Sawatdii Kha!

A bit over zealous riding on the back of this sungtaew (aka - our mode of transportation) but it's not everyday that you get to ride standing on the back of a small truck with your hair tangling in the wind, inhaling exhaust until you reach your destination. So it goes...

My romantic ideas of missionary life were shattered the moment we were dropped off at our apartment/room with 3 days before we would meet anyone who could tell us anything of worth. You know, simple things: Where were we? How do we say, "toilet? food? how much? When will the sweating stop?" Chiang Mai is humid, polluted, and full of stray dogs and misc meat. Chiang Mai also has a beautiful view of the mountains, beautiful and kind people, and delicious food if you know what to ask for. It is a nation full of broken people and yet everyone wears a smile. In my short 3 weeks here, my sense of injustice and helplessness, mixed with an overwhelming love for these people, has often led to despair. How do I help? I've had a lot of time on my hands to think and pray! The pace of life here is drastically different and indirect communication is valued...quite difficult to adjust to. I would say it's the opposite of Boston in regards to communication and work pace BUT God, in His infinite wisdom knew that this would be a time for me to slow down, observe and learn. "Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, rich in love". One of the most difficult lessons I've had to learn is how to love people well as Jesus loves us, only without words, and being able to trust that He will use my weakness to bring Himself Glory. Let it be!

As of late, my mind has been monopolized with the phonetics of the Thai language...difficult alert! Please, empathize with Sarah and I when we try to translate a sentence with the same word, "mai" in five different tones and five different meanings for each tone. I'm certain we've offended many-a-Thai just trying to ask for milk with our coffee. The good news is, they love us for trying even if we did say their shop smells like a goat.

We will continue taking Thai lessons for 4 more weeks so please pray for maak (much!) grace. Hopefully by the end, we should be able to at least ask for no crickets in our chicken curry. Fewf & Amen.

The students at the Centre where we teach English c ooked a delightful surprise for us tonight. Chicken and Squid soup. I couldn't stop my inner monologue that kept saying, "come on girl! you know you want to impress these Thai students by being The Missionary That Could!" It was anything but tasty but I feel all the braver for it. Than k you Lord, it could have been much worse and still I feel like, I came. I endured. I conquered. This will be my mantra for the duration of our stay. Please, hold me accountable.