Rice Donation and Fun with Kids!

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This last Saturday we had a rice donation to a community in need. I put this picture first, of our prayer during church that morning. I believe when we pray, God truly answers in amazing ways. It is a blessing to, because here, before we have prayer together, we sing “As We Come to You in Prayer”— which is the same song we sing back at my home church! AND when we close the worship program, we sing “We Have this Hope,” that my friends at the Indonesian church always sing as a closing song... so I'm comforted with these little similarities. :) But I'm most thankful, that no matter where I am, God hears and answers prayer.

There was planning beforehand regarding which families were in the most need, family size, etc. Here are some of our church friends discussing with the community leaders how to organize things properly, so there wouldn't be confusion. And my friend documenting the whole event. :)


Getting hydrated to help out and serve!

God faithfully provided more than enough rice, canned foods — and even some goodies for the children! One of our ESL/Spanish teacher's mom and grandma lovingly wrapped small packages for the kids.
It was great to have musical talent too... I'm glad they could sing songs in Thai. I felt the people were greatly calmed and blessed.

One of the community leaders was so happy for this blessing. He was sharing how God used us to answer prayers to provide for the people of this community! I will be praying that God continues to provide for their needs and food — but also that He would provide spiritual food from the Bible too. :)


Are you ready to help out with a kids program?? Of course you are! :) I had a great time singing and playing with my friends – and I learned a new game too! Sorry, no pictures of the games... too busy playing!

“If you're happy and you know it say, ‘Amen!’”


Empty truck in the background.. me and my new friends. :)

Apartment, SDA School, Photo-shoot (Jan 11)

After much internal debate, I've decided to go ahead and post to my blog. It's really the easiest — and I really dont' want to live my life with any unnecessary anxiety. So, whatever.

Here's the view from my amazing apartment, a few blocks from the neighborhood mosque! I really admire the Moslem commitment to prayer. They pray over 5 times a day — on a loudspeaker — and it helps remind me to wake up and pray too. I just wish it wasn't at 5:30am *every* morning.

I was so excited about screens on my windows, air conditioning, and a huge amazing bed! (the beds here are different that US sizes, so my queen-sized sheets don't fit exactly). Anyway, please pray for me and the coming media volunteers, since there was a mis-communication in housing funding. But, the building owner has been really understanding and patient.

The SDA school is close by my office, and area churches. I keep forgetting to bring my camera and take pictures of my office, etc. But anyway, the cafeteria food is *really* good, fresh and vegetarian – AND you can go back for seconds, and even thirds all for 50Baht (about $1.50 US)!



This last week, I've been working with the team on recording a testimony. After her conversion, this woman began to share her faith with everyone around her. As a result, many people have come to know how God answers prayer, and have also made decisions to follow Him. While affordable English classes are the main ministry of many of the area church plants, there is also a great vegetarian restaurant nearby too!

We shot video at a nearby temple where she used to work repairing clothes as a street vendor, and then later we went onto a makeup shop by the train station where she shared what God was doing in her life with a friend.




This is a (another) really great vegetarian restaurant near the language school/church. It has this really awesome mural on the side — Thai-style — of Jesus' second coming.


Media team planning (and eating).

Cycling Camp in KosKong, Cambodia

During the May holiday, my fiance Seyha and I went to Kos Kong in Cambodia. It's part of his cycling / youth / health ministry future plans, and was a great blessing. As promised, there ARE mountains in Cambodia... and I was impressed by the big group of cyclists that took the 2 day ride out to the campsite. Our site was by beautiful waterfalls, and close to the ocean.

However for me, as stated by Dickens, "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times..." Taking the buses/taxi from Thailand, then to get on another bus full of Cambodian teenagers, sitting next to my fiance's cousin whose English is like my Khmer, while being on my period, and not knowing what's going on, being eaten by mosquitos, and then setting up the camp to realize there are 5 icky *wet* toilets, is not my camping ideal! (actually, I could make a whole new post – maybe even a blog – on my toilet experiences in SE Asia, but I'd rather not dwell on that) On top of everything, the most frustrating was having problems with my fiance and feeling isolated by language. I helped with the cooking a lot; there's not too much language involved in chopping vegetables. *sigh* Anyway, it was tough for me, but I'm happy the kids had a good time.




I'm not sure of the total number of cyclists, but I'm surprised that some of these bikes made it!




Our friends' two super-cute kids!

CPR and warm-up techniques.


To the beach!

Some channel or bay that goes to the ocean. Below is my tent-mate Noy, another cousin of Seyha's. I think not speaking the same language is ideal for rooming together, because I noticed it made us extra thoughtful of each other's needs. There was no way for me to really explain to her that she rolls around a lot in her sleep. It was very endearing.



Seyha on the left with the guitar, David on the far right, "no hands" across the bridge.

It wasn't a requirement before, but now I can only marry someone who can ride a bike and play the guitar at the same time (while singing, of course).



Sorry I don't have more of the waterfalls. It just doesn't occur to me to take a camera if I'm going to go swimming. Below is the *tinniest* barber shop ever, covered in ad-posters, but using the principles of decorating with mirrors to enhance a small space.