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!

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.htmlchiangrai.com/songkran_in_chiangma.htmlchiangrai.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

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!

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

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!

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

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)