Anticipation

I am looking forward to this next week. On Monday, I don't have school (I know that it seems like I am always having a holiday) But not really. :) Our team is going to Auyutthaya, the former capitol of Thailand, to celebrate Dan (our leader's) birthday.

On Wednesday evening our team will also board an overnight train, and go to Chiang Mai for a retreat until Sunday night. I am greatly looking forward to a relaxing and refreshing time with our team. I am also thrilled that we are going to Chiang Mai, I hear that it is beautiful, and it will be wonderful to leave Bangkok for a while, and see another part of Thailand.

This last week has been a good week of connections with friends. I have been able to talk with the women at the bars several times, and I have been able to talk with Boy(I had not seen her for quite some time) but she has returned to working at the bar full time. I met a new friend Not, who is interested in learning English, as well as my friend Lukket.

It seems like an overwhelming amount of people have been asking me to teach them recently. I will be done with school in a few weeks, and I am looking forward to spending time in my neighborhood. It is exciting and kind of crazy to think of what will take place in the future. Pray for wisdom as I look into teaching English, and continue to build relationships.... Yes God is good.

Myanmar

Please pray for the people of Myanmar. A recent cyclone hit Yangon, Myanmar over the weekend. The death toll has risen to over 22,000, and over 41,000 people are still missing. To be honest, I really did not know the intensity of what happened until I read the news tonight, and was really shaken. Click on the link below if you want to read an article relating to this.

link to article

more pictures

One late morning last week, I walked to the daily market in Samrong, near my apartment. I tried to capture all the life, colors, sights, and sounds that I saw. If you are interested check out my flickr site,(the link is on the left of the page) I posted the pictures there! This country is crazy beautiful! I also posted some pictures of people in my neighborhood.

I am in the middle of a five day holiday from school. I will return on Tuesday, and will complete the 5th module on Friday. A few days ago my friend Som sent me a text message in Thai, and I was able to read it, understand it....and I replied back! It is the smallest thing, but I was so excited that I am able to use my Thai in different ways to communicate. I also find it fun to read the signs on the streets, and buses. In class we are reading paragraphs on Thai culture, and short stories, and even though I read slow, it makes sense...and I am starting to pick up speed!

u p d a t e

Hello to you all...I apologize I have been quite terrible at updating. I am still studying Thai in school, and will be in school until the middle of June... it is such a great blessing being able to live here in Bangkok, and if anything just being the presence of Jesus where ever I am. I am so grateful for what God has done so far, and am so excited to see what glorious things he will do in the future! We really do have an incredible team here, and I appreciate each one so much! It has been a good month, of interacting with my Thai friends, meeting new people, and being blessed by my team.
Sharon is so much better now, and after 3 weeks in the hospital, she is home and regaining her strength! Thank you for your prayers.

I do believe that the rainy season has arrived...although it normally doesn't arrive until next month. The rain has been such a relief to the heat. I find it lovely, especially in the evenings, I think there is nothing better than a lovely rain and good coffee. A perfect combination. Just as I am finishing writing this, I hear the sound of rain... yes!

I just posted more pictures!

Songkran

Songkran, a FUN Thai holiday marking the Thai New Year, has arrived! Schools and Businesses will be closed for about a week, and many people have gone back to their home provinces outside of Bangkok to celebrate. Everywhere on the streets, people throw water on each other! The timing is perfect, because we are in the midst of the hot season. I have only heard stories, so it will be fun experience all the water fights first hand. If it is anything like "Holi" a festival in India, that includes colored water and powder throwing, it will be fun. I have a feeling that Songkran will be not as dangerous, and a little more laid back!

I have already heard the shrieks, screams, and laughter from the streets......!

ทานกาแฝ

Translated the title of the blog reads "drink coffee"! OK, I thought I would try writing Thai on the computer, it is not as fun as writing it by hand.

Let's see what there is to say...last week was crazy busy, it looks like this week will be slower. I feel as if my blogs often times are so random...so I guess I will continue with the flow...

Sharon is doing much better, and will be in the hospital for one more week. This past Sunday some of our team went to visit her and had church in her hospital room. Sunday evening I went to the annual International Dance Festival held in a park in the city. One of my Indonesian classmates performed a dance, it was very fun and beautiful to watch. I posted new pictures on my flickr site.

I recently met some new women in my neighborhood, if you think about it you can pray for Aam, Diamond, and Boy. I recently met Aam, and I am excited to get to know her, she has shown an interest in talking to me and being my friend.

I must go and leave for school, I have a test today to complete the 4th module!!!

Wild, Crazy, Busy, Spontanious

This describes my week thus far, yet good good things are happening!

This past sunday was Easter. Our team met together for a brunch and a worship time. We are currently having RMM leaders visiting us this week. They were with us on Sunday for Easter, and we had a wonderful time. I know our team is really encouraged having them be here. They will be meeting with our team throughout the week. So good... They have been a tremendous blessing!

Sharon has been very sick with a bacterial infection, and was hospitalized last week. She is doing so much better, and there are improvements. She will be in the hospital for at least two more weeks. We have been visiting her in the hospital everyday, the doctor requires a person to constantly be with her for one week. We all take turns, and have a smooth rotation going on! :) Last night I spent the night in the hospital with her, and in the evening our friends Tawan and Payao came to visit her. It was perfect timing. It was so good to see them, as I haven't seen them in a while! We had a great time together. Thank you so much for your prayers for Sharon. I know she appreciates them.

School continues to happen everyday. I am almost done with the 4th module, and will start the 5th module on April 3rd. I feel as if my understanding of the Thai language is progressing...some days! Ha! I think that my teacher is the best that I have had so far, I really enjoy going to class.

I have yet to teach English...there have been plans to teach, but so far no one has shown up, or they have cancelled! No worries, I think it will eventually happen.

The hot season has arrived, and every day is a sweaty, sticky day. I guess I will end on that unpleasant note...!



Anita