Happy March Everyone! As January came to a close with all of the chaos and traveling, February was a month where I could just sit back and try to begin my routine again. But still acclimating in a foreign country is difficult when trying to establish something called a routine. And in my case, transportation seems to make everything hard--time, energy, and focus--especially as we are heading into hot season.
Hot season.
This is my most dreaded part of my internship in Bangkok. You know when people asked me what I feared the most when moving here, I replied: "Hot Season! Because I hate the heat!" Well everyone, hot season is here. Thankfully it is not the hottest yet, we are just warming up. Apparently, the month of April is the hottest of them all, and that is why the Thai New Years called Songkran takes place towards the end of April. Songkran is all the talk right now. All of the kids (and even some adults) are so excited for us to celebrate Songkran with them. Do you wanna know why? Because it is literally a National Holiday where you play with water! Yes you heard right, we get to have water guns, buckets full with ice and water, water balloons, water hoses, etc. and "Len Naam" which literally translates to Play Water by throwing it on eachother and having fun! In addition, you throw some kind of mixture of flour and water and give blessings to one another. I was even told that some areas in Bangkok can get extremely chaotic and inappropriate in terms of how woman are treated. Thankfully I will not be traveling to those areas during the holiday but I am very excited to Play Water with the children and members of our community. Maybe I will have some fun water stories to share. ;)
As I mentioned earlier, this was a month to "try" creating a routine for myself and my thai studies. Although I can honestly say my plans never work out, it has been an amazing month of challenges and growth. God never ceases to amaze me. Here are some general updates on what's been happening:
Learning Thai Update:
Thai. Oh my, one of my biggest struggles and frustrations here. I am getting the material well, as in, I understand a lot of the learning part and rules. But application is my main issue. I struggle in reading, listening, and speaking the tones! So basically everything. Haha. Tones, they are my biggest downfall. These last two months are heavily focused on learning the Thai alphabet, writing, listening, and reading basic thai. Next month will be focusing on understanding the special rules--which is a lot! Please continue to pray for me in this area. It is like a roll-coaster, somedays good and somedays bad.
Servant Partners Update:
Lately, in our internship program we have been learning about and visiting other organizations stationed in Bangkok. This has been an awesome opportunity to see how God has been moving in this beautiful city!
Roommate Update:
Natalie and I have never been better friends! Our friendship continues to grow everyday, despite many challenges and obstacles we face. I am so blessed to call her my roommate, friend, and sister. Oh, there is one thing I should mention for prayer. Natalie has head lice! Please pray for the Lord to give her patience and strength to get rid of these annoying creatures. But as of now, thankfully I do not have them so pray they stay away! The other day, we found out like half of the kids we work with have lice and a lot of it!! Please pray for this annoying infestation to leave our heads alone! Thanks.
Community Update:
Well, you heard about the lice. What's up next? The Lord has brought a new opportunity for me by tutoring a young 16-year-old girl english. She is very sweet and I am excited to see how the Lord will open doors.
There is this one family: my community leader, her husband and two sons have a special place on my heart. Her husband has been experiencing depression for over 15-20 years. This has caused many problems in their marriage, in his ability to perform daily tasks and even work to support the family financially. Please partner with me in praying for this incredible family. I know God has a special place in His heart for them and I can't wait to see what He will do next. Oh, I forgot to mention, today is his first assessment at a Christian Counseling Center here in Bangkok and they are doing it for free! Isn't that amazing. I am so excited for breakthrough to happen in his life as well as his marriage and family. This is especially dear to me because of my little experience as a social work intern at a Mental Health Hospital last year.
We are still doing mini-VBS programs with the children Saturday mornings. God is continuing to move and the children are so open to Him! It is amazing! Just this past week one of the little girls wrote "I love God" on her coloring page. Did I mention she wrote it all by herself! What!!??! God is just so GOOD!
Natalie, Todd, Karen, and I are still teaching the youth English on Saturdays. It is going strong. This past Saturday was the last section, Todd and Karen were out of town, so Natalie, our friend Jaime, and I gave a test and ended the day with a pizza party and Jeopardy. It was such a FUN Day!
Last Monday, the son of our single-mother friend named June turned 2! So on Sunday we were able to go to the Dusit Zoo. It was a fun day full exotic animals, a seal show, and great bonding with June and her son! She has become someone I greatly admire and want to grow in our friendship. Two months ago, she was interested in reading the bible but since then many things have deterred us (lots of spiritual warfare) so please pray for the door to open again and for the Lord to move.
Overall, God is doing a lot. Although relationships is moving slowly here, I know and trust in our Father to move faithfully and lovingly through us. I just pray for more boldness and wisdom on how to love and interact within this beautiful community God has placed me in.
Personal Update:
Although I never imagined my friends or family would visit me in Bangkok, God has greatly surprised me! As I mentioned in my last update, my mom, sister, and cousin visited me for two weeks. Then in early February, my great friend Melissa visited. Then two weeks ago, my other friend Courtney and her roommate visited me on a visa run from their internship with International Justice Mission in Bangalore, India. How awesome is that? I not only got family, but friends as well. And all in the first 6 months of being here! Their visits were so special to me. I am so thankful to continue our friendship even if we are in all parts of the world.
Lately, I have been feeling a need for more spiritual growth and an accountability partner. After some prayer, God was so good to me and provided Kristen--an intern with Servant Partners who is currently on her second year in Bangkok. Kristen and I meet every Thursday for an hour or so to talk, laugh, cry, seek wisdom and guidance, and pray with one another. She truly has been an answer to prayer and a great friend and sister in Christ. I am just so thankful. Her wisdom and trust in the Lord has inspired and impacted me in so many huge ways.
The Lord is teaching me a lot. I am sorry, I know this is a long update--but many people have been asking how am I doing? How is my stress? My relationship with God? To answer these questions briefly, I am doing good. I know cliché right?!? But seriously, God is teaching me a lot here. My stress level is stressed but I have been constantly reminded by our heavenly Father to give it all to Him. Although this isn't easy, I am trying--everyday. God has especially taken me into a season where He is trying to teach me how to rest and properly take my Sabbath. But this is a very hard task for someone like me, who thrives on working and being busy. I have had many breakdowns. But I have also had just as many praises and encouraging moments. I am leaching me a lot everyday. And I am just so thankful to take everyday one day at a time and trust in Him--especially since He has never failed me.
Thank you for reading and continuing to invest into my life. I am able to do nothing without our Heavenly Father and your prayers and support. Thank you friends and family for your love. I can't wait for one day to hopefully see the love, peace, and hope we experience with our Daddy in those I am living with now. My heart has grown to love these beautiful people that has become my family here.
Prayer Requests:
1. Thai language learning. Being able to communicate effectively, especially with tones. Also, for more focus and motivation.
2. The head lice infestation in our community to leave.
3. My community leader and her family, especially for breakthrough for her husband.
4. More wisdom and boldness from our Abba Father!
5. My friend June and her son.
6. For our ability to push through Hot Season! seriously though.
7. Oh I forgot to mention, my father has been very sick lately and the doctors are not sure why he is experiencing so much pain. Please lift him up.