November Newsletter
Hi Friends!Personal Update:Whew, it’s been a whirlwind of adjusting, emotions, dreaming, and praying, but we are going into our second month here in Bangkok better than I ever would have imagined! Sarah and I officially unpacked our suitcases last week and have started making our apartment more normal. I never knew how much of a difference a fridge, plates, cups, plastic drawers, and all those things could make me feel. Apart from feeling more comfortable at home we are starting to feel more comfortable in the city in general. We have a pretty intense commute everywhere we go, but it’s... Read moreA Window into My World
"Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." - Matthew 15:30-31 A small glimpse into the ministry that I will be a part of starting in January, once I finish language school in France (where I am right now)! Truly... Read moreThere's a Really Big World at Your Fingertips
Hello All! I hope that this finds you safe in the arms of our beloved Father, and that wherever you are, He is continually teaching you of His grace and mercy, as He is doing here for me. I moved to Eastern Asia a month ago. In some ways, it feels as if I just got on the plane, but in other ways it feels as if I have been living here for a lot longer than a month. I say that on a positive note because I have been constantly reassured that this place is the city where I’m meant to be for this season of my life. I am beginning to enjoy the song of the city that goes all day and night. No... Read more
Boys, Lizards and Mice: A Typical Sunday in Gambia
I was so excited all last week in anticipation of teaching Sunday School for a class of 7 to 10 year olds. I was excited to know how to do something for a change because I had taught Sunday School in the States since I was 15. But, you know, God has a since of humor to keep me humble. I walked with a large group of children toward the small building we use as a classroom. About halfway, many of the children broke off and went to another building where Sunday School for 11 to 15 was taking place. When I turned around to greet my students, I found myself facing 8 energetic boys! Not one girl... Read moreHaiyan: "How do I help?"
It's been five days since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. I have never dreaded turning on the news so much. The Monday after Haiyan, I went to Bangkok for LEAD Asia's Community of Practice, a semi-annual gathering of development practitioners within LEAD's network in Asia. Today was our third and last day. During our time in Bangkok, my two Filipina colleagues-turned-roommates and I found ourselves distracted by updates on the aftermath of Haiyan. We kept tuning in to CNN even though we knew very well what we would see: endless footage of buildings leveled by the storm surge like... Read more
The Final Move
After a month and a half the five of us girls are finally together in our flat. Today consisted of unpacking, rearranging, and situating ourselves in order to let our roots begin to grow. It’s all a bit surreal still, especially having a “permanent” address here. This is our fourth and (hopefully) final move since arriving in October. It is such a good feeling to have my belongings on shelves and hangers rather than in a backpack. Our team is regrouping after two weeks of living at separate boarding houses. Before we can truly step into roles forwarding the “project” we came to partner with,... Read moreFlapping Joyfully
The computer screen started up, loading the pixels to create an image of two faces I hadn’t expected to see that night. As our voices connected over electronic waves across the Atlantic Ocean, the younger of the two faces chirped cheerfully. “Miss Lydia, can I tell you about a verse I found in my Bible today during Sunday School?” How could I not do anything but say yes with sugar on top?! And she read. Her little courageous voice that is wise beyond her years spoke straight to my heart. The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork... Read more
a hello and a sweet reminder
A little about myself before I get this blog going…. Hi y’all! I’m Jen. I’m a Texas girl at heart (so naturally I moved halfway across the world) I’ve been living and serving in Bangkok, Thailand for almost 2 years now....ahhh! My team partners with a local Thai church and then we do ministry at a university campus. Most of the time I have to laugh at how crazy my life seems since I moved here. I think I’ve said every highly offensive word and experienced so many unfortunately awkward situations here. Moving overseas has been the hardest but best decision of my life. I love the Thai people,... Read more