Some Details
I know some of you want to know just what’s going on out here in Thailand, so I’ll tell you how these last couple of days have been.
We’re staying with an engaged couple, Phil and Pook (American and Thai, respectively), and all of us are renting rooms from another married couple (also foreigners) that’s on vacation right now. Phil and Pook have been really cool and we feel comfortable here. We’ve made each other dinner, watched a couple of movies together, and even played a little Ticket to Ride.
We’ve also met Norbert and his family. Norbert is the pastor of an international church here in Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship, I believe). He, his wife, and four of his seven children live close by and made us chili and cornbread last night (and it was Good).
We’re staying in a place called Kullaphan Village, which is the Thai equivalent of a middle-class gated community (although as far as I can tell, the guards are just there for the look of the thing). Dave and Sheila, the couple we are renting from (and haven’t actually met yet), have a lot more amenities than we were expecting to have on our arrival here - even a washer and wireless internet. We’ve even had Western food every once in a while (usually through someone else treating us), so we haven’t had a chance to crave American food yet. So we’re not exactly living like Thais at the moment, but it’s cheap and we’re nothing if not practical.
We haven’t started working with Im Jai yet, but Cindy is trying to contact them and we plan on starting with them in May. Our priority right now, though, is to learn Thai, so we’re signing up for Thai language classes and hope to start that as soon as possible. Oh, and we also bought a couple of bikes yesterday - those are fun.
Click on any of the pictures to see more, or follow this link. We haven’t taken very many yet, but there will be more coming to be sure.
Hey, you guys — Love the pics and the great update! Keep it coming. We’re praying for you.
I’m glad you made it safely. I’m sure the shock of moving from one country to another will eventually hit you guys. I pray that the transition will be one of growth and peace that only the Lord can provide.
Should you meet the Fishers (Gene, Linda, and Angela), tell them I say hi. The Fishers are on staff with Grace International School in Chang Mai. I am good friends with their daughter Bethany.
Wow, it really looks like you are getting settled in. The surroundings look very nice and it looks like you are being well taken care of. When I come to visit do I get to ride one of those shiny new scooters? I like the way God is allowing you to ease into your situation there. Clearly from what you say and what the pictures show God is taking good care of you. I am sure that as you become acclimated God will be showing you bigger and better things. He definitely is a good God. Keep the information and pictures flowing. We are all very excited for what God is doing in your lives.
Actually I am a little slow this morning but what I wanted to add to that last comment is that we are seeing Phil 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” being manifest in your lives in real time as God is taking you through the process of putting you in the place He has prepared for you.
Thanks for the updates and the pics, guys. It’s good to hear from you, and see a little bit of what your lives look like now.
-Matt
Cauldrons for trash cans?! A ‘7-11′?! A moat?! Shiny scooters?! Coolest. Country. EVAR!11!!oneone ;)
Love the photos! (I thought I recognized those couches from Dad’s condo!) Keep the updates coming. We’ll keep praying!