God of this City by: Chris Tomlin

Many people wonder what is the hardest thing for me while living in Thailand. It isn’t the food (which is really good), the heat, or the ever growing list of cultural differences that I continue to learn everyday. It’s the reality that I’m meeting some of the sweetest people in the world who are going to hell if they don’t come to Christ. Almost everyone in the pictures I’ve posted on these blogs. People like my landlord who is the cutest old man and who loves talking to me when he sees me and makes sure I’m okay. Other teachers at KU who are so helpful and enjoy laughing with me and help me with my questions of Thai forms or anything else I may not understand.My students who I become friends with and whom I spend time with. Some of them don’t cheat, don’t do their friends’ homework for them, and actually want to learn and be kind to those around them and use their education to help the disabled or less fortunate.

My friends’ grandparents who are just as cute as my own grandparents in the states and who wouldn’t harm a fly, yet without God no one is righteous.

This is when the gospel and life in Thailand becomes difficult. These are the days I must reconfirm what I believe and pray for opportunities to share Christ with those around me. These are the days that I become frustrated and want to scream from the roof tops and shake people and make them see the truth! However, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. It is only the Holy Spirit who can show them the truth and I must be ready to share Christ through my actions every day and be prepared to share with my words when God brings and opportunity.

My former roommate sent me the song “God of this City” by Chris Tomlin and told me it was written while he was in Pattaya, Thailand. Pattaya is one of the biggest night life cities in Thailand. I think Bangkok might be the only city that has more night life than Pattaya, but I’m not sure about that. I heard this song and almost cried because of the reality I’m living in daily and then seeing the hope that is woven all throughout this song. It is the exact things myself and the other Christians are praying for in Thailand. Please join us in praying for these things.

Romans 10:14-15

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? . . .

Songkran (AKA Nationwide water war)

Hello! Like all holidays in Thailand, there is a fun side and a religious side. The religious side is always difficult for me. During Songkran, people will go to temples and clean the Buddha images, bring sand (because they want to replace the dirt they took away from the temple over the past year), and take care of their loved ones graves. These pictures are my friend's family watching people place a new tombstone over the bones of his grandfather. My friend is a Christian, but the rest of his family is not. The bones are in a tiny box in the cement base. The rest of this is simply to decorate and honor them. This particular one costed 8,000 baht. My rent for one month in a studio apartment is 5,500 baht. Some of my friends live on 5,000 baht plus bills in one month. It is another way for them to make merit.



This is my friend's grandmother looking at the new tombstone. She is over 80, but can still walk, even though she is hunched over. She is the cutest woman :D. She liked talking to me, even though she speaks another language. I needed my friend there a lot, but sometimes he couldn't even understand her. Nod and smile, nod and smile haha.

Now for the fun part! It is literally a nationwide water war. If you go outside during these 3 days, be careful because you are fair game and could get soaked! As you can see, waterguns work a little bit, but the best weapons are pickup trucks with trashcans filled with water and buckets to throw on other people. Here is one example.
The other people you have to watch out for are those on the streets just waiting for a pickup truck or an unsuspecting person to walk by. They will also put HUGE blocks of ice in the water so when it hits you, you cringe at the shock. Even though it's super hot outside (this week has been about 110), it still makes you shiver and you want to warm up immediately!

This was the second day we went to celebrate Songkran. In this entire sea of people, I only saw one other foreign girl for about 2 seconds haha. Needless to say, I got more attention than anyone else. Everyone wanted to put the powder/water mixture on my face or douse me with water. Some of them weren't sure how I would react until I soaked them with a bucket of water. :) I was made for this holiday!!!!!!!
My Thai studies are going pretty well and I'm trying to talk with friends more. One of my friends from Chiangrai was here a few weeks ago and she said my Thai had gotten a lot better. However, I still have a long way to go. Please continue to pray for this.

If you ever want to experience Songkran first hand, come see me next year :D.

Songkran (AKA Nationwide Water War)

Moved Again

Well, I have moved again. I hope this will be the last time for awhile. I have moved 6 times in the last year and a half. Chicago to Mississippi, Mississippi to Chiangrai, Thailand, 3 places in Chiangrai, and now 2 places in Bangkok. Needless to say, I'm sick of packing and unpacking hahaha. However, this apartment is across the street from the university I teach at and it is down the street from my church, so I'll be getting a lot of exercise as I'll be walking everywhere :D. It will be very good though. Here's some pictures of my new place :D. It is just a studio apartment, but makes much more sense than me having a 4 story house and will be MUCH easier to keep clean :D.

Check it out! A REAL built-in closet! This is the only one I've seen in Thailand. They usually use wardrobes. Why is this so exciting? It's a little taste of the states haha.









I even have a little balcony with a view. I'm on the 8th floor which is good because I love being up high. Thankfully I'm not on the very top floor because that would be really hot!