us to get to know some kids at the local church and help them learn
to speak English, which is a great skill here in Thailand. We got to
act out Bible stories, make up dance moves to a worship song and we
sang together. We were only with the kids for three days, but we fell
in love with them and missed them already the very next day.
Pastor Narong has a love for soccer, but second to that is a love for swimming.
Basically everywhere we go he tries to incorporate at least one of the
two. We were told we’d be going to a camp to play soccer with little
kids. Us girls were relieved because none of us really play soccer,
but if its for the kids then why not? When we arrived, 10-15 fully grown,
adult Thai guys showed up with their cleats and favorite soccer team
jerseys. They are all amazing at soccer and needless to say, we were
out of our league. They had two or three of the guys join our girls
team, but basically, they were the team.
I’d also like to point out that it was ridiculously hot and humid outside.
Back home nobody would be going anywhere or doing anything. Especially
not running around chasing a ball in this heat. I don’t know how it
happened, but at the end of the time, our team had won! So to celebrate,
Pastor took us to a nearby river and we went swimming! He didn’t tell
us we’d go swimming after, so we weren’t prepared, so we just jumped
in with our clothes on and had races against the current. A fitting
ending to a very hot day and of course, Pastor was really happy about
it all.
worship. Aft
er one service we met an 80 year old woman who spoke perfectEnglish. She used to be a teacher and that’s how she learned! She told
us to call her Granny Pen and she was positively adorable.
We had a great time visiting people in their homes and blessing them.
One evening we were even invited to a Thai party! We had met an older
lady a few days earlier and her son was going to become a monk. This
is a cause for great celebration so when we went to Pastor’s for dinner
we were surprised by loud singing, guitar and a small yard packed with
people. They invited us to come, so we went and sat while plates upon
plates of food were brought out. On one plate was the biggest cooked
fish I’d ever seen and it really creeped me out because I swear it was
watching me all evening. I put a Coke bottle in front of it to block
its view and ease my mind.
The music was so unique! One guy was playing this interesting guitar
and another guy played a small violin like instrument. The people on
the stage were singing loudly and I think they’d sometimes sing about
whatever was currently going on at the party. There were even some young
girls doing traditional Thai dance – which is mostly alot of hand and
wrist movements. It was a really random evening, but really great. Thai
people are so much fun and they have a great sense of humor.
