Life has continued to be go go go here in Thailand! Since I’ve last written, I have made two weekend trips to Kun Han to teach English to the C adults/teenagers and the Compassion kids. I cannot even tell you what a blessing it has been to work with the Body of believers in Kun Han. I am so incredibly encouraged and excited to spend my weekends there. Our mission here is to not just spread the Good News but to also serve our Thai C brothers and sisters. As I observe my brothers and sisters in the Son (key word is observe, as I can’t communicate with them that well!) I find an overwhelmingly loving and humble body of believers. A lot of the believers spend most of the weekend together, eating and sharing their lives with one another. This weekend they had Naomi, Ariel and I sing "Prat Yesu Rak Chan" (J loves me) for the church. That was pretty funny!
Teaching English is going pretty well. If a Thai person is having fun, they are willing to learn. So most of our lessons we make for Kun Han are very "game" oriented and everyone ends up walking away learning something. When we are not teaching (which is a good majority of the time) I spend a lot of time chasing four year old Nong Yaa (I call her "Crazy" because it’s easier to say and that nickname suits her) and the other kids at the Meeting house. I love spending time with the different families at the church. Pi Pie’s family is about the sweetest family I’ve ever met and the parents are a very godly example to me and their little girls. Pi Nong is 24 and a joy to talk to and spend time with. I am making a greater effort to spend more time with the teenagers and the Compassion kids. Both are a huge ministry for me and a lot of fun!
In between the two weekends, Naomi and I had to renew our visas. We decided to meet up with Megan and Melissa (other Intercultural Studies majors up in Nan, Thailand) and make a visa run to Panang Island in Malaysia! We spent four days there and it was absolutely amazing. It was great getting to spend time sharing and bonding with Megs and Melissa. Besides renewing our visas, we went to the island with no set agenda. It ended up being absolutely adventurous and was an amazing getaway! The beach was absolutely beautiful. However, the first day in Panang, we all received hardcore sunburns and had to lather on SPF 45 from there on out!
Some of the highlights of our trip were:
1. Going to a Malaysian cultural show in the city! Megan and I ended up getting to dance on stage with the performers!
2. Based on the advice of a fisherman named Zoo (who owns a pet squirrel that sits on his shoulder and has three black cats), we ate in this little beautiful hut fully decorated in shells on the beach. It belonged to this sweet Muslim couple who served us amazing Malay food. It was definitely paradise! Zoo ended up eating with us; he reminded us of Johnny Depp on Pirates of the Caribbean.
3. Based on the advice of Zoo, we went to this hole-in-the wall seafood restaurant and ate the best fish I’ve ever eaten in my life. Seating was very limited (it was packed!) so this Austrian/Polish couple ended up inviting us to sit with them. It was a wonderful evening!
Now I am back in the village for a little less than a week. We will travel again soon with our supervisors on a p retreat. I have enjoyed my time traveling but have missed spending time with friends and our Thai Maa and Pa. The Father has convicted me about being more intentional about these wonderful relationships that I have here in Ban Tum. Naomi and I have been here a little over three months, and I think these last three are going to fly by! Ban Tum needs your yarps. There is still no pastor or adult witness that can lead the village. Myself and the rest of the Kui team included, would love to see a Thai-Kui, Thai-Lao or just plain Thai believer to rise up and lead the people of Ban Tum. I firmly believe that the Father has gone before us and none of the work has been done in vain. Please yarp for the salvation of Ban Tum villagers and especially for a native pastor to come and live among the people and teach them.
Pictures can be viewed on this link:
http://sbuniv.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006520&id=177500365&l=3f901
If any of you want prayer requests, and have not been getting them,
please email me and let me know!
Miss you all!
Jenn
14."How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15. And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15
P.S. Photo Link to pictures of MALAYSIA and Kun Han:
http://sbuniv.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006436&id=177500365&l=2452d
P.S.S. Past journal entries can be found on this website: http://www.sbuniv.edu/ICS/Journals/Summer06/jennifer/index.html