LTI is coming soon!! It starts this Friday the 17t thru the 20th. This year it will be at Inthanon Riverside Resort just south of Chiang Mai.
Pray requests::
-Safe travel to the resort
-All the details of the programs, lodging, food, logistics, etc.
-Worship team
-Speakers would communicate what the Lord wants them to
-Seminars. That the students would learn new things and be challenged
-My team is responsible for recreation time. Pray mostly for good translation and of course safety.
-On Sunday, we will go out in teams to share the gospel and talk about Jesus with the people of the surrounding communities. Pray that the students will be bold and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray that God will reveal himself to the people.
-Pray for all of the Thai staff. They have been working really hard on all of the different aspects of camp. Pray for extra energy, health, and enthusiasm.
-Pray for the STINT team that we would have extra emotional capacity since we will be speaking and listening to A LOT of Thai language for 4 days straight.
-Most importantly, pray that God would be magnified and glorified during the camp.
Thanks so much!! I'll be sure to post some pictures after camp.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
End of Semester Party
Before finals started, my team & I wanted to throw a party for all of friends. The goal of the party was to de-stress and to just hang out with friends as well as to encourage our students to stay firm in their walk with God while home for October break.
June & Beer playing Wii Tennis
May & Rain doing a little boxing
Hall, Me, & Eve
Vinnie & Bask
June & Beer playing Wii Tennis
May & Rain doing a little boxing
Hall, Me, & Eve
Vinnie & Bask
Saturday, October 11, 2008
My Birthday
My B'day was way back in September, but I just wanted to post a few pics from the event.
My team!! We had a little party with chocolate cake--it was amazing.
Tricia got me my favorite gum from America. I was really excited!
Bow & Rain singing some Avril. We went to Wiang Inn Hotel for some karaoke fun. It was a great time full of Thai and English songs.
I had a great Birthday and am so blessed to have such a great team to share my special day with.
Sidenote: the very day after my B'day Tricia and few of the girls got really sick with fever and cough, and then I got sick and then 3 more. The total count of sick friends from my celebration = 7 !! Probably due to sharing mics--gross!
My team!! We had a little party with chocolate cake--it was amazing.
Tricia got me my favorite gum from America. I was really excited!
Bow & Rain singing some Avril. We went to Wiang Inn Hotel for some karaoke fun. It was a great time full of Thai and English songs.
I had a great Birthday and am so blessed to have such a great team to share my special day with.
Sidenote: the very day after my B'day Tricia and few of the girls got really sick with fever and cough, and then I got sick and then 3 more. The total count of sick friends from my celebration = 7 !! Probably due to sharing mics--gross!
Myanmar aka Burma
Well last week my visa expired, so I had to leave the country of Thailand and re-enter to get a 30 day tourist visa. The nearest boarder is Myanmar. Myanmar is not considered the safest country by any means. In fact according to the 2007 International Transparency Perceptions Index Myanmar is tied with Somalia as the most corrupt nations in the world. http://www.infoplease.com/world/statistics/2007-transparency-international-corruption-perceptions.html
But we were fine. We drove 30 minutes north to Mae Sai, parked the truck, hit up 7-eleven, and then walked through all the security to the other side of the border. We had to pay the Myanmar government 500 baht($15) to enter their country. Then we had to go into this special room where they stamped our passports, then took our pictures with a webcam, and then kept our passports until we were ready to cross back into Thailand. We went to the market where one can find a smorgasbord of pirated goods. Gucci and Prada bags, cell phones, Lacoste polos, and of course DVDs for 40 baht each($1.16). The Friends 10 season set was available for only 1000 baht! While there, I was asked about a 25 times if I wanted to buy cigarettes. Interesting, because I never saw anyone there actually smoking.
About to enter the Union of Myanmar. We're a little nervous at this point.
A tiny section of the HUGE market
The Golden Triangle is where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
The usual transportation.
Tricia and I being tourists.
But we were fine. We drove 30 minutes north to Mae Sai, parked the truck, hit up 7-eleven, and then walked through all the security to the other side of the border. We had to pay the Myanmar government 500 baht($15) to enter their country. Then we had to go into this special room where they stamped our passports, then took our pictures with a webcam, and then kept our passports until we were ready to cross back into Thailand. We went to the market where one can find a smorgasbord of pirated goods. Gucci and Prada bags, cell phones, Lacoste polos, and of course DVDs for 40 baht each($1.16). The Friends 10 season set was available for only 1000 baht! While there, I was asked about a 25 times if I wanted to buy cigarettes. Interesting, because I never saw anyone there actually smoking.
About to enter the Union of Myanmar. We're a little nervous at this point.
A tiny section of the HUGE market
The Golden Triangle is where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
The usual transportation.
Tricia and I being tourists.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Midterm Return
Last week all of the students had midterm tests, projects, presentations, etc. The stress level was high to say the least. My team and I are taking a Thai Conversation for Daily Life. As one would assume we practice conversation. However, our midterm test was a written exam, not in Thai letters, but in phonetics which includes tone marks. I thought it was quite a challenging test. Had I not taken Thai last year, I think I would have failed!
Today after the lesson our Ajaan said, "Ok, now you will get marks for the middle exam." How do you think this is supposed to go? She passes back the tests, we look at them, compare with our neighbor, ask questions, and then give them back to the teacher. FALSE!! Our teacher straight up said our name and then our grade! In front of the whole class! That's illegal in America right? We could not believe that the whole class could hear our grades. We even heard the grades of the students who were absent. Weird right? Since we heard all of the grades, I would like to say that about half the class failed. Not like they made a 58%, but closer to a 30%. Crazy!
Another interesting thing I learned on Monday: When families have a baby they don't name them at the hospital. They take their child to the temple to have a Buddhist monk give them a "special name." A girl named Kung shared this information with me and also told me that many, if not most, Thai people are named like this. Apparently, that's why their names are 15 letters long.
Please pray for our friend Kung and that she may come to know the one true God of the Bible. Also, pray for our classmates that will have to take the retest.
PS if you're wondering, the highest grade on the test was an 89%, and it wasn't me!
Today after the lesson our Ajaan said, "Ok, now you will get marks for the middle exam." How do you think this is supposed to go? She passes back the tests, we look at them, compare with our neighbor, ask questions, and then give them back to the teacher. FALSE!! Our teacher straight up said our name and then our grade! In front of the whole class! That's illegal in America right? We could not believe that the whole class could hear our grades. We even heard the grades of the students who were absent. Weird right? Since we heard all of the grades, I would like to say that about half the class failed. Not like they made a 58%, but closer to a 30%. Crazy!
Another interesting thing I learned on Monday: When families have a baby they don't name them at the hospital. They take their child to the temple to have a Buddhist monk give them a "special name." A girl named Kung shared this information with me and also told me that many, if not most, Thai people are named like this. Apparently, that's why their names are 15 letters long.
Please pray for our friend Kung and that she may come to know the one true God of the Bible. Also, pray for our classmates that will have to take the retest.
PS if you're wondering, the highest grade on the test was an 89%, and it wasn't me!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Rainy Season in Sii Chomphuu
So the rainy season. It began at the end of May and will continue through September and lighten up in October. July has been amazingly rainy! But what's crazy is we still see the sun almost everyday. These huge rain clouds come out of nowhere and then torrential rain pours down from the sky. Now, Thailand is not like Florida with predictable afternoon showers. No, the rain comes anytime of day or night. And sometimes it rains for hours, sometimes with wind, and sometimes with heat. The only thing certain is that the carrying of an umbrella is essential.
Sii Chomphuu means the color pink in Thai. We call our mubaan or neighborhood pink because not only are the outsides of our homes pink, but also ALL of the tile inside. Monochromatic color schemes are always acceptable in Thailand.
Sii Chomphuu means the color pink in Thai. We call our mubaan or neighborhood pink because not only are the outsides of our homes pink, but also ALL of the tile inside. Monochromatic color schemes are always acceptable in Thailand.
Friday, July 4, 2008
MFLU
Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
MFLU is named after the King's Mother to show the Thai people's love and respect for the Princess Mother.
-About 5,000 students are enrolled.
-25 bachelor programs, 18 master's programs, 7 doctorate programs.
-English is the main teaching language, except for the Law program, and of course Chinese and Thai language programs.
-University colors are Red for the Princess Mother, and Gold representing unlimited prosperity
-It is located about 40 minutes north of downtown Chiang Rai
-MFU is celebrating it's 10th year this year.
Main Quad on Campus. Gotta love the landscaping!
The Princess Mother. Everytime a student or staff walk by, they wai (praying hands while bowing the head) the statue out of respect.
View from the library window.
MFU campus has a very American feel, yet uniquely Thai. For example, most of the walkways are covered, awning style, to shield from the powerful UV rays as well as rain. Also, since running AC is extremely expensive, many of the cafeterias and other large meeting places are pavilion style with fans. MFU also has excellent athletic facilities such as lighted outdoor basketball courts, indoor arena, and soccer stadium.
I really enjoy this campus and am so thankful that so many of the students speak excellent English. When praying for this campus pray for the students, staff, and the administration. Let me know if you have any more questions about the campus.
MFLU is named after the King's Mother to show the Thai people's love and respect for the Princess Mother.
-About 5,000 students are enrolled.
-25 bachelor programs, 18 master's programs, 7 doctorate programs.
-English is the main teaching language, except for the Law program, and of course Chinese and Thai language programs.
-University colors are Red for the Princess Mother, and Gold representing unlimited prosperity
-It is located about 40 minutes north of downtown Chiang Rai
-MFU is celebrating it's 10th year this year.
Main Quad on Campus. Gotta love the landscaping!
The Princess Mother. Everytime a student or staff walk by, they wai (praying hands while bowing the head) the statue out of respect.
View from the library window.
MFU campus has a very American feel, yet uniquely Thai. For example, most of the walkways are covered, awning style, to shield from the powerful UV rays as well as rain. Also, since running AC is extremely expensive, many of the cafeterias and other large meeting places are pavilion style with fans. MFU also has excellent athletic facilities such as lighted outdoor basketball courts, indoor arena, and soccer stadium.
I really enjoy this campus and am so thankful that so many of the students speak excellent English. When praying for this campus pray for the students, staff, and the administration. Let me know if you have any more questions about the campus.
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