Sawadika!

Hi! A little update about what we're actually doing here in Thailand day to day.

First off, we flew into Bangkok and spent a couple days there to get over the jet lag and used to the twelve hour difference. While in Bangkok we went to some of the beautiful temples and did a little bit of site seeing. In one of the markets, I did, in fact, eat a cricket! The flavor wasn't too bad, but the texture was too much for me haha. I felt like I had a cricket leg in my throat for hours.

From Bangkok we took a 10 hour bus ride to get to Chiang Mai. We've been in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai for a week now, and will stay here until the 26th of June. I absolutely love this place! The food has definitely been hard getting used to.. Especially if you know how picky I am. And it has been HOT. And no, there is not air conditioning. It is the rainy season here in Thailand, so we are wet 90% of the time it feels like-- if not by our own sweat, then by down pours. But, it is totally worth it. I didn't necessarily have culture shock, but it is definitely different than being in America, but like I said I absolutely LOVE Thailand.

A little about the ministry we are doing. We are staying in the Lighthouse Ministry's guest house, which is SUCH a blessing. We have wifi, and beds, and showers! Yes, the water has two different temperatures.. Cold and colder! But with how hot it is here, totallllly nice to even get to take a shower.

So, during the day, we serve at Wongen Cafe here in Chiang Mai. Across the street from the coffee shop is Chiang Mai University, so during the day we walk over there and hang out in the cafeteria and get to know the students. We invite them to Wongen to practice their English and just hang out. In the afternoons we go to the slums, which is walking distance from our house. There we get to play with the cutest Thai kids ever, as well as spend time with the adults and just serve them how we can. Then at night, we do bar ministry. There is a street about ten minutes or so from our house that has bars just lined up and down it. There are prostitutes by most of the openings of the bars advertising themselves. We go and hang out with the girls and just build relationships. Half of our team has been going to this place called The Kitty Cat Bar, and I really am so glad the Lord led us there. There is so much potential in those women, and their hearts really are being prepared to hear the Gospel-- you can see the desperation for something better in their eyes.

Yesterday was our first day off and we had a BLAST. We got to ride elephants, even barebacked for a while. It was so awesome. Then we went to the most beautiful waterfall in the mountains. It was gorgeous. After the waterfall went to this river thing and we got to go bamboo rafting, which was also super fun. And we ended the day with the Sunday night market. I have indeed fallen in love with Asian markets, and am going to miss them so much when I get back to the states haha.

So that is pretty much what our day to day looks like. I'm loving Asia. Thai people are such sweethearts, and want to serve you however they can; I love these people's hearts. Throughout the past week I really have been learning more about what it looks like to be a servant. God's so good, and I am so blessed to be here.

Things you can be praying for:
-Our team. That the Lord will provide strength and energy, as well as guard our hearts and protect us at night.
-The beautiful men and women that we have been spending time with.
-Understanding and guidance, for not only us but also the Thai people. We have found that this is a very difficult country, and there is confusion and misunderstandings everywhere.
-Cast down of idols in this beautiful country.
-Pray that the Lord will shed His love through us, and that the Thai people will be able to encounter the love and grace of their Maker.

Thanks so much for all of the support!! Pictures will be uploaded to my Facebook soon!!

 

"I meditate on all Your works and
consider what Your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to You;
I thirst for You like a parched land."

Psalm 143:6

So much love.
-kf.