Thai Scenes: The Buddha

A common sight for anyone traveling or living in Thailand is the ubiquitous shrines to the Buddha. This one sits at the front of Ramkhamhaeng University, next to one of the newer buildings on campus...in fact, I think it was built as a part of the dedication of the new building.

You can't really escape the constant 'presence' of these monuments in Thailand...they're everywhere...on the bus, on the streets, in buildings, at temples, etc. Buddhism is the over-arching, defining religion and way of life for about 97% of Thais. Pray with us that God will draw men to Himself as we go!

Awesome...

Another Milestone.

So last night I had my oral examinations from the Credentials Committee of the Mississippi Valley Presbytery. If you're not a Presbyterian, that last sentence probably makes very little sense to you...maybe you know some of the words but can't decipher any real meaning from the sentence as a whole. Well, in my denomination (the Presbyterian Church in America), the steps for ordination are internship, 6 written exams, and then an oral examination on English Bible (as opposed to Greek and Hebrew), Theology, Sacraments, Church Government, Views (aka, what I believe about certain issues that face the Church), and Church History. So last night I had my oral examination and was approved by the committee for ordination. This is a huge step in our getting to Thailand in September, and it is really nice to have it behind me.

Now, its time to focus on getting to 100% of our support and on moving to Bangkok!

Monumental.

First all Thai session meeting...maybe ever. Pray for our team. Dave Veldhorst just left (he should be in the US now, probably sleeping at this moment) and there is no PCA teaching elder until I arrive (assuming that I pass my oral exams on June 14), and this is the first time that an all Thai session has met in our church.

Thanks to our dear, sweet, godly, teammate Melanie, who is there without an American presence until we arrive. Pray for her.

Still Thailand

This pic proves that I will fit right in in Thailand. Just have to use the right tone do you don't end up cursing when you are trying to say my name.....

Maybe I should open a "KiKi" store. Any votes on what I should sell? knitting, photos, rice crispy treats (an American delicacy!)

Thai Scenes: Mahathai

One of our ministry areas at New City Fellowship in Bangkok is what some call 'Mercy'...specifically to a local slum community named Mahathai. Currently, our very awesome, wonderful, servant-hearted, godly, extremely fun, selfless, and beautiful teammates Melanie Currie and Kieow spend a lot of their time with the people of Mahathai, but our whole team has a presence there as well.

Through prayer, bible studies, and Joy Kids, we pray that the Lord would pour out His Spirit upon this place and draw these image-bearers (Gen. 1:26-27) to Himself and in the process, restore relationships between people, heal disease and addiction, and change the courses of some of the lives in this place. Pray with us...fight for these people on your knees!