Elephants, Monsoons, and White Sandy Shores. #ilovethailand

"All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but The Lord looks weighs the spirit. Commit your work to The Lord and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose."

What a marvellous week and a half it's been in Thailand since my last blog post! To sum it all up: elephants, crocodiles, beaches, basketball, monsoons, and people accepting Jesus into their lives!

Last Saturday I drove with Bonnie 2 hours south to the beach city of Rayong for a church camp for all MB churches in Thailand. About 220 people came out and it was an amazing weekend of getting to know each other, playing games, learning more about God, and enjoying the amazing beaches! We stayed in little apartment cabins and I was put in a room with a few girls from the basketball team. (Made me miss my youth girls back home!). The first day we got there, I wandered down to the beach and somehow got caught in the crossfire of a water fight. Being the shy one that I am (hah!), I dragged a few of the basketball players into the sea with me in all our clothes and we swam far out to enjoy the beauty all around us. Words cannot describe how radiant the scene was. Picture white sandy beaches, palm trees, colourful fishing boats, warm water, a rainbow stretched out across blue sky, and lush tropical shores across the way. I felt completely blessed by the beauty of a God's creation in that moment, as I floated on my back in the Gulf of Thailand. Starfield's "filled with your glory" played over and over in my mind. That image will forever be etched in my mind! 

Camp is TOTALLY my element. From talent shows, to being (not so) 'randomly' selected to lead crazy Thai dances, to swimming in the sea in the middle of the night with 30 friends, to baby powder fights on the beach, to shooting roman candles into the sea at night, to getting my nails decked out in British flags (?) by one of thai ladies, to being a part of amazing nights of worship, I was absolutely blessed by the weekend. I have craved something like this for years, actually, and it was incredibly life-giving for me. I love how inclusive and fun the Thai people are. They truly love life and enjoy sharing life experiences as a community. Having 10 different language groups represented on the weekend made for a rich and unique experience. At one point, I paused to listen to all of the different languages singing praises. It sounded like chaos but it was amazing to think that we were all singing the same thing in different languages: God totally transcends them. It's incredible! The best part of the weekend, however, was being a part of the celebration when 4 people became Christians! It was amazing to see the pure joy in that room! 

I have never experienced people so passionate and straight-forward about their faith in God. From what I've observed, they are a people who don't beat around the bush with their faith-they recognize that people are in need of a purpose and hope in life and that they are hurting. They know that only Jesus can offer hope, peace, forgiveness, and they share that passion with everyone they encounter without shame or hesitation. It's remarkable and inspiring. 

When we came home from camp late on Monday, I moved from Jon & Bonnie's place into the orphanage in Ang Sila. I have a great room and currently have a cute green gecko living on my wall as my roommate. (Spiders scare the dickens out of me but big geckos are ok! Go figure....) there are 6 thai girls living in my house with me: Oiy, Bing Bing, Moon, Pare, Few, and Bow. They have unreal life stories and it has been a privilege sharing life with them this week and hearing some of their stories. They are all orphans living with HIV and yet they have incredible joy and a zest for life. They love to play, to be held, to sing, "style" my hair (yikes!), and to cook. They have inspired me and have changed my life and the lens through which I look at the world. I've had to get used to waking up at 6:30 AM when there are a few girls banging only door yelling "sawatikaaaaa!" To say goodbye to me before they leave for school. I also learned quickly to lock the bathroom door while showering!! Haha! They are a joy to live with and I look forward to the next two & a half weeks there.

On Tuesday I got to join the basketball team on a trip to the Tiger Zoo near Pattaya! SOOOO amazing! Every part of me wanted to go all GreenPeace on the place and free the animals because of how they're treated though! After a 40 minute Seong Tao ride, we got to the zoo and went straight to a tiger show where they walked across tight ropes, danced, did tricks, and jumped through hoops on fire. (Think Madagascar 3...). After the show we all scurried over to the crocodile show and watched 2 crazy Thais stick their hands and heads inside of the mouths of crocodiles, ride them, and wrestle with them. Apparently a trainer had his arm ripped off there a couple years earlier. I had a psychologist on speed dial just in case I witnessed a similar thing! ;) Following the crocs, we went to the elephant show and watched them dance around, shoot darts, and play with hula hoops! So cute!! 

Ricky gave us a chance to go for an elephant ride and I jumped at the chance! For $3 I got to ride an ELEPHANT (!!!!) and I giggled the entire time. I think I might have done something wrong because the Thai trainer was yelling at me in Thai the whole ride. (Dumb Canadian tourists, EH?) ;) After we rode the elephants we went over to the baby tigers and I got to snuggle with one for a whopping 4 seconds before they snatched it back! We also headed over to the crocodile pit where you can buy chickens on a Fishing pole (yes, dead ones-You know  me better than that!) to feed to the crocs. Now, I like a little danger and all, but standing on a rickety bridge over top of dozens of hungry crocodiles is stretching it a little bit for me! I held my pole over the pit and a massive croc came and snatched it up! The fishing pole snapped back and smoked me in the face-One of my finer moments in life, clearly! ;) After the tiger zoo the bball team and I drove back to Bang Saen and went to the Tide Hotel for dinner (the Thai version of the Pan Pacific). After eating a SALAD (they DO exist in Thailand, I found out!) a few of us went to a local night market. After being there 5 minutes we got stuck in a huge rain storm! You never know here. At least it was warm!

The basketball team came to the orphanage on Thurs and Fri and we all worked on the grounds in insane heat! It was fun working alongside new friends and working my 'killer biceps'. I learned that if you work outside in 40+ degrees shovelling and digging, you too can wring the sweat out of your shirt at day's end! It was neat to see how much we got done by the end of the 2 days. Well done team!

The past few days have been filled with tons of basketball as the big tournament has been taking place at the university here. I was asked to play and then I reminded them that I don't even know what the "key" is. I was shocked when they asked me just to watch the games. ;) some amazing basketball was played and the guys won the championship! Well done, gents!!

On Friday night the orphanage put on a huge dinner for us (pineapple curry chicken-to DIE for!!) and they did singing, break dancing, traditional Thai dance, and then we had a big dance party after. A night that I will always remember! What talented, amazing kids! After the team left, I had the privilege of singing and playing guitar with 5 of the older boys from the orphanage. What INCREDIBLE talent they have been blessed with! They are huge fans of Gangnam Style, especially the "heeeeeeeeeey sexy laaaaaady" part! Haha! I'm taking those guys to a movie on Wednesday night-should be fun!

On Sunday, I went to the outreach again in Tha Rui Phii where we held a kids camp on the fish docks. I introduced them to the magical world of foamy stickers and they LOVED them! Thanks, teachers at Pacific Heights! I'm starting to get to know the kids there a little more but the langauge barrier is hard. Thankfully, smiles transcend language. :) the smell at the docks certainly cleans out the nose, but it always ends up being one of my favourite places to go each week. I feel like it's where the 'rubber meets the road' and true ministry, literally on the streets in the poorest of the poor neighbourhoods is taking place. Jon and Bonnie have done an amazing job of cultivating friendships and making connections in the area in hopes that they will soon plant a church in the area. God is moving there.

Today I got caught in my first Thai monsoon, complete with flooded roads, sidewalks, and walking through a foot of water in some places! I'm currently sitting in a cafe looking like a drowned rat! I'm convinced that this rain storm has higher water pressure than my shower at home! You never know what to expect here-It's part of the fun adventure. So much for my laundry getting dried outside today! ;)

As I sit in a small cafe with a strange rendition of Taylor Swift's "I knew you were trouble" sung by a Thai, I am reminded how richly blessed I have been so far on this crazy, fun adventure. God has taught me much about just how huge and powerful he is. I am slowly learning to hold the plans that I have made for my life loosely because he has a Good and perfect plan. It's comforting, actually, knowing that my life isn't in my own hands. God has taught me much about myself on this trip and has shown me ways that I need to grow. I'm excited for the week coming up!

Some Thai Food Funnies: 

1) pickled jellyfish in oyster sauce

2) chicken foot cinnamon soup

3) duck neck on a stick

4) curry filled donuts (no jelly here!)

5) "mansome" energy drinks guaranteed to make you handsome

6) sweetened condensed milk on everything! (Mmm!)

7) a menu reading: "Stir fry with black PAPER" 

8) garlic jelly fish balls :)

Prayer Requests:

1) For rest. I haven't slept more than 4 hours straight in two weeks and I'm exhausted!

2) For the 15 people who have accepted Christ into their lives while I've been here. Pray that they find community and grow in their faith.

3) For health-the flu has been ripping through the team here. I've managed to escape it so far so I'm hoping I can dodge it!

4) For connections to be made with the government office I'm teaching at so that Jon & Bonnie's church plant can get under way in the area.

5) the basketball team who went home yesterday-pray that they are refreshed and able to share their experiences to impact the lives of people back home 

6) Safety-there have been a couple close calls, but all is good!

7) That Inwould really discern where aged is calling me in the coming months/years. Lots to process!

8) for continued flexibility and an open heart to continue to try new things and to be pushed outside of my comfort zone so that I grow.

Praise Items:

1) I'm made excellent friends while living here! Having SO much fun. There are a few that I've grown really close to and I'm so very thankful for them. 

2) For my place at the orphanage-I love having the kids around and getting to know them. It has been so amazing teaching the house mothers at ALH too. They have remarkable stories of unspeakable hardships and it has been a privilege to hear how they have come through these things with God's strength.

3) For no more celiac attacks so far! (SO thankful!!)

4) Energy. Despite my incredible lack of sleep, God has given me everything I need each day to teach and to love and serve the people here. (Who invented coffee? That person needs a Nobel peace prize...)

5) People are having their hearts softened to Jesus! That's why I'm here, ultimately, and it is SO cool to see God moving in a big way here. (It's in such a different way than back home)

6) Music. One of my highlites is playing guitar, piano, and singing late at night with the kids at ALH. It fills my heart.

Coming up this week:

-teaching in 3 government offices

-taking the guys at the orphanage to see wolverine in the theatre tomorrow night. (Hoping its in English???...)

-spa day with a friend on Friday (HOLLA!)

-night market blitz with a friend 

-college English teaching 

-ALH 'moms' English group

-rumour has it a Bangkok day

-outreach on Sunday

-Thai cooking lessons

Thanks for reading! I'll update more soon! 

My Thai Too Tight. (And Other Thai Adventures!)

Hello friends! It's been another adventure-filled week with trying new things, being pushed outside my comfort zone, making a fool of myself as a foreigner, and exploring Thai culture! I'm enjoying my time here so far. :)

Last Sunday, I had the huge privilege of being a part of an kids club program that Jon and Bonnie have recently started in a little fishing village. Most of the kids come from very impoverished homes and have very little. They come to do games, sing songs, make a craft, hear a Bible story, and have a small English lesson with the kids each Sunday morning. There were lots of kids who came out and the 'Action' basketball team that is in town helped out too. Shortly after, I scurried over to the town of Bang Saen to a church there called "TLC". We had a fantastic church service there and all had a huge meal there afterwards. (Thai people are HUGE into sharing meals together with every kind of event - church, school, etc. Most Thai people eat out for every single meal because it's too hot to cook and it's waaaaay cheaper than to make it yourself. A plate of pad thai costs about $2.50!) After church, I went with the basketball team to the beach and ate gelato while watching the sun set. B-E-A-UTIFUL! (Keep reading below...)

Monday morning I hit the ground running, with a class to teach at one of the government offices in town. They served a ton of delicious-looking food at the beginning (curse you, Celiac Disease!) before I started teaching and it was a blast. Thai people are usually quite reserved, but if you've ever been in one of my classes you'll know that's not the way I teach! I had them laughing, joking, and jumping around the office in a matter of minutes while speaking English - Mission Accomplished! Tuesday looked a lot the same - I taught at a different government office in town and I was blown away by how good their English skills were! I quickly realized that I'm going to have to up my game (they were asking me about structures of the English language I'd never heard of!) 

I've also been teaching English to the 'house mothers' at the orphanage. They are AMAZING ladies who have given their lives to love and raise the kids who live there. Most of them are widows and have had complete life-transformations since becoming Christians. It truly is an honour to teach them. They were shy at first, but I had them giggling and laughing by the end of the class. :) Their homework is to say "eleven" properly......they prefer saying "one one".

The kids at the orphanage have also been a huge blessing. What amazing kids! Before meeting them I expected to see kids who were not well (as almost all of them have HIV) and couldn't do much. I couldn't have been more wrong! Not only are these kids brilliant academically, they are musically talented, and gifted in sports and dance too! They are so full of joy and love to visit and play with people who come to see them. There are 4 homes that the kids live in on the property, each one with a 'house mother'. I have the honour of traveling home with one of the women, P'Ganniga, who is really the heart and soul of the orphanage. She has an incredible testimony and a wicked sense of humour that I have enjoyed! She has a deep passion for people to know Jesus and is such an accepting and non-pretentious woman. I love her and I'm excited to travel with her!

I started my first Thai lesson yesterday and loved it! (Although it was an incredibly humbling experience!) The tonal rules in Thai are unbelievable! I can only say hi, thanks, and what is your name. How embarassing! I need to get better - Charades can only get you so far here before they start thinking you're insane.....

I've been staying with Jon and Bonnie this week and it's been such a gift to be able to stay with them as I figure out what life looks like here and find food that won't make me sick. Jon has been away with the basketball team all week in Bangkok so it's been Bonnie, me, and the kids. Last night Bonnie and I headed into Bangkok with the kids to watch one of the basketball games. It sounded like a great idea.....until I realized that I didn't have my iphone with the map on it to get us to the University of Bangkok! Bonnie is AMAZING! Not only did she drive in Bangkok through INSANE (and I mean INSANE.......Vancouver, you've got nothing on Bangkok!) traffic, but she did it with a screaming baby in the background and a co-pilot (moi!) who was as useless as a squatty potty! After we got lost a few times, we FINALLY found the university and got there just in time to watch the men's game. On the way home we stopped at IKEA (Sweedish for good prices!) for dinner. I'm told that this is the Ikea where horse meat was found in the meatballs! I stuck to fries and a pork chop (at least I hope it was pork....there ARE thousands of stray dogs running about, you never know!) ;)

Tomorrow is the start of 'family camp' weekend in the beach city of Rayong until Monday. We are leaving in the morning to head 2 hours south where about 220 people will meet up for a camp weekend. (I was told that they were expecting 150 people....but apparently 220 are coming. Should be nice and cozy! Very Thai....). People from the Sila church, the TLC church, the basketball team, and others all around Thailand are meeting up there - I LOVE camp and I'm so looking forward to seeing a BEACH! I haven't seen one yet since being here. (Except for sewage beaches.......no thanks. Although I hear that they're good skin exfoliants!). Should be a great weekend of meeting new people, relaxing, eating good food (hopefully!), serving, and learning more about Thai culture. 

THANK YOU for your prayers so far. I have been SO blessed by your texts and messages. What a gift it is to know that I am cared for back home. I have incredible people in my life! 

Things I have learned about Thailand so Far:

1) Rice. Embrace it. Love it. Eat it. (with everything - and I mean EVERYTHING!)

2) Squatties. There is technique that one learns with practice. 'Nuff said.

3) Feet. Are considered disgusting in Thailand! You aren't allowed to do anything with your feet except walk - it's considered highly offensive to pick something up with your foot or move something with your feet!

4) You can pick your nose (my grade 1 class would love it here) but you can't pick your teeth. Say WHAT?? 

5) People are BLUNT. Like crazy. Many of them make Dutch people look like pansies!

6) Everyone smiles. It really is called the "Land of Smiles" for a reason! When you walk down the street, everyone says hi and smiles. It's so refreshing coming from North America where people avoid eye-contact in public as much as possible.

7) Nothing goes according to plan. Which I kinda like. It makes things interesting and unpredictable! I've definitely had to let go of having control over time and transportation in my life. It's been a good lesson to learn - things are out of my hands!

8) Toilet paper. Is non-existent in public washrooms. If you forget to bring it with you, tooooo bad. 

9) Whitener. Every beauty and skin product has whitener in it because the Thai people strive to have white skin. (If you have white skin it means that you are likely more wealthy because you don't have to work outside in the sun like farmers or labourers.) Trying to find deodorant without whitener was QUITE the mission! As if I need to be more white that I already am, puh-leese! ;) It's been a good lesson for me about cultural values - what we value at home as being beautiful (tanned, thin, etc.) is completely relative to what other people in the world consider valuable. It's reminded me that my value comes only from God, everything else shifts and is meaningless.

10) There are no traffic laws. None. (that people follow anyways!) It's perfectly acceptable to drive the wrong way on the freeway as long as your flashers are on. It's also perfectly acceptable to drive on sidewalks, take up 2 lanes, go as fast as you like, drive with 5+ people (including babies!) on a single scooter on the freeway, not to mention that pedestrians don't have the right of way - ever. Before I came I thought I might rent a scooter to get around in Ang Sila. Now you couldn't pay me enough to do it!! It's fun being a passenger in a car driving here though! Yee haw!! 

11) Dogs. There are thousands of stray dogs here. They sometimes run around in packs and can be really dangerous! I've been told to bring a big stick with me if I go out at night in case I encounter a pack of them. The SPCA would have a hay day here!

Prayer & Praise Requests:

1) That the weekend at camp would be fun (I have no idea what to expect....I have a feeling that a Thai 'camp' is slightly different than a Canadian one!). Pray that I have a flexible attitude please!

2) Energy. The heat and humidity here is unbelievable (+40 degrees most days!). I've felt really sluggish over the last few days and its been hard to muster up energy to be with kids sometimes. (Totally not like me!)

3) I've made some great people while being here! I've loved getting to know Jon & Bonnie and have made some Thai friends here. 

4) That Jon and Bonnie would find time for relaxation - with Marek teething, things have been busy for them both. Pray that they are refreshed and that Marek would quickly go through this stage. 

5) That I would have a willing attitude while I'm here - willing to try new things, to be adventurous, and to push my comfort zone boundaries. (They are already so far gone that I can't see them anymore - that's a good thing!). 

6) For continued safety. God has provided for me so far in this way! I'm so thankful! I'm in a big city and as a foreigner who will be on my own after the weekend. Safety is something that I'm praying for!

7) Food. This is a continued prayer request from my last post. I've 'only' been "glutened" once since being here (faaaaar less than I thought I would be!). It sure is painful to experience and I'm often scared to eat because I don't always know what the ingredients in the food are. (I got sick from eating an APPLE - seriously!? - it was peeled and must have been dipped in something with gluten to keep it from browning that made me sick.) It's been such a gift to have Bonnie translate for me and explain to waitresses what I can and can't have. (Some of the restaurants know me now!). I'm sure I've already lost 10+ pounds since being here! It's a great diet plan....(silver lining, right?)

8) Pray for the upcoming outreach in the middle of August in the fishing village - that it would be effective in the community and that people would come to know Christ.

9) That although there is a huge language and culture barrier, it would become less and less. (Apparently no one here speaks french! Shoot!)

10) That I would stay focused while I'm here. SO much has been bouncing around in my mind over the last week and I'm praying that I can keep my mind focused and on track while I'm here.

A Canadian in Chonburi!

Hello friends!! I arrived safe and sound after 23 hours total of travel time! My flights were great and I've adjusted really fast to the time change (14 hours ahead!)

What a unique, bustling, endearing, fun, chaotic, and joy-filled place this is! I'm still in culture shock as I get used to riding on the back of scooters in insane traffic, darting across huge highways, trying new foods, and making my way around the city on Seong Taos (literally, a "two bench" - a truck with two benches in the back that you sit on. So fun!!)  One thing thst I got used to pretty quick: THAI MASSAGE! Canada, we've got to get our act together and have this!! I got a full body massage for $12! What a treat.

I have been so blessed by Jon & Bonnie as they have made me feel so very welcome and comfortable here, helped me get a SIM card for my phone, showed me around the city, introduced me to people, ordered me gluten free food (quite the process!! You two speak incredible Thai!), and taught me how to get around. 

A couple days ago, Bonnie, Marek (her 1 year old precious  son), and I went to explore the city. We rode on the seong Taos, went to Captain Amigos (a cafe that has nothing to do with Mexico but they have DELICIOUS food and drinks), to the mall, and we went to the orphanage and I met the staff and a the kids. They are SO adorable!! We had fun playing together on the playground and they showed me around. They have an incredible facility! Is amazing to see how different teams from around the world have come together to built the homes and support the ministry here. I met P'Ganniga, the head housemother at ALH and we were laughing and joking within minutes. She'll be flying back with me to Canada in August. :) What an incredible woman!

For more info about the ALH orphanage, check out this site:    http://vimeo.com/69637450

Last night I stayed at my new Thai friend's home. Her name is P'Oiy and she's full of life, humour, and a deep passion for people to know Jesus. She lives in a traditional Thai home with a tin roof and it was neat to experience authentic Thai life there! We went to the night market together where she tried to feed me deep fried cockroaches, maggots, and grasshoppers! Too bad that have celiac disease and am allergic! ;)

I am now a pro at killing cockroaches and spiders. Any of you who know me well know my phobia of bugs. Be proud friends, be proud!! I've turned over a new leaf! I even had a lizard crawl across my feet in church and didn't freak out....... (Too much!) . 

Tonight was one of my favourite nights here so far. I went to the local church that meets in a small room in the old part of the city and it was incredible singing, dancing, and worshiping Jesus together in different languages. The basketball team and the team from California were there too (50+people!) so it was a packed (and sweaty!) place. At the end, one local man became a Christian and I had such overwhelming joy! Everyone prayed for him and we danced and sang. Afterwards, we ate a delicious Thai meal together and I had my first sticky rice with mango dessert. Again, Canada, get your act together! It was DELICIOUS!! What a night. 

It's truly amazing to see how passionately these people love and trust God even through the incredible hardships these people live with (poverty, HIV, etc). It's such a testimony of how Jesus has such deep love for all of us and meets us where we are at regardless of circumstance. These people have a tangible and contagious joy that can only be explained by Jesus being in their lives that gives them a hope and a purpose. I have been so blessed by them already!

"OIT": (things found) Only In Thailand that I've experienced so far:

1) Deep fried bugs in the night market

2) Riding on the back of a scooter in rush hour without a helmet

3) Thai massage (heavenly!)

4) the "go with the flow" mentality (its refreshing coming from North America where its the total opposite)

5) Having my picture taken and being pointed at walking through the market because I'm a "farong" (foreigner)

6) SQUATTIE potties! This one will take a bit to get used to ;)

Prayer requests:

*For the man who became a Christian last night-pray that he gets involved in the church community and that he grows to deeply love The Lord

*For continued safety-the place where we are holding a kids camp on Sunday morning is a high drug and gang trafficking area - pray of safety of the kids, for Jon & Bonnie and the others who work there.

*That I would continue to make new friendships here and really embrace Thai culture. Pray that I have an adventurous spirit!

*For Jon and Bonnie's ministry here-they have such a heart for these people to know Jesus. Pray that they would be strengthened, encouraged, and that they would continue to bless these people and have opportunities to share about Jesus.

*For creativity as I plan my English lessons. My first one is Sunday morning at the kids camp!

*For the hearts of the people living here. The spiritual darkness here is incredible -idols are offered food (and red fanta?!) each day and most homes and businesses have "spirit houses" to keep demons out. 

*That I would have rest. It's been a very busy week and I haven't slept a lot-I'm running on adrenaline! 

Sunday will be another day filled with adventures. I'll update again soon! Thank you for your notes, texts, calls, prayers and love. They are all treasured and much appreciated!!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him."  -Psalm 28:7

T-Minus FOUR Days!

It's hard to believe that in 4 short days I will be strapped in a plane for 18 hours, soaring half-way across the world on my way to Thailand!

What is this Dutch girl doing going by herself to the other side of the world you may ask? LOTS of things! I will be volunteering mostly alongside Jon and Bonnie Esau, missionaries from Chilliwack who are now living in Thailand, teaching English at a government office and helping at kids camps and the local church activities (among many other things!) :) I'll also be doing some teaching and serving at Abundant Life House, an orphanage for kids in Chonburi who have HIV where Ricky and Karen Sanchez are involved.  

From July 9-August 17th I'll be living in the province of Chonburi, Thailand exploring all kinds of ministry opportunities there. It's been tugging at my heart for two years now to consider doing overseas missions, particularly in Thailand, because of the incredible testimonies I have heard of what God is doing in the lives of people there. It's amazing to see how quickly the details of this adventure have come together and I can see God's hand through it all! It was only two months ago that I started talking with missionaries in Thailand about the possibility of coming.......the next thing I knew I had a Thai Visa and was booking my flights!

THANK-YOU to my amazing friends, colleagues, students, and family who have contributed in so many ways (in prayer, offering supplies and resources, etc.) to this adventure. I have a mountain of craft supplies, toys, and letters to bring with me to share with the sweet kids over there!

If you'd be willing to pray for me while I'm away I'd SO appreciate it! 

Here are a few specific prayer requests...

-I'm praying for opportunities to meet new people and to observe and engage in multiple stages of church planting and to have a cross-cultural experience that pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges me to grow in new ways. My hope is that I can discern while I'm there and afterwards whether God is calling me to serve in a 'missionary' capacity. 

-FOOD. Having Celiac Disease can be challenging when traveling, particularly in a country where I don't speak the language! Thankfully I can eat a lot of Thai food if it doesn't have a few ingredients that I'm allergic to. Pray that I have health while I'm there - I can get incredibly sick if I eat gluten. Thai sticky rice is about to become my new best friend! :)

-The missionaries in Thailand that I'll be working with - pray that they establish deep and lasting friendships with locals that allow them to share with them who Jesus is and impact their lives.

-That I would have flexibility, an open mind and heart, and opportunities to share about Jesus with people that I encounter.

-Confidence and safety as I travel on my own over there. I'm a tough cookie, but safety is always a concern when I travel by myself. :)

I'll have frequent updates, pictures, and more prayer requests as they come. Stay tuned!!