Life in Bangkok...so far

We are beginning to settle into a routine here...up for a walk and devotions, eat breakfast in the market, take the bus for language school, come back to eat lunch at the market, hang out with Thais, study Thai, read some CS Lewis together, then go to bed.  This is the cycle.  Fortunately, we've also been able to experience 2 long weekends this month due to Thai holidays, and we have a whole week of rest just after Christmas! 

So far, we've had an extremely easy time transitioning.  We have so many great friends here that we have not had to do much by ourselves, which we are very thankful for...as we didn't look forward to contacting landlords, internet providers, cell phone companies, and the power company in Bangkok with limited Thai.  We've also received lots of free furniture and appliances, which greatly cuts down our expenditures as we settle in to our new place.  Continue to pray as we learn to live in a Thai community and minister in a Thai context.

Oh...almost forgot...I also got a new pet.  I've named him 'Sean Adams', after my little brother.

Their Charlie the Tuna

Paul the Squid winked at me as the bus passed by.  It was a magical moment.

The King's Birthday

Last night, near the royal palace, many of the churches in Bangkok gathered to pray for the king of Thailand and to worship together on the eve of his birthday.  I can't really do justice to this experience...I've never really seen anything like Bangkok dressed up for the birthday of her King, and I was floored by the festivities last night. 

Pray that Bangkok and all of Thailand would celebrate and long for the coming of the eternal King of Glory.

Thanksgiving

One of the hardest things about being a missionary for most is that you leave family behind, and with that, you leave beloved traditions and celebrations that just aren't the same anywhere else.  However, although we have missed our family, this Thanksgiving truly was special for us as we celebrated God's goodness and mercy with Thais, Americans, and a couple from the UK.  Here are a few pics:

The King's Park

More pics later, but until we move into our house, we're staying at a friend and teammate's house while they are in the US preparing to return, and we usually go to the King's Park to walk in the mornings...here's a scene from yesterday:

Moving Day

I'm sipping one more cup of coffee for the road (name that song and artist for a prize) and just about to get ready to go the airport.  It's been a long road.  See y'all in Bangkok!

The theme of our Detour

No, its not fishing, it has been waiting on the Lord...and not just in prayer, but I mean really waiting on Him to bring us to Bangkok.  About 6-7 weeks ago, we sent out an email saying that we were leaving on the 5th for 3 years in Thailand, and we're still here.  In the midst of all the waiting and frustration and doctor's appointments, I've been meditating on James 4:13-16,

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to sa, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."  As it is, you boast in your arrogance.  All such boasting is evil.

Now, as we look back on these weeks of planning to go, buying and canceling tickets, then buying and canceling tickets again, and now buying tickets again...I realize more than ever that God is absolutely sovereign and that we will go in His timing, not ours.  For this reason alone (not to mention being able to see family and go fishing), this time has been extremely valuable in breaking down some of my idolatry.  I pray that He'll keep on doing this...I'd just rather He do it in Thailand!  Pray with me.

Uh-oh...

Gosh, I miss this place

Latest Update

Alright. New update. My doctors have recommended that we stay one more month to get this thing (whatever it is) worked out. I am giving them 2 weeks, and then they can talk to me in Bangkok.

Health update: everything still looks pretty good, they are a little concerned about my kidneys, but still think that everything is benign. They will do a biopsy of my kidneys next wednesday, then I'll have a follow up appointment the next week, and on the 18th (Lord willing) finally fly to Bangkok.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, please keep it up.

In other news...I caught this big catfish Thursday night: