17This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.
18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.
Romans 4:17-18;20-21
I begin my blogs on Thailand with this verse because I believe that God specifically gave it to me for the people that we were privileged to encounter this week. He also gave it to me as a promise for the future of these people, that He would bring the dead back to life and create new things out of nothing. Amen.
After a long 35+ hour travel time from Oklahoma City to Chiang Mai,Thailand, we finally arrived. As we stepped out of the airport we were met with smiling faces. Com Sin*, an animated Pastor in Chiang Mai, clearly given the heart of a servant. He loves the Lord and the people of Thailand. He loves us and we love him back! Then there is Be Paw*, Shepherd's Staff hires him to drive us through the mountains narrow roads and he does so with great care. He owns several orphanages throughout Thailand and his heart and smile wrap themselves around you the instant you meet him. His favorite expression is "Don't worry, be happy!" I immediately felt content in their presence, as if they were long lost family I'd always wanted to meet. After we had a good supper, good nights rest and a "venti" Starbucks (it was a grande by American standards) we were off to Chiang Dao!
Chiang Dao is where the children that Shepherd's Staff sponsors go to school and learn about God and His Word. The school is bit more challenging than their regular Thai school but the kids are doing well. Even still Shepherd's Staff's goal is simply to just give them the opportunity to go to school learn about God, pursue higher education if they desire and develop spiritual leaders. While we were there we brought supplies to make bracelets with the children. They all enjoyed it so much many made 3 or more. It was a good break from the norm and a good chance to catch up with them. Many of them missed home but enjoyed school from what we gathered in conversation with them. I talked with the teacher in her broken English, she was a dear woman. She loved the Lord and the children she taught and I was honored to talk to her and know she was the teacher of our kids.
After making bracelets we headed for the village in Muang Khong. We drove through winding mountains surrounded by towering jungle trees and vine covered floors.Various leaves and vines draped over a mess of branches all along the winding road. The jungle is literally chaos but because of it's chaos it brings beauty that's distinctive among God's work in the world. The jungle fools any non native from seeing the plunging cliffs that surround them. The mountains of Thailand left me even more mesmerized than any mountain valleys I'd ever seen in Colorado. The villages are tucked just inside the forest, with a combination of tree houses and homes resting on the ground, put together by the strength of bamboo wood cut and shaped to different sizes to mold the place they called home. Metal roofs covered them in a fight to keep out the heavy rains they frequently encountered. We watched as the shy Qiran people peered from doorways and shop openings, curious to see the foreign but familiar visitors.
Our team (Adam, Kyle, Chelsea, Brandy(sister) and myself) finally reached our destination, Grandma and Grandpa's house (Peepee and Poopoo in Qiran). Grandma is thin, skin covering her bones but she's got a strong soul. With grey hair as symbol of her wisdom wrapped in a dirty towel to protect from the sun. She carries around a long stick to hit all the stray dogs that try to make a shelter out of her home. Grandpa is also a frail old man, walks with an arch in his back. Sweet Grandpa, coolest old man I know, with tribal tattoos all over his arms and women too (jk, kinda). It's so easy for the two of them to ease their way into your heart. You literally want put em in your pocket and take them home with you.
We didn't do a lot the first day. Most of it was taking in the surroundings. However we stayed at the "resort" just down the hill. After hearing horror stories of large insects and my favorite, cockroaches, I was nervous to open the door. When we got in I probably stood in the room for 10 minutes just looking, praying...crying inside. We, and by we, I mean my roommate Chelsea, slept with the light on every night for fear of what would come in in the dark. Chelsea also woke me up telling me there was a cockroach in the bathroom and that she needed help killing it. I was tired and was not ready to face the roach so I told her to leave it. I got up later and as I went to the bathroom, I stared at it. It must have known cause its antenna began to move. I grabbed bug spray and smashed it to bits with Chelsea's shoe! I slept well. With confidence; that was our only major bug encounter. God spoils me, constantly through small things like that but it's significant to me!
The boys however, were not as lucky, they faced a spider the size of a small kitten, I think I laughed to keep from crying when I saw the picture they took.
Anyways that was day one!
18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.
Romans 4:17-18;20-21
After a long 35+ hour travel time from Oklahoma City to Chiang Mai,Thailand, we finally arrived. As we stepped out of the airport we were met with smiling faces. Com Sin*, an animated Pastor in Chiang Mai, clearly given the heart of a servant. He loves the Lord and the people of Thailand. He loves us and we love him back! Then there is Be Paw*, Shepherd's Staff hires him to drive us through the mountains narrow roads and he does so with great care. He owns several orphanages throughout Thailand and his heart and smile wrap themselves around you the instant you meet him. His favorite expression is "Don't worry, be happy!" I immediately felt content in their presence, as if they were long lost family I'd always wanted to meet. After we had a good supper, good nights rest and a "venti" Starbucks (it was a grande by American standards) we were off to Chiang Dao!
Chiang Dao is where the children that Shepherd's Staff sponsors go to school and learn about God and His Word. The school is bit more challenging than their regular Thai school but the kids are doing well. Even still Shepherd's Staff's goal is simply to just give them the opportunity to go to school learn about God, pursue higher education if they desire and develop spiritual leaders. While we were there we brought supplies to make bracelets with the children. They all enjoyed it so much many made 3 or more. It was a good break from the norm and a good chance to catch up with them. Many of them missed home but enjoyed school from what we gathered in conversation with them. I talked with the teacher in her broken English, she was a dear woman. She loved the Lord and the children she taught and I was honored to talk to her and know she was the teacher of our kids.
 |
| This was the teacher, she was so sweet |
 |
| The kids after making bracelets |
After making bracelets we headed for the village in Muang Khong. We drove through winding mountains surrounded by towering jungle trees and vine covered floors.Various leaves and vines draped over a mess of branches all along the winding road. The jungle is literally chaos but because of it's chaos it brings beauty that's distinctive among God's work in the world. The jungle fools any non native from seeing the plunging cliffs that surround them. The mountains of Thailand left me even more mesmerized than any mountain valleys I'd ever seen in Colorado. The villages are tucked just inside the forest, with a combination of tree houses and homes resting on the ground, put together by the strength of bamboo wood cut and shaped to different sizes to mold the place they called home. Metal roofs covered them in a fight to keep out the heavy rains they frequently encountered. We watched as the shy Qiran people peered from doorways and shop openings, curious to see the foreign but familiar visitors.
Our team (Adam, Kyle, Chelsea, Brandy(sister) and myself) finally reached our destination, Grandma and Grandpa's house (Peepee and Poopoo in Qiran). Grandma is thin, skin covering her bones but she's got a strong soul. With grey hair as symbol of her wisdom wrapped in a dirty towel to protect from the sun. She carries around a long stick to hit all the stray dogs that try to make a shelter out of her home. Grandpa is also a frail old man, walks with an arch in his back. Sweet Grandpa, coolest old man I know, with tribal tattoos all over his arms and women too (jk, kinda). It's so easy for the two of them to ease their way into your heart. You literally want put em in your pocket and take them home with you.
We didn't do a lot the first day. Most of it was taking in the surroundings. However we stayed at the "resort" just down the hill. After hearing horror stories of large insects and my favorite, cockroaches, I was nervous to open the door. When we got in I probably stood in the room for 10 minutes just looking, praying...crying inside. We, and by we, I mean my roommate Chelsea, slept with the light on every night for fear of what would come in in the dark. Chelsea also woke me up telling me there was a cockroach in the bathroom and that she needed help killing it. I was tired and was not ready to face the roach so I told her to leave it. I got up later and as I went to the bathroom, I stared at it. It must have known cause its antenna began to move. I grabbed bug spray and smashed it to bits with Chelsea's shoe! I slept well. With confidence; that was our only major bug encounter. God spoils me, constantly through small things like that but it's significant to me!
 |
| Chelsea taking a picture and getting a nice butt grab |
Anyways that was day one!
No comments:
Post a Comment