New Beginnings!

So I have been here on the KBU campus a little over a week. I have lots to tell, so I will start from the beginning! I moved on a Sunday. The night before I made sure everything was packed and ready to go! Sunday I got up and showered. I looked out side, and to my surprise I saw dark clouds. Of course it would rain, and it did! It pushed our plans back around 2 hours. The people at JP Mansion said it was because I should not go. haha I am loved there! The family and Rhonda helped me move. After a visit to the office I was able to move in. I really like my room! It is cozy. I spent most the day on Monday unpacking and getting organized. It is different living alone. Not as bad as I thought it would be. My room mate is working right now and living at home. She will come here in June when school starts. Tuesday started out really bad. I had a tough morning. I went to the office for my visa stuff and ID card. The visa stuff was not ready at all. Luckly I was able to get my ID. I then went to the bus station to buy a ticket to go to Laos for my visa . After an hour of travel and being sent to various levels of the station I found out that you can only buy the bus ticket on the day of travel. I just wanted to cry. I did not want to go back to KBU. That evening I tried to get internet, but that, too, was a fail. I was headed to my room, to recollect my self and go try to meet some people who had invitied me to play volleyball when some girls stopped me and talked to me. The invited me to go eat with them. I of course agreed. On my way to put my laptop away another group called me over. We begin talking when the group of girls who invited me to play volleyball walked by. They called me over to play volleyball. I told them sorry I could not cause some friends invited me to go eat. After going to eat with the first group of girls, I thought I would go see about meeting the volleyball girls. But on my way there, another group of people called me over and began to talk to me. I found out they were Christians. It was fun! We sat around, talked, and sang.
 I could really see God's hand in bringing me here.
I now mostly hang out with a girl named Emmy, and her group of friends. I really like them alot! During the day we go swimming and play bag-mitten( I have no idea how to spell that.). In the evening We sit out in the grass and talk!  

I have been here almost 2 weeks. I know that God has brought me here at just the right time. I think this first year here in Thailand was to prepare me for this second year. I am no longer afraid to be alone. I don't relay on people anymore to build me up. God does that now.
I don't feel like I need a boyfriend, and really enjoy being single. (There are a few guys that want to be more then friends.)
Anyway Thanks for you all being patient with me in writing this update. It took me close to a week to write it, because every time I started, some friends would come and invite me to do something. ahha, i think that is a good problem.    
 

Where the Dirt Path Ends and the Pavement begians.

Life here at JP Mansion is winding down. The countdown is on, 4 days until I move into a new chapter of my life.
For those of you who don't know I will be attending Kasem Bundit University (KBU) for a year, where I will continue my study of the Thai language.
I just want you all to know that this is completely and totally a God thing. I have a great peace about and excitement about this next chapter. Here is the story.

About two months ago I started praying about what God wanted me to do this next year. I had so many questions. How would I get Work? Visa? Place to live? Spiritual Support? Basically, What the______should I do??!!! I did not feel like I was hearing God, or at least what I wanted to hear. And nothing was working out.  I did not know what to do. Finally, It was time to meet with the team leaders.
Now that I look back, I smile, and shake my head. At the meeting the first question was simply, "Dani, what are you thinking?" I shared that I wanted to stay at JP Mansion. The thing is, as soon as I said that I knew my leaders where not thinking that, and that God wanted me to do something else too. You see, during that time of praying and "not hearing God", he had been telling me to go to KBU. But I did not want to go. I like where I live and my friends are here. So I told myself I really did not hear God, or that was just me, not Him.
Well as you can imagine my leaders really felt like going to KBU would be a really good fit for me. My heart surrendered. Ok, but I won't go unless there is a natural reason for me to be there and I can find away to get a visa.
I figure God just chuckled as he finished putting the icing on the cake, and began the sprinkles. I went to visit the university and they were so excited for me to come! I started feeling good about going, and everyone on the team felt really good about me going too!
But the cherry on top is my roommate! I had not even been accepted when Nixon (a fellow team mate, who is a student there.) said that he had a friend who was looking for a roommate and he thought we would be good for each other. I was not too sure about it, as a matter of fact, for some reason I did not want to be her roommate. But I said sure. If it is meant to be, God would work it out. He worked it out. :)

She is an awesome girl. This is the best situation, really. She wants to practice English and I want to practice Thai. We are going to both help each other. She has also mentioned that if we have time she hopes we can study the bible! We met last Sunday. It was a great day! We talked (mostly thai) about all sorts of things, many of them deep.  I am looking forward to being able to pour in to her life!

I really feel like God has brought so many things together, university, roommate, and money. While I know God is totally leading me in this, there have been frustrating things. Like: communication about what I need to bring in or things I need to do. They even almost lost my application. For my Visa I have to leave the county for 2 days, by myself.     
     
While those things are frustrating, I can only keep thanking God. I feel like I am stepping into a field ready to hear and see the presence of God! I might be the first girl to really dwell with God there!

Fallowing God is always the best thing, it is not always easy. I will be leaving behind friends and family. It is an 1-2 hour trip, but I can come back and visit, hopefully on a regular basis. I will miss chasing Nong Dow down the hall, eating P'Great's yummy food, and meeting Lung Sarie for breakfast.
Last night Lung Sarie told me "It is good if you can go out there to fallow God, and get a visa. But my heart still hurts. Everyone is leaving. Maybe it would better if I never knew you, Rhonda, or Tom."  (All the workers are leaving this area and retuning to America, except me. Lung Sarie has been helping all of us here for the past 6 or 7 years, and now we are leaving.)

I know the life of a worker is never easy, always saying good byes. But I realize it is not easy for those left behind. Thank you all for being willing to send me and support me. Because of you and my friends here I am ready for this next chapter God has prepared for me. Thank you for being willing to be used by God in my life!




   
   

A Trip Back Home

Hello everyone!
This past week was Song Kron. It is the Thai New Year. This Holiday lasts around 3 -4 days. Almost everyone has off work, and most people return home. Song Kron takes place over the hottest part of the year. Thais celebrate this time with a huge water fight.

For this holiday I went to 101 (Roy Et), the home of my host family. It is a province in the eastern part of Thailand. A normal trip with out traffic and take any where from 6 -8 hours. Our trip took 12 hours, due to the traffic. Every one was going home.

Traffic was like this almost the whole way.

We were lucky. The family was able to barrow a pick up truck to go. I got to sit in the back of the truck almost the whole way. It was alot of fun, and diffidently an adventure. At one stop we were getting some snacks in a market, when I saw green hot dogs!  P' Great asked the seller what it was, the seller said it was green tea hot dogs. I was not brave enough to try the bright green wieners, but I am sure it would have been an interesting experience!

Anabell and Me. Anabell is from Nicaragua.

At another stop Anabel and I were heading to the rest room. I saw the sign for the ladies room, but I did not see the door. So I continued to the back of the building. To my shock I realized the ladies room was diffidently not there! I think the guys standing at the urinal where just as shocked as I  was!
Needless to say, after a second of shock I turned around and headed back and was able to find the right door. :)

 I loved sitting in the back of the truck. But when night came, it became a fight for survival. Ok, that is a bit dramatic, but it was so cold! Anabell and I had a blanket, but eventually had to share just to barely keep warm. The funny thing was the only thing we could do was laugh. For some reason I thought the whole situation was entirely to funny. I loved it!

Making Breakfast in the Kitchen. 

The stove.

Derailed after along night.

We arrived at the home around 2am. But the was not much sleeping for us. We arose at and early 6:30 to go to the market. I was so derailed! After breakfast I took a bucket bath. They decided to go play water. It was alot of fun! The good thing about being a foreigner is you have lots of opportunity to get people wet, the bad thing is that they love to get you wet too! I don't mind getting wet, but it kinda wears a person down when they target you all the time.

Armed and Dangerous.

Playing water. I think we were both a little scared.

Trying to take me OUT! haha

That afternoon we went to the temple. There they ushered in the New Year. They prayed to the monks and then to the Buddha. After that, they poured water on the Buddha as a blessing. It was interesting to watch and do. But it raised questions in my mind. Is it ok to participate? What acts are cultural and what ones are religious? How do Thai Christians know what to do? It is a really difficult subject.

Grilled Pork! Yea, it was amazing! I loved it!

The next day we took a truck around to play water! That was alot of fun. I liked it alot. Driving around throwing water on people and motorcycles. Some of the people saw us and ran to safety before we could get them, others surrendered and accepted their fate. There was nothing more fulfilling then hearing the smack of water hit a passing motorcycle or the scream of children as they feel cold water run down their backs. 

Me and Dow, P'Great's daughter.

Grilled fish! Yummy!

That afternoon we again went to the temple. There they had loud music and dancing. As soon as they saw me, I was pulled in. They formed a parade walking and dancing around the village, I think in a way of blessing it. They threw water and wiped powder on faces. People loved putting powder on me. Every time I would get into a good groove to the music, another person would come powder me up. It was alot of fun. It soon became clear though, if you did not want to get wet, you should not stand beside me. :) While I loved it all, I wish I could have blended in more. Being a foreigner, or at lease a white foreigner you really stand out. It is good in some ways, but it is also hard.

That evening they played a movie at the temple. It was really cool! It was out side and the projector was really old. The man had to watch the bulbs and some times I saw smoke coming out of it. :)

The last day we were there we picked mangoes, went fishing, and relaxed. I had a great time there. I hope that some day I can go back again! P' Great said that even after we left people would come around where I was. What can I say? I make lasting impressions. :)

country side.

Rice fields in the off season.

Mangoes, when we picked them we had to watch out for red ants.

Country road.

The Fish pound.

People had red shirts hanging outside their homes to keep the ghosts away.

Going fishing! It was a big mud hole!

Dancing! The White stuff on my face was powder. 

Me and the family!

Dancing with this lady! She loved it!

 
 

        
   

Opportunities of Life!

Hello all!
This past weekend was the SEAAR Retreat, South Eastern Asia Anabaptist Retreat. It was made up of 5 or 6 different Agencies. MCC, RMM, EMM, were included among others. There were workers from India, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China, and Nepal. It was a wonderful time of getting together and worshiping Our God!

Two things I loved about this retreat were the times of group worship and prayer. I never realized what a difference worshiping and praying in a group can make. It was so encouraging. There were over 50 voices singing praise to God at one time! It was beautiful! I felt like we were unstoppable! And prayer was so much easier. There were not as many distractions and you could bounce off each other.

I never knew that I was missing out, until I was there. It is true that I can worship and pray here everyday by myself. The spirit is still there. However, being in a group was so freeing. I was free to let go, I felt protected, and lifted up.

I want to encourage all of you who do have opportunity to worship and pray in group settings to take advantage of that opportunity. So many times we let the distractions of the week and day take over our mind. But this chance is truly a gift form God. There is a reason God says that where 2 or more are gathered there His spirit is also. We must cherish and protect this time. Worship and prayer is our time to go before God, this is when we present ourselves to him. I don't want to come before God distracted, I want to come before him fully focused on him so that he can be blessed though me.

It is a weird thought, blessing God. But you know, that is relationship. Blessing each other, both receiving and giving. What an awesome opportunity we have! God is pretty Awesome!

During the retreat I met a boy. Don't get excited, he is only 2 years old.  haha God reminded me of what it was like to be loved by a child again. It was the best gift ever. Every time I saw this little guy or waved to him he would smile shyly and wave.
He even danced with me! I loved it. Leaving was hard. But that little boy taught me God's love. I did nothing to start being friends with this little boy. He chose me, just like God chooses us.
I was just my silly self. We danced, sang, and played together. That is all God wants with us, just to be with us in our life, to experience the ups and downs with us.

While I am sad I had to say good bye, I would not have changed that time for anything. Definitely, a highlight for this time in Thailand!

 




 



   

Life Cereal

Hello All!
Life here in Thailand is flying by. It is hard to believe I have been here for almost 10 months. It seems to go by in a blur.
 Most of my time, approximately 8 hours of the day, is filled with going to language school and doing homework. By now I have studied 7 levels in language school. I can now speak, read, and write Thai. Unfortunately, I still feel that my level of proficiency in those areas is not where I would like it to be. This Tuesday is my last day. I have enjoyed language school very much , especially these last 2 levels. They focused on reading stories about social problems in Thailand. It has been a good experience studying language, but I am ready for a break. Getting up at 5 in the morning, spending 1 hour or more traveling, and studying for 4 hours everyday for 5 days a week has taken it's toll on me.

Oh, I just wanted you all to know while you all are enjoying the nice cool snow, I am toasting here in 100 degree weather, and it is not even the hottest part of the season yet. :) Yea, you can send that snow over anytime! haha

I guess now you are all wondering now that Language school is done what the next step is. I was wondering that too. I had been looking for a job, but nothing seemed to feel right or work out. There was also a question of where I should live. I finally had a meeting with the leaders of the team here in Thailand. After talking to them we all decided it would be best to move closer to the team members form Nicaragua. I told them I wanted a reason to move there other then for spiritual support, so my Thai friends would understand when I move. It was decided that I go to KBU or Kasem Bundit University. I feel alot of peace about going there. I think God was telling me to go there for awhile, but I doubted what I was hearing.

They have a 4 year program that teaches Thai to foreigners. As of now I will only study for 1 year. I am very excited about this opportunity. It provides a chance to be on campus naturally, make relationships, and study Thai. I can also get a Visa through this which is awesome! I really feel like God has his hand on this and am looking forward to seeing how he will continue to open up doors.

This year I will also spend time praying and discerning what God would like me to do in the future. I have decided I will be in Thailand until God tells me to move on. I hope to have a plan in place for my next term in serving God. That will include hopefully a job, a visa, and a place to live. You can be praying that God will give me guidance in that.

I wanted to share with you all about my Easter considering it is pretty different form what you all experienced.

First of all it was hot! Real hot. I had to buy fruit for our meeting. So After I got ready I got on the motorcycle and headed out. It was a nice day to be driving. The sun was bright and the birds where singing. For me it was a special day. This is the whole reason I am here in Thailand, to tell people of the risen savior. For everyone else it was just a normal day.
I stoped by a vendor and bought some bananas and watermelon. After that I headed to the Mast's home for a international celebration. We gathered from 5 different countries. America, Thailand, Laos, Nicaragua, and Philippines. When we were all gathered, we worshiped in Spanish, English, Thai, and Laos. We then took communion using grape juice out of plastic cups and sticky rice. It was such a cool moment for me. Just knowing what Jesus has done and seeing brothers and sisters form around the world celebrating together was awesome. We also did a bible studied about Jesus and how he had risen.
 I missed all the traditions that we do in the States. The Easter baskets, and candy, the Sunday meals, and the family. But I felt like I saw a bigger family. I feel like I really appreciated for the first time what Jesus really did. I hope you all had a blessed Easter. He has Risen, he has risen indeed!

May God bless you all!
Until next time!
Danielle      






        

Where the side walk ends...

Where do you go when the side walk ends? Do you stop and wait for the next brick to be put into place.... Do you just step off...Does the side walk really end or is it just our perception...??  I have kinda reached that point in the path over here in Thailand. I will finish Language school next month. I would love to study more, but school funds have run out. Thus I get to begin something new. :)

I bet you all are wondering what that next thing is..... so am I. :)
The situation:
By the end of May around half the team will be headed back to the states. If I stay here at JP Mansion I will be completely alone. I have no leads for a job or something to do. My Visa is also coming to an end. Basically after school it is a big question mark. Today I found out that I could potentially move closer to the Latin team and help them with their ministry. They work at an university.
As I think and pray about the future God continues to be close to me. Some things he has spoken to me are, “When you find your completeness in Me, you can help other people without using them to meet your own needs.” and “Rather then planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually.” I feel like he is asking me to trust him and not to worry about what is to come. He has given me lots of peace about just living now and not thinking about what is to come.
That has been occupying my mind for some time... and getting this update written. :)

In other news, my days are filled with school and talking with friends. Well more them talking and me listening. I have one friend who talks my ears off twice a day! Her name is Pooh. One time she came and talked to me for 2 hours and I did not even say a word. Really! She is a sweet girl and and good friend. I have another friend named Bwii. He is quiet, but laughs at my jokes. Then there is New who loves to tease and talk English.

My Friends : L to R: Mec, Me, Anabel, New, and Bwii

Pooh and Mec. They are a couple. I love them!

Me and Pooh!

I love School. My teacher is great and my class mates keep me entertained. I can now read just about everything. But I still don't understand everything. Speaking is going ok, but I do wish I could speak better. It is hard to to be able to express myself to my friends.

Please continue to Pray for me for the future. Please pray for my friends. Thank you all for your support.
Much Love!
Dani

Wind storm of the Holidays!

Dear readers,
The pigeon has landed. This is the latest news she has brought.

This Christmas was a nice Christmas.
The weather cooled down noticeably, but it was still considered hot. Getting into the spirit of Christmas was slightly difficult considering the hot weather and that no one in Thailand really celebrates Christmas. People still work and students still go to school. Christmas decorations are difficult to find. Any kind of celebration if there is a celebration is just a time for friends to get together and drink. This of course makes sense due to the fact that Christmas is a christian Holiday and less then 1% of the population is christian. 
 On the 21st a Christmas party was held for all of our thai friends! There was much Joy and merriment! Pizza and KFC were a big hit, as well as the chocolate peppermint truffle. We played several games which filled the house with laughter. Gifts were also exchanged and the Christmas story was acted out. I was able to invite 4 of my friends to come. All had a very good time and wanted to come to any parties we have in the future. :)
On the 24th a team Christmas party was held. We had appetizer type foods and shared reflections of Christmas.
           As I listened to other people's reflections I thought about Christmas and what it meant to me. Then it struck me. In November the reach team came to Thailand and is staying at JP Mansion where I am at. Since they came I have noticed a change in relationships. One relationship that  I thought was lost was reforged. Several others grew deeper. I thought if their presence did this at Jp mansion, what did Jesus's presence do here in this world. I felt like the world was able to take a deep breath and let it out. Now there was hope, a chance for man kind to be redeemed. The impossible had just been made possible. The bridge was reforged. Now everything clicks together. I may never see reproducing churches here, or any of my friends accept Jesus. But I can show people Jesus. I know they can see him. I invite you to reflect on how you can show Jesus to people.

On the 25th the room mate, Anabel, and I slept in and had a special breakfast of egg sandwiches. A Christmas movie was watched and gifts exchanged. It was a nice relaxing day. It the evening a random dance party was held. It was the coolest thing since sliced cheese! It was so good to let loose and go crazy... well not to crazy! haha

New Year eve came faster then anyone could have thought. One of my friends invited me to go home with her. We left the 28th and arrived there that afternoon. Her home is in a small village about an hour or so outside of Bangkok. It was so nice to get of of the big city. For the first time ever since I was in Thailand, I can say I was cold with out the use of a fan or AC. Her family is a lively bunch of ladies and men. I have never seen so many little old ladies with voices loud enough to bust ear drums! I am sure you can imagine my amusement. The days there consisted of making and eating food, parties, playing with kids, and visiting watts.

I helped to make some Thai sweet candy like thing. In the middle was an ovel of a dry dough, that was dipped in an egg yoke mixture and boiled. It was yummy! We also made noodles and grilled pork with soup. I had the opportunity to try pigs tongue. It was actually very good.

The parties consisted of dancing, musical chairs, and drinking lots of coke. Everyone was so worried about me not having anything to drink, that they kept my cup filled to the brim! I have come to realize that I am not much of a public dancer. Here in Thailand it is ok though cause people just dance however they want. I think they were just happy I got up and danced. :)

Visiting watts was very interesting. I went along to observe. It began with my friend offering flowers and burning incense while praying to a golden Buddha. They then moved to a place where they sat and confessed all their sins. Monks prayed over them. After confessing was done a blanket was pulled over them to symbolize death and removed for new life. After words my friend got her future told. It was really interesting, he not only told her her future, but some of her past, and present. And it was all right on the spot. My friend asked me if I wanted him to tell me mine, but I decided it would be better to trust God then to know what would happen. While I was there I did not feel a heaviness, but an emptiness. Everything they did was for naught. It felt like such a wast. 

While my experience was great to see thai culture and meet my friends family it was also very hard. The second day I was there I missed my family alot. My friends family was alot like mine, teasing each other and making food together. I had no one I could really communicate clearly with. I had no one to share jokes with. In thai most of my jokes just don't translate... well I guess in English they don't really either, but still. haha There were no other foreigners in the area, so every where I went I got stares and comments. I think the hardest thing was that I was the only believer there. I have learned that there is a reason that the Bible says "²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." -Matt 18:20. You need some one to have your back, to pray for you when you need it it, for you to help them up when they fall.

This time has brought me to think about the future and what I am going to do. How will I be supported spiritually? Mentally? Physically? Where will I live and work? 
I must choose daily to fight worries and fear with trust and truth. It is an up hill fight, but God is faithful. He is always with me. While I was there he loved me through children, he spoke to me through the stars in the night sky, and he comforted me with a blanket. While I felt far from him, he was fully present with me. Praise God for being so good!
Until next time folks! God bless!