Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by

              Asia is amazing. From the moment we landed in the Seoul, South Korea airport I knew that my preconceptions of Asian culture would be proven wrong. I don’t know why, but I’ve never had a very positive view of it. The world race is showing me that God has created beautiful things the whole world ’round and that his creations are an expression of his love for us and of his mighty power. 

                                                                                (taken from visitthailandonline.com)
            Thailand is mysterious and intriguing. I love the bizarre foods (cauliflower in soy sauce with “boring rice” for breakfast, fish ball soup, magnolia stems), the adventure of learning how to use a squatty potty (take one leg out? perfect angle? where’s the toilet paper? how do you flush?), the amazing fashion for a great price, the market night life, the polite and courteous people, and the beauty (paper lanterns, foreign flowers, intricate architecture). 
                       –> fried creatures at the Bangkok market & traditional and delicious pad thai in an omelette
            This is the first time that I’ve had the potential to experience culture shock in a very long time, but I just love it! I like not understanding everything and having to figure out what people are trying to say or how to take public transportation, learning what’s considered disrespectful (pointing your foot at someone or not taking your shoes off before entering a home or sometimes even a store), or a cultural norm (greeting with the traditional “wai” – hands in prayer position below chin with a slight bow). 

 

 
            We’ve been blessed this month to experience a peaceful transition into Asian culture. We live in the north, close to the border of Burma in the beautiful serene, green hills. We’re volunteering at “House of Union” – an orphanage for 24 children of the Lahu tribe. They range in age from 2-18, go to school each day, eat 3 healthy meals, live in a family environment, play sports, have English classes and bible study. This is their chance for a new life and a bright future; they have been rescued from poverty, shown God’s love and taught that they have potential. 

            Our job here has been to help around the property and play with the children. We’ve spent hours working in the vegetable garden, taught English and played many games of soccer and tag. I’m so happy that our journey has brought us to this place; I pray that we will serve these people well and bring God’s light and love wherever we go.

            And now, for some fun facts about Thailand:

–          7/11’s are EVERYWHERE and they are much nicer than in Canada

–          We are constantly dividing by 30 because the exchange rate is $1USD to 31 Baht

–          Jungle cats and wild boars live in the jungle nearby

–          They drive on the left hand side of the road

–          You can walk down the street and pick a fresh banana right off the tree

–          A premium ice cream cone is only 75 cents!

–          You must take your shoes off and put on “bathroom slippers” to enter certain public restrooms

–          The shower room is also the toilet room; there is no bathtub or shower curtain, and everything gets wet

–          Beauty surrounds every turn in the road: little rivers and valleys look like the perfect image for a screensaver

Well, I think that’s all for now. Thanks for reading!
Sending our love from Thailand,
Katrina & Paul