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.
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.
posted by carlymarie | 1:36 AM
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