What do you do?

It was New Year's Eve. about 8:00pm. Showers were over, and we were sitting at the supper table in our p.j's finishing dessert. Someone began knocking on our back door. Our gate had been shut, the doors and windows to the house were shut...who could it be? It was a neighbor lady and two small children. She wanted to invite us to join them at their house to celebrate the new year. What do you do?

So, we got re-dressed and headed over there. We could here the loud music from our house, and we tried to warn our children as we were walking there, that it probably would be loud. As we walked into their compound, the first thing we noticed were four big stage speakers, a stereo mixing board, and an LCD monitor. The speakers were blasting forth a pulsating rhythm of dance music, and the LCD was displaying skimpily dressed music videos. What do you do?

They were arranging some benches for us to sit on, and getting ready to fix some food. They had a big barbeque going, a griddle with shrimp and pork, and a pot of soup. It was quite a feast. She told us that since new years only comes once per year, they would eat seafood. They had invited us to come and share with them, their best. What do you do?

They motioned for us to take a seat on the benches that they had moved over for us. So we did. No sooner had I sat down, another neighbor who had long drunk past his alcohol limit, began offering me some whiskey. I declined. A little while later he offered it to me again. I declined. So, he came around the makeshift table and very loudly and belligerently offered to pour me some red cream soda. Then he wanted to toast the new year. What do you do?

The Barbecued pork was some of the best we have ever had. The grilled pork fat, and a few other items weren't that great. Our children enjoyed the endless supply of Fanta pop. Once their glass was empty of red pop, somehow it was instantly refilled with the green pop. Noise, Lewd Videos, Drunkenness, Food, Sugar, Late at night...what do you do?

Well, we were overwhelmed with gratitude. We have lived in this village for 7 months and that is the first invitation that we have received to come and eat with them at their table. It felt good that they considered us a part of their village enough to invite us to their house. There was no way we could choose to be unsocial.

That is the reason we came here. We came to live among these people. To build relationships with these people. We didn't come to partake of their evil ways, but we did come to sit with them and lead them to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Pray for us as we daily encounter situations that stretch us way beyond our familiar box. We truly do want to give our Utmost For Christ. Martin

Christmas Activities Have Begun

Wow! Life is busy right now. But we wouldn't have it any other way. We just returned from a Christmas party at the IGo English Center. It was quite a time. 7 Children and one dad from our village went with us. We played games. Decorated cookies. Did a little skit to portray what the true meaning of Christmas is. Gave gifts to all who came. Ate snacks. It was a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with people, and show them the love of Jesus.

Jordan Flory giving gifts to children

Ben and his dad

Jean and Neuy enjoying hot chocolate

Plang, Jan, and Som coloring pictures

Yesterday was a Christmas party at my thai school. It was fun. It is good to get to know other students and find out why they are in Thailand. Also, good to be with the teachers in a less formal setting.

CLS Students bobbing for apples

This year Christmas time is quite different for us. We are homesick at times, missing all of our family and friends, and thinking about all the fun activities they are doing. But at the same time, we are in the midst of a million people who have no idea what Christmas is. There are so many opportunities to use this time for building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. So, pray for us as we experience all of these various emotions.

Affordable Healthcare

I just returned from taking Titus to the hospital. He has had a bad cold/cough which worked up into his nose, and now, down into his ear. So, we decided to take him to see a doctor, especially since I will be leaving for Bangkok tomorrow night. The doctor decided to give him an antibiotic, some ibuprofen, and a decongestant. All that plus the cost of the doctor's visit cost $2.58.

Some things in Thailand are very expensive, but apparently a doctor's visit is not. For which we are Very Thankful! martin.

Long Live the King

There has been a week long celebration of HRH the king's birthday (Dec 5).

The whole country goes into celebration mode. He is 82 years old, and one of the world's longest reigning monarchs. The Thai people revere him as god, and the respect for his royalty is seen and felt throughout the whole country. Negative criticism of this monarchy is never heard on the streets, and any one who publishes anything negative, is put in prison. Even though Thailand is in the rift of political polarism, all parties have the same level of respect for their king. It is a beautiful thing, and I think all countries and kingdoms of this world would do well to take a close look at their respect and loyalty. Customarily he makes a speech on the eve before his birthday, but this year he was not able to because of hospitalization. Please pray for him.

Jordan and I went to a huge celebration here in Chiang Mai, at http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2009/nov/4589.asp There were perhaps over 10,000 people there to raise a candle to the king, and to watch the fireworks display. I don't think I have ever seen a fireworks display quite like this one. It was phenomenal. Also, I don't think I have seen that many people in one place singing a song of tribute to a person and raising a candle to show there reverence. It was an amazing, and burdening sight.

Below you will see some pictures of the Royal Pavilion built in honor of the king. Inside are many murals of the king and the good things he has done over the years for his people.

Just remember, this is one location in Chiang Mai, which is one city in all of thailand. Every where in every city, this praise and worship is taking place right now. martin.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is certainly a different Thanksgiving for us...

the neighbor's turkeys are gobbling when they should be roasting, we will be wearing short sleeves and sandals to the Thanksgiving table, everyone around us is going on with daily life.

The only thing familiar is the smell of pumpkin pie in the oven.

What am I thankful for on this Thanksgiving day?

• God's faithfulness - tears come just now to my eyes as I reflect on how God has brought us through this year. How often I fail. I get upset, I get lonely, I get tired of cultural changes. But there is a beautiful golden thread running through this crazy quilt of mine, and that is God's faithfulness. I am finding more power and grace than I ever dreamed. Not because of my performance, but because I can't perform.
• Family - our two sets of parents who partner with us through their love, support, prayers and good advice. A husband who loves me and cares about my heart. Our children who are growing, learning, exploring life.
• Luke & Anna Deaton are here just now - what a blessing to share this special day with them. We are making good memories, laughing and talking together. Its so fun to share with them what makes up our daily life.
• I am thankful for this "broadening of my horizons", this stretching of my comfort zone. Diversity is not a curse, its a blessing.
• Tonight we are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner at IGo. I will just be honest, I am thankful for a yummy traditional dinner that only required pumpkin pies from me! IGo is such a blessing in our lives just now. We enjoy going there for church and also getting to know our brothers and sisters there.

God's blessings to you, dear friends. May your eyes be lifted up above the turkey and trimmings to Jesus, the only One who fully satisfies.

learning swoop de doos and curlicues

Well, its been too long since I have wrote on our blog! Now on a quiet hot Sunday afternoon, I have some time to catch you up a bit on what I've been doing.
My days fill up fast with laundry, washing dishes, home school, fixing meals, and taking care of the children. I do have a helper who comes two days a week, and she cleans and does other things for me.
One thing I have recently added to my plate, is Thai language learning. It is so difficult, and for every "rule" I learn, it seems there is five exceptions! Often I feel very tired and my brain fried after my hour long class. However, I just started learning the Thai script, and it is exciting to see a bunch of swoop de doos and curlicues turned into real sounds and words in my mind. I praise God, because I dreaded language learning. I felt defeated before I even started, and Martin & I prayed often about it. I am slowly learning how much my Father cares about me!
D. is also learning Thai, and we are excited to see how well she's doing. Our teacher, Ang, comes during the boys' nap time, so it usually works well. Ang is a Christian, and I have been so blessed by her. She gives God all the glory for her ability to teach and thanks Him for the little things, like a cup of water not spilling over our school work. We have so much to learn from these first generation Christians!

Children's Ministry

We just experienced another children's ministry night. It was such a blessing! Our friend Ang, came again this friday night and played with children, then taught them a couple of Christian songs. This time the boys were less interested, but the girls were very involved, and seemed to enjoy it very much. Just before it was time to go home, she had them all stand in a circle and join hands. Then said a prayer. She had them shut their eyes. She taught them that they need to talk to God just like a normal conversation, and to ask that God would listen in Jesus' Name. She taught them that they need to believe what they are saying or asking to God. she taught them to say "amen" when they were finished. I don't think any of them have ever prayed before. I am so exited about this opportunity. I also feel burdened about it. They are hearing these Truths for the first time in their life. We are praying that God would provide someone ( a thai christian) to come and help us in this ministry. We are also praying that God would not only continue working in these children's lives, that they might be saved, but also in their parent's lives as well.
One little boy named June (age 10) opposed the work almost all evening. He kept calling the other boys especially his younger friend to not join in the singing, and especially the prayer. We are praying for him. He comes from a very hurtful home. Would you like to join us in praying for these dear children?