Peaceful? Maybe not..

As most of you may have heard Thailand has been undergoing various protesting breakouts. The first big outlash began in December which resulted with the "yellow shirts" called the PAD taking over the airports in "hopes" to overthrow the Prime Minister and take him out of office. Some violence came out of these protests and thousands of people were out of jobs and Thailand took a huge toll in their economy by losing millions of Baht (Thai's currency) from the loss of tourists wanting to even travel during one of the busiest times of the year. There were two groups involved in these protests; the PAD (yellow shirts) who were for the king and then the "red shirts" who were with the government. Anyone seen with either of these colors were cautioned and foreigners were told to not go out in no larger than 5 in a group.

So this caused alot of unrest with the tourists, foreigners and even locals who were shocked to here about the various violence and lock downs they caused. The biggest unfortunate was the fact that many of the protestors were only involved becuase they were paid to do so...

As you may have heard here in the past week and before the Songkran holiday (April 13-15) more protesting has lashed out. I was near Kausan Road which is one of the most famous tourist places to visit. It is known as "backpackers alley" which is right in the middle of Bangkok and near alot of the Goverment buildings. On Thursday, April 9 I was with Ashley Angelo and her mom taking a quick trip to do some last minute shopping before their departure the next morning. As the sun began to set, we went to find a local tuk tuk to see if we could possibly catch a temple before we headed off. As we began to talk to the tuk tuk guide, he almost laughed in our faces their at the entrance of Kausan when we told him where we wanted to go? He pointed down the street, and to our surprise we saw tons of red shirted people creating baracades across one of the major highways, and the way we needed to go to get home?? So... We decided to not take the tuk tuk guides suggestion of one wayaround them but yet instead made our way towards the red crowd.

After hearing my students talk about these various protestors I was getting a little nervous. They are always telling me to be careful and watch where I am going as to not get right in the middle of these people. And yet we went right towards them.. It was actually ok at first. They had a few people sitting in the middle of the road with some policemen observing. Pheeew! I felt a little better with these policemen around. Then as we continued to walk down I was noticing that.... "We are the only white people here...?!" and that everyone around us was wearing red. And all I could hear was the shouting of some protesting leader yelling to the hundreds.. yeah HUNDREDS! of red shirted protestors below him.. Ok yeah it was time to get out of there! As we continued around the paved circle we saw a barracade and a line of policemen dressed in black with helmets in a line right outside of these metal fences. We were bookin it trying to get out of crowd and getting nervous of who know what was being and said and what was going on. However the police just smiled and kind of gave a little chuckle as we flew by...

This past week has seen the worst of these Red shirt protestors; which they are for the government and wanting a former Prime Minister back in to office named Taksin. I am glad to say that I was out of the city when all of this unfortunate violence took place. Apparently there was talk of protestors violating some schools and even taking over Prakanong exit which is right down the road from where I live. Much violence was taken place out of these protestings and foreigners here in Bangkok was on "Red alert" and advised to stay in their hotels.

There has been alot of hype and craziness going on in the news. Most pictures and stories are more graphic then what it really is. Bangkok is a very big city and "thank the Lord" we are all safe and sound, no harm was in our way. Let's just keep praying for Thailand and even for everyone living in these times. It is coming to an end faster than we think and can even comprehend. If you haven't committed to God now.. NOW is the time. He is the Truth the Life and Way. You cannot live and do without HIM.

Ok so you know it's hot when...

It is the season of heat! Thailand has exactly three seasons... Hot, hotter, then REALLY hot! The thing that makes this country so unbearable during this time is the high percentage of humidity. I really don't remember what it feels like to NOT sweat during any given day. And what makes it worse is the fact that we aren't even in the hottest part of it! During the months of March and April it becomes the hottest parts of the year getting close to over 40 degress Celcius!

So you know it's hot when:

You start to get used to the perspiration on your upper lip.
You strip and lay still but the feeling of heat is still upon you.
Just when you think you start to feel cool you realize thats the sweat cooling from the wind.
Once you get into the air-con you freeze, but without it you burn up.
When the fan no longer does justice.
When the air-con no longer does justice, but that 10 minute bliss that it is on.
You wake up in the middle of the night with night sweats.
When you have to go to sleep with a cool towel from the freezer on your forehead.
When you get into the shower to cool off but as soon as you get out the sweat begins to form again.
When your deoderant lasts but 30 mintutes.
When your walking only 5 minutes to school and you melt.
Your only destination is "Point A aircon- Point B aircon".
You dread to go back to your apartment thinking that its not going to be too bad but yet not prove yourself wrong by walking into a sauna.
When your drink condensates all its coolness in 1 minute.
When you have to sip your popsicle off the stick becuase its melting so fast.
You know its too hot when 80 degrees feels somewhat comfortable...

Ah good ole Thailand hot, humid, sunny.

What have I been up to?!

*Merry Christmas*

My holidays here in Bangkok have of course been nothing short of amazing! I got to spend my Christmas with my lovely friends Erin and Leah where we first began our days off in the wonderful outdoors!
We began in Kanchanaburi and spent about 4 days taking in the sights of the mountains and the river. The city of Kanchanaburi is a small town just waiting for foreigners to take advantage of all it has to offer. There are many types of restaurants but one in particular was an amazing Indian restaurant where our tastebuds got a break from the norm of Thai food. Since we wanted to be able to see everything we decided to rent some motor bikes! However it didn't take long to decide that motor bikes should be left to the pros, so we rented bicycles.
Our first day began with the Tiger Temple! It was like a canyon where about 10 tigers were sitting for the eager visitors to take some snapshots by. We got to walk with the Tigers as they lead them each to their cages, but watch out! Becuase the male tiger was marking the road as he was slowly led to his destination. Next, we got to do a little shopping and walked across the famous River Kwai bridge. Then our last day we did a little hiking. I was very excited to finally get out in the open air and some exercise at the Erawan Waterfalls. These waterfalls has seven tiers where you are able to hike to the very top. I have never seen water so blue! The water was crystal clear letting you able to see the very bottom of each water hole. We stopped a few times to take a dip after the long hot climb. The monkeys and fish is what you had to watch out for, however?! Monkeys were literally 5 feet away from the visitors! And we were told to watch out due to their "quick hands". What they would do with your camera is beyond me?! Then the fish enjoyed nipping at your feet in the water, I couldnt help but scream everytime they poked me!
My Christmas was spent at the Pratunam shopping malls and markets. Where Ash, Leah, Erin, Amanda and I got to do a little Christmas shopping for ourselves. Then we went to CentralWorld mall to watch the new movie Australia. Our day was completed by going out to eat at the famous Hard Rock Cafe.

*Happy New Year*

I am blessed to have such great friends! Ash and I both spent New Years eve in the airport where we were anxiously waiting for Rebecca! So we brought a New Year's greeting to her the second she walked out of the gate. We made a huge sign out of cardboard, just in case she wouldn't recognize us?! Then we had and embarrassing costume of "Happy New Year" headbands and flashy garland around our neck. People in the airport were curious as to who we were waiting for. We got many funny looks...
After getting about 4 hours of sleep the night before, we left to catch a bus to complete our New Year celebration. We went to the Eastern coast of Thailand to a small island called Koh Samed. We spent the short 3 days lying on the beach, swimming in the cool blue salt water, taking in the scenery and just enjoying the time to catch up with one another. Since we left the island we have been very busy going around to show Rebecca the great sights of Bangkok.

Currently I am back in school and slowly getting back in the groove of things. With only three months and three weeks left I am slowly realizing my time here is coming to a close. My New Year resolution is to enjoy life to the fullest and live every day to God's Will. I pray for patience and perseverence to get me through the rest of the days.

Reminiscing

Well I guess its officially the holidays. With only 10 days til Christmas I am just not in my normal Christmas spirit. Of course I have been playing the Christmas music since way before Thanksgiving, and yes there are many decorations at the malls and restaurants. So why do I feel like I am "playing" Christmas?! Maybe its the weather? Maybe its being far away from home? Or is it my attitude? Christmas is definately the time to spend with your family; catching up on everything you have missed from the rest of the year. And I miss my family! But I am loving my new family that I have here in Thailand.

On Saturday evening Ashley, Maria, Tatiana I went for a stroll in Queen's Park. It's a very metopolitan park with unique statues, many lushing fountains and courts for sports playing. Its a very romantic park to just sit on a wooden bench and relax to the cool breeze and nature surrounding you. The park, however it may sound, is a very busy place! There are people running, kids skateboarding, and many others gathered on the lawn to take a rest or have a picnic with friends. This weekend was the final round of a jazz competition so we just strolled and was seronaded by the smooth playing of the bass, piano and drums. It was a nice evening to relax in the park.

We then made our way to Emporium Mall where we all enjoyed walking around and looking at the fun things to buy with all the Christmas decorations around. Christmas to me is not about the gifts.. Really! I just love the feeling of sitting at home with our decorations on the mantle place sitting with one another and drinking hot cocoa. While I do miss the cold weather at home and being in my big hoodie and sweat pants, it has been quite comfortable here in the evenings, bringing just the right low 70 degree weather. Sounds crazy right?! But I truly think that Christmas is where the home is. While I am enjoying the new holiday culture of Thailand, I will still be "Home for Christmas.. If only in my dreams."

A break through!

Yesterday I was once again.. not.. looking forward to class. But God does have a sense of humor because through my complaining I had a great time in class. For the first time I was able to share with my students about my religion and what SDA's believe. I mean there were some looks towards me that was as if I was the weirdest girl in the world. But I was so exicted to tell about what I belived and why we as SDA's go to church on Satuday, how we know when we see if it will be Him, and why we do the things we do or not eat the things we don't. It was So exciting! you know you always hear of these moments and wonder.. "Will I be ready to stand up for what I believe in and tell others about Jesus?" Well last night with my 6pm class I know that I have sparked some interest in our religion! and I even invited them to come to church with me. Im just praying that they will continue to ask questions and that God will guide and direct me and our conversations. And you know that funny thing is? It took only 15 minutes of my time out of the 24 hour day to spark and deliver an interest to lead and teach about my Jesus!! God is amazing. Pray for me with the spark being started in my students to hopefully grow into fire for Him!

Privilaged

Living in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, has its many perks, but sometimes I don't feel like a "missionary"? When you hear of stories from missionaries, you think of people who are out "roughing it" in the middle of a jungle somewhere. They tell of their only source of water coming from a stream that you have to boil in order to drink, they take baths in the river, and sleep on a dirt floor. But, is this kind of story or scene really what it takes in order to be a missionary? I have found out differently. I thought that you needed to be in the middle of nowhere to reach others that have never heard of Jesus. Take a closer look at your neighbor, or boss, or even that old homeless man that walks the streets. Have they heard about Jesus?I have learned to get my facts straight about "mission work". It doesn't take someone to go half way across the world just to tell someone about Jesus. All it takes is one person to stand up for Him.

Here in Bangkok I have running water, a comfortable bed to sleep in, and even though I have no Air-con I have learned that it is a privilage or even a luxury that I have learned to go without. There are many shopping markets, seven-elevens, and cinemas that have made life here as close to home as you can get. But at the end of the day I still have to remember.. Have I shared Jesus with someone today? When someone looks at me do they see something different? Do they see Jesus in me?

Most of my students at my school are Buddhist. It has been quite a challenge trying to tell them about my religion and weasling in my beliefs and sharing my Jesus with them. It seems everyone has one focus.. and that is to learn English. Some are disinterested and some just don't understand. I have often wondered what my purpose is here? Am I doing His Will? Or am I getting lost in the daily to-do lists and latest news stories. I often wonder what it would have been like if I had no internet. Would I be more prone to get involved more? Would I spend the time I spend delving into my bible instead?

God puts trials into a person's life for a purpose. Each trial and tribulation is a character building experience. I begin and end my day with Jesus, asking Him just to reveal my purpose for that day and that He will use me to His Will. I also pray that God will use me as His vessel and just speak through me. Sometimes I feel like Moses and just need someone there to talk for me. Through every class I never feel alone, I just feel that Jesus is guiding my words and speaking through me.

If all is said and done, and no one learns anything from me being here I will still be rejoicing. Cause if anything Jesus has changed my life for the better! I am more comfortable talking about Him out loud and to anyone?! I love to encourage others and tell them about what new verse I have found or what I learned in church that week. Everyday I am growing closer and closer to Jesus. Relying on Him and learning to put all my trust into Him everyday has been a humbling experience. I can see that God still has a lot for me to learn, and I look forward to it everyday. If anything that is what is keeping me going, that fire for Christ.