Rice Grains

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.