News and Pictures from Thailand

Reverse Culture Shock

Arriving in Thailand, I experienced culture shock like I have never experienced it before.  I stood in a mall and was paralyzed as I look around at all the comforts surrounding me.  I was thankful to have a friend next to be who was experiencing the same thing.  We tried hard to stop saying “I haven’t seen _________ in almost a year”.  There was so much variety and so many choices.  It was difficult to choose what special treat to have or do.  It was a good chance to experience some of the emotions that I am sure will accompany our first days back to the states.

Special Treats

• Beauty:Thailand is filled with so much beauty.  Coming from the desert, it was amazing to look around at the green grass, rice fields, rivers and some much more beauty that surrounded us

  

• Comforts:  Worship in English, hot showers, clean feet, air conditioning, cheap massages, comfortable clothing, prepared meals (that I didn’t prepare), laundry service, and grocery stores.  I welcomed all of these with open arms
• Familiar food: Although the food here is very different (and we have eaten mostly Thai food), we have had access to so many more familiar foods: Ice cream (even blizzards), Cheetos, cereal, sausage, pizza, veggies of all varieties, popcorn chicken, specialty beverages, berries and so much more!
• The fun type of Adventures: On our breaks we took the time to explore the area around us including a floating market, touching an elephant, walking along the river, swimming in a pool, and of course exploring the local version of Walmart

  

The Training = Spiritual Retreat

When I think about this training, one word comes to mind “Amazing”.  The training is specifically geared toward what we are doing and it has been so good for me.  The training has focused on making Jesus meetable through the language learning process. It has been good to reflect on the difficulties we have faced in language learning, but to also be reminded of how God uses this breaking process to display his truth.  God has been teaching me so much during this time and I am so excited to return to my family and to pick up the ministry he has called us to.  We might have limited language ability, but I am praying that God will be using this time of language learning to display who he is to the people around us through our lives.

News From Dakar

We have one more week apart and although the boys are doing well, we are all ready to be back together.  Joel was able to find water tanks and a pump for our house, which is very exciting!  He now is working on figuring out how he will set them up and trying to find all the plumbing pieces he needs (which is pretty much like a life size Where’s Waldo for each piece).

More Pictures

The Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea