Buddhist Temple

Hey everone!

Yesterday we spent a few hours driving up a mountain and exploring one of the most important temples here in Chiang Mai. It was so different from most of the things I've seen here. We had to walk about 500 steps to get up to it. We walked around the outside and they had so many statues of monks, buddhas, elephants, etc. The view from way up there was amazing. The temple overlooked all of Chiang Mai. Before we went into the "inner" part of the temlpe, we had to take our shoes off, like we do before we walk into any building really. It was so beautiful on the inside too. Everything looked like it was made from gold, but it wasn't real gold. Most of the Thais go to worship and pray. They light incense, candles, and pray. They also have side rooms up there where some of the monks are. The Thai people will go in and get blessed by the monks. They kneel in front of them, the monks spray some kind of water from a stick on them, and they bow to the monk.

It was all very interesting to see that this is actually a religion that people practice. We get so used to just hearing/seeing Christianity that we get blinded to other people's way of lives. I love living here because I get to see how other people live. Some of my close Thai friends here tell me how they used to practice that religion too, but they were blinded then, and now they know the true light. Thats when I knew what my job was. To help guide these people to the true light. They are so willing and open to the newness of Christianity. They don't like to be forced to change, but if you get them to opportunity then they will want to learn more. I am here to help guide them that way. Even the Thais who are already Christians still have the burning desire to learn more and more. I want to be like that as well, wanting to know more and more. It not only benefits their own lives, but inspires other people as well. I love what I am learning here. I love having quiet time every day and reaching out to the non christians. I am so thankful I had the opportuniy to come here. Thank you so much for your prayers and help!

leprosy village

Today we all went and visited a leprosy village. Great experience.

Leprosy is a disease that eats away at our skin, sometimes meaning people have to get amputated. We went today to visit these people. It is not contagious by touch. There was so much love there. We sang a lot of songs for them in Thai, and they stood up and sang for us too. Some of them were blind, some couldn't walk, but they love talking about God. They were very inspiring. Lots of them live about 4 to a very large room. A group of me and 4 others went into one room and sat with this lady and sang "When the Night is Falling" to her. She was so touched she started crying. She told us how most of the time they feel like they have nothing to live for. They have no one to care for them, but whenever she starts feeling that way, she prays to God. We all prayed over for. They were all really appreciative that we came to visit them and sing to them. They kept saying God bless us and watch over us. It was touching.

It reminds me how much I do not rely on God when I should. I have so much, and these people have next to nothing, yet they love God so much and are not ashamed of it. It was encouraging to see that attitude in them, I learned how my mindframe should be.

That was about all we did today. Mondays are usually our day off but since the Aggies are here for only a week we have a full schedule this week. We will do some more pretty amazing things this week also.

Games, Waterfall, Devo

Yesterday has been one of the most fun days I've had here. The Aggies for Christ students are here, there are about 15-20 of them. We all drove out to a park yesterday about 30 min. away. We were broken up into 6 teams. Our teams included one ACU intern, Aggies, and Thais. We had competitions between all the games, with games like water volleyball, kickball, and ultimate frisbee. It was a lot of fun, very tiring though. It was a great time to get to know all the people I didn't know very well. My team came in 3rd place I think. After that we got to climb up and down this beautiful waterfall. It was awesome being the only people there to climb it. We were able to walk barefoot because of the texture of the rocks. There was one part that was really steep but most of us climbed it anyways and we felt really accomplished (I was one of those of course!). Like I said, it was absolutely beautiful. We spent almost 2 hours just on the waterfall. It was so nice I even layed down on the rocks with the water running through because it was so relaxing. After that we met back up at the park for more of a worship time. We sang songs in Thai and English. Everybody here loves to sing out. We headed back and went to the night bizarre again with the Aggies since they had not been before. We had lots of fun there, and got to watch cereonial dancing by some of the Thais. It was very different but interesting.
Today we drove about 30 minutes away to one of Payap's sister churches. We had church outside. It was drizzling in the beginning, but dried up.
I got a thai name today from some of the Thais. My name is Nong Mii. It means little bear. I liked the name.

I put up a picture of my team for the day yesterday. We had so much fun together, I'll be sad when the Aggies leave on Friday.

Today a lot of them went to go bungee jumping, but I am terrified of heights, so I didn't go! Plus it was a lot of money.

I love playing sports here. I bought a small plastic ball that they use for a different kind of sport here. Its kind of like volleyball, but you kick the ball over the net instead of hit a ball with your hands. Its really neat and I'm goin to practice a lot.

I am really suprised with how much Thai I am learning. I keep practicing everyday, take notes, and want to learn more every day as well. I know how to say a lot of phrases, such as:

Hello/goodbye (or just a greeting): Sawaat de Ka.

How are you: Sa bai de mai ka?

I'm good: Sa bai de ka.

I'm not good: Mai sa bai ka.

Thank you: Ka poon ka.

What is your name?: Kun chue alai ka?

Those are a few examples. At the end of every sentence you will notice Ka. That is because girls always say Ka at the end of sentences, and guys will say Kap. It is more of a way to make what you are saying polite. I love the language here, during sermons at church I listen intently to see what I can undersand from the Thai speakers.

It rains every afternoon here. Only for about 15-20 minutes though. It reminds me of Florida because it rains in the sunshine and goes away quickly.

That is about all for now, I hope you keep you all updated frequently. Thanks for your interest!!!