Rice Grains

Sunday afternoon I accompanied my friend Kwan to Wat Mahabut in Bangkok. Wat Mahabut has a legend attached to it that apparently the locals fervently believe. Check out http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/wat-mahabut.html to read about this legend regarding a woman who died in childbirth while her husband was at war. It really is interesting reading, though it makes my heart sad to realize yet another aspect here that blinds people to the Truth.

While we were at the wat, a funeral was taking place. I took a few pictures from a distance as the funeral procession walked three times around the temple before going inside. Leading the procession were several people playing horns, followed by the men carrying the casket, after which came a line of monks.

In another area of the temple grounds, by the canal, people were buying fish to release in order to gain merit and to hopefully have their prayers answered. The people in the pictures below kindly allowed me to take pictures of them praying, then releasing their fish. Kwan told me a person buys different kinds of fish depending on the type of request being made. These fish were, I believe, symbolic of money.

Shine, Jesus, shine!

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Last week one night I found this guy resting on my floor.

Kinda has personality, doesn't he?

How do you like the view out my side balcony door?

I've had a lot of fun with my little waterlily/fish pool. That's the project I started several weeks back but never got finished till just recently.

Sometimes I think I'd like to invest in a bird; I made friends with a colorful bird along the road to The Well. Time will tell.... Can you tell I like animals?? :)

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Friday morning I went to the final session of English camp at Promise Church. After 2 hours of teaching and review, the two classes gave a little program for their parents. Then Pastor Num gave out certificates of completion to each student.

Sorry this picture isn't very clear, but I wanted to include it because this is the class I sat in with most of the time.

This is the other class. The Thai teacher in this picture is the pre-school teacher at Abba House, where I plan to help one day a week.

After the presentation of certificates and some prizes, the parents took their children home, and I was privileged once again to eat with the staff at the church before going home.

Friday evening I took a songtaew over to the Masts to be with Claire and Eliza while their parents and visiting grandparents could go on a dinner cruise. As always, I had a good time with the girls. The picture below shows them sitting in the kitchen as I prepare supper. They also helped me put the meal together and set the table. Great helpers!

This morning (Saturday) I returned to Promise Church, where I taught my second session of English to a class of 10 women. They are a great group of students that are in no hurry to go home after class is over. Today two of the gals asked me for my phone number.:)

I invited the class to eat lunch with me next Saturday after class; it will not suit very many, so maybe I will end up eating lunch with a few students every Saturday!

I think I will like teaching English once I get more acquainted with the curriculum. It's fun to have eager students. Below are my gals.:)

After eating lunch with the church staff (again), I headed home, cleaned, and went to see my friend Dang for just a bit. She told me that Noy, a 16-year-old boy in the neighborhood, has cancer. My heart goes out to him; he is a very sweet, polite boy, and I had no idea he was ill. Somehow I hope to share Jesus with him, maybe through teaching English?? I saw him later tonight, and he said he would like to learn to speak English.... Please keep Noy in your prayers.

Now that I have caught up on my blog, I must get some sleep!

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Wednesday morning at the unearthly hour of 6:30, I met Norma and Darlene at their hotel in Bangkok, where we boarded a tour van going to the famous floating market at Damnoen Saduak, about 1 1/2 hours from Bangkok. Since I already have floating market pictures on a previous blog entry, I won't put too many repeats here.:)

I bought noodles from this woman. MMMMMMM....GOOOOOD!

Aren't we photogenic?:)

Our next stop was to a teak wood carving shop. Talk about detailing....
They start by drawing designs on paper.

Then, at least as I observed, they use the pictures to chisel outlines into the wood.

From the basic design, then, another person chisels in the details, using a variety of tools.

The results include the following items:

Beautiful screens (cost $3000-$4000 US)

Dining sets (value for table and 8 chairs $9382 US)

Massive rocking chairs built for two????:)

From the wood carving shop, we headed for lunch and then the Rose Garden. The Rose Garden is actually a beautiful resort with many wonderful Thai cultural displays and a great Thai cultural show. One of my favorite parts of the show is the dance involving nimbly skipping between moving bamboo rods. I am trying something new here and want to download a low quality video through You Tube.

I have a shorter clip that shows the imPOSSIBLE speed with which the dance ends, but I think you get the idea from this video clip.:)

After the show it was time to return to Bangkok; we wanted to eat supper together before parting ways. Our guide recommended a Thai restaurant called "Cabbages and Condoms". Yes, you read right! She said it is decorated with various kinds of condoms and is known as such because the owner wants to promote family planning....:)

We opted to eat at a Charlie Brown's, a Mexican restaurant, instead.:) Then we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. Presumably Darlene and Norma are now safely back in Lancaster, PA.

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Tuesday and Wednesday I had the privilege of spending time with 2 new friends from the US. After visiting IGO Ministries and touring in Chiang Mai, they travelled to Phuket to enjoy some island scenery, then flew in to Bangkok to do some sight-seeing here.

Darlene and Norma

The first day we went to the Grand Palace.

We passed these guards on our way out. A bit later we saw another guard, from whom I asked directions to Wat Po. He answered very quietly and very briefly--I think maybe I wasn't supposed to be talking to him.....:)

We found Wat Po, though we did need to ask another person to be sure we were going the right way. Wat Po is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok and is famous for its HUGE reclining Buddha statue (150 feet long x 49 feet high) which fills the temple.

Wat Po is also considered to be the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and houses a massage school on its premises. Therefore, we felt it important to experience a foot massage by women trained at this school.:)

Thanks to one of my many wonderful friend in the States, I have some spending money intended to be used for purposes such as this! Besides, it's therapeutic.:)

We wound down our day eating at S & P, an inexpensive but nice Thai restaurant chain in Bangkok, then headed for home to rest up for our excursions the next day.

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OK, I know I already did a blog today, but I just had a precious evening with 2 guests, my friend Kai and her 17-month-old daughter Pim. They were going to visit me earlier in the week, but it didn't work out. So tonight I spontaneously called Kai and invited her over.

I'm not quite sure why I bought furniture--we sat on the floor.:) And, of course, I HAD to take pictures.

I'm SO EXCITED!! Tonight is the first time in the year that I've been around her that little Pim allowed me to hold her. She is such a cutie; she speaks Thai words and English words if you ask her to repeat them. And she does the cutest little "wai" ever. Maybe sometime I'll get that on camera.:)

I may not see Kai and Pim much longer; they may be moving upcountry back to Kai's home area because her restaurant business is not doing as well as it once was. She has to manage it by herself and also take care of Pim, so customers are not incined to wait if Pim needs attention. I will be very sad to see them go, but hopefully we will stay in touch via phone; maybe I can even go visit them sometime....

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This morning I attended Promise Baptist Church, the same place that has been holding English camp, and also the place where I now teach a Saturday English class to 10 women. (That class, by the way, went well, if rough around the edges. Thanks to those of you who prayed!)

The interior of the church is beautiful, with high ceilings, a huge stage, a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the front center and beautiful lighting along the side walls as well.

The service followed a fairly typical American style format, beginning with worship, a moderator who--OK, I'm not sure what the moderator did--can't understand Thai well enough--but I think she delivered a devotional/prayer time. Then came the message followed by a time of prayer ministry and then the offering. Today they also had special singing after the message. And this church, as well as Jai Samarn, the full gospel church I often attend, ends each service with the doxology.:) Wow, if that doesn't take me back to my childhood at Deep Run!

After the service at every Thai church I have attended thus far, a meal is served to those who wish to stay. Today was no exception.:) I kinda like the tradition. :) And this church is a smaller church that has more of a family feel than some of the larger churches do.

So today I ate with an Australian family (Phil, Jenny, Matt and Karis) and Far, a 20-something Thai guy with a great sense of humor. Phil and Jenny arrived in Thailand 3 months ago for long term missions. Karis, their daughter, has been helping with English camp, so it has been fun getting to know her.

Pictured below are Far and his younger sister Nan. They both know English quite well. In fact, Nan was translating parts of the church service for me. Far spoke English with us at lunch SOME of the time, but he also decided we needed to practice speaking Thai as well. He was tons of fun, full of jokes and laughter.

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I love Thai English; I think it is often so cute. Plus sometimes it helps me understand how Thai sentence patterns work. Or maybe it is simply a consolation to me because I butcher the Thai language so badly!:)

I bought this book bag at the Se-Ed Bookstore today.

In case you can't read the print, here is a close-up of the wording.

Now Thai English is not to be confused with "Thai-glish" or even "Espan-Thai-glish".:) I find myself speaking Thai-glish with my Thai friends who also know English. It is simply intermingling words from both languages in sentences as I talk with my friends. And we understand each other quite well that way!:)

As for Espan-Thai-glish, alas, I am left out of this particular language, but I see it occuring whenever our team meets and Raul is present. Then those who know Spanish occasionally lapse into a combination of all 3 languages to get a point across. Sanook!! (Fun!)

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Today I went in to The Promise Baptist Church and observed/helped with English Camp. Afterward, as usual, we had lunch together. It was quite a spread and included "khao niaw mamuang" for dessert. I think that has got to be my favorite dessert in Thailand, though their coconut milk ice cream rates right up there too.

At any rate, khao niaw mamuang is sweetened sticky rice with sweetened coconut milk poured on top and then eaten with fresh papaya. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! Sometime I'll have to post a picture of that.

This picture shows the English camp staff plus one of the pastors, his mother, and the church secretary.

The international staff: 2 from Indonesia/Papua New Guinea, 1 from Australia, 2 from Thailand, and 1 from America

I was just beginning to get to know this energetic, funloving, gal, and now she is already returning to Indonesia to be involved with training leaders for missions.

We--that would be SIX of us--ladies took a taxi from the church to return home. I've been in more crowded taxis, so this felt doable though definitely full!:)

2 in the front seat...

...and 4 in the back.

PS....asking for prayers as I prepare to teach my first English class this coming Saturday from 10-12 noon. I'm excited but very nervous. Thanks!

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Shirt for sale in Carrefoure, a store similar to Walmart:

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Last night when I went to say hi to my elderly neighbors across the street, they invited me back for supper tonight. Bpaa (Aunt) Dang and Luung (Uncle) Boontahm are the folks who feel a bit like grandparents to me.

Luung is the man who has been ill; he is still not well, though doing somewhat better. He stayed out of bed long enough to eat with us, then was helped back to his bed in the back of their little storefront. He talks of always having back pain.

This couple say they believe in Jesus, but because of the language barrier, I am unable to understand what their story is. I am praying for wisdom in communicating more with them and for God to meet them where they're at.

Bpaa Dang and Luung Boontahm

Their son and grandson are currently here, visiting from southern Thailand some 12 hours away, so I had the privilege of meeting them.

The delicacy of the evening was "hoi", which I feared were raw oysters. "Raw" and "oyster" are both bad words in my book.:) Fortunately, they were not raw, but maybe steamed??. And no, they weren't oysters, but they were some sort of shell. The contents were just a bit slimy, but tasted pretty good when eaten with rice and covered with the spicy sauce provided.:). The other dish of which I "partook" was a delicious sweet and sour vegetable stir-fry with chicken.

The other main dishes were not offered to me, and I didn't ask too much, but I think they were some sort of fish dish. Steamed shrimp in a small bowl were offered to me, so I took a couple, but no one else took any, and I wasn't sure how to eat them, so on my plate they remained.:) But I really had a good time with these dear people.

On another note, at church this morning the pastor preached on the love of money. As I try not to use the English translation headphones, I usually understand very little of the sermon. But I did understand when the pastor pulled an American dollar bill out of his pocket, pointed to some wording, and read in English, "In God we trust". He proceeded to ask how true this really is, that maybe the truth is that "in money we trust". Hmmmm, good point.

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Friday afternoon I went to help make cards at The Well (http://www.servantworks.com/well. The girls there are quickly stealing my heart in spite of the fact that I can't carry on a decent conversation about anything. They are very careful to make their cards just right; I have several times been corrected for not having something quite straight.:) But they are sweet as well as full of fun.

I think maybe I am getting a reputation there for taking lots of pictures. Yesterday they started laughing every time they saw me run for my camera.:) Sooo, I must, of course, show you some of the pictures I took. One of these days I'll have to quit getting so carried away!

A few of the older women who help at the center make jewelry there, though Center 2 is the primary jewelry-making center. (Center 2 also has a small hair salon business as well; I got my hair washed and trimmed there after finishing up at Center 1, the card-making center.)

Not a very flattering picture of me, but initiated by my young friend, so, hey, it's a good one of her!

A fruit vendor comes by the center every day at break time, so the girls often buy fruit for their snack. He (the fruit vendor) has made friends with the cute little girl who lives at the center.

This gal works at the jewelry-making center. She came over to Center 1 one day and decided to invite me back to her center, where she showed me around the premises and introduced me to the Thai pastoral couple who help with the ministry.

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Wow, tonight was quite a spontaneous evening! I had just got home about 8:00 when my friend Dang called me. She wanted some help with her English homework, and since she wasn't going to be able to come over on Saturday as we had planned earlier this week, I told her to come over tonight.

Dang is one of my neighbors just down the street from me. Unfortunately, she is too busy to do much with me, but we have really connected. So tonight, she came over, and I tried to help her with her homework. I fear I did poorly, as the material was new to me also--how to read some Oxford English dictionary. Having never been schooled in "English" English, I didn't understand some of the symbols and phonetics. And, of course, there was the issue of pronunciation.:)

Our conversation eventually turned to various and sundry other subjects, including jobs,priorities, religions, family, etc. It was really a rather stimulating time. She left my apartment about 11:30. I think I may get to see her tomorrow at a birthday party to which she just invited me.

I am excited to actually have one of my Thai friends over to my apartment; it is a first. Hopefully that will happen more and more often.:)

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This morning I went to The Promise Baptist Church to watch English camp in process. It is a 3-week program for children in the area. Since I have agreed to teach an English class at this church plus another class at The Shelter, the home for guys in drug rehab, I want to get some idea of what happens. Of course, in the process of going to "watch", I ususally get roped into helping in some form or other.:) But that's OK--it's good experience.

There are two classes running, one for younger children and one for somewhat older children with more English knowledge.

Two volunteers from Indonesia are team teaching the older class, a VERY energetic class! The woman in charge is Lee Davis, a lady who has many years of experience in teaching English.

Playing bingo using kinds of animals

A young gal from Australia helps with the younger class.

I ate lunch with the teachers at the church, then caught a bus to head back toward home. From the bus stop I began walking down the street, and met someone who wanted to take me back to their house so they could give me an address of someone they met 30 years ago in the US. He hopes I can locate this friend of his so he can once again be in touch with her. I think I'm stuck--don't expect to be able to find her for him...:)

Soon I needed to head to Bangkok for my language lesson at the Blue Danube Coffee Shop. I do really like my teacher; she is so patient and if we get off the subject she doesn't mind, because we are still practicing Thai.

Till my lesson was finished and I had stopped for a bite to eat, it was close to 8:00 PM. On the bus going home, I sat with an older woman who was all smiles, so I started a conversation with her by commenting on the number of packages she had to carry off the bus. Before I knew what was going on, she dug into the bottom of one bag and gave me a pack of something similar to Rama noodles! Not sure why she did that. Our conversation was quite interesting; I either didn't hear or didn't understand most of what she was saying, and I don't think she understood half of what I was trying to say to her, but we both did our share of smiling and nodding and "answering" each other with--I think--quite unrelated topics.:) Oh well, such is life in Thailand.

I must get some sleep. It's past bedtime now!

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Wednesday evening our team met at the Masts' house for a time of sharing and prayer. Following that we ate the evening meal together. Tom took his motorcycle to go buy supper. While he was gone it began to rain, first just sprinkling, then POURING down. Candice started laughing and told us that every time Tom goes to buy pork, he ends up getting soaked. Sure enough, this was no exception. He was completely soaked through when he got back with the rain still coming down in sheets.

Our meal was very tasty: grilled pork strips, sticky rice, and somtam (papaya salad).

Tom demonstrates how to eat somtam and sticky rice Thai style.

Raul demonstrates how NOT to eat sticky rice.:)

When I left for my apartment (with the rain continuing to pour down), I walked to the end of Tom and Candice's street in ankle deep water; then I flagged a taxi and had a dry ride home.

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Today I went to Leo Land where I met Raul and the Mast family. Leo Land is a small children's water park built on the roof of a 5-story shopping mall known as Central Bang Na. It is amazing to walk outside and find trees and water slides and a little river on the roof, and to see high rise buildings towering even further above the 5th floor roof.

We had a lot of fun, though we had to be out by 2 PM because a private party was taking place after that. Enjoy the pictures!

The view entering the main area

Tom and Candice relaxing by the "pool" watching Clair and Eliza play

Eliza in the pool

Tower leading to all 3 slides (I could only go on one slide because I didn't rent the necessary tube to go on the others)

Clair and Tom ready to go down the slide. Love that pose, Clair!! (You're alright too, Tom:)

THERE THEY GOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Don't particularly like "me" pictures in swimsuits, but it's such a GOOD picture of Eliza!

Do you see the two workmen on swings on the side of the highrise in the background?

Now you can see them for sure!:) Ugghhh-what a job! I'd never make it that high above the ground!

The rest of the day I spent going to a flower market not too far from the mall. To see those pictures, please check "extended entry".:) I also included a brief update regarding ministries I am or will be involved in.

I have often passed by the flower market shown below, but I was always on a bus going somewhere else! I think the plants are BEAUTIFUL!

One of the workers permitted me to take her picture. Many people who work in direct sunlight wear the kind of head gear this woman is wearing.

I did buy a beautiful, ummm--magenta??--orchid (I kinda forget what magenta is, but it sounds right.:) as well as 2 colorful vinca plants.

I am excited about another project I am hoping to complete by Monday. Once it's done, I'll put pictures of that on my blog as well.

PS My week was a good week. I helped a couple days at The Well and met with 3 different Thai friends this week; I feel fortunate that part of my job is to build relationships. Those are usually fun times.:) I also visited the elderly couple across the street. Luung Boontam seems to be doing better, though he is still quite weak and has fairly constant back pain. He managed to walk out to sit at the table to talk with me, but he soon needed to return to bed because of his back. Bpaa Dang, his wife, is a faithful caregiver for her husband; I think it must take a lot of energy for her to help him in and out of bed, keep him supplied with food, etc. Feel free to keep Luung and Bpaa in your prayers.

Also, in about 2 weeks, I will be teaching (or at least attempting to teach:) 2 different English classes that will each meet once a week. Please pray for wisdom for me in preparing for this new venture. I am both excited and very nervous. I'll keep you posted!

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I just read the story in the link below. It comes from The Nation, one of Bangkok's two English newspapers. Wow, what next! Enjoy.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/03/headlines/headlines_30051175.php

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I think I'm using too many pictures! Here goes the third--and final--installment of our trip to Chiang Mai.

After leaving Wat Doi Suthep, we encountered an elephant just waiting to be fed a bunch of cucumbers conveniently sold at a booth nearby.

Then we headed on to lunch and the falls. These falls were free--an added benefit.:)

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Friday we had planned to visit Wat Doi Suthep and go see one of the many waterfalls in the area. Friday morning, poor little Eliza got sick, presumably from the huge amount of Bangladeshi snack she consumed the night before. Candice opted to stay home with Eliza, so our group was not quite complete as we headed for the wat.

Click on the following link to read about the legend behind this famous wat: http://thailandforvisitors.com/north/chiangmai/suthep/

Below are a variety of pictures from our time at the wat.

Some of the 309 steps leading to the wat

Claire is great at posing for pictures!

Memorial to the white elephant that supposedly gave up its life after carrying a relic from Buddha here.

Buddha images inside one of the buildings

People being blessed with holy water by monks after giving offerings in the temple

Two young men light candles, offer roses, and pray.

A woman prays before more Buddha images

Before leaving, we took in the view of Chiang Mai from our high vantage point.

You are my son, today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your possession.

Psalms 2: 7,8.

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Our team had a 4-day weekend retreat in Chiang Mai this past weekend. We stayed at a Christian Guesthouse called The Juniper Tree. I loved the homey, "campy" feel of the place. It was a sort of tropical Spruce Lake to me (I spent quite a few summers working at Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp in PA).

The team spent a fair amount of time in Bible study, prayer, and discussion about our work in Thailand. We also had time to simply relax, and one day we visited a famous wat called Doi Suthep, followed by a climb up part of a waterfall. (See part 2 for pictures of the wat and waterfall.)

It was a good time of refreshing, relating, and refocusing (how's that for a new "3 r's"?:).

Our team at present

I stayed in a room on the first floor of this building, right across from the dining room--how convenient!

Beautiful shrubs and flowers covered the grounds.

Raul and Dan giving the girls swing rides in the little playground

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This morning the team arrived at the Hua Lampong train station about 7:00, all of us tired. The Mast family froze in their air conditioned room all night, and the rest of us listened to two people snoring constantly all night long. So much for good sleep.:)

So, the bus I took home got within about a mile or so of my home, and it stalled. No matter; the bus driver called upon the guys in the bus to get out and push, while he jump-started it. Then on our way we went!

Tonight I went to Big C to meet my friend Aoo (pronounced "Oh"). While I was waiting for her to show up, I took pictures of the "banana fest" (my term) taking place on the main floor inside the entrance. Various displays showed many kinds of bananas or products made from some part of the banana plant.

In the center were food stands of all kinds selling banana snacks as well as many other snacks, including dried fish, coconut treats, jello snacks, and who knows what all else.

On stage, a guy and a girl were auctioning off bunches of bananas to the highest bidder.

Then I went looking for Aoo, eventually finding her near Dunkin Donuts, and we went to McDonalds for supper and a chance to catch up.

I will do a blog or two about Chiang Mai another time.

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