Lista!

Today is the day! In about an hour, a group of us is meeting to go climb the hill across the street. Sooo, Peruvian time, we will probably leave in about 2 hours. I'm so excited. Sure, its not like a huge mountain or anything, but hiking is one of my favorite things to do, especially when there is a view awaiting me. At the top of this hill, I'll be able to see the whole area of where I've spent the last five weeks.

The past few days have been good ones. Sunday afternoon, I went to a friend's house and got to meet her family and eat lunch with them. We had a really good time, and while it put me out of my comfort zone a little, I really enjoyed it. Sunday night, I went out to eat with a group from the college group and just enjoyed spending time with all of them. I've loved hanging out with the people in the college group. They have def been an encouragement to me! (That is who I'm climbing the hill with too.) Monday, I taught my last day of school :(. During my break, I was able to play with K-4 during recess. They are so adorable, and I was so glad I got to see them and play with them again. In the afternoon, I went over to my Spanish teacher's house for the last day of class and spent time with her and her daughter (who's my age). Then, I went out to eat with Mrs. Ruth (Pastor Juan's sister,) Elise, and Hannah,  (Americans who live here.) Good last few days!

I leave for the airport tonight around 6. My flight takes off around 12:30 and then I'll be back in the Ham tomorrow morning. Its such a strange feeling, going to sleep in one country, one culture, one way of living, and then waking up the following morning somewhere completely different. Literally, with my midnight flight, that is what will happen. I'll go to sleep and boom, be in a different country. Crazy that we have the technology to do that!

I'm looking forward to being home, but I will miss the friends I've made, the culture, language, school, the city (even with all of its large quantities of sand). My time here has been good. God doesn't let us down. I haven't received any large revelations or life changing information. But, its the little lessons God teaches us that I think sanctify us the most! God has been faithful to teach me little lessons, but lots of them this semester. It's about time to make a list and reflect and process!

Thank you for being a part of this trip! I ask that you continue praying for safe travels and good time back home to review and process. I tend to try to jump right into the next thing, but I'm learning it's necessary to have some quiet reflecting time! I would definitely appreciate prayers for a calm transition. To God be the Glory!
See you soon!
Ruth

Saturday

I've really enjoyed the saturdays here. In the mornings, from 10-12, kids from surrounding areas come and we have a kids bible club. We play games at the beginning, sing songs, and then split the kids up into smaller groups. The Bible clubs are similar to good news clubs or back yard Bible clubs, so Its nice being familiar with everything. Anywhere from like 45-120 kids come in the morning!

Then, in the afternoon, I've been going to another Bible club in a local barrio (neighborhood). Today though, I think I'm going with their youth group to evangelize in a different neighborhood called Quebrada.

At night, the college group meets, and I really enjoy spending time with all of those people. Saturdays are good days! Tomorrow, after church, I think I'm going to cook lunch with a few girls and just hang out. Not sure what I'm doing in the afternoon. But, I've already said goodbye to several kids from the clubs, and tomorrow at church, I will continue saying goodbye to several people!

I think Monday will be my last day of school. I'm hoping to make a trip to the beach before I leave... and there is this mountain across the street I'm really wanting to climb. Hopefully that will work out too! God is good! Lesson I'm learning: Be faithful where you are placed!
Your prayers are really appreciated. Please continue praying I'll be wise and attentive in the last few days!

1 more week!

One more week left here! And I have a feeling it will go by pretty quickly. I taught today and yesterday and both days have gone well! It has definitely been a good experience in just these two days of having the opportunity to teach, learn to teach and just practice different things (patience, enthusiasm, perseverance... english hah)

This week will definitely be the busiest week that I have here because I'm teaching during the day and studying the other half. Then, at night, I have various ministry things. I now have a lot of respect for people who are in school full time and who are working full-time. Whoo what a job!

I'm very thankful for this experience I have towards the end of my trip! I'm excited about the last week I have here, but also looking forward to coming home. Really looking forward to the time I will have afterwards to think and process this semester. Not to mention, I'm excited about graduating.

Praises! 1. I am not sick and haven't been seriously sick this whole time. Wow thank you Lord!
             2. My spanish is improving (I am sad about not being able to speak it as much in the States)
             3. I have an awesome spanish teacher.
Let me just brag on her for a second. She loves Jesus, is very smart, loves to talk (and listen heh), is easy to talk to, knows spanish... and she knits! She is incredible at it. Check out her blog at http://entretejida.blogspot.com/      Scroll down the page and see some of the stuff she has made.

Last friday, I went to her house for a little bit because it was her birthday. We had a good time together just talking. I am so happy that God provided somebody who can not only teach me the language, but encourage me in my walk with Christ! Yes, we go over grammar, vocabulary etc. But I think I have learned more spanish from her just from talking about anything and everything. I will definitely miss her when I leave! God didn't have to provide me with a spanish teacher, much less one that I actually got a long with. But He did both and more in regards to spanish learning.

God is good! Thank you for praying. Please continue to pray that I will redeem the time in the last week that I have here, and that I will continue prioritizing as it is more difficult with teaching taking up more time.
Gracias a Dios por todo que nos ha dado!
Ruth

Pictures from this past week

Hola amigos! I thought I'd post some pictures from this past week, especially of the trip we took to Churin. 

Quick update: I think I am just about over that stomach bug! Thank you Lord it didn't get worse! Friday, I start teaching the first and second graders English here at the school. I'll be teaching them all next week, as their regular english teacher is headed back to the states. Looking forward to teaching... and learning how to teach :) Please pray that I'll be able to learn quickly and that I'll take advantages of opportunities to not only teach the kids English, but biblical lessons as well! 

Here are the pictures!

 If you didn't see the CS Lewis quote I wrote on the last post, go check it out!

 yes, I was wearing a rain jacket for a reason. Llamas spit. Thankfully this one didn't in that moment.

 Houses outside of Lima

 The school celebrated its 8 year anniversary with games and chicken!

 Water fountain synchronized to music with a video projected on the mist!

 Lima is the second largest city built in a desert... The first is Cairo, Egypt.

Another picture from the Parque de Aguas. This one was called the labryinth. People try to run in to the fountain, make it to the middle, and then run out again without getting wet. The fountains start and stop without notice. These people didn't make it :)

Touring

Hello hello! I am behind in blogging (as well as journaling) so I will try to give a quick recap over the past  5 days or so.
Wednesday, we drove to a city 5 hours away in the mountains. To sum it up quickly- 1. I love car rides (Lots of time to think...breeze blowing in your face... peruvian sights and smells etc... by the end of the trip, my face was a different color because of all the dust from the wind) 2. I love mountains (mountain air, rushing river, scenery).
Here's a CS Lewis quote that I read from Desiring God:
     "Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one. I do not see how the "fear" of God could have ever meant to me anything but the lowest prudential efforts to be safe, if I had never seen certain ominous ravines and unapproachable crags."

So, the trip was a nice time to think and enjoy God's creation! We returned thursday night.

Friday, the school had a fundraiser so it was kind of like a field day. Friday night, we went out to eat at a nice hotel in downtown Lima and then went to "Parque de Aguas." Its a city park that has lots of water fountains. My favorite was a large fountain that had a video projected onto the water. The fountains were coordinated with the video and the music. Pretty cool!!

Saturday, we took a trip to a market in downtown Lima. I really enjoyed seeing different parts of Lima and the mountains. It definitely looks very different from Pachacamac (where I am).

Pastor Juan had family visiting, and that is why we did more tourist things this weekend. It was great to be able to spend time with their family!

Today, I went to a home that houses kids whose parents cannot take care of them for various reasons. I toured around the facilities and then was able to play tag, help with monkey bars, and teach the kids how to play World Cup and Capture the Flag. I loved it. I love the model they have set up in the home as well. They have several houses, each with a parent, that all run independently from each other. They're trying to create a family atmosphere for kids that otherwise wouldn't have one! Definitely hoping to return there and hang out some more.

Lessons wise- I think God is showing me how much I depend on human praise and recognition. I thrive on knowing expectations and then attempting to exceed them (go above and beyond.) As Christians, we are supposed to pursue excellence in everything. I want to pursue excellence, but for what reason? Glorifying God or glorifying myself? Tough stuff.

 God is steadfast! I'm battling a stomach bug right now but hoping it won't get worse. (Please pray!) So far, so good!  Thank's for your prayers.

Hmmm

I'm really excited because tomorrow, a group of us is going to a place 5 hours away to some hot springs... located in the Andes. I  love mountains and am really excited about going to a place IN the mountains! We leave tomorrow afternoon, are driving there and spending the night and then coming back thursday afternoon/night some time. Woohoo!

A few things that have been significant the past few days.
    A. The musical went well! With only two weeks of practice, we were able to pull it off and some people made decisions to follow Christ!
    B. I went to downtown Lima a few nights ago and loved seeing parts of the city at night. The coast was lit up, the waves were crashing... beautiful
   C. I helped successfully transported 8 kids on public transportation without losing any (thus what made it successful). And considering public transportation here, I thought it was a feat.
   D. I am not sick!! This is quite a praise! I started eating some fruits the other day, so I'm still waiting for those results. But Mrs. Eva is feeding me well and carefully!

One thing I've been thinking about lately is what it would look like to be an "unofficial missionary." We Christians generally toss around the word missionary to specifically refer to a person who is supported by churches, generally living in a foreign country (other than their home country) and frequently does things that most people wouldn't do.( Eats strange food, does strange things... etc). Hah part of this is a little sarcastic, but you get the point.

But the great commission is for everyone right? We are all to go out and make disciples right? We are all living a foreign place (our citizenship is in heaven, not here) and as Christians... we do strange things, different from most people. So, that makes us all missionaries.

Okay yes, I've known that fact for a while, but i've been thinking about it a lot the past few months. In Thailand, God was especially pressing the fact that If my ultimate goal was to "proclaim His excellencies" (1 peter) then it wouldn't matter where I was, what I was doing, or who I was with. Basically, that if my passion is proclaiming his excellencies, then I will be overjoyed at any opportunity to do that, regardless of my surroundings.

I went to a part of downtown Lima that was very nice. I stared out the car windows in amazement as I saw nicely cut, green, trash free grass, really nice parks, clean buildings etc. The mall we went to was one of the nicest malls I've ever been to. It overlooked a beautiful view of the ocean, city lights, waves crashing etc. It was a completely different face of the country, reminded me of a place someone would go for vacation, honeymoon etc.

I say all of this because it made me think about the fact that, "I could be a "missionary" in Peru, and still live the way I do in the United States." That was a strange thought to me because normally when I think missions, I think of something a little more rogue. But reality is, the people in upper class society, the people in lower class society, PEOPLE everywhere need Jesus. I'm not sure if I'm conveying my ideas correctly. But I guess, the trip to that nice part of Lima (and some places we went to in Thailand), a nice country club I went to in Colombia etc, reminded me that living in another country provides the exact same opportunities that living in home countries does (work, eating, sleeping, proclaiming His excellencies). My mission doesn't change. Are we faithful to be missionaries where we are?

Moving to another country just to "do your life" there? Sounds like a good idea to me!

God is faithful and teaching me!

La Cruz Lo Expreso

La Cruz Lo Expreso is the name of our musical. It means "The Cross expressed/showed it."  We are hoping that many people in the audience will meditate and think on what exactly the cross expressed and showed. Tonight, we will be performing at either 7:00 pm or 7:30. (I can't remember exactly). Then we will be performing the musical on Sunday night as well. The musical will last about 45 minutes or an hour and contains powerful songs and scenes. We are praying that God will use the musical to soften peoples hearts and bring them to Christ! I know that while practicing, I've been reminded of the pain of the crucifixion and the joy that we know can have through the resurrection!

Please pray that hearts would be softened, and that God will work in the lives of those sitting in the audience and those acting/singing in the musical! I pray that you all have a wonderful weekend thinking of the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection! What a glorious God we serve!

Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for this weekend! There is much spiritual warfare that happens during Easter weekend because of the free time that many people have. Please pray for the people here, and there! Thanks be to God for His Gift!!


Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

A few pics from past week!

 Part of the compound-school/church buildings

 Visiting some kids that come to the children's ministry

 View from right outside the compound. Sand... lots of sand

Another place we were visiting called Diecinueve de Julio

 Saturday morning Joyas Preciosas-Children's ministry

 Children's ministry Saturday afternoon with different group of kids

 Helping in the K-4 classroom!

 One of my favorite parts of the day- 6pm when all the lights come on around the city

Practicing for the musical!

School

I have lots of it! You know, even though I'm down to two subjects (3 if you count the few wikipedia webistes I have to go to to finish economics) before I finish highschool. But yet it seems harder than times when I had 7 subjects! A. The AP spanish test I'm studying for is going to be... tough to say the least. Second, math is not my favorite. But, alas we learn from the tough things in life. I'm learning! The tedious things in life reveal our character. Mine is being tested hah. 

Today, I was able to teach in the classroom for a little bit! The main English teacher was not feeling well so I taught some four year olds for a little over an hour :) Definitely different than when you are just there to entertain the kids. I'm hoping to go visit one of the older classrooms later... I was just thinking today, I've never been into a "regular school classroom" (of older kids) while it is actually class hours. I should probably do that before I decide to teach :) 

I'll upload some pictures in a bit! 

Prayers would be especially appreciated for:

Patience

Extended alone time with God

Servant's heart

Prioritizing/scheduling well

The Evangelical musical that we will be performing on Friday!

Thank you for praying!

So what does my heart look like?

Today, I had the opportunity to sit down and share the gospel "full-out" with three girls. Two of the girls wanted Jesus to clean their hearts "hoy" (today). So they prayed with me after we had talked for  for about 30 minutes. God knows their hearts!  The third girl I shared with one-on-one. We had been talking, she was asking me to say things in English, sing in English etc She then asked me about the bracelets I was wearing (bracelets that have the wordless book colors on them). So, I told her that the bracelets told a story. She wanted me to tell her the story. We went and sat down and I began telling her the greatest story in the world, the gospel. For a seven year old girl, she was asking lots of good, solid questions! Anyways, I told her what all the bracelets represented (a gold crown for heaven, a black fruit representing sin, a red cross representing salvation, a green flower representing growing and christ and a white (clean) heart representing a "cleaned from sin heart") I love it when a child is interacting with the story and asking lots of questions. And one of the best questions to hear from a child is one along the lines of, "So what does my heart look like?" She asked me the question after seeing the white heart. Boom. I'll take that opportunity! I told her that I didn't know whether her heart was the dirty one or the clean one  but that "the Bible says if we believe in Jesus as our savior and ask Him to forgive us our sins, He cleans our heart." Child like, earnest faith. Earnest questioning. I love it. I think I'll be seeing that little girl again, but I pray she will go home and think hard.

Later today, we will be doing another bible club. It is called "Joyas Preciosas," which means precious jewels. Ah, I love this kind of work. Over-excitement is perfectly acceptable with kids. Over-expression is great when talking with  kids. Joking around and saying crazy things works well in building relationships with kids. Kids want to talk; kids want to tell stories, kids want somebody to play and laugh with. But the most exhilarating thing is when you look into the eyes of a kid who "gets it." Who realizes, " I am a sinner and cannot do anything to solve me problem.... BUT Jesus died on the cross, in my place." Ah what a glorious privilege we have as Christians to share the gospel with others... with children. 

We had one club last night, one this morning, one this afternoon, and then later today I will go to church group for 18-24 yr olds or something like that. 

So far, I've been working in the school with the k-3 and k-4 year olds, and will continue I believe the whole time I'm here. Then, certain nights of the week, I'll be visiting various kids from the various bible clubs at their houses. Weekends hold a lot of children's ministry. 

I'm very excited about the time I have here! Cannot wait to see what else will happen! God gives joy.

Gracias por sus oraciones! (Thank you for your prayers)

En Peru

Well, estoy aqui! I'm here! My plane ride went well and I arrived in Lima around midnight monday night.  I was met at the airport by 4 missionaries with World Reach (I just instinctively typed Campus Outreach... hah.. maybe thats not funny to you but it was to me. While I'm on this tangent I'm just going to go ahead and say that I have actually accidentally spoken in Thai while I've been here. Geez, I can't get the languages right wherever I go! My english is already messing up too.) Okay back on track. I was met at the airport and taken back to the compound which is about 45 minutes from the airport. Even though it was nighttime, the drive was pretty. We drove by the coast. I'm hoping I get a chance to go see the beach in the daytime sometime while I'm here.

Yesterday, I learned my way around the compound, and enjoyed hearing kids laughing, shouting and talking during school hours :) I am so excited to be around kids for the five weeks I am here! The compound is very nice. Mrs. Eva Barrientos described it as a little piece of heaven. Indeed, it is, both spiritually and physically! Green grass, nicely maintained buildings... It is so nice!

Today, I went to the school and helped out/sat in on k-3 and k-4 classes. The kids are precious. I was also introduced to all the other classrooms in the school. They have k-3 through 5th grade here. There is an average of probably about 18 or so kids in each class. I think I'm going to be working with the k-3 and k-4 classes most of the time while I'm here... possibly every day. I'm really looking forward to that.

I also met with the director of the church's children's ministry. We talked about that ministry, which I also will be spending lots of time with. It sounds similar to a good news club. They have various locations in the surrounding area. She told me that I will be sharing the gospel with the new kids that come to the club! I have no quarrel with that idea.

I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time with these kids.  In addition to the kids ministry, the school, and stuff at church, I'm also hoping to work some with the pre-natal care clinic here on compound and also possibly teach soccer to school girls during PE.

I think I will be "doing" more here in Peru than in Thailand, but I pray that I will still be able to observe just as much as I did in Thailand! I pray that I won't hyper-focus (which is my tendency) and forget to keep observing and taking in what God is doing around me ( and in me!)

Thank you for prayers! I'll put up some pictures soon.

PS- My spanish is definitely useful but I decided sometimes it is more frustrating when I know the  language but don't know how to say something then when I don't know how to speak the language at all. Argh grammar...

Terry to... Thaiperu?

So... when I originally made this blog, it was to record observations, experiences, lessons etc that God would be teaching me during this "vision semester" of exploring various ministries. The first trip was to Thailand (hence the name of the blog terrytothailand...) But, the second opportunity that God opened up was a trip to Lima, Peru! So, here I am writing my first blog post about the trip to Peru.

I didn't really want to create a whole new blog so I just kept the same name... But, if you are reading this, realize that I am NOT in Thailand anymore. I am sitting at my kitchen table in the US of A. Tomorrow, I set sail... (or pile on a plane) for Lima, Peru.

I'll be staying on compound with some World Reach missionaries, helping at a school, practicing spanish, and observing the culture and ministry! I pray that God continues working on my heart as He already has in huge ways this semester. God was so faithful to reveal so many things while I was in Thailand and while I've been home processing the trip. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to go to another place and compare and contrast.

Ultimately, this blog is for prayer! Maybe it's selfish. But, I'll take all the prayer that I can get. God was so faithful to answer prayers while I was in Thailand, both yours and mine. So, to those of you who were praying for the trip, thank you.  I continue to ask for prayers as I'm in Lima! I cannot wait to see how God will expand on what He has been teaching me this year so far. The lessons are numerous, but are so exciting.  My mind is running like crazy as I continue processing what God has been teaching me, is teaching me and will teach me. God is so good. To Him be the glory!

Farewell Bangkok! Hello airplane

So I'm in the Bangkok airport and I'm about to board my plane. I cannot believe that I am about to exit the Kingdom of Thailand! As we were driving to the airport in the wee hours of the morning (it is 4:42 am right now and we had to leave at 1:30), I was looking out the car window enjoying the city lights :) It was very surreal thinking about being in Bangkok. I think coming to Bangkok for another day was a good way to close the trip. I spent my last day in Thailand with the same people who introduced me to thailand when I first arrived. It was great seeing them all again. Yesterday morning, I said goodbye to  Khon Kaen and headed for Bangkok. Now I'm headed for Tokyo then onto Atlanta and then home. Travel time will be about 24 hours with me arriving home monday night! I'm running on under 5 hours of sleep from the past two nights, and I'm not expecting to sleep "fitfully" on the plane either! Hah hopefully it will help me get over jet lag faster once I actually get back in the states.

I'm looking forward to the plane ride though because of the opportunites it presents for time  alone with God, relaxing and then of course one of my favorite hobbies: just thinking. I'm hoping to do a lot of journaling! So, I'm back to one of my original prayer requests, that God would use the journey! That I would be wise in the time I have by myself.

Random thought I've been having the whole trip... I think traveling alone really helps show us how small we really are. I've traveled alone in the states before, but this is the farthest and longest period of time I have traveled by myself. It is a humbling thought being somewhere where you know absolutely nobody and where you can't even speak the language. I love connections and I love finding connections. But there are some places where you just hit dead ends! The coolest thing.. I'm never actually alone while traveling. Psalm 139 talks about us not being able to escape God's presence.. an awe inspiring thought but also such a comforting thought! God is always my companion when traveling. I can comment to him about the cute little kid with the suitcase, the food the flight attendent just served, and about the movie I just watched. I am never alone. Common Christian truth, but cool thought in relation to traveling. So, I'm looking forward to this next period of "alone time" I have with my God and King traveling around the world! Here we go!

Winding down already?

So, my trip is winding down... Crazy to believe that I've already been here almost 5 weeks. It certainly doesn't feel like that long, but at the same time, it feels like I've been here for much longer! Time plays tricks on the mind... Anyways, I'm starting to say goodbye to some people here in Khon Kaen since I am leaving Sunday morning before church. Wednesday was the last soccer clinic with the kids, and it went well.

 I have two full days left in Khon Kaen and then I will head off to Bangkok Sunday, and then leave Bangkok early monday morning. In Bangkok, I'm hoping to see most of the people that I spent my first week in Thailand with. Looking forward to hanging out with them again!

Today was a really chill day. I stayed at the house for most of the day, ate lunch out with Pi Blaa (Christian lady who owns a bookstore here) and then went to the church for the Thai Summer Project kick off.  Thai summer project is where some of the college students involved in Campus Outreach here come together for a month and do bible classes, fellowship with each other and work in the Khon Kaen area. Its the equivalent of what Campus Outreach calls "Summer Beach Project" in the states.

Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to having a day of prayer. From 8-2 or so, I'm going out with Katie Hamlett and we will just be reading the word, praying, journaling. I'm excited about just spending a big chunk of time with the Lord and having a lot of journaling time (which I always seem to be lacking) I've gone through 3 pens already while here just from running out of ink!

I'll try to write at least one more time before I leave. God has been so faithful this trip to teach me. I pray that it will stick and that I'll be able to apply the lessons into practical steps back home. Thank you for your prayers!

A few thoughts

Psalm  73:25- "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth."


1. Is this truly my way of thinking? 


But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


2. Do I live to proclaim His excellencies? Does that motivate me? 


Mark 9:21-24

 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
   “From childhood,” he answered. ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
   ²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
 ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

3. Faith in Christ/trusting Him for the big things (Salvation, existence, sovereignty etc) and for the little things (friendships, plans, agenda, goals etc) Do I truly desire to have childlike faith? Wonder? Amazement? 

A few of the things I've been thinking about, praying about, and wrestling with. God has been good to give me plenty of things to think about while here! Thanks for praying that God would use the time while I'm here to grow and teach me. Please continue to pray that I'll be able to process everything well. Don't we all need need help with that! God Bless!

Ruth

PS: The week is going great. Crazy to think that this is my last week here. Time flies... even when you have an extra day in the month. Cool experiences since I wrote last... went to night market-lots of cool people and food. No, I didn't taste the fried scorpions.... (Shouldn't a person see a red flag when trying to consume something that contains venom?)  Went running 11 kilometers (6 miles) at 5:00 am in the morning with some people training for Marathons. When else am I going to have the opportunity to run that early with thais in Thailand? (My body is suffering a wee bit)... Tried explaining American hand motions to some Thais. How do you explain why we sometimes use our hands to put quotation marks around what we say? Trying to makes good conversation!... And of course the week has been full of good conversations with great people. God is good. Thanks again for prayers!

Photos and Campus Outreach

Here are two photos from the past few days. The first one is from Thursday night when I went out to eat with Bobby and Katie Hamlett and some family they have in town. Bobby is half-Thai and so some of his mom's family lives in Khon Kaen. It was neat to be able to eat a meal with them in their neighborhood. It gave me a little feel for what Thai neighborhoods are like!

The second picture is of some of the kids from soccer. The three men on the back right have been helping out! Bobby and Pi Mo are on staff with Campus Outreach, and then the guy on the back right is a member of the church. His name is Pi Mai. The soccer clinic is going great and it is really rewarding to see everyone put the skills into practice. They are all doing well!

Let me talk a little about Campus Outreach since that is the ministry I've been able to spend a lot of time around while here! Campus Outreach's ministry is explanatory in the name. But to explain their mission in more words, staff go on campus and build relationships with students with the goal of leading the students to Christ. Then, the staff disciples the new believers with the goal of equipping them to do the same thing as students on campus. I have seen examples of Biblical discipleship everywhere while here. Within the team, there are examples of discipleship. At the church, there are more examples of discipleship. And with the staff on campus, there are especially visible examples of discipleship. I don't think I've ever seen discipleship so clearly displayed. This type of discipleship takes work, patience, faithfulness, and a lot of reliance on God! It is a heavy investment to pour your life into someone, but it is so very Biblical. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" According to Jesus's economic policy, souls have a huge amount of value in God's eyes. The next logical step in thinking is to say that it would be completely "worth" it to pour your life into something or someone if it at anyway affected the salvation of a soul. (Whole world doesn't match up to a soul so anything else I might do wouldn't either.) Whether the immediate affects of the work is visible or not, "soul work" is worth it. Discipleship is worth it. I pray I'll have this mindset wherever I am! I'm thankful that in my life, there are examples of people who have discipled me. But, I also am very thankful for this opportunity to see discipleship displayed through Campus Outreach in such a clear way. May we all strive to go into all the world and make disciples!

Uncomfortable success

Welp, a little late writing, but I'll try to catch up a bit! The past few days have gone by pretty fast. I've met with several more people, and had some memorable experiences! The above picture is of a game called takraw. It's a cross between soccer, volleyball, gymnastics and kung fu. Super fun to watch.. I'm sure it is even more fun to play. Unfortunately, most girls don't play sports here. It is rather tempting to ask to join though!

One of the highlights of the week was going with Mark Caldwell (missionary with IMB) along with church members to a church plant about 45 min outside of Khon Kaen. I wasn't sure what to expect, but ended up having a great time. I ended up teaching an impromptu english class to about eleven kids! I am still not sure if that was what I was supposed to do, but considering the circumstances, I thought it went pretty well :) I will say though, that the trip out to the church plant definitely put me outside of my comfort zone! My comfort zone is normally pretty big (either because I am comfortable doing a lot of things or I'm ignorant of the circumstances when I should feel uncomfortable), so it was interesting being in a situation when I really wasn't sure of expectations and didn't really feel "comfortable!" Definitely a growing experience, thus an uncomfortable success! On the way back to Khon Kaen, 4 students from the university and I had an impromptu worship session in the back of the car. I will not forget that 30 or so minutes spent singing worship songs in english and thai as I tried to figure them out on the guitar!

On a spiritual level, I think God is really revealing some deep heart issues. I can't remember whether I've written about this or not, so forgive me if you are reading a repeat! Two questions and one idea have been in my mind a lot while I've been here. The idea is the one I know I've mentioned several times before, and that is the idea of living and basking in the journey. God is being faithful to reveal how often I try to skip ahead to the next thing, and consequently miss what He is doing at that moment. Sherry Lewis  mentioned the other day that God works primarily in us and not just through us. I'm realizing that so often, I block out what God is doing in and around me because I'm too busy focusing on what the next thing is that I can do. I don't want to live my whole life looking ahead and missing the present.

"If tomorrow is today, the future is the past. The present was never here; we never let it last. Eyes are in the distant, instead of looking down. Maybe if we started slowing, what was lost would soon be found."

Along with learning to live in journey, the two questions that I've really been wrestling with are: "What satisfies me?", and "Why do I enjoy/do ministry?" 

I think as God peels away the layers of "impulse answers" in my heart, He is revealing to me the sad truth that I am not satisfied with just Him. God is revealing that perhaps some of my motivations for ministry are because I have a desire to feel needed, accomplished, or successful in my own eyes. God is revealing that while my idols are not the big golden buddhas I see quite often around here, my idols come in much more "christian forms" like ministry. Wait, ministry can be an idol? Yes, Ruth, it is an idol in your life. I revel so much in doing the things of God, that I fail to revel in God Himself. I can talk for days about exciting ministry opportunities, but fail to talk for days about the glory of the King Himself. My prayer for the new year was that I would return to my first love, not ministry, but the Lord of ministry. I continue to pray that I will be completely satisfied in God alone, so that my joy does not depend on wherever I am and whatever I'm doing.  If I'm completely satisfied with God, I will not be jumping ahead to "the next thing" because I'll be content living in the journey with Him. God is faithful to reveal things hidden in the depths of my heart! "In Christ alone my hope is found!"

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a clear memory and an open and honest heart that is able to evaluate surroundings, conversations and lessons.

Thursday Feb 16

No creative title this time. I'm running out of creative juice! Here are a few pictures taken over the past two days. I went to a Valentines party Tuesday night for some of the student girls involved in Campus Outreach. We had a fun hang-out time, eating junk food and playing games. I enjoyed meeting the girls, talking with them, and passing out my mickey mouse valentines :)

Yesterday, we had the soccer clinic and focused on passing. It went well! I am glad I have an opportunity to hang out with the mks here; they are all a fun group of people. Wednesday night, I went to community team which is like a small group time for some of the people in the church. Since many members of the church are students, they have a time on wednesday nights for non-students to get together, discuss the sermon and have small group fellowship. Katie Hamlett translated for me, so I got to hear what everyone was saying about the sermon on Sunday concerning Luke 9 and following Jesus.

Today, I'm looking forward to eating lunch with Debbie and Leslie Nesbitt who are with a different missions group (not campus outreach) in Khon Kaen. They are wanting to start some small business programs to help "at risk" people. I read somewhere that prostitution constitutes around 4% of Thailand's economy. The largest number of prostitutes come from the region I am in right now known as Isaan.  Isaan refers to the northeast part of Thailand, which contains mostly rural areas. By starting small businesses etc, some families battling material poverty could have a way to earn some money. Many potential prostitutes would have an alternant way to earn money for their families. There are a few missionary families in Khon Kaen, wanting to pursue that type of ministry. Looking forward to meeting with one family today!

Here are some pictures from the past two days

 The sunsets here are beautiful

 Group picture from valentine's party minus a few people

community team meeting

Happy Valentines Day!

This post doesn't really have anything to do with Valentine's Day, besides the fact that it IS Valentine's day! Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating L.O.V.E. (song playing in head by Nat King Cole). But more importantly celebrating Love. (I'm now going on a tangent that wasn't originally intended when I wrote the first sentence). This morning I was reading Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. The chapter was about the infiniteness of God and why we should be concerned with that aspect of God! Why? Because the fact that God is infinite means his attributes are infinite as well: Goodness, Mercy, Justice, Love. Infinite God=Infinite Love. Found not in candy hearts, roses or relationships but in Love Himself. Happy Valentine's Day!

Been reading Knowledge of the Holy and it is such a good book! It is very humbling and definitely leads me to worship how great our God is. I definitely suggest it to you!

Sunday, I went to the church that Campus Outreach sponsors. It was bigger than the church in Bangkok, and they have their own building. It was very cool for me to again be able to see and hear church in another language and culture. I also enjoyed making friends afterwards as I passed out American candy that I brought with me :D.

Monday, I led the first of six soccer clinics that I will be doing for the missionary kids while I'm here. We had about 12 kids, and had a lot of fun working on dribbling. I'm glad I have the opportunity to play soccer while I am here and use it to build friendships with the kids here.

I am very much enjoying being able to go out and meet with people, talk, and hear stories of God's work. Over the past few days, I've been able to talk with several people, and I have so enjoyed learning from them! I have had many impactful conversations in just the past few days, and I am now trying to record them all which is proving difficult! I wish I could write all the names of the people I've been talking with and how the conversations have provoked me to think about topics I haven't previously thought a lot about! I hate that I have to be broad, but otherwise this post would go on forever. Anyways, the past few days have been good, filled with conversations that align with the purpose of why I came here: to learn and observe!

Thank you for praying. God is faithful!

hospital visit

So, it sounds bad right? But here, you go to the hospital even if you only need to see a regular doctor. So, Thursday, I went for a hospital visit just to get some meds. It was the first time that I had seen Khon Kaen in the daytime, so it was cool to be able to see the city. It is very different from Bangkok on the main streets but is similar when you turn onto the side streets. The doctor prescribed some medicine just to help clear out my sinuses. I got an antibiotic as well to prevent anything else. Basically, I just have a thaisinusinfectionosis! I guess that is the only scary sounding name I could make up :) But, when the germs are different, its a little harder to conquer. But, no big deal, sickness is sickness and we go on with life!

Yesterday, we had a valentines day party at the small school here for the campus outreach missionary kids. It was great to be able to meet all of the kids and some of their parents. We had a good time! I also got to go out to eat with Snow and Honey, two of the thai women on staff with Campus Outreach. We ate lunch with some of the girls on campus they are discipling. I had my first thai spiciness experience when I accidentally ate something really spicy! It got semi-stuck in my throat so the spiciness kept on coming! Needless to say, my face was probably very red, I was coughing... and crying. Haha I wish I had a picture! But I'm sure the embarrassment will be imprinted in my mind ;) I'm glad I got to have at least one spicy experience. I don't think I need anymore.

Here is a picture of the women I ate lunch with yesterday.

Prayer praise: I'm feeling a lot better hooray! Valentines party went well!

Prayer requests: There are a few bugs going around the team. Please pray for health for them!
Also, while at the hospital, we met two American women. One lives in Thailand, and the other is a missionary in Scotland just visiting Thailand. The missionary in Scotland's husband discovered he had a  7 cm brain tumor while in Thailand and had immediate surgery. It has been a rough, crazy week for them. Not sure the danger of the tumor, but they couldn't remove all of it because it would affect his speech. They are not at home in America, or in Scotland. Can you imagine? I know they would appreciate prayers!
Thank you!! To God be the glory!

sleeeeep

Weeelll... normally I wouldn't be writing at 2:30 am, but I couldn't sleep so I decided I'd do it anyway! The past couple of days have been... relaxing :) Monday afternoon, my throat started hurting and by night, I had a low grade fever. The fever continued until yesterday (wednesday) around noon and then my temperature returned to normal! Yay! But, then my throat started hurting again, and that is why I'm up right now! Having trouble sleeping, partly due to throat hurting, and I've just been having trouble sleeping lately.

So basically, Tuesday and Wednesday, I stayed at the house all day, got some math and journaling done, watched a couple movies, and just had time to think and talk with Mrs. Sherry! (One of the conversations was about love and respect which is something I've been thinking about a lot for about a year... really interesting... and she gave me some more good insight to think about!!) The sickness is good in the fact that I have had to slow down after a busy week in Bangkok. Always interesting to find positives in something that is seemingly negative.  Then I can take the next step to not just finding positives in negative circumstances but giving thanks in all circumstances. Thank you God for allowing me to get sick. God is using it for good in ways only He can. I'm also really thankful that it is not a stomach sickness. That is what I was afraid of the most so I'm very glad Im not having intestinal issues! Also thankful that I got sick here in Khon Kaen instead of in Bangkok. Mrs. Sherry is taking care of me and giving me good medicine!

Anyways all that to say, I am thankful for how God is using these.... but I really would like to be sleeping through the night and feeling better :) So, please pray for wellness! Muchas gracias!

Haha speaking of being sick, just found this on the internet. I love witty humor.

Pictures from Khon Kaen/church in Bangkok

 Before we left for the airport, we took a group picture at the church of some people I'd been spending time with.

 During worship at the church

 Sharing testimony with Pi Da translating

 Part of Bangkok skyline.. there is a whole lot more!

 Monday morning party at Firpos's house... watching the super bowl. Dedicated Americans waking up at 6:30 am to watch... I woke up at 8:00.

 My thai lesson with girl from plane

Find the white squirrel!!

Green and Blue

The title for the blog post doesn't have much significance except that here in Khon Kaen, everything is much more green and blue! Blue sky and lots more plants and animals than in Bangkok.

I arrived in Khon Kaen on Sunday night after a 45 minute plane ride from Bangkok. Again, God used the journey! Apparently, I'm still not grasping the lesson! :). On the plane ride, I sat next to a 15 year old girl who wanted to practice her English. She started a conversation with me, and by the end of the plane ride, she had given me a thai lesson, and I had given her an English lesson! She asked for my email address, and so I gave it to her. Maybe she will email me, maybe not, but there is a possible future correspondence there! As we were standing, about to exit the plane, she reached into her bag and gave me a gift. (Really good smelling soap). Pretty cool!

Sherry Lewis and Katie Hamlett picked me up from the airport. (Two missionaries here with Campus Outreach). I am staying with Sherry and Mark Lewis and their daughter Sophie while I'm here in Khon Kaen. Their house is beautiful and the room I'm staying in is great! Everyone is very nice here, though it is quite a change from being with all Thais in Bangkok to being with all Americans! But, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone... and eating more cheese :D

I've been thinking a lot about the contrasts between American culture and Thai culture. I ate lunch with the Alywards yesterday (another family with Campus Outreach here) and Mrs. Robin and I talked about how the differences in culture change the way you do evangelism and discipleship. I've been exposed to a lot of different cultures and have always known there are differences, but it is amazing how many pre-conceived notions you have just due to where you have grown up. I'm still working through a lot of these thoughts as I talk with various missionaries here. But I'm really excited about the opportunities I have to just hear from all of these people and their life experiences, observations and lessons learned. There are missionaries here who have been here for one year, fifteen years, missionaries who have lived in other places before coming to thailand etc. I'm just really excited about learning from everyone and building relationships with people who are passionate about following Christ and making disciples.

Back to the whole culture thing, just a small example. But in the airport the other day, we were all trying to decide where to go eat. Some wanted american food (subway) others wanted Thai. Well the American I am decided we should take a vote! So I asked who wanted to go where etc. Then I jokingly made a comment about American democracy. When I think about that, I wonder if they had ever decided by voting before. In the US, sure that's a common way of solving indecisiveness, but in a culture that has a King, is that how it works? Since those Thais were familiar with American culture etc, they were probably familiar with a voting process. But unlike me, that would probably not have been their first solution to make a desicion. I realize that is a small example. But it's things that I normally wouldn't even consider as being significant (like decision making) that really reveal background. Anyways, I've just been thinking about some pre conceived notions (cultural and non cultural) that I consider the right way of doing things just because that is how I've always done them. The way I do church, the way I study the Bible, the way I process things. I am in no way advocating relativism, but I do think there are plenty of things we consider right, not because it is RIGHT but because that is how we have always done them. Its been interesting to make comparisons and Im excited about being in a different culture for 5 weeks straight.

Last Paragraph, I went to the Thai church on Sunday, and it was really neat to be able to see church in a different language. I think that may have been the first time I've ever sat in a church service in a different country that wasn't in English. There were about 35 people but it was awesome to see how they worshipped together. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony. You know, my testimony is very different than most of the people here. I've been raised in a Christian family. Many of them are the only ones in their family who are Christians. I  tend to put an emphasis on "good" and "bad" testimonies in the States. Oh you know, "so-and-so" was in prison, on drugs, and then Jesus  came in and completely changed their lives and saved them from sin." Praise God!  But wait, Ruth has always known about Jesus, been home schooled her whole life, went to Awanas every wednesday... and Jesus saved her life... and we think "Yay praise God. But in reality we think, "so-and-so" certainly brings more glory to Jesus (has a better testimony), because there is evident, radical change. Wait, who am I to downplay the blood of Jesus Christ? Who I am to say that God's grace was "better" in one person's life than in another? Testimonies aren't about the person. They are about God! God never changes and sure his grace is displayed differently, but the results are the same. "I once was lost, but now I'm found." Praise God. That church wanted to hear my testimony. So Ruth could talk? No, so God is glorified. Maybe it took me sharing my testimony in front of people who were unfamiliar with the typical Bible belt testimony to realize that it's not about the differences in testimonies, but the consistency of God's grace.

Okay, for real this is the last paragraph. I know this is a long post, but that's what I get for blogging before writing in my journal. Thank you for your prayers. God is working and showing me things...maybe not what I expected but lessons none-the-less. Please pray for a good clear memory to remember what He is teaching me and the perseverance to write it all down! Also, I'm sick :/ I thank God it isn't stomach virus sick but I had a fever this morning and it's making me feel lousy. It is kind of a praise too because it makes me sit down and rest :) So, I'm thanking God for making me sick and at the same time praying I'll feel better! hah.  Thanks for reading to the end. To God be the glory!

Last night in Bangkok (until I am headed back to States). Just uploaded some random pictures from throughout the week; hope it helps with visual! Today, we took a trip to Ayutthaya which is a different province and also the name of the second capital of Thailand. We saw ruins that are about 800 years old. The history buff that I am loved it. And, the human being that I am loved being able to breathe fresh air that isn't city air :) There was a big group of us that went out there, and I really enjoyed spending time with everyone...
 I am really looking forward to going to Khon Kaen and settling down there for the rest of the trip, but I will definitely miss everyone here!
About to get off internet so quick report... Praises: I haven't gotten sick! Hooray! I've eaten quite a few things that I would think would have gotten me sick(lots of street food), but God has spared me thus far. Thank you for your prayers! Another praise is I'm learning more of the language. A lot of people in Bangkok speak English, but I'm not sure of the percentage in Khon Kaen.
Can't wait to see what the next four weeks hold!
Until next time,
Ruth

 Grand Palace-lots of gold and lots of color

 Ayutthaya- Ancient ruins about 800 years old

 Dont remember this elephant's name... but I rode on that little bench thing!

 thai meal at home of a girl from church-yep thats a whole fish

 Some people from church and a few others

 Buddha idols are everywhere

Falang-what Thai people call foreigners. AKA Guava: (Hint: the inside is very white)

Sawaddee ka!

Hello from Bangkok! I have had limited access to wifi while I've been here so I'm just now writing. But wow, the past... (think through jet lagged brain) 3 days have gone really well. The city is big. The people are so nice. And the food is rice and noodles :) hah. I'm not quite sure where to start, and since it is 10:40 pm here right now, I don't have too long!

Ah yes! Let me start with the flight over here because God did not hesitate to start working and answering prayers! One of the previous posts was about how the journey is just as important as the destination. Let me just say, God. Answers. Prayers. I had been praying that mentally, I would learn not only while I was in Thailand, but while I was prepping for the trip etc. But I was also praying literally that God would use the 24 hours of travel time. He did!
I can't say i was expecting to use my spanish on a flight to Asia, but that is just how God works. From ATL to Tokyo, I sat for 13 hours next to a young woman who spoke little English... from Peru. About two hours in, she asked me, "Hablas espanol?" It took me a few seconds to realize that she was actually speaking spanish beacause I was so in shock. We then continued our conversation off and on the whole ride. I didn't openly share the gospel with her, but I shared swedish fish, my pillow, and helped her with her customs form. I know she saw me reading my Bible, so my only hope is that she put two and two together! Who knows if God is working in her life. But, if nothing else, he certainly worked in mine! Sitting next to that girl was like God was reassuring me, "See Ruth, the journey is vital. And you can trust me to answer prayers. I'm in total control." Basic lessons, but lessons that we have to learn over and over. That certainly started the trip off with an encouraging start!

Since that time, the encouragement has continued! The believers that I have spent my week with are so passionate about pursuing Christ and encouraging each other. Iron sharpens Iron and when you are part of less than 1% in the country, you really rely on each other!  Just seeing how they interact with each other is such an encouragement. I've had the opportunity to go to two "care groups" which are their small groups for their church, and both times were just fellowship, worship, and prayer. The Church stripped down to the core. So cool considering that most of them are the only ones in their family who are Christians. Most have been Christians for 5 years or less, and yet are walking very closely with the Lord, and very mature in their faith. God changes lives, and I love being able to see that right here in Bangkok.

I've also spent the last few days just seeing the city and Thai Culture. Soaking it all in. I love just watching the culture, the people, customs etc. I can't write too much more, so quick list. I have seen a lot of: street vendors-everywhere, monks-everywhere, temples-everywhere, gold-everywhere, pictures of the king-everywhere.

I have not seen a lot of: bread, cheese (two things I miss already) Falang (foreigners-literally means "Guava" because they are so white ;) hah) Though I did see a good bit in the two big tourist destinations I've gone to.

Cant wait to writ more about what I've seen, heard, smelled. Cant wait to write about the people I've talked to. Thank you for praying. God is faithful all the time!
Ruth

In atlanta

Today is the day! I'm on an escalator in the Atl airport as I type. Well okay, not on that escalator anymore. But anyways, I love this place. I love watching all the people walking around and thinking about where they are headed etc. maybe slightly stalker ish but enjoyable none the less. My favorite part by far though is terminal E:international terminal. Whenever I have a layover here, I always like to go to E because I love sitting around and hearing all the languages! Plus, they have good food in E. I'm about to take advantage of that fact right now actually! In the meantime, I just wanted to write and say I'm in transit! My plane leaves in about an hour for Tokyo and then from there I fly to Bangkok. I should arrive in Bangkok tomorrow night around 1155. Looking forward to this adventure! Thank you for praying! Prayer requests for staying healthy are greatly appreciated. Stomach issues are expected to occur but it sure would be nice to avoid the worse!

Prep for the journey; prep is the journey

Nine days from leaving. Things are starting to pick up in my brain as I realize how much I need to do... Travelers checks, finish school, learn how to say something in Thai, buy clothes for extremely humid weather etc. As I was just thinking/praying, I thought about how important and necessary prep is. I know I have a lot of prep to do but a lot of it isn't physical preparation. It's mental, spiritual, and emotional. Spiritually preparing myself, praying for wisdom, peace, guidance, and awareness to what God will be/is teaching me is so important. But, I think I normally shove that into the back of my head before I go on a trip/do ministry. I get so caught up in what I need to do, I forget who/how God wants me to be. Lord, I don't want to just do. I want to be in your presence so that I don't miss something you're trying to show me.

Another thing I thought about this morning is what Mr. Tim Prewitt told me. "Don't get too caught up in the destination. Don't miss the journey. Bask in the journey with God." He reiterated this thought multiple times. "If I'm going from point A to point B, don't miss the journey! In between is just as important." He used the example of Birmingham to Bangkok and how I don't need to tune out during the "journey." So true! I can remember several cool airport stories I have due to taking advantages of opportunities of where I was at that that specific moment. So, here I am thinking to myself, "Ruth prepare for the 26 hour travel time to Bankgok because God may have something in store for you. He might try to teach you something." Then I realized that I had just made the very mistake Mr. Tim had warned me about. I got caught up in the "destination." Except, instead of  the destination being, 'Reach Bangkok', it was 'Leave Bham.' Ruth, live, bask in the JOURNEY! That is right now as you're prepping, as you're finishing school, as you're still in Bham. What is God teaching/showing me right now? It could have to do with Thailand-it could have nothing to do with Thailand! Could be practical; could be a chunk of spiritual truth. Now is the journey, and I have various destinations along the way. Keep your eye on those things, but realize that the journey itself is a "destination."

Sooo Ruth... why exactly did you start this blog again?

Well, I'm glad you asked!
Before I explain anything... I should probably make it clear that all of these blog posts are not going to be pretty. When I say pretty, I mean that I wont necessarily be spell chking everything or making sure that I follow all the punctuation rules to a T (Sorry Mom and Gramma...) While I'll try to keep my flow of thought coherent... I can't promise that either! One of the most serious things I want to keep in mind when writing this, is that I don't want to be so concerned with what YOU the reader are thinking to the point that I change what I would write or how I would say it. Being a selfish human, that will be a struggle because *gulp*  I will get too caught up with what you think. Sigh* Oh the fall of man.... But in order to help counteract that way of thinking, I'm going to write these posts in journal format. Im going to try to be very open and clear with what is going on around me almost like its just me and me. It may sound a little schriztophrinc at times. But, I'm hoping that it will allow me to convey my surroundings and experiences more personably.

 Alright after that tangent, back to your (my) original question. Why did I start a blog? Mm summarization time. For some time,  I have had a passion to see people change. What kind of change? I'm glad you asked. The hope and change that is only possibly through the transforming power of Jesus Christ's blood. The 2 Corinthians 5:17 new creation change. I am convinced that one of the greatest joys for humans on earth is to see a person who who was "dead in their trespasses to sin," become alive in Christ. What a privilege we have to be able to see that! First, we can see that transforming power in our own lives when we recognize/receive Christ as our savior, and then we can see that change in others peoples lives! I would love to spend the rest of my life seeing, observing and being a part of that. Wouldn't you? I'm not sure of the details, whether  God would use that passion in Birmingham, AL, in another part of the US or in another part of the world.

As I seek to determine where God wants me, some opportunities came up that would allow me to learn about various types of ministries that have the goal of bringing people to Christ and discipling them. One of those opportunities is to go to Thailand, live with some missionaries there, and learn from them. Hence the name obSERVE. This trip is not necessarily a "go to different country, wear yourself out from helping as many people as possible and then return and sleep for a week." The goal of this trip is for me to be able to experience the daily life of a group of people serving Christ, seeing their ministry, and seeing how they interact with the culture they are in. Why? So that I can have a sweet vacation? No, so that I can have a better idea of what and where God would possibly have me later in life. The goal is to identify certain passions God has given me so that I have a better idea of maybe where he wants me to use them. I'll obSERVE in Thailand with the ultimate goal of eventually serving wherever God places me.

So, if you have made it past the previous three paragraphs, I congratulate and thank you for bearing with me! If I am honest, I'm not exactly sure what the trip to to Thailand holds. Im hoping it holds 5 weeks of asking a lot of questions. I'm hoping I'll be interacting with a lot of different people and ministries. I'm hoping to learn. But, I'm trusting God that he knows what I will ultimately learn from this experience and that it is what's best. With that being said... the ultimate purpose of this blog is for prayer. I believe in the power of prayer and one of my biggest fears for this trip is that I will go and only return from "vacation." I don't want to go on senior vacation. I want to learn, grow, and redeem the time. Will you pray with me during this trip? Will you pray that I'd ask the right questions? Will you pray that my eyes will be open to what I need to see? Will you pray that I would redeem the time and not waste it? Will you pray that ultimately my agenda and will for this trip and my life will be set aside as I honestly seek what God wants? Your prayers are greatly valued and appreciated and I hope that through this blog, you'll know how to better pray for what God is doing in Thailand in my life, in the campus outreach missionaries' lives, and in the ministry of Campus Outreach. Thanks for reading through to the end. Thanks for supporting/praying for a sister in Christ as we all seek to glorify Yahweh!

A toast

Here is to asking questions, experimentation, testing and exploring the countries, ministries and cultures I will visit as well as this blog thing Im going to attempt to do... Cheers!