It has been along time since I last wrote an update. I have alot to tell you all! God has been so good! But first I want to tell you all something, writing can not describe what I want to say, so maybe this Video can!
Thank you all again so much!
Here in Thailand there are always changes happening, some big and some small. But this year is different. My team will be changing drastically. Several days ago a team member had to return home do to health problems. It was a surprise to all of us, but as we prayed and discerned God's will I think we all felt a peace about it. She will be home until she is better and the Lord brings her back. I know it was very hard for her. In January, A Nicaraguan couple will potentially be joining us if all their money is raised. In May, my room mate, Rhonda, will be returning home. She hopes to return to Thailand, but does not yet know when. In June the Mast family will be returning back to the states for two years. That will leave the Troyer family and I here, for the English speaking team. As I am sure you all know, changes are very hard. Please keep my team in your prayers.
Speaking of changes I am now studying thai, but in a different form. I am learning how to read and write! Who would have thought I would have moved to a different country and learned to speak, read, and write a different language?! Not me. I am really enjoying leaning to read and write. It is challenging, reading is much easier then writing. But I enjoy the challenge. Speaking has slowed down, but I know that with time i will get better. I understand alot more then I can speak. Learning a new language is very interesting! It is alot like when we learn language as a baby. As a baby we understand alot more then we can speak, but as we grow we continue to be able to speak more and more. For me reading and writing is the same. I could read pretty well, but spelling, well lets just say if there was not spell check you would probably think I am writing in Thai phonetics. haha.
Studying thai fills alot of my day. I spend the morning studying Thai at home and in the afternoon I go to school and study for several hours. By the evening my brain can not handle any more thai. Sometimes I just relax and watch thai tv shows, play with the neighbor kids, or talk to my thai friends.
God has been trying to teach me to live in continual thanksgiving and trust in Him. He has show his faithfulness in so many ways. Here are some stories.
Almost every Monday night we study the bible with the mast family, P'Great and her family, and Lung Seeree. Lung Seeree (Uncle Seeree) is a nice old man who likes to take care of reachers and feed people! One night after the bible study we were getting ready to pray, and he asked me what I wanted prayer for. I told him I wanted prayer that I would meet and make real friends. We prayed and everyone went home.
The next morning Lung Seeree called me and invited me out to eat. He said all night long he thought of me and wondered why I don't have any friends. He was worried about me. He said "I think maybe you think serious. I think maybe you miss your family. And maybe you are not happy." I have never had a thai person take time to care about me like Seeree did. He was so worried about me that he took time out of his day to take me out to eat. He told me he knew what it was like to miss his family. (he was a soldier in Vietnam.) I asked him what he did when he missed them. He said, " I drank the whiskey." :) I laughed and told him ok that is what I would do. He said no, no, that is not good. I must call to him and we will go eat. He said we will make me laugh, laugh alot! haha That really touched my heart.
Every time I see him he ask me if I think serious. Some times he calls me to make sure I am ok. This weekend Rhonda was gone. Lung Seeree took me to a water market, he told me if you stay home you will think serious and be lonely. He is a dear old man. God has blessed me so much through him.
I have made some new friends. There is a girl named Pooh. She is so funny. I am beginning to really enjoy hanging out with her and talking to her. We don't have alot in common, but God has really blessed the relationship with her. The other night she was having problems and I went to talk with her, we cried, and I got to affirm her. I am so excited to see what God does with her!
Another friend is named Bpwii. He is just a quiet guy who lives on our floor. We both enjoy alot of the same music and movies. The other night Pooh, Bpwii, and I watched a movie together. It was so good to have friends to just be with. I feel very blessed.
I am learning to Trust God. Life here is very tough. But life here is good. Thank you all for your support! I miss you all so much!
