Joel and Andi McMartin
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News and Pictures from Thailand

April 29, 2012 by Joel and Andi

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.

Not even McDonalds has made it to Senegal

Special Treats

Most exciting was a friend to talk to (in English)
  • 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

    The beautiful campus where we stayed.
  • 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

    It was crazy to be so close to an elephant

The Training = Spiritual Retreat

We had people from 8 different countries, serving in over 18 different places. It was amazing to learn and worship together

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

Can't wait to be back with my family
Can't wait to be home with my family

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

So fun to see such colorful taxis
We splurged at a hotel for the weekend
Rode around the city in a tuk tuk
Visited a floating market
Shopped
and just walked around
One adventure I was not brave enough to try...yes those fish are nibbling/cleaning his feet
The one down side was the hard beds, which were covered with bugs at night. Nothing sleeping with bugs crawling all over you
Yet also surrounded by the reminders of the need for God's truth

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

 

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Comments

  1. Jeannette Bessler says

    May 2, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Andi,

    May God continue to bless you, Joel, and the boys richly as you continue in His service. I know that Joel and the boys will be happy to have you home.

    What an adventure. I’m with you on the foot cleaning fish.

    Thanks for your blogs. They are a real blessing. It is good to know what the Lord is doing through you.

    Blessings,

    Jeannette

  2. Carolyn Gaupo says

    April 29, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Andi, As usual I love your blog and your pictures. You capture and share your experience so easily with just a few words and some wonderfully expressive pictures.
    About the fish: my daughter in the Ukraine, Cathy does this all the time. AND she has always had a fetish about anyone touching her fee. But she says this is wonderful. Go figure!
    It’s nice to hear that Joel is about to solve your water problem at home. I’m sure that will be a big relief to all of you.
    God Bless you in all your work.

  3. Carolyn Powell says

    April 29, 2012 at 3:38 am

    You are so brave and positive, Andi! I don’t think I could ever sleep in a bed with bugs. You have come a long way! I am glad your trip was full of positive blessings!
    Praying for you,
    Carolyn

  4. Jane Van Ryn says

    April 29, 2012 at 2:44 am

    Wow! What an amazing adventure you’ve been on. I’m with you on the fish nibbling on my feet–I don’t think so–yuk.
    Praying your last week there will be just as wonderful as the past one.
    Thanks SO MUCH for your great “blogs”.
    God be with you & Joel and the boys as well.

  5. Amanda says

    April 29, 2012 at 2:37 am

    Thanks for sharing.. it is great to see that you got to have a bit of a breather of more familiar air for a bit. 😀

    God bless as you soon head back into where He is leading your family in missions 😀

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