaze me. He has blessed me with a family (Churaipon, Kanit, Ingsong and live-in family friend Noot) of honest, seeking pursuers of Christ (a rarity in a society dominated by Buddhism), who are sensitive to my culture adjustments. So sensitive in fact, that tonight they made me a side dish with the family meal that included a less spicy version of what they were eating. Chu (my dear host mom) wouldn’t even let me try the spicy version. I guess she doesn’t want to scare me off too soon.

They keep telling me that I fit in perfectly with the family. Like I’ve been here for months rather than two days. I’m not sure how someone couldn’t fit in though. I’m waited on for every meal. Escorted to the market (I don’t even have to haggle my own prices!), and allowed the freedom to sleep as long as I can stand the heat (which is more like a June in Oklahoma than I expected….just a tad more humid).

I am excited to go to the school next week though. To really get started on my life, my work, and my ministry here in this beautiful country. Chu and I were talking today about how to many Thai Christians, work and ministry are separate, but how we think that Christ desires us to view them as one of the same. To live is to minister. God has us on this earth to be everyday missionaries. It is not to be separated from what we consider our working life, our free time, or our church life. That is the focus I hope to reflect on during the trials and joys that the next few months hold. What an exciting journey. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, well actually tomorrow I’m playing 18 holes of golf with Kanit and Ingsong, but next week….I’ll just have to see.