Will the last one to leave please turn off the lights?

So, we've decided that having a blog, a newsletter, and a facebook page isn't really necessary.  Besides, I don't really like blogging anyway, and the idea that I am or was a 'blogger' at any point really isn't attractive to me. 

We'll be posting all our updates on facebook, especially in our group "Hold the Rope for Trey and Kiki" or in our monthly newsletter.  Find us there or email me for ways to learn about what we're doing. 

Everything's bigger in..

Texas Thailand.

Goliath

I believe that Matt Nicholson won the contest, we decided to name him "Goliath".

Thrive

I'm not much of a blogger anyway, but this summer my blogging has slowed to a crawl.  Part of the reason for this is that we have a team of six interns from the US, and I rarely want to get online when I have free time...so, I'm being a slacker when it comes to updating the blog. 

On the topic of interns, though, this has been a great team.  Four girls, two guys (praise Jesus that I have some guys here for awhile!) are here to serve us this summer as we try to build relationships with Thais in the Ramkhamhaeng 2 community.  Please pray for us and for the interns as we finish the summer...pray that we can capitalize on their very hard work here.

A few shots from Ayutthaya

This past Tuesday, I took our interns to see the old capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya.  I don't know all of the history, but  I do know that it was colonized twice by the Burmese.  Tuesdays are days off for most of our team, and this was a really pleasant excursion and a great way to get some Thai history and culture.  Here are a few shots from the trip:

Kiki's dream job

If this job comes open, Kiki might actually resign from MTW to follow her dreams.

English Worship

No, we didn't worship English, we just worshiped in English.  This was water for our souls...after 6 months of worshiping in Thai, it was nice to get together and sing hymns and hear the Word in our heart language.  We plan to do this once a month.

 We had a visitor, Nick Glass, on the banjo, Tim Mills on the pennywhistle and hand-drums, and I led on guitar.

 There were about 25 people at worship with us...interns, short-termers, and missionaries.

Rev. Andrew Bronson preached from Genesis 12 about the mission of God to bless the nations through the line of Abraham.

This was such a sweet and needed time for us...we hope to take turns preaching (between Rev. Dave Veldhorst, Rev. Andrew Bronson, Johnny McClean, Tim Mills, and Rev. Me...hehe...) we hope that we can have a monthly time of worship together in English to help feed our own souls as we minister in Bangkok.

Well, bite my shoe.

Last week we went on a little outing with some friends, and one of the friends had just bought new shoes before the trip.  As I looked back to say something to her, I saw her doing this. 

Apparently, there is a saying in Thai, "Bite your shoes before they have a chance to bite you."  And apparently, Thai people live by this maxim.

Dinner out...

A couple of weeks ago, we got to spend a few nights outside of Bangkok, which was a very welcome change for us.  One of the highlights was spending time with Pastor Chatchai (the man in the blue shirt directly across from me).  He is planting a church in Ratchaburi province, basically starting from scratch...which is kind of what you do in Thailand when you plant a church.  Pray for him as he does the very tough work of evangelism and discipleship in a place with very little Christianity.

The meal was awesome, by the way.

We just jogged home in the rain after exercising a the local university.  Trey ran and I walked while studying flash cards of Thai words with irregular spelling.  I thought I might get a chance to be a good speller in another language, but my hopes have been completely dashed.  I am going to be worse in Thai.
Before the rain started, we picked up some of these purple fruit at the market on the way home.  They are (currently) my favorite.  Mangosteen in English--Mangkut in Thai.  If you ever get a chance to taste some fresh ones--take it! I have only ever seen canned mangosteen in the US.
PS.  Praise God for the rain.  We have had several weeks of highs in the 100's.

extra guest for dinner

Being a missionary seems to always be an adventure in one way or another.  There are definitely a few adventures that are unplanned and this is one of them!  I was so excited to see monkeys off  on the distant rocks while we sat at a beach-side restaurant, but then this guy walked right up to us and sat down in front of the camera like he knew we wanted pictures with him.

$12.87

Worth it.

...O'er the land of the free, and the home of the...

Possibly the best advertising scheme I've ever seen.

Before and After

We went out for a meal with our friend Dtoi a few weeks ago...here's a look at some of the cuisine we had:

 Delicious.  I really wish you could lick the screen and have some of this.

 Before Dtoi...

 After Dtoi...

English is fun!

So I (Kiki) spent last weekend volunteering at an English camp for teachers at Mahachai school. This school and its teachers are really encouraging because they are all Christians who love the chance to teach children about God. Their stories of long devotion to this school (some over 30 years) were extremely encouraging. I asked one of the teachers why she has stayed at the same job for nearly 30 years. Her response was "Because I love God."

It was also encouraging to watch professional teachers become students (of English) and really grow over the weekend. They improved their English, but they also gained confidence and practiced the ability to laugh at oneself.

Here are some pics from the weekend.

Coming Back

We've almost taken a full month off of blogging...sorry for the lack of updates.  March has been a whirlwind, though.  We were able to return home for 2 weeks for my brother's wedding in Colorado, and made it to Jackson, Atlanta, and South Georgia as well.  We didn't really publicize our homecoming much so that we could spend some much needed time with family.  Our families were so patient and understanding during seminary and support-raising, but we needed to spend this time with them, not running around from church to church and city to city. 

A few updates on things to pray about:
- We may have as many as 8 interns for this summer, and it looks like we will definitely have 4.  Pray for them as they raise their support to come and join us for two very busy months.
- We are trying to raise $2000 for our big summer retreat...and we already have $200!  Retreats are such a great way to deepen relationships and to connect our long-term and national workers to Thais in our community.  Let me know if you are interested in donating to this one-time need.
- Language study...continue to pray for us in this area.  We are both progressing well, but I will change to private tutoring starting in April so that I can be at the office to provide more leadership to our staff.  Kiki will continue to go to the language school that we have been attending.

A Few Scenes from Church Camp...

We took a group of about 35 to Kanchanaburi province this weekend to enjoy some fellowship and time together in nature.

Kiki and I with our friend Tukata (which means "doll" in Thai).

Johnny McClean, a member of our church who is a missionary from another organization, preached for Sunday worship.  He has been in Thailand for about 16 years...he and his family have been such a great encouragement to us and to our church.

Natee (a professor at Bangkok Bible College and an elder at our church) baptized 4 new members this past Sunday.

The culinary arts...

We ate at a Korean style BBQ place (where you grill the meat at your table...loved it!) with my friend Toi, and after we had eaten our fill, I decided to express myself.  The ears are actually slices of pork liver, which I thought were very fitting.

My beautiful city...

I think that I just need to post a picture or two every now and then so that people can see it through our eyes.  My city (Bangkok) is a beautiful city, and I'm so often caught off guard by the unique beauty that God has created here.  More to come.

I've Got Someone for You (Part 2)

This is another jaw-dropping passage from Phra Peter Pannadipo's "Phra Farang" (see a couple of posts below).  Again, I was floored when I read this passage.  About the same time I was reading this book, a missionary friend here in Bangkok from another organization was reading a biography of the Buddha and had the same reaction.  Here, Pannadipo reflects on the Buddha's last words:

"The Buddha's final words came to me, as he lay dying under a sal tree in India more than 2,500 years ago.  'Monks, I address you now.  Transient are all conditioned things.  Strive on with diligence.'  Strive on.  The Buddha himself said that he only pointed the way and that it was up to each of us, up to me, to work out my own emancipation, to liberate myself.  To strive on with energy, determination, and conviction." (Phra Farang, p. 241)

Strive on...the message of the Buddha.  Self-liberation...up to me, up to you.  I often hear people talk about the similarities between Jesus and the Buddha, but there messages could not be more different!  Hear what the God-man says to His disciples:
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."  (John 19:30, italics and underlining mine)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The Christian message is that you and I could never, ever hope to work out our own emancipation, that we are dead in sin and hostile to God, but that Jesus came and liberated us by His life, death and resurrection, and by sending the Holy Spirit to give us new life.  What a Savior!

The Sting.

Death is defeated...truly defeated...but there is still a sting, even if it will fade and disappear in light of the coming glory.  Our very dear friend, and Kiki's mentor at Belhaven University, Dr. Wynn Kenyon, passed away yesterday.  He was a professor at Belhaven College (now University) for many years, a brilliant theologian and philosopher, an elder at Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS, a loving father and husband, a generous and kingdom-minded steward of the gifts that God gave to him, and a compassionate and gracious lover of people.  This man has touched literally thousands of lives with the grace and love of God.  We feel the sting, even though we know death is defeated.

Here is a hymn that a friend posted on facebook a day or two ago...I don't even know the title yet, but I love this, and fight to believe it right now:

"It is not death to die, to leave this weary road and join the saints who dwell on high who've found their home with God. It is not death to close the eyes long dimmed by tears and wake in joy before you throne, delivered from our fears.
Oh Jesus, conquering the grave, your precious blood has power to save. Those who trust in You will in your mercy find that it is not death to die!
It is not death to fling aside this earthly dust and rise with strong and noble wing to live among the just. It is not death to hear the key unlock the door that sets us free from mortal years to praise You evermore. "

Pray for the Kenyons, for Belhaven, and for Redeemer as you think about it.  They definitely feel the sting.

I've got someone for you (Part 1)

Last month I read a fascinating autobiography of an Englishman who converted to Buddhism and ordained as a monk here in Thailand.  While giving me a very valuable window into the Thai culture, especially Thai Buddhism, this book ("Phra Farang:  An English Monk in Thailand") also highlighted some of the major differences between following the way of the Buddha and serving the risen King, the God-man, the atonement for sin, and the image of the invisible God, Jesus.  In this passage, Phra Peter Pannapadipo (the author) describes a period of despair and uncertainty as a monk in Thailand, and as he gazes on the image of the Buddha, has these thoughts:

It was childish and illogical, I knew, but at that moment I didn't want him to have been just a man.  I wanted him to be God.  I needed him to be God.  I needed a cosmic shoulder to cry on.  I didn't have the strength to 'be my own refuge', as he had taught.  I needed something else, someone else, to whom I could bow down and pray; from whom I could beg for help, or guidance, or forgiveness, or sactuary.  I didn't have the courage or strength to travel this path alone. (p. 234)

I could not believe my eyes.  This man had very sincerely and honestly described Jesus.  That which he wished the Buddha could be, Jesus was and is, and is so much more!  I remember putting down the book as my mind flooded with Scripture about our Jesus...the One who is the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14), the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15-19), the God-man (Phil. 2:5-11), the Great Refuge for the weary, weak and wayward (Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 2:10-13), the divine King to whom we bow and pray (John 12:41; Phil. 2:11; Rev. 19), and the One who will never leave or forsake us, who walks with us on the path, and who will bring us all the way home before the dark (John 13-17; Matt. 28:19; Romans 8:28-39).

Jesus truly is incomparable.

Video for Redeemer Missions Conference

This is a video I put together for the Redeemer Presbyterian (Travelers Rest, SC) mission conference.  Since we're not able to be there, we decided to attend this way:

Redeemer Missions Video from Archibald (Trey) Adams on Vimeo.

What does your February look like?

Because this is what our February looks like...

Our week at a glance...

So, we've been here long enough to have found a bit of a daily rhythm.  Many of our friends have asked what our week looks like, so here goes:

-up to read and pray daily at 6(ish), breakfast, shower, and leave for language school by 8:15am
-Language school from 9-12, Monday-Friday
-Monday:  Staff meeting and campus staff meetings from 1-5pm, go for a run, and study the rest of the night
-Tuesday:  Study Thai from lunch til 4, meet with Mercy ministry staff at 4:30-5:30pm, then run, dinner, and study or read
-Wednesday:  After language school, meet the campus staff at Ramkhamhaeng University to visit students...usually til about 9 or 10pm
-Thursday:  prayer with staff from 1-2pm, meet with ESL staff and other church staff til 4 or 5, go for a run, study, then prep for next week's meetings
-Friday:  Study Thai til 2 or 3 after language school, return home and prepare for campus bible study or campus ministry party
-Saturday:  DAY OFF!!!! (sometimes...not much of this lately)
-Sunday:  Worship, session meetings, Sunday School, and lunch with church members til 3 or 4pm

That is the gist of it, anyway...there are occasional tweaks to this, but the schedule is pretty much the same each week.  Lots of studying, lots of meetings, and lots of time with people.

extroverted culture

So, after not so many months in Thailand, I have concluded (I don't think prematurely) that Thai culture is extroverted. I don't mean that Thai people as individuals are more extroverted than any other place, though that would be an interesting study. I mean that the culture is extroverted. For example, what do I, as a moderate introvert, want to do after a long day of cleaning at a flood site? I want to go home and take a shower and rest in the AC. What do the group of Thai's who have worked just as hard as me all day want to do? They want to have a party. What should you do for a Christmas outreach? Have a party. What should you do after a long day of moving furniture to three separate homes? Have a party. What should you do for Children's Day (besides the children's activities)? Have a party till 2:00 AM in our back yard complete with cowboys, fireworks, comedians, lots of food, and karaoke. Needless to say, Trey loves this culture! And I do too, as long as I can get some rest in between parties.....
Here is a picture from some of the Christmas festivities.

Learning Language. Its all Thai to me.

Learning Thai is not easy.  I mean, it’s not Mandarin Chinese, but it’s not Spanish, either.  By that sentence, I mean that it’s not as hard as Chinese but it’s not as easy as Spanish.  To learn to read, write, and speak Chinese well, you’d need years to memorize literally thousands of characters just to be able to read a newspaper (according to Peter Hessler in his great book, Rivertown).  To learn to speak, read, and write Spanish well, you’d need about 2 weeks in a Mexican restaurant with a Spanish phrasebook, along with a willingness to attempt conversation with your server. 

Thai is tonal.  Thai is based on a completely different script.  Thai is somewhere in between the difficulty of Mandarin Chinese and the easiness of Spanish.  Pray for us as we learn this very different language.  Next month, I begin a pretty intensive conversation module with my long-time friend Dtoi (pronounce the 'Dt' together...there's an introduction to learning Thai for all you farang, which means 'foreigner'), which should be very helpful and a lot of fun as well.  Personally, I need a very focused, highly-interactive and conversational approach to learning language, and Dtoi is just the man for the job.
Here he is, by the way, in all his teaching-Thai splendor...

My city...

I love this place.

Dinner at a Friend's House...

Naamfon and I are taking a day each week to go and visit our students who are now going to the other campus (Ramkhamhaeng 1).  Today we visited a friend and his family and had a birthday party for him.  Lucky us...his dad is a shrimper (?)...he catches shrimp.  Anyway, we had a great time...here are a couple of shots from the evening:

Nothing says "Christmas"...

Like some cats and a volcano.  Scenes from Bangkok Christmas decorations.