Thailand Adventure '09

MUCH JOY

2009-06-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for praying for our trip to Nuuy’s family and the visit to her village. It was such a unique experience – very hard to put into words. Nuuy’s family was so happy to see her and by the end Nuuy’s Mother kept asking us to come back.

It was kind-of like a vacation Bible school time. Mon, Tues and Wed afternoon Marleen and I taught some basic English lessons and a game with the kids for an hour and then the Outreach Team broke the kids into groups by age and taught each group a story from the Bible, like David and Goliath, and some songs. Parents got attracted to what we were doing because of their kids’ interest. Parents and kids were especially invited for the last evening - the Outreach team prepared and served a meal, did a puppet show, shared their testimonies and performed a skit about Jesus. After dinner, two from the Team played games with the children while the rest of the Outreach Team was able to speak to the parents in smaller groups about Jesus. By the end of the last night, six people, including Nuuy’s Mother and Father, prayed for Jesus to come into their hearts. There were big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. It’s amazing how Nuuy’s choices (stepping out to leave the bars) back in Pattaya has created ripples of blessing to so many others :)

Many of the neighbors had heard what we were doing because we walked around the village before and after lunchtime each day visiting people. At each home, we’d sit and talk for a while and then pray for the person or family. I think the neighbors could see the sincerity on the faces of the Outreach Team as they took the time to listen, to care and to pray for each person. Among those we visited were the village store owner, a family where the grandmother could no longer walk and an older woman who’s begun really seeking spiritually (she’s concerned what will happen after she dies so she’s been giving a lot of money to the local temple in hopes of earning enough merit for a good afterlife).

PLANTING SEEDS (*name changed)

The original plan had been for Nuuy, Marleen and I to come back to Pattaya on Thursday while the Outreach Team would continue on to *Om’s village for another 2 days. I was really disappointed not to go to Om’s village – Om regularly goes on the bar outreach time in Pattaya, and we’ve gone together as a pair a few times to talk to the women. Though she doesn’t speak much English (aka, its been hard for me to learn much of her story), I really wanted to go in order to pray for Om, her family and the visit. We knew that her family wasn’t so supportive of her leaving the Bars and working at the Tamar Center (it means less money to send home to the family) and that they were potentially less open to the Gospel and the Team coming to do an outreach. I asked and was able to continue on with the Team.

The experience at Om’s village was largely different than at Nuuy’s. Her family didn’t really greet us right away and the Team was more sensitive in how they related, especially to Om’s Father. The village was also much, much larger. We did similiar walks around the village to visit people. Within the first afternoon, we met a little girl, maybe 8 years old, who was abandoned by her parents and whose grandfather is now taking care of her. Next was a 2 month old baby boy – grandmother now taking care of him. In Thailand, raising children is culturally different. It is much more common for the entire family, which typically live together or are in neighboring houses, to take roles in the care and the discipline of the child. Most of the women who are at the bars in Pattaya have children who are back home with their parents in their villages so that they can make money for the family.

Praise God for how He is at work…by the second day both of Om’s parents had long conversations with the Outreach Team. Om’s Father, especially, asked a lot of questions. At first he just thought that Christianity is like other beliefs but as the team talked with him and answered his questions, he thought more. He took a Bible – actually Om gave him her Bible – and he said he would read it and keep thinking about it. A visit that started with a grim greeting was a smiling, gracious goodbye by the time we left.

We did the children’s times – English, Bible stories and some songs – but not the Outreach to the adults on this trip. Plans are in the works to return to both Nuuy’s and Om’s villages – to encourage and help the new believers in their faith and to continue building relationships. Follow-up is a big focus of the Outreach Team – them taking turns to go to new villages in the NE area of Thailand (typically from where one of the Tamar women are from) and returning to villages that they’ve previously visited.

The work of the Outreach Team is so vital: to share who Jesus is with a community that's often never heard of Him, to connect with and to teach the families and to influence them, especially the women – all ages – that going to Pattaya or Bangkok to work in a bar isn’t the answer. All of this can hit part of the problem of the sex-for-sale industry that taints Pattaya and hopefully work towards ending the cycle of heartbreak. There are alternatives but so many don’t see it. The bars can seems like the only solution. At the bar I was at on Monday afternoon I talked with a mom and a daughter who were working together – 45 and 19 – so sad! Many of these women struggle for alternative work because they only have a 6th grade education, got married young, have children to support and their husbands have left.
Please pray with me for the work here – it is on the frontlines. There’s days that the staff seem really tired from giving, giving and giving some more. But, the Lord’s using it to make a difference – lives are being radically changed and set free.

FAST FORWARD

As I took the Songthaew (truck taxi) yesterday morning to get to the Tamar Center, a line from the song “Great Is Your Faithfulness” came into my head: “All I have needed Your hand has provided…” While I don’t always feel this way, it is always true – Everything I have needed along the way of life, He has provided. Faith in Jesus gives us promises for the future: “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16: 5-6) He’s been intimately involved in even the harder things of the last few years that I’ve really struggled with. And, in Thailand, I’ve seen Him provide for me what I’ve truly needed (maybe not always what I wanted) and what’s been best for me to learn, to grow, to experience. Sometimes its been more about me changing my perspective on something than my circumstances needing to change. More easily said than done.
So with this written, my time in Pattaya has had a shadow to it – me wondering what will be next as I return to the US. No, I don’t know yet. If you know me well, you know how much my ‘planner’ brain would love to have these answers! I am a bit weary of existing in the holding pattern I’ve felt like I’ve been in for the last 2 years with what direction I should take next. So, as I considered the words of the song this morning, I realized again that God is providing me with everything I need. So for now, I believe that I’m not supposed to know entirely what the future holds. I braced myself for this very spot before I left Colorado in April. I had the expectation of returning without knowing the specifics of my next steps. I was open to Him ‘pleasantly surprising me’ though with a neat little plan, all of the “t’s” crossed and “i’s” dotted. But, that’s not exactly where I’m at. So this last month I’ve been praying a lot that I not grab something just to feel content that I have “some” plan. Faith is believing in and trusting for what we can’t see. I can’t see the future but I know that the God that I trust is infinitely bigger than the unknown details that I can’t see. Just as He died for and unconditionally loves the women that I’ve been helping to reach here in Pattaya, he loves me. So, I will wait and trust Him as I return to the States.

As I return to the US, I am really grateful that I have the flexibility to be available to spend time and help my sister and brother-in-law and nephew Grahm with the arrival of my new nephew Wynn (planned around July 25th!). If I was able to forge ahead in my next steps, this might not be possible. This was part of “my” plan and I’m glad it’s still the course I’m headed towards!

I look forward to seeing you soon! Love, Becky

2009-06-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

PATTAYA - PART 2

Hello! I hope you’re having a great week! It’s hard to believe it’s almost the middle of June already! Time’s moving along…here’s what I’ve been up to:

ENGLISH, ENGLISH & MORE ENGLISH

A lot of my time serving at the Tamar Center has been filled with English: planning activities and helping women with vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar worksheets. The Tamar staff, women working at the Tamar Center and women at the bars all want to know more English. Whatever English you can learn and understand seems key to more opportunities for your life in Thailand. Many women want to learn English, too, so they can help their children with it. At Eve’s request, Marleen and I have been trying to help the staff individually with English. They’re all at different places in what they’ve learned so it’s been a challenge to figure out where to start and what exercises we can do that will be effective and will help them in their day-to-day life. I’ve especially enjoyed getting to know Kaek who runs the bakery and coffee shop and Oh who leads the discipleship training. They love the Lord so much. They’re both looking for ways to expand what the Tamar Center is doing so that more women can have jobs, the training and discipleship programs can be expanded and more can come to know Jesus.

English class with women from the bars - Marleen (left) & Kath are doing a role play.

Group from the Baptist Church English class. A, at the center, invited Marleen and I to her town of Sattahip (30km south of Pattaya) for the afternoon on Tuesday. We met her husband and had a wonderful time. (We visited a park where I got to meet the cute kitty, aka Tiger.) They and most of the Baptist Church English class are believers :)

THE WOMEN OF THE TAMAR CENTER

Eight new women started working at the Tamar Center in May – leaving life at the bars behind them. So exciting! One of these women received her first paycheck from the Tamar Center on Wednesday. Marleen and I happened to be nearby after she got paid for her work. She had started crying. We didn’t know why. Eve told Marleen later that she was so happy that she received money for work that she felt proud of. The Tamar Center is really making a difference. What a privilege it is to be a part of these efforts!

Very little of my daily time, though, is with any of these women  They’re doing their jobs while I’m helping the staff or the bar girls with English or headed to the bars for outreach. I generally see them at lunch for about 30 minutes and for a few minutes here and there before work, after work and during the day. Somjit and Gay are among the few that know a little English to talk to me. With many of the others, though, it’s our smiles and a few phrases that give us a connection. When they can, and they’re around, the staff will translate for us but this is rare. Marleen amd I both want to spend time with them and love on them so we’ve been looking for ways that work with their schedules. This past Monday night we organized a movie at one of their shared housing units. We brought my laptop and a cake and watched “Bedtime Stories” (English w/ Thai subtitles). Since then, I’ve received even more hugs and hellos from many of them.

Tamar Center staff (+ volunteers)

Some of the Tamar Center ladies from our movie night

AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME – OUTREACH TO A THAI VILLAGE

Monday to Thursday of next week Marleen and I will get to travel with Tamar’s Outreach Team to visit a village in the Northeast of Thailand! The Outreach Team travels every other week to remote villages where there the Gospel has been shared little, if any, times. I think the villages are often picked based on a woman working at the Tamar Center – the trip enables the woman to see her family and to tell them about her decision to leave the bars. We’ve been told that sometimes the reunion is incredibly emotional – the family might not have known that the woman had been working in prostitution. On this trip we’ll be going to the village of a woman who came to work at the Tamar Center in January. Nuuy’s now working as the cook at the center – she’s incredible – big smile, sweet heart. She has 2 sons.
Eve has cautioned Marleen & I that we’ll have 3 ½ day of 24/7 Thai language with very little translation and potentially all spicy food. We’ll be helping with food, clean up, playing with the kids in the village, talking to whomever we can and teaching some basic English to the children in the village. We are so excited! I’m also really looking forward to getting to better know Na, 33, a staff woman on the Outreach team. My first evening in Pattaya I ran into her at the Walmart-like store across the street – she recognized me and went around the store helping me buy everything I needed (I couldn’t read some of the all-Thai labels) and then walked me back to my guesthouse.

PRAYER REQUESTS

I especially love your prayers as I’m serving in Pattaya:
Please pray for the Lord to prepare the hearts of those we meet next week in the village during the Outreach – that they would receive the teaching as the word of God : “…When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe…” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Please pray for Nuuy, too, during the outreach – for her visit with her family and that they would come to know Jesus.

Please pray for the women that we’ve met and that we will meet at the Bars. That they would see love in us and be drawn to the powerful love of God: “…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

Please pray that Marleen & I would each connect deeply with a couple of the women & be able to invest our hearts into their lives.

Thanks for your prayers! I look forward to telling you how the Outreach goes!
Love, Becky

Now I've seen it ALL! If you look real close, there's a cat on the back of this motorbike - I watched it ride down the street! It stood up, sat back down & looked around. It seemed right at home!

Transitioning Again

2009-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I’m not so sure how people traveling overseas stay constantly on the move? Unpacking, repacking, seeing a place for only a few days? Not my style by far. I’m so glad that I was able to be in Trang for 6 weeks.

But, as I sat on the train on Saturday, tears running down my face because I was sad to leave, I could see the convenience of staying only a few days: you don’t get so attached, you don’t invest quite so much, you stay a tourist more and less of a temporary resident. There were so many different aspects to my time that have affected me – relationships with the Thai staff & learning about their lives, getting to know the other volunteers & where they are in life, boundary issues in making my placement be a good fit for me, handling the frustrations of the language, appreciating time alone and enjoying time with people. I’ve had many conversations about Christianity, Buddhism and other beliefs along the way. The consensus seems that most do not have a belief system that influences their daily life and that all roads lead to the same place. I’m grateful for opportunities I’ve had to tell new friends that Christianity is different – only faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin offers salvation that isn’t based on what you try to earn. He changes our hearts and then our actions – we don’t have to clean up our lives ourselves.

Since before arriving in Thailand, I was interested in an overnight train ride – sounded so fun in spite of the longer travel time. So, early Saturday night, with the help of Cha (he carted my super-heavy suitcase) and Khem (she surprised me by bringing a take-out dinner meal to our last goodbye), I settled in for my 17 hour ride. The standard cars were full so I had a seat in the Japanese car – absolutely wonderful – plenty of room. Around 9pm the porter changed the seats to beds and for the next 12 hours I had a window all to myself. I woke up through the night and looked out in the moonlight or street lights at the countryside, the towns and the train stations we were traveling through. As the sun came up, I had a wonderful view of the western outskirts of Bangkok. I read and relaxed and enjoyed the whole experience.

PATTAYA

Via the train, subway, skytrain & government bus, I arrived into Pattaya Sunday afternoon around 3pm. Eve, one of the leaders of the Tamar Center with YWAM/Project LIFE, picked me up from the bus station. Sunday was a perfect arrival day – that night I joined a farewell party for a Thai woman who was leaving the Tamar Center to work at a local church. Over forty women and a couple of husbands (there’s few men around the Tamar Center b/c of the sensitivity for women leaving bars & prostitution) gathered to thank this woman for her influence in their lives. I could understand very little b/c most everything was spoken in Thai but I could see the emotion on their faces. The majority of the women gathered had left the bars – some just recently – and now work with one of the ministries of the Tamar Center. The Tamar Center has a bakery, hair salon, coffee shop (street photo shows sign for coffee shop) and card making business. Different women provide training and then jobs to girls coming out of the bars so they can support themselves.

Immediately there have been Thai women who have greeted me, smiled and hugged me and women, newer to the Center, that seemed resistant and cautious. Typical, I’m sure, as the Tamar Center has lots of short-term teams & people going in and out. It has helped so much that I have a few Thai phrases & words – it seems to open them up that I know some Thai with which to start friendships. Of course, I’m frustrated that I don’t know more but glad for what I do know. I listen with envy at Eve (Dutch) and Katherine (English) who so easily speak Thai.

FITTING IN?

So, what will I really DO here? Well, I’m not completely sure. So far I’ve helped teach English with Marleen, another volunteer, at a local Baptist church for the last 2 mornings (photo of me with two ladies), I went to a bar yesterday to invite women to an English class we’ll have tomorrow afternoon and this afternoon we went to the beach with a big sign offering prayer. The last 2 things seemed pretty strange to the people around us – we stick out like sore thumbs – BUT it has generated conversations and opportunities. At the bar yesterday, Becky (American from California who’s been in Thailand serving at a local church), Ali (DTS outreach YWAMer from Australia) and I struck up conversations with a couple of bar girls. There were about 12 of us that went together from the Tamar Center. We broke up into smaller groups so we had someone who’s gone before & someone who speaks Thai in each group. We sat at the counter and bought sodas while we took up the girls’ time. There were 4 girls working at the bar we sat at. The atmosphere felt dark: forced smiles and hollow eyes, evil was cheap and available everywhere. Becky and I talked with a 21 year old girl who arrived about 1 month ago. She said she calls her family everyday but that it’s okay that she’s here. She’d like to go home but it’s a full-day trip and she needs to stay. Most of the bars have games, like Connect 4, to play at the counters – easy way to make conversation and small talk for hesitant buyers. We used the games to break the ice and ask about the girls, where there from, what their interests are. We invited them to the English class tomorrow. At the beach today Katherine and I spoke with two 19 year old girls – they looked more like 15 – one all dolled up with fake eyelashes and circles of blush on her cheeks. They said they’d come tomorrow to the English class. Please pray with me for the Lord to bring these women to the Tamar Center and for opportunities for them to find hope in Jesus. There’s another world available to them but the enemy is fighting not to lose ground.

A HUGE blessing to me is Marleen, a Dutch volunteer who’s been here for a month. I’ve been able to join her in what she’s doing and I’m grateful for her explanations along the way as the staff are very busy. Marleen had been praying for the volunteer to arrive – me – that we would become good friends and that we could serve and have fun together. This is so great! I hope to sit down with Eve in the next day or so to go over the schedule & learn additional ways I can help out.

Internet access is less frequent for me but I’ll try to keep you up to date. I miss you guys and love that you’re standing by me on this journey! Becky

Winding down in Trang

2009-05-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

Less than a week left in Trang with Cross Cultural Solutions! I can’t believe it. I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye, especially to the CCS Trang staff – Khem, Jack, On, Mama T, Cha . They have created my impression of Thai people. They’ve freely given me their time, their help with the culture, re-pronounced the same basic words and answered my never-ending list of questions. Sight-seeing is so different than partnering with people in another country to accomplish a shared goal. Serving together raises questions and situations that allow you to see and experience the norms of another culture while having someone available to help you understand it from their perspective. I’m so grateful for how they’ve come alongside me these last 5 weeks…

For different reasons I feel a connection with each of them: I love Khem’s wisdom in leading the staff and the volunteers as our Program Director. She’s a single woman balancing her career, responsibilities to her parents, she’s active with her friends and she looks toward the future with hopes for that special someone. Jack, our Assistant Director, has planned our cultural activities & group outings. He’s also spent lots of extra time with us in the evenings – going into Trang town & sharing his favorite hang-outs. I think Jesus shines out of him so much – he always has a smile on his face, a laugh and he continually seeks to serve us. It’s the time that Jack spends with us volunteers that makes me feel like we’re not work to him – “his job” – rather, he wants to be with us and he looks forward it. On, our Admin Asst, also loves kitties and cute things. I’ve shown her photos of the miscellaneous kitties I’ve met around Thailand. The day I walked around Trang town I ran into her downtown. As a stranger in town, it was so fun to have her call out my name as I strolled down the unfamiliar sidewalks. Mama T is normally the first person to the Homebase each morning and she greets me with a huge smile while I’m eating breakfast. Because of her I know many more useful Thai sayings. Cha drives me to my placement each day. We know about the same amount of English & Thai comparatively but that hasn’t stopped us from trying to communicate. He’s willingly quizzed me on the Thai names for fruits and colors and instructions that I can use at the Daycare. He’s one of many examples to me that language can be overcome as a barrier.
I’ve really come to love these new friends and I will miss them very much. I picture it like I arrived in Trang with my heart on a platter – ready to dive in and give it all I’ve got. I did & as I prepare to go, some of me will be left behind. I decided to stay in Trang for an extra day so I’ll have a little more time with the staff before I head off to Pattaya.

FUN LITTLE FACES
Here’s some photos of the cute kiddos I enjoy teaching and playing with each day. Heather, a new volunteer, has joined me at the Daycare so last week I started helping Khruu (Teacher) Ja with her group of children. Ja doesn’t speak much English but I have loved working with her because she finds ways to incorporate me into whatever she’s doing. To help her, I bring simple games & activities with written instructions that my CCS staff has translated into Thai. The kids are precious - among my favorites are Kong (cute smile) & Mo (with me).

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

I have loved having new volunteers join us at the Homebase! Our house is more full & there’s always something happening to be a part of or a conversation going on. It was a blast to head to Koh Lanta this past weekend with four of them – Matt (New York), Evan, Tomas (Argentina) & Heather (Canada).

ANSWERED PRAYERS

I felt some personal breakthroughs lately as I’ve experienced new ways that the Lord is restoring and refreshing my heart and soul. It boils down to some basic things: I’m different because I know Jesus Christ. He’s transformed my heart and what comes out of it. Like 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There will always be an element of ‘fitting in” to the world that doesn’t happen once we put our faith in Christ’s death on the cross for salvation because He has so deeply changed our hearts. At the same time, though, because Christ was so sacrificial in what He did for me, my heart has become more fully given to the people around me – friends that I want to know Jesus. I want them to have what I have. I long for Him to be glorified and for empty ways to be exposed because they fall so short of all the perks that can only be found in Him. These truths aren’t new to me but the renewal of them has felt critical in the steps that I’m taking forward in life. THANK YOU for your prayers for me!!

Miss you! Love, Becky

~ brief message to you ~

2009-05-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Eight new volunteers arrived to CCS Trang last Saturday. It's been a blast getting to know them and spending time with them.
I leave in the morning for the island of Koh Lanta for my last weekend in Trang with 4 of the volunteers.
I hope to send a longer update on Sunday or Monday night since I won't be taking my computer this weekend.
Thinkin' of you! Becky

Settlin' In At The Daycare

2009-05-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

The last week has been great! I’m very happy to be at the Daycare, serving the kids and the staff. My role is to look & find needs, providing an extra set of hands to help in all aspects of what the kids are doing. Typical morning begins with a crying fest of the children who are struggling with separation anxiety from their moms…sadly a few of these kiddos cry the whole morning that I’m there…Hai is one example. No matter how much I’ve tried getting him interested in a game, a toy, an activity, he wails unendingly and, if he can, he’ll take my hand and pull me towards the door, pitifully whining “Pai! Pai!) (Go! Go!) The ‘criers’ seem to struggle the most on Monday and get a little more adjusted as each day of the week goes along.

Given their short attention spans, I’ve been picking low commitment activities to do with them to help the staff – counting objects in Thai, telling them colors, playing “Ring Around the Rosie”. The kids are usually divided into either 3 or 4 groups, about 8 to 12 per group, with a staff person responsible for each group. I’ve been helping Khruu (Teacher) Yuun since I’ve been coming. Yuun is in charge of the Daycare and speaks the most English of the teachers. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help ~ this afternoon I raided the kids section of the Lotus/Tesco store (similar to a Walmart) in Trang for some more teaching aids. I picked up some balloons, plastic fruits w/ 2 halves to match together, little bowling pins & extra crayons. Along with some photocopies of paper activities, I’m armed for the week ahead :)

The BODY of CHRIST

Last Tuesday was a holiday in Thailand – celebration of Coronation Day – to mark the 59th anniversary of the Coronation of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the Kingdom. For me it was wonderful – extra day off to catch up on some things and to continue exploring the town of Trang. I woke early and took one of the CCS bikes into Trang. I covered a lot of ground quickly – had breakfast by the Train Station, got times & prices for traveling for the weekend, stopped by some stores…but the highlight was stopping by a coffee shop. I had passed it earlier & noticed the sign “Grace & Peace”. Hmm, I thought, wonder if they’re Christians…?

I’ve been looking for a nearby place (and there’s really not a lot that’s too nearby to the CCS Homebase) where I could meet Kwan, the woman from the church who wanted me to help her with her English exam. Grace & Peace is owned by a Christian Thai couple who have two children – Grace (a girl, about 9) and Peace (a boy, about 7). Instantly they welcomed me into their store & we had a conversation about our faith in the Lord. Mana, the wife, studied English at the University about 10 years ago, and though she feels rusty, we managed quite well. She was so happy for us to have met & asked if we could pray together right then – which we did. I left so encouraged & have been back twice – first with James to get an afternoon Iced Mocha before a CCS meeting & then to meet Kwan to practice English.

What struck me was how similar it felt to the weekend my Thailand plans were becoming official: I shared my concerns & the unknowns about my plans with a few believers and they made some calls, sent some emails & prayed with me that the Lord would coordinate the details. Likewise, I asked Jack about going to church in Trang & within a few days new friendships have opened up that I sense are among the reasons that I’m in Thailand. None of it has been about my efforts - it’s the Body of Christ working in harmony to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. I’m so grateful to receive these blessings and the renewal it’s brought to my heart.

Coronation Day also gave me the opportunity to see a Thai Dance ceremony - menora dancing.

WAIT A SECOND, ANOTHER BOUNDARY TO SET?

Just after finding a better balance of my time and stress with my Volunteer Placement, I received another new “boundary” opportunity….seems to be a theme lately! Long story that I’ll abbreviate: I was asked to select the color schemes for a group of chalet resort rooms in Trang. Now, isn’t it funny that I’ve left my interior design career in the US only to have this opportunity on the other side of the world? My heart is to serve people – which sometimes isn’t so good because I can commit to things that I shouldn’t. So, especially lately, I’ve been seeking greater discernment in my ‘yeses’ and my “nos”. The man that asked me to help him is the same great Christian gentleman from the church who invited me last Sunday night for dinner with his family.

So, “why is a boundary needed here?”, you might wonder…Well, I was immediately concerned that this project might not be little in terms of the time commitment. To serve him well, I would need to visit the rooms, consider the type & amount of lighting, take into account any existing furniture or furniture to be purchased, see how the exterior building colors would relate to the spaces, select paint colors and their placement within the rooms (and, oh, did I mention that he’d like different schemes in the rooms, not just the same for all of the rooms?). Would there be additional materials to select too?
The whole opportunity for me to help him had an air of concern to me about it. “Becky, don’t just say yes to this” were the words loud & clear in my head. So, after praying & considering some of what I did know about the opportunity, I wrote an email expressing my desire to help but also my concerns. I gave some options of how I could help him with more reduced time on my part but which would allow my expertise to give direction to his overall goals. The gentlemen very graciously wrote me back, letting me know he sees my concerns, is fine if I can’t help at all but will accept whatever amount of help my schedule and desire allows for. So, still a few decisions to make but I’m headed in the right direction…

Koh Mook

I made a solo journey to Koh Mook this weekend, an island off the coast of Thailand, about 2 hours (minivan & ferry) from Trang. It being low season, there were very few tourists & very few people that spoke any English. It was quiet and kind of empty; I felt lonely and got a little stir-crazy! But, it was beautiful & I took advantage of time in the ocean & the sun, time to read , pray & journal. Definitely wished you were there! Becky :-)

Some Photos to Tell the Story...and Some Changes

2009-05-03T01:34:00.001-07:00

Saturday May 2nd ~ a 6 1/2 hour walk around Trang!

I opted to stay in Trang rather than to travel this weekend. Dana left Friday and James & Evan went away for the weekend so I had time to explore on my own. I started off at a coffee shop in the morning at one end of town and then ventured down many of the streets - eyeing up souvenir gifts & researching travel info - as I began a long walk back to CCS's homebase.

A photo can tell a thousand words so here goes... (can't resist a few captions, though)

Trang municipality has about 70,000 people with about 600,000 in the surrounding area.

CCS's Homebase is about 1 km from the entrance to the Trang airport - a handy thing for someone looking for her way home.

The Clocktower - I've read its the largest one in all of Thailand. Wonderful landmark for me to keep my barings!

Center photo shows His Highness the King.

Intricate detailing of an elephant on the sign.

We saw a real elephant being lead down one of the city streets the day before - don't know why? CCS staff said it was really unusual.

Sign post near the City Hall building.

Sawngthaew, small pickup truck with two benches in the back, used as a bus/taxi. I was looking for one of these to catch a ride back to the homebase but none around. Since the homebase is a little outside the city - they're difficult to find. I had figured I'd probably be walking the whole way back (and had 2 offers from the CCS staff for rides, if I got tired of walking). I'm guessing I walked 6 or 7 miles total?

Like other Asian countries, cute things abound - little stuffed animals, cell phone trinkets, shirts with catchy little saying. I love cute things and have a certain weakness for certain ones of these. Needless to say, I spent a few baht here and there...

Are there many other places where you could buy a scooter with Doreman or Ariel on it?

While American car companies continue to struggle, I've seen several advertisements for Chevrolet's truck - the Colorado. I couldn't resist asking the dealership if I could have a photo with one. :) Ahh, I do miss Colorado!

STUFF THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING...

BOYS' HOME to THE DAYCARE

I loved volunteering at the Daycare with Dana last Thursday. There were about 25 kids, ages 2 to 5. The Daycare is part of a Nursing School which provides both reasonably priced daycare for working adults as well as an observation/class requirement aspect for the Nursing Students.

My role is less structured - I helped with teaching the English alphabet, numbers, colors and playing games with them. I quickly had a couple of favorite children from among the group. The children are fed breakfast and lunch, have numerous hand-washings, have meditation time & sing the national anthem (I'm told this - we didn't do these two things on Thursday), play, short teaching time and showers/teeth brushing before their afternoon nap. Extra hands are really helpful!

Well, after a lot of pondering and prayer, I requested that my placement be changed to the Daycare. The Daycare was never offered to me as an option originally. The plan had been for Dana and Holly to go there & CCS typically doesn't send more than 2 volunteers there. With Dana leaving & Holly having cancelled, I decided to ask if it was a possibility for me. Khem made the calls & I'll be going to the Daycare starting tomorrow for atleast the next 2 weeks! I'm very excited. While I value the role I had at the Boys Home, I think this will be a better fit. And, I will return to the Boys Home for either the last week or the last 2 weeks of my time in Trang. (They already have 2 volunteers, who arrive mid-May, scheduled for the Daycare. I'll only continue there if there's enough kids to make it worthwhile.)

For a lot of personal reasons, I think this will be really good for me. Top of my list is my own questions of wanting kids or not, sometime later in life. As I've gotten older and am not married yet, honestly, I've often felt that they would be too much work. Selfish, I know. I've figured maybe I would just skip parenting (that is, if I do get married...) because my time to myself is so highly valuable to me. I've felt like I have this major irony in life - how can I want to give so much in caring for other people but be unwilling to give unconditionally to a child? (I realize that it's partly b/c as a parent you surrender being able to pick & choose when you give - it's pretty much 24/7 for 18 years!) Anyway, I love children and value them so much. I hope to process through some of this through volunteering - that the Lord will expose some lies in my thinking and give me a fresh perspective.

Among my other thoughts - different schedule (start earlier, done earlier) + less stress in terms of planning and language = more time for me to pray & process through the many things I had hoped to accomplish while in Trang. Possibly good for Evan to work on his own - planning wise? The three nursing students on Thursday & I tried communicating in English & Thai - good opportunity to make some Thai girlfriends while I'm here & keep learning the language on a bit slower pace (which I reallly need - I'm sad to admit!).

And, I guess what topped off my decision is the feeling that making the change was acting out a good boundary for me. Historically, I'm not good at choosing when to leave something - almost always, I hang in there, thinking that with more work & perserverance, the task will end in success. So often, though, I go down with the ship. So, I think this decision is progress for me in this area.

So, well see how it goes! And, the reality that I'll probably be back at the Boys' Home before I leave Trang is fine with me. By then there will be a few more new volunteers so Evan & I will have the opportunity to team with them for the lessons.

SOLO TRAVEL

With Dana now gone & James leaving this weekend, it will be just Evan & I for a few weeks. I'm anticipating that any weekend traveling I will do will be alone. So, I've adjusted to this idea and will run with it. While I get recharged alone, what's the fun to go to a beach by myself? So, thanks to ALL of you who I truly feel are along with me on this journey. I'll pull up a towel next to my beach towel just for you :)

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

A total highlight to my time is learning that one of the staff, Jack, is a Christian :) Up until this weekend I hadn't gotten to ask him much about his background and his faith. I asked him if I could go to church with him this morning & he said he was glad to. Jack is from a town about 2 hours away and he normally goes home on weekends so he isn't always in Trang to attend this church. Jack said that very few of his friends are Christians.

It was a large church - typically around 500 people - and there was English translation headsets so I could hear & understand the sermon. The sermon was great - on Acts 1:1-11. The pastor really stressed waiting on God's timing, knowing and having the Word deep in your heart and being a witness through the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the service, two people stood up and said they wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts! So encouraging and empowering as I press on to be a light where I'm at!

After the service, a Thai woman came up & asked me I could help her with English. She has an English exam that she's failed 3x and really needs some help. I hope it works out for me to help her somehow --- she doesn't have good English and my Thai skills, well...

And, a retired man asked me if I would like to have dinner with him and his family tonight. The man spent many years in the US & has wonderful English. He gave Jack & me a ride home & spoke of how he sees everything that's happened to him as a gift from God.

Please continue to ask the Lord to use me as a witness and encouragement to those who I meet and spend time with.

Gotta go for now! Wishing you a wonderful and restful Sunday!

Love, Becky

Another week goes by...

2009-04-28T04:27:00.000-07:00

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

Bin, Pop, Kung, Bia, J and Kit. These are a few of the nicknames of the boys from the school. (Most of the Thais that I've met have first & last names but the names are long so they go by nicknames to each other - not just for us foreigners).

The largest chunk of my mental energy in the last week has been spent thinking of ways to teach English lessons & games to help the boys learn AND to always be prepared for a twist. I'll use one of today's activities as an example: It was a continuation of one of yesterday's exercises where we had given the boys a worksheet with Thai words & English translations & a pencil drawing of each word for clarification. The words were ones like: palm tree, sky, river, grass, flower, etc. We had told them (with some translation help by Su, our female Thai translator) to take 5 English words from the worksheet and to draw them in a picture with pencil or crayons (they absolutely love to draw & I think some of them designed the tatoos that are on their bodies). When their time was up, write the 5 words in English on the back of the page, and if they could, to write a sentence with 1 of the words. Our plan was to have them read their words to the rest of the group and they would get a candy if they could write and say a sentence (some of the older boys can come up with very basic English sentences though not typically pronounce all the words. To this, we volunteers give them great credit and admiration since we can't create many full Thai sentences!). The boys got into the activity right away - but -surprise! - we didn't seem to notice that Su had left after about 15 minutes. So we attempted to communicate in a combination of a little Thai (we have some phrase cheat sheets) and a fair amount of English, what we wanted them to do. "Khian bon gradaht." (write on paper) "Haa" (5) I held up the paper with the vocab and pictures, pointed to the back of the paper, interjected a smile, wrote the names on the back and wrote a sentence, showed the class (about 12 boys this morning) and ended with "Khao jai mai?" (do you understand?)

Gratefully, Bin, one of our older boys who both knows some English and is willing to take the risk of trying to speak it, said he did understand. So, we asked him to tell the others. Which, I think he did, but only about 5 of them started to write the words and Bin didn't understand it was to be on the back of the page. (Back or front side of the page did not matter - yea! they're writing the words! I'd given up on the sentence goal by this point.) James, Evan & I start walking around the 3 tables the boys are at, checking spelling, asking them to repeat the words after us "Phuud taam khruu" (speak after teacher) and encouraging them that they'd done well.

About this time, Su returned and was able to help us again with what we asked the boys.

Next we switched to working on numbers 1 to 100 - pronounication, writing both "1" and "one", we gave out a worksheet and then tested the boys by having them come up to a dry erase board to write the answers. We had two more games - Bingo (which many past volunteers say the boys love) and a "The Price is Right" kind-of game where two teams would compete to match items to cost amounts in baht. Both of these we didn't get to & we'll save for another day. (Tomorrow we're going to help with an English camp in the city of Trang - about 200 students participating.)

We typically reward the boys with affirming words, candy and stickers (Kristi - these are the girly-looking stickers that you left with me! Amazing how much they like them and they like to use them to decorate their nametags! Thank you!!!) When we first arrive in the morning the boys come over right away to sit at the tables, they take their nametags from us and they wait to hear what we're going to do. We've learned that if we (or another group - there's 1 group that comes one morning each month for an hour or so) don't come then they boys don't have a lesson during the day.

A quick word about Su: I'm very grateful to have her help though we often don't understand what she's saying and when she doesn't understand us, her answer is always yes, with a smile. Often, I ask her to say something to the boys, she says yes, and turns away, saying nothing. Other times, I ask her one thing to say and she says a long paragraph and the boys begin a variation on one of our lessons. She still knows infinitely more English than we do Thai and we desperately need her help if we want more success - so, thank you to Su - I will not take you for granted!!

In a funny note, Evan, James & I laugh that Su seems less comfortable talking to either of them than me. It is always, "Becky, you teach now", "Becky, you tell boys lesson", "Becky, I need to go". James and Evan have sometimes felt invisible and I've not wanted to feel in charge again. Is it because I'm the oldest? I'm also a woman? Who knows! Doesn't seem to have happened with past volunteers. Today we adjusted our tactics - when Su addressed me I looked at Evan, asked for his agreement & then did the same with James. Thursday will be good - I'm not going to the Boys' Home but with Dana for her last day at the Daycare Center - so Su can have lots of direct communication with the guys!

* "REST?" & OTHER THOUGHTS OF REFLECTION

Many of you know that I have looked at my time in Trang as a possibly restful time for me to pray through pieces of the future, maybe be a little less structure-oriented (yes, I believe this is possible for me through the power of God!) and chill-out a bit. Is this happening? Well, the first two days I felt like that was happening - I read a book in the evening, watched a movie the next night with the other volunteers, it was great. THEN, we started volunteering. Of the 3 of us, I'd say I'm the most planner-oriented, James is a very close second (and I'm very grateful that he likes having a plan b/c we'd be dead in the water if we didn't come prepared to the Home - it's hard even with a plan!!) and Evan is, well, not operating on the same mindset in terms of planning. He's content to go with the flow with what we come up with. This, I tell myself (over & over again!), can be great since, in some ways, I'm working on growing in some areas to be more like Evan. In this area, though, it's stressed me out. I've felt very concerned for when James leaves and I might be doing a lot of the planning solo or atleast have to use some coersion so we plan together. Finding a balance in all of this is part of my learning curve for Trang that I feel convinced is part of why I'm here so I'm pressing on. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Likewise, I've run the gammet of feelings and emotions about the successfulness of what we're doing and all the frustrations associated with the lesson planning and execution...feels like we're reinventing a wheel that's been figured out decades ago and could be much simplier. I took some time to write out my thoughts in my journal last night and pray about how I was feeling. This morning I prayed through James 1:5-6, asking the Lord to give me wisdom about what to do. I was headed for a day of being grouchy and impatient. Praise the Lord for how He met me in my place of need. By the middle of the day, I decided to skip out on the activity for tonight so I could have some time to myself (time for this introvert to recharge!). I was feeling behind on the blog, too, and also knew that the extra time would help me in that area. Saying no to the activity, I'd say, triggered concern on our director's part so I had a long conversation with her about my thoughts. It was productive and she didn't take it as complaining (which I'm sensitive to not wanting to do - we're here to help, right?). She encouraged me about comments from the staff at the Home and the value of our work there and I was able to suggest ways she and the other staff could help us more with our Thai skills and lessons.

* YES, THERE ARE SOME PERKS

Just when I was ready to chuck my Thai phrasebook off a cliff (no, there aren't any around me) last week, the other volunteers & I did go away for the weekend. We went to Koh Phi Phi Don island, a destination that James had researched and really wanted to go to. In all fairness, I do need to mention the trip in this post. Koh Phi Phi has 2 island - a larger, Phi Phi Don, and a smaller, Phi Phi Leh. Koh Phi Phi Leh is where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Both islands are beautiful with long-tail boats, snorkeling, beaches, monkeys and of course, mosquitos! I'm grateful for a weekend trip while Dana is here (she leaves this Friday) as I've enjoyed her company & there won't be another gal volunteering here for a while. I had my second round of stomach sickness over the weekend so I was in bed by 7:30pm on Friday night. All in all, it was a fun weekend that came at the perfect timing.

Since I still don't have any Boys' Home photos to share, I'll add a few from Koh Phi Phi!

who says a cat doesn't like the beach?

"Oh Huckleberry....time for a trip!"

This post has been long - thanks if you made it to the end! Let me know if you have something you'd like to hear more about. I'm still leaving LOTS of stuff out!

I miss you, Becky

Down South!

2009-04-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hello from the coastal city of Trang!

Thanks so much for your prayers! It means so much to my heart to hear from some of you and to know that you're praying for me as well as the impact this trip can have in the lives of others.

It's been great being in Trang so far. I arrived Saturday afternoon. At baggage claim in the one-gate airport of Trang, the other 3 volunteers & I figured out who we each were & got our introductions underway. Cha, the driver for Cross Cultural Solutions, & Jack, the assistant director, met us at the airport. The CCS base is only about 15 minutes from the airport (and about 15 minutes outside of the downtown part of Trang). After we got a little settled-in, we were introduced to the rest of the staff: Khem, the program director; On, the business/finances person and Jiew (aka Mama T for Mama Thailand) & Jia, our cooks/housekeepers. I felt right at home by how much they wanted to answer our questions, were concerned about jetlag/being tired & made sure we weren't hungry. CCS has a nice homebase - capacity for about 24 volunteers they say (though we can't quite imagine that many in the house) - so we have plenty of room with just 4 of us. From about 6pm (unless we have a special evening activity) until 6am only the 4 of us are in the house - though there's a night watchman, Miaw, on guard out at the end of our driveway (I'm not sure if Miaw is there more for our security & the threat of theft or more b/c this is another way that CCS is providing a job for the local enconomy?). Here's a picture of the living room where we've met for our orientation & Thai language lessons.

Saturday evening we went on our own little version of "The Amazing Race" which was really fun. We were divided into pairs, dropped off in the downtown of Trang and given 5 tasks to complete in 90 minutes + returning to the homebase. Our tasks were focused around helpful information for our stay - finding the train station & getting schedules & costs of fares, finding a store where we could get digital photos developed, locating a travel agency & researching a weekend destination that we'd like to go to, buying an order of Ro Tee (a local dessert that the city Trang's known for) and purchasing 1 kg of dragonfruit. With limited Thai vocabulary we depended on our smiles and the graciousness of the folks we encountered. There was only one gentleman who seemed genuinely disinterested in our concerns - the rest were super helpful and friendly though not familiar with much english (which we expected for Trang). But, my teammate, James, & I got 'er done & we made it back to the home base 1st. (yeah, that is 1st out of 2 teams - guess we didn't need to be too competitive!).

I've enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers - in the photo, clockwise from bottom: Evan (19 from Vermont), Dana (19 from Massachusetts), me, James (32 from Yorkshire, England) & Khem, the program director. If you look closely, you can see Cha, our driver, in the back. The clocktower in the background is a landmark for Trang (makes me think of Back to the Future...). I'll get to spend a bunch of time with James & Evan as the three of us will be going to the Boys Juvenile Detention Home together. More on that below...

Sunday & Monday consistented of orientation time to get to know the area & more about CCS's background in Trang as well as some R&R time to get to know each other. Sunday the staff took us to an island off the coast of Trang for a grilled lunch & some time in the water & sun. It was about a 40 minute van ride to the coast from which we took a boat about 20 minutes to this little secluted spot. Absolutely beautiful!

Today was my first day volunteering at the Juvenile Detention Home. Everyday James, Evan & I will be expected to have games, lessons, something prepared to get the boys interested in practicing their English. The boys can stay at this facility for up to 90 days while they wait to hear the outcome of their case - most are in for theft. The facility has a tall chain linked fence with barbed wire surrounding the boys' grounds; guard houses watch the perimeter of the property. Currently there's about 35 boys at the

Home, mostly 14 to 17.

Today seemed to go well. We were armed with some ideas from past volunteers & spent our time doing introductions, competitive team Pictionary & a worksheet on basic body parts - we went over the English words & then had them teach us the Thai words. The boys can attend their time with us at their own will - i.e. if they get bored they can simply get up and walk away. Past volunteers left a lot of comments telling us not to be discouraged if they left - sometimes the group started at 25 and dropped to 5 by the end of the 2 hour morning period. We were encouraged. We started with 11 and kept adding on through our time - up to about 20. This is definitely a chance for me to [try to!] fit myself into the mind of a teenage boy. We rewarded them with candy & are trying to make learning a little bit of a game to keep their interest up. Looking at their faces, it hard for me to imagine them needing to be at the Home. Almost all of them look so young - and have a sense of innocence - I'm reminded of our director's consistent affirmation of the value of what we're doing - seeking to help these boys make better decisions for their futures as we invest time in them today. I keep telling them "dee mai" (very good) when they get something right and trying to catch their eyes to give them a smile. I'm ask the Lord to help each one of them see all that they can be in the future and to turn to Him. I'm glad that 80% of communication is non-verbal, I'm trying to shove a whole lot into each smile :) far more than I know in Thai at this point!

Overall the boys have some comprehension of English and seem to have a willingness to learn. I'm grateful for the opportunity of tag-teaming with James & Evan, too, as we can multiple our efforts, cut down on lesson planning and divide & conquer!

As for photos - they don't want us to take cameras to take photos :( i can towards the end of my volunteer time but even then I will need to distort the boys' faces for anything I print.

We returned to the homebase this afternoon later than planned and then had another Thai language lesson - practice, practice, practice!

That's it for now - time to head to bed!

Thinking of you! Love, Becky

2009-04-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

Ahh, so much I’ve seen to tell you about yet time is limited – I’m sure yours, as well as mine, so I’ll stick with the highlights.

Kristi & I were grateful to return to a relatively calm Bangkok following the riots and protests of the previous week. Things had simmered down and the red shirts had conceded a defeat, abandoning camps & leaving the city with disappointment. I asked a few Thai’s their opinions & from an economy-driven-aspect they seemed annoyed themselves that the Thai holiday of Songkran was chosen for the protests as it disrupted an important time for Thailand to have tourists and the income.

We arrived back to Bangkok on Wednesday morning and headed to Khao San Road – a backpackers destination with cheap lodging and tons of stuff to buy. We were slated to load Kristi up with a ton of souvenirs and gifts to take back to the US, however the last ‘official’ night of Songkran got in our way. Not many vendors wanted to risk their stuff getting ruined while the crowds clearly valued partying instead! While I loved (well, that’s not completely true) Songkran in Chiang Mai, as it felt a bit more of a family affair, on Khao San Road it was much more of a Daytona Beach/Spring Break experience, in my opinion. Not only were we doused with lots of water, at this location (I don’t know about the rest of Bangkok?) the Thais were way more into smearing everyone with this water/flour (I think?) concoction. So, as you try to move through a sea of people – literally elbow to elbow – imagine the folks to your left and your right reaching out to touch your face or shirt to smear stuff on you…Some Thais were gentle, some a little rougher, all with good intent, I believe, though more than once it was TOO much and I needed some space! (Khao San Road during Songkran is not for the claustrophobic, that’s for sure!)
What added to our last night of Songkran (though technically Thailand extended the holiday b/c of the red shirt incident) was that I got sick on some Indian food Kristi & I had for lunch. Kristi is such a good sport – not only did she endure my love/hate feelings of Songkran (I hate being cold and I felt that way enough times to avoid some of the water throwers at all costs – including shielding myself with her body a few times), I got sick while we were walking around and threw up in my little plastic bowl while we sat on a sidewalk. (My little bowl was for dousing water on others.) Yep, good times! (Sorry to those of you who might not have wanted that picture ;-) )

the crowds of Khao San Road (top) & My "I've had enough of Songkran" face! (bottom)

KRISTI

It so much bears repeating how much it means to me that Kristi was able to travel and experience Thailand with me. She had already been to Bangkok and Koh Samet (a beach area) and I knew from long before our travel plans were definite that her motivation to go was to support and love me more than she needed to see Thailand some more. I felt her love and care for me deep down to my soul and her companionship in the last 2 weeks made the start to this adventure SO much more fun & memorable. I’m so thankful for the depth of our friendship which also lent itself to some ‘debrief’ opportunities for us to improve our communication with one another. It is a gift from the Lord to have friends that know us deeply, who applaud and nourish our strengths and who also can speak to our weaknesses gracefully with incite and love. In many ways, this aspect our ‘team’ dynamic during our traveling time has been a great preparation for my communication with the other volunteers that I’m about to meet. It was bittersweet to see Kristi off at the airport yesterday morning. So sad for me to see her go but so very grateful that she was able to come. I’ll forever cherish our experiences in Thailand together. We’re planning for a return in 35 years (if not sooner), let us know if you’d like to join us!

SOLO SITESEEING

I’ve had 1-1/2 days to recover from my stomach sickness, rest up and see a few more sites around Bangkok. With the extra time on my hands, I decided to take a ½ day tour of a floating market this morning. So worth the trip. It was about an hour outside of Bangkok & while it was quite a tourist trap, it was really fun. I almost bought a little toy for my nephew Grahm until I saw “made in china” on the bottom…hmm, what’s that about?! Since my luggage is already full, I’ve told myself not to buy anything of any size unless I’m ready to mail it to the US. This strategy had worked well so far and I’m glad to be more of an observer of the culture than a consumer of the available stuff!

I see the Lord putting people in my path that I’m grateful for: a woman from Canada who was likewise interested in some conversation & company – we ate dinner together last night; a guy from Brazil on my floating market tour who lives in Laos & who’s traveling for a couple of months – I was able to tell him a little of our time in Chiang Mai as he’s heading there tonight; a guy from Malaysia who literally knows more about US history and current events around the world than I think I’ll ever know – we had a long conversation including pondering of the sex trade - is ‘supply’ or ‘demand’ more to blame? When Kristi left yesterday, I was glad that I knew I was supposed to stay in Thailand. I pray that the Lord will continue to bring people into my life that He will influence me with as well as use me to influence.

FLEXIBILITY
My surprise of yesterday was that Holly, one of the 4 other volunteers I was to work with, has decided to postpone her time with Cross Cultural Solutions until September. She’s 19 & her parents felt uncomfortable with the events of the red shirt riots & protests. Very understandable. Of the other volunteers, only Holly & I had directly communicated and I had planned my day & lodging tonight around meeting her at the airport when her flight arrived. I was excited for the early start to this new friendship. So, while there’s a bit of disappointment on my end, I’m freshly reminded that this is a time and experience for me to remain flexible.

REFLECTIONS
For me the backdrop of this trip continues to be that I’ve made significant decisions to try new things as I consider the future. Leaving my job & going overseas for 3 months have both been enormous decisions for me, marked by the desire to find new ways to be challenged and to invest myself in serving and helping people once I return to the States.
Two songs that have really resonated with my heart are:
Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly) by Santus Real
Details in the Fabric by Jason Mraz
I’m excited for the next stage of this trip – the time volunteering with Cross Cultural Solutions in Trang – and I look forward to seeing what it will hold.

Let me know how you’re doing!

Know that you’re thought of & prayed for.

Miss you, Becky

Happy Easter & Chiang Mai!

2009-04-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a few days...let me catch you up:

First ~ Happy Easter Sunday!

"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 16:4-6

One of the great joys of Easter is that Jesus not only gave His life for us in dying on the cross, but that He is resurrected - sin had no hold over Him - He conquered sin & death completely and sits enthroned in heaven.

Celebrating this holiday here in Thailand makes it even more personal because it is in such sharp contrast with the culture. Buddhism is represented everywhere around me, from the Buddha statues, wats (series of religious buildings in an enclosed courtyard - over 30,000 in the country) and shrines inside & outside of most buildings. Buddhism believes in making merit to earn your way to nirvana. It's unlike believing in and following Christ who tells us that we can do nothing to earn salvation from our own actions but that it's a gift (Ephesians 2:8).

Kristi & I celebrated Easter at Chiang Mai Community Church (recommended by a friend) this afternoon. I couldn't help but look around the room of about 250 people and wonder about each person's story of how and why they were in Chiang Mai. Just as it was unique that we were there today, so I'm sure each story has twists and turns of how God has been at work in their lives, taking them on a journey that's specifically theirs.

Chiang Mai

To back up a couple of days, Kristi & I arrived to Chiang Mai on Friday afternoon. At the airport there were loads of people to greet our flight - we were given flowers & parasols and there was a young troup of dancers performing some Thai dances. Tears came to my eyes as we were so amazingly embraced; I feel so fortunate to be here and to have this Thailand experience.

This show of welcome & other special things are happening around the city because of the Songkran Festival (which began today). We are here at the perfect time! We've been warned by numerous people - other foreigners as well as Thais - that we need to be prepared for a full soaking of water. For more info, go to: http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/songkran_in_chiangma.html chiangrai.com/songkran_in_chiangma.html chiangrai.com/songkran_in_chiangma.html

It has been SO MUCH FUN! I wish you were here - especially folks from EUTS (my Colorado Springs Bible study) - as you would really enjoy all the playing in water that we've done. Super-soakers, buckets of water and hoses are EVERYWHERE. Small children are the best - their excitement and sometimes timidness to surprise a Thai or a foreigner (farang) with a bowl of water is precious. Teens, adults, yound & old - everyone - is in on the fun, lining the streets & corners, ready to drench anyone walking or driving

by. Especially mischevious people add large blocks of ice to their trash can size buckets of water so the soaking is extra COLD & shocking.

Here are some other highlights of what I'm seeing each day (specifically in Bangkok, but typical throughout the journey so far):

- 4 people on a motorcyle (but rarely only one)

- small shrines/altars outside the entrace of each building or home (even gas stations)

- lush gardens, beautiful & sweet smelling flowering trees, ponds with lilypads

- portraits of the King & Queen everywhere, including outside, along roads and highways

- fruit and food streetside stands - even in the midst of conjested intersections

- new construction & delapitated buildings next to each other

- lots of stray dogs (and just a few stray cats here & there)

- friendly, smiling faces admist lots and lots of people

- endless supply of taxi & tuk-tuk (three wheeled transport vehicle) drivers looking to earn some baht

- advertisements everywhere with intriguing Thai script

I'm going to try to load some photo albums to the blog so you can see more than just a few photos. Thinkin' of you with love!

The Island of Koh Chang

2009-04-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

It’s been an exciting 2 ½ days! Tuesday morning, Kristi & I took a 45 minute taxi ride, 5 hour bus ride, 1 hour ferry ride & 1 hour sawngthaew (truck taxi which has 2 benches along the truck bed) in order to arrive at Koh Chang. Koh Chang is the 2nd largest island in Thailand (2nd to Phuket), located near the southeastern border, close to Cambodia. It was beautiful and we loved every minute! During the bus ride we called some guesthouses on the island to find a place to stay. (I had purchased a Thailand SIM card for my phone at the airport – very easy & very handy!)
We settled on the Siam Beach Resort which had reasonable prices ($1000 baht = $30/night) for Bungalows. “Bungalows?” we thought, sounds fun, wonder what they’ll be like? Well, the resort looked great from the outside so as we walked through we were mentally patting ourselves on the back for the great deal that we had found. Our bellboy smiled a big smile and then led us through the main building, down a pathway, past the individual units with patios to where the path forked. As we rounded a corner, we finally understood where we we’re going. Our bungalow was a wood slat construction little room on stilts sitting perched about 15 feet above a steep slanted hillside flanked by trees. There were probably 12 different bungalows each tucked along the hill. Our bellboy heaved 1 of our suitcases over his head and carried it up a series of steps winding up the path – the hike reminded us of Colorado & was a great work-out each day. Take a look at the photos! We loved our primitive lodging and firmly decided it added all the more to the adventure (even if it increased our risk of malaria – note the mosquito netting above the beds)
The beach and the water were great - so restful and relaxing. We walked to find places for dinner each night where we were able to practice our Thai words. I bought a floatie intertube and loved using it in the waves. Four of the resort staff helped me with my Thai vocabulary (see photo of me w/ 2 gals). We went to a national park nearby to see one of the many waterfalls on this island.

The time when by way too fast!

Out of internet time - I'll write more soon :)

Love, Becky

arrived to Bangkok!

2009-04-06T04:18:00.000-07:00

Hello! We arrived safely to the newer Bangkok airport and are settled into 1 evening at YWAM's Bangkok base. Our driver had some difficulty finding the base address - we're east of the city so we haven't seen downtown yet. The sites and sounds are exciting and different. People smile welcomingly at us and we were greeted warmly by the YWAMers at the base here. I hope to send some photos later. Tomorrow morning we're going to take a bus 5 hours to the south to the small town called Trat with some nearby islands, including Ko Chang, which we'll go to for one or two nights and then back north along the coast.
Jet lag hasn't been too bad though we're definitely looking forward to a early bedtime tonight!
Our hearts are open to all that is ahead of us - new friendships & experiences :)

Taipei, Taiwan

2009-04-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

Kristi & I arrived safely in Taipei a little while ago - a little sleepy but happy and excited. We fly to Bangkok in about 30 minutes. We've had two great flights and enjoyed conversations with our neighboring passengers. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Becky

Heading Off!

2009-04-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends!

This will be my first 'official' posting to this site since I'm only just sending out the link! I look forward to letting you know what's happening during this adventure. Please let me know your thoughts and questions ~ I'd love for this to be interactive. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have overall but I'll do my best to post what I can so you can enjoy a trip to many places in Thailand with me!

Lord-willing (I write this b/c it's snowing in Col Spgs & Denver), Kristi & I depart at 5:50pm tonight from Denver International Airport ~ just a few hours till we head to the airport. Rebecca & Carmen are taking us :) We have layovers in San Francisco & then in Taipei, Taiwan and will arrive into Bangkok at 12:2opm on Monday, April 6th. Thailand is 13 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time.

My heart is full and excited. I've been anticipating this trip and the unknowns & surprises of it for what now feels like forever. While the trip's only been in the official stage for the last 5 weeks, it follows probably 2 years of thinking, praying and pondering what steps I should take for the future.

I have felt so much love and encouragement on this trip ~ I am truly blessed to be surrounded and supported by so many dear people in my life. Yesterday, one of my prayers was that if I can show even 1% of that same love to the new friends that I make in Thailand, then they would be blessed. I am so grateful to know the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His transforming grace. The last couple of years have been bumpy for me personally and He has been the Rock that's been consistent and secure.

I went to sleep around 2:30am last night. As typical to me, I was up late doing lots of little things. I felt frustrated with myself b/c I wanted so much to start off this trip with things in place AND rested but instead the 'to do' list seemed too important and continued to grow longer. So, as I laid in bed, pondering the plight of this reoccuring scenario in my life (always another thing to do...), I again asked the Lord to make this transformation within me - to instead seek out deeper rest and less details. As I drifted off to sleep, with my dear cat Huckleberry snuggled next to me, I thought of all the people who I love and who I will miss. You are the backdrop of how I can make a trip like this. Thank you!

While I don't exactly feel rested for this trip, I do feel ready. There is a peace in my heart that this is the right step for me to be taking and that I don't go alone, the presence of God is with me and the prayers of many follow my every footstep.

With love, Becky

Beautiful day in Colorado Springs-Friday, April 4th.

Huckleberry was invited but he decided to stay in the U.S.

Maps of Thailand

2009-04-02T18:52:00.001-07:00

Same maps that are on the sidebar of the blog...but larger here.

April 18th - May 29th: Trang (Cross Cultural Solutions)

June 1st - June 30th: Pattaya (YWAM Thailand)

Email update

2009-03-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hello there!
On April 4th I'm headed out to Thailand for 3 months! I would love your prayers before I go and while I'm away!

My sister Wendy and brother in law Paul have offered to host a time to pray for me, and my friend Kristi, on Tuesday, March 31st at 7pm at their home:6130 Moccasin Pass Court, 80919Wendy's cell: 719-233-0650For those of you in the area, please let us know if you can come by replying to this email or by calling Wendy :)

In case you haven't heard my news, here's a quick update: After many months of praying and seeking the Lord about what steps lay ahead for me, I continue to feel the Lord's pull on my heart to switch into vocational work that is more tangibly the "hands and feet" of Jesus to people who need His love and compassion both physically and spiritually. I don't have an answer yet to what that will specifically look like but my sense of this direction leads me to take some risks, trusting Him to make the following steps clearer as I move forward in faith.

April 18th through the end of May I'll be volunteering in Trang, a coastal city in the southern part of Thailand, with an organization called Cross Cultural Solutions. I should learn my specific assignment in the next couple of weeks but the options include helping Buddhist monks with conversational English, building friendships and self-esteem in teenage boys at a juvenile detention home, caring for family-less elderly people at a community home or helping Thai teachers improve their English for use in their classrooms. CCS is a non-profit organization that isn't affiliated with any religious organizations. With integrity I'll be looking for ways to share Jesus with my actions using words only as I'm invited to do so and as the Holy Spirit leads.

For the month of June I've applied to volunteer with one of the ministries of Youth with a Mission in Thailand. YWAM Thailand has many, many ministries in various parts of the country. One of them that I'm specifically interested in is an outreach to help young girls and women in prostitution learn vocational skills like card making or sewing so that they can have an alternative means to support themselves. I would love to encourage these women and share the lasting hope that only Jesus can give.

An *enormous blessing* to me is that one of my best friends, Kristi, has decided to travel over with me to Thailand. We'll do some site seeing and praying together as we visit a few different locations in the country. We're praying for divine opportunties to meet people and encourage them with the love of Christ along the way. Kristi will fly back to the US on April 16th.

These are some general prayer requests that I'd love if you prayed for me:
- overwhelming sense of His presence, direction and leading as I reach out to those I meet
- safety, especially for when I will be traveling alone
- quick recall and understanding of the language (I know only a teeny, tiny bit so far but am working on it!)
- teachable heart & spirit to all that I might learn for the future through this trip
- sensitivity to the culture and the people
- hearts and lives would be drawn to the Lord

Let me know if you want me to send you updates (including some photos) while I'm away.
I am taking my laptop and hope to have some access to the internet and email.
Joyfully, and with excitement and a little trepedation about this adventure!,

Becky
beckygirtman16@hotmail.com
Skype: becky.girtman