It was still dark outside at 6:00 this morning when the grandma of the house started ringing a gong. Apparently every Sunday the Christians in the village gather at 6:00 am, 9:30 am and 2:00 pm. Each time they pray, sing, and have a message for about 2-3 hours. Thankfully, we only were asked to attend the 9:30 service.
Church is held in a bamboo hut on stilts with bamboo floors. Everyone takes their shoes off then sits on the floor being careful not to point the bottom of their feet at anyone. The women sat very close together. I am really missing furniture this week and my back is not doing well with sitting with crossed legs. This service like several others on the World Race was very different from those I am used to at home. Sometimes when I see different expressions of worship it is hard for me to believe that they are really from God and the Holy Spirit rather than just the person. I know that the Lord has put me in these services for a reason, so I just pray that He would guard my heart and mind and help me to cling to Him. I also pray that I would see outside the characteristics of God that are outside of the box I tend to put Him in.
Today was a day of voting in Thailand. Government officials rode out to the village and farmers came in from the fields to decide on a new constitution. A crowd was gathered near the building, so Stephanie, Tim, and I went to visit. We tried to interact, get songs started, take pictures, and just hang out with the people. They were so shy and embarrassed. I never saw shyness as a cultural characteristic, but more of a personality trait. After seeing kids run, women hide their faces, and teenagers turn red, I have changed my mind. Stepping into another culture has allowed me to see outside the walls of my own culture.
