Thailand is crazy and I’m enjoying ever bit of it. We haven’t started our ministry in Rayong yet but will leave tomorrow. We have been staying in Bangkok at the Thailand YWAM base and have just finished our second debrief of this trip. Basically we have been together as a squad all 46 and have spent time reflecting on the past three months in Central America as well as having an orientation of Thailand. The week has been great as I find myself hurting for the people in Thailand and their lack of knowledge of the One and only True God! My prayer requests are at the bottom of this craziness!
- · Thailand celebrated the king’s birthday on December 4 who is highly respected and honored
- · They have the most diverse food range I have ever seen
- · No one will use their tents this month as it is seen as being disrespectful to the host.
- · 1 in a 100 people in Thailand have AIDS and the town Pattaya (An hour from where I will be staying) is known as the world capital of prostitution!
- · I have eaten pad-thai, many bean custards, a pancake like corndog, pickled mangoes, random meat balls, an omelet type dish with bean sprouts, bubble tea, rice milk, taro bread, crickets, 100 year-old-egg, and of course all the foods that say “What is this?” to.
- · Thailand international is the nicest and most organized hospital I have ever seen
- · Popular greetings are:
- o “(kap-coon-kap) for “Thank you,”
- o “(Saw-wa-dee-kap)” for “hello”
- o “(See-ech-chai)” for “sorry”
The “kap” at the end is if you are a male. You say “kahh” if you are female.
- · Seven Eleven has all you need in Thailand and is almost on every street corner.
- · Monks can’t receive anything or be touched by a women or they will have to go straight back to the temple to undergo and 10 day cleansing process!
- · There are huge markets, temples, Buddha’s everywhere, bringing to life the fact that there are still nations that have idols just like in the old testament with Israel
- · There is nothing like reading 1st and 2nd Kings on top of the YWAM roof and looking across the block at Buddha!
- · I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned for $18… And the apprentice just walked off the street in gym shorts!
- · You can’t touch the head of anyone or point your foot at someone because it is seen as disrespectful.
- · It believed that 95% of Thailand is Buddhist!
- · They have corn tea, or spicy mint gum and anime and cartoons everywhere!
- · I usually eat all day (Unlike Costa Rica) and spend a little of 100baht or roughly 3 dollars! Food is really bizarre but usually good if you know what to look for. It is usually cheaper than a dollar.
- · Working on India visas is enjoyable and a learning experience but a challenge!
- · Working with YWAM has been great so far and they always have a translator!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that God will prepare the hearts of the Thai people that we as a squad come in contact with.
- Pray for our teams as there have been some team changes and that God will bless this change.
- Pray for me and Seth as we continue on with Logistics and are currently figuring out visas for India, transport to Cambodia, and contacting future ministry sites.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Special thanks to anyone who sent me a Christmas/Thanksgiving card.
Numbers 6:24-26 “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
More Pictures to Come
