So in case you haven't noticed, consistency isn't my strong point. Or maybe it's commitment. Or something. Regardless, I haven't written since... last Monday? Sorry Dad :)
Okay. So let's take it from Tuesday. If I remember:
Tuesday was our day to lead worship for the prayer service. Tuesday's are rough... starts at 8 am. Anyway, we had our tutorial with Alan, and discussed... a lot. We started talking about how Social Action and Evangelism need to work together, rather than be two ends of a very debated spectrum. Our paper this week is on how to integrate it, and why it is even an issue.
Wednesday began the Thai Missionary Prayer Fellowship, after our chapel in the morning. An amusing phenomenon has been occurring since we got here. We keep meeting really awesome, fun, friendly, laid back people, and we hang out with them, and joke, and talk. Then we find out that they are really high on this whole AG Missions hierarchy thing. I had no idea what we were getting into working with Alan Johnson. That guy is brilliant, and down to earth, and one of the world's leading Missiologists. Then a few weeks ago we met a guy named Mark, who was really nice to us, and very friendly. This week we found out that he is the country moderator for missionaries. But that's one of the lessons we're learning here; every one of these people are normal, average people, who are listening to God when He asks them to do something. Sure, they get to be involved in something huge, and awesome, and blessed; but they still have human struggles, they still get sick, they still make jokes, they still love their families. So anyway, we had our morning APSAI Chapel, in which Mark spoke, and then a bunch of Missionaries started rolling into town. That evening, we had a prayer/worship service, and then hung out a little bit.
Thursday was day two of Prayer Fellowship, so we led worship in the morning, then got comfortable for the days meetings. We had our computers, books, crocheting stuff... anything to keep us occupied. It actually ended up being pretty fun though; the point of the week was for everyone to get together, and share prayer needs, and testimonies, and hang out and get away from daily life. So we spent the day on 5th Floor APSAI, and worked on homework and hung out with everybody. That night, Tammy made Spaghetti, which was absolutely delicious, and we played big group games; then Kelsey and I went and got massages. I think I got a new girl... it hurt more than usual. But it still felt pretty good. We got Roti, then headed back to work on the next day's worship set.
Friday morning, we had worship in the morning, and then had a little bit of prayer, and they wrapped up the business side of it all. Then all the missionaries jumped in cars, and we headed over to the biggest AG church in Thailand, Romyan Church. They had gathered some of the bigwigs in the system to talk about some of the split stuff that one of the organizations is experiencing. They served Massuman Curry for lunch; amazingly delicious. That was the last thing on the agenda, so Kelsey and I headed over to the mall to study. I read a book called Unveiling Islam, that was assigned to the APSAI students. I needed pages to read for our tutorial, so I kind of picked it up on a whim; but it ended up being really good. It was a lot of very basic information, but it made my brain start to explode with questions. After Kelsey and I talked about it for a while, we called Barb and John, and asked if we could go talk to them about it over dinner. We went to a North-Eastern Thai restaurant, which was also pretty good. We talked for about an hour, then headed home, and headed to bed. This week was really good, but also really long, with early mornings, late nights, and lots of activity in between.
Saturday morning we had our first Thai lesson in about two weeks, which was really fun. Then we headed over to Alan and Lynette's before we went to teach into Ekkamai Sahm Sip. It went really really well; with about 15 kids. Then we headed back to APSAI for family dinner, and Jenna's birthday party. Sunday, we went to church, and then to Bandon, where we taught in three different places. Again, we headed home, where I finally got the remnants of green/blue out of my hair from Camp this summer. The box said that it was dark brown; it is dark dark dark brown. I like it though, just takes some getting used to.
Monday... I love Mondays. It's always good to unwind, and sleep in, and recap the week. I slept in a little bit, then skyped the family. Did you know you can play BattleShip while Skyping with people?!?!?! So awesome! We went to Patim's for lunch, and then I tried to study for a little bit; finished the Islam book, read a few articles, etc. Then we headed downtown Bangkok for some delicious food, shopping, and fun. We had Mexican food!!!!!! It wasn't totally fantastic, but was decent enough. Then we wandered the streets of Ramkamphaeng before we got stuck in the rain. We jumped in a taxi, and now here I am.
I have no idea what this week is going to look like; but I anticipate awesomeness. A couple prayer requests before I go;
- I need to start thinking about next term, and what living, financial, and transportation situations are going to look like. God knows what's best, and I'm praying for guidance as it all comes together.
- Off of that, money is going to be rather tight, since I obviously haven't been working; about 5 months by the time I get back to school.
- Please pray for open doors into people's hearts, as we try to build relationships and connections with people here. Pray for God's grace to be poured out as we walk through the slums, both Muslim and Buddhist, and people's hearts to be receptive.
Thanks!!!!
P.S. I am going to be better this week about writing... I promise!
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