Recent Adventures

 Songkran

 Songkran, the Thai new year, was nationally celebrated from April 12th - April 18th. However, some parts of the country ignore the calendar and continue the partying for a couple more weeks. The most common form of celebration is the throwing of (sometimes ice-cold) water on whomever may cross your path - especially people who are driving. Of course they also have fireworks and party until ridiculous hours of the night, but the buckets full of water was the original aspect. The roots go back to a Buddhist tradition of worshiping the god of water so that the rains would come for harvesting. Interesting how holidays remain but the meanings fade. I went out 3 times to enjoy being drenched. First, Naree and I  went out late with a few of her friends in the back of a pickup truck. As soon as we reached the super highway, I saw two wrecks, one of which was fatal. The downside of partying is the irresponsible behavior of under-the-influence drivers. Last year over 300 died and some 3,000 vehicle accidents were reported. I think the numbers were down this year. Praise God!  Quite the morbid way to start out the holiday, but I still enjoyed partaking of the Thai custom. I also joined Media Light one evening. We took two trucks full of eager young adults. We bought large blocks of ice to put in our barrels. Even I hated us for being so cruel, but it was fully watching backs straighten from cold water. Jintana took me on her moped. I was soaked before we reached her friend. Apparently, defenseless white girls on the back of a bike are extra points.  In fact, being a foreigner was quite exciting for many natives. I learned learned the phrase, "Pa lao" which means "Enough!" 

Waterfall/ White Temple

On April 18th, Pat took me and a few of the kids on a fun outing. First stop, the waterfall. The incline trek was a 1200m hike, so not too horrible, but it was SO BEYOND WORTH IT! The water was icy refreshing! One of my favorite God moments was standing at the base of the waterfall and looking up. I cannot quite explain what I was feeling at that moment. All I know is I felt so small, yet comforted in knowing that I am loved beyond measure by the Creator. "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14-15

After some splashing, we piled back in the truck to head to the White Temple, but not before eating some DELICIOUS lunch. I love Thai food. The temple was simply odd. Unique in its monochromatic scheme compared to its rich, colorful neighboring temples, the white masterpiece was designed as a tourist attraction. When crossing the bridge, statues of hands from those hell-ridden reach up in desperation. Inside (sorry no cameras were allowed) a mural wrapped around the room. It was the most... well odd mural ever. Within the painting was Super Man, Spider Man, characters from Star Wars and Harry Potter along with thousands of automatic weapons. We were homebound after a snack (coffee for me and Pat and icecream for the kids) and a little gift shopping :) 

April Birthdays

Last night was the party for the April birthdays: David, May, P'Kloy, and Pon. A past helper, Yu Pean, came to help cook and brought some delicious desserts with her! The feasting was amazing, and I probably gained 10 lbs in one night. We had fried chicken, sticky rice, pepper dip, pig intestines filled with mixed up rice, noodles, and meat (MY FAVORITE!), rice balls with a red filling, fried crepe looking things that were green, pineapple, and papaya salad. They all enjoyed their gifts, and I loved watching their excitement in opening them. It's never a dull day here at River of Life (and always a tasty one!)

  

 

I'm only here for 2 more weeks. Please continue to pray for me!

Winning Story, Easter, Jo

The Winning Story is............ drum role........THE LONG NECKS!!!! And the crowd goes wild!!!

(Clears throat)

One of my first adventures in Thailand was a trip to the make shift village of five tribes. Here tourists may peak into the lives of the humble and content. The Karen Long Neck tribe was one of these tribes, clearly spotted by the brass rings about their necks. At the beginning of the trail, they allow you to hold an sample and feel the weight of these rings. I was amazed how heavy they were and impressed at the people's amazing posture! I now have no excuse. Anywho. The story goes that years ago, the people of the tribe wore these rings to protect their throats from the jaws of mountain predators. Although this is no longer a threat, the rings have been embedded within the culture, especially for the women. I saw the rings around their necks and below their knees. Under the rings for the necks is a cloth to help with how uncomfortable they can be against the skin. Here are some pictures of the other tribal types there. Their "job" is to live there and make tourist items. They send the money back home to their families in the mountains. I would think that to be a lonely life, but evidence of sacrificial love.

       

Bringing Easter to Thailand

As a Buddhist-majority nation, Easter (or properly "Resurrection Day" as my Mother has always taught me ;]) is not a celebrated holiday. Peeps are not peeping and plastic eggs are not losing their other halves here. Try as we might, there were no plastic eggs or perfectly packaged mini candies to place inside multi-colored eggs. So, Jo and I improvised. With the help of Pat and our 50 chickens, we made our own version of an egg hunt. After boiling 40 some-odd eggs, everyone painted two eggs and hid each others eggs. Object of the hunt: find YOUR eggs. I was the brilliant one who painted her eggs green. I had to ask for hints (maybe specific directions) for both of my eggs. I had no idea how crafty these kids were having never experienced an egg hunt before. Next time, I'm making more specific boundaries. Special prizes were given to the first four to find both of their eggs. And of course, for lost ones such as myself, general prizes were given as well :). After everyone found their eggs, as well as the specially hidden "demo" egg that I had painted, Jo and I washed the eggs and made deviled eggs (which translated as "Satan's eggs"... wonderful.) We all had a great time celebrating Jesus' Resurrection!

 

Prayer for Jo

Though she may not know it, she has brought joy and light into my dark days and reminded me why I should smile. Her heart is pure and seeks only to love others and serve others. Not only is she active at River of Life, but she volunteers at a local school called Media Light, which teaches young leaders to reach the lost through media. Along with her awesome volley ball skills, she has taught the kids how to better their skills in base, acoustic, and drums. I have only known her for a short while, and already I feel my heart knit to hers as Jonathan's to David's. It is because of this that I cry with her as well. Jo's mother has been ill for quite some time, having pain in her lower abdominal area to the point of being unable to walk. Last night, her mom was rushed to the hospital due to inability to breathe as well as an extremely high fever. While Jo was on her first available flight back to the Philippines, her mother passed away. Jo had shared with me one day the pain she went through losing her father over a decade ago, and I simply cannot imagine facing this world orphaned. Her father will not walk her down the aisle, and her mother will not be there to coo at her newborn grandchildren. Please pray for Jo. Pray for peace, but also comfort in being broken in God's hands. Pray for the family to grow closer together in the time of mourning. Pray that God will protect her heart from attacks against Satan while she is feeling weak. I love her, and I know that God loves her more. I do not understand His will, but I trust Him and remember His promise to work all things for our good. 

Thank you again for reading. I apologize for ending on a sad note, but joy comes with the morning. 

Until next time.