Twas the night before Christmas in Thailand,and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Phuket, Thailand!
Our Christmas weekend here in Thailand was full of joy and fun! Christmas Eve we were able to visit a local beach here in Phuket. Which meant warm sunshine, clear blue and green water, playing with crabs and digging in the sand. It also meant lots of sunburn, but it was totally worth it! We also visited a weekend market, then made Christmas cards while watching a Christmas movie classic, “The Santa Clause.” (On a laptop, of course, World Race style)
Christmas morning came upon us, and we gathered together to open “Secret Santa” gifts from each other while listening to Christmas music. After that, we helped cooked up some food for a big BBQ picnic that we had in a park on a lake nearby. Our time in the park was full of good food and fellowship. Not to mention being able to eat coleslaw, baked beans and pasta salad for the first time in five months. Delicious! It's the simple things in life.
Our Christmas season here in Thailand (and the Philippines) has been a blessing. I am thankful for the family that surrounds me while I am away from my own family back home. I am thankful for the simple reminders of what life is really about, and what Christmas is really about as well.
The day we left the Philippines, KIM put on a massive Christmas give away for the kids in the surrounding neighborhood. The front courtyard was entirely filled with children, waiting to be handed a few items of clothes, a toy, and some other small treats. The site of it was overwhelming, and beautiful. This was truly Christmas. Giving. Giving love. Sharing life. Spreading hope and joy.
I hope and pray that your Christmas was filled with cheer and love, and that you gave love on Christmas day. I challenge you to continue to give Christ's love every day, in small and big ways, to the people that you encounter.
Here are some pictures of our Christmas season in the Philippines, and in Thailand.
(Y Squad Christmas Party in the Philippines)
(The courtyard in the Philippines on the Christmas Giveaway Day)
(The girls of CLP on Christmas day!)
(Christmas Eve on the beach!)
(Christmas cards on Christmas Eve)
(Christmas BBQ!)
(Team CLP at our Christmas Party in the Philippines!)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
