On August 9th I arrived in Bangkok and stayed for only one night at Thongta Resort. I ate at the hotel's restaurant but didn't do much outside other than briefly walk by a small food market area. The next day I headed back to the airport and flew to Chiangmai, where I will be until August 24th. I started having these sort of thoughts: "What am I doing in Thailand? I know absolutely no one and nothing planned. Back in Korea I had friends and all sorts of things to do." I trusted that God would answer my question.
The first two nights I stayed in the Chiangmai Plaza Hotel. Very fancy looking place with a wonderful breakfast provided in the morning. I walked down to the Night Bazaar area for some food and to look around. I also bought a cheap phone, as it will be quite convenient to have one in Thailand.
I wonder what the next couple weeks will bring.
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| Live music with these instruments in the evening |
The following day I met with my first contact, who someone I had emailed referred me to: a man named Paul who has lived in Thailand for over two decades and has had many roles within CCC, church, and school. I spent the day with him (this was Saturday) and he brought me around to some different sights in Chiangmai, including a rehab center which originally started as a treatment center for leprosy. It still does house lepers but treats other medical conditions as well.
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| My first time eating an entire frog...tasty! |
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| Christian Medical Rehab Center |
We also drove by the school where Paul is on the board. The school is Grace Academy and for kids of missionaries. They're waiting for a decision to be made on an appeal they made on a lawsuit against them, so please pray that the opposition they've faced will dissipate.
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| Name comes from 1 Kings 19:4-8 |
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| Very nice landscaping at the Juniper Tree |
On Sunday I moved to the Juniper Tree, which houses missionaries for short and long-term stays. Although it's a bit outside the city and more humble housing arrangements than I've had, I'm able to meet missionaries from around the world serving in countries around the world. Meals are done family style so the conversations provide much encouragement and excitement for where people are at work for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.
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| A bit more humble living conditions than I've had so far |
I attended service at Chiangmai Church of Christ (CMCC), which holds a church service for foreigners. Praising our Lord Jesus with people from around the globe is always an awesome experience. Here I met a couple other individuals. One woman has over a decade of experience in combating human trafficking and will send me information on different organizations at work in the region. The other person I met, Josh, was involved with an organization that provides relief for people in Burma, where civil war continues to ravage the population. I don't really have the training to be involved in that way but he invited me to a bible study he'll have at his house.
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| CMCC prayer room |
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| CMCC - A Thai service is in the morning. Foreigners rent the space for a late afternoon service. |
Monday morning I had the opportunity to meet with Rick, the director of ECHO Asia. They primarily serve as a resource center for other agencies, providing seeds and other agriculturally related support. For the many communities and villages suffering from poverty this often provides a way to develop self-sufficiency and improve the local economy.
Monday evening I went to a bible study I was invited to by Josh. Here I met Anisha, who basically has the role of a Resident Assistant in a dorm at Payap University, which is a Christian university attended by mostly non-Christian Thai students. I'm guessing that meeting will lead to connections with others, as I hope to meet some Thai students.
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| Anisha, who also served as my driver back home |
What I ask now is that you please join with me in prayer for the following:
- Discernment in what to pursue and how to be involved
- God connecting me to the right people
- Using my time efficiently
- Praise Him for my health, travels, and contacts so far!
The first two nights I stayed in the Chiangmai Plaza Hotel. Very fancy looking place with a wonderful breakfast provided in the morning. I walked down to the Night Bazaar area for some food and to look around. I also bought a cheap phone, as it will be quite convenient to have one in Thailand.
On Sunday I moved to the Juniper Tree, which houses missionaries for short and long-term stays. Although it's a bit outside the city and more humble housing arrangements than I've had, I'm able to meet missionaries from around the world serving in countries around the world. Meals are done family style so the conversations provide much encouragement and excitement for where people are at work for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.
You mentioned you are a bit out from a populated area, is it because of Juniper Tree that there are so many foreigners in the area? Having a church that meets regularly for foreigners I'm curious as to what brings so many to that area.
ReplyDeleteThe Juniper Tree serves mainly as missionary families/individuals to come as a break from where they are serving. Sometimes to have a baby, sometimes on route to somewhere else, some countries require you to leave the country every so many days. So no, it's not because of the Juniper Tree. There are many organizations with headquarters here doing different service things, perhaps because it's a biggish city (around 700,000) and somewhat close to Burma and Laos. Many foreigners are tourists here (lots of Europeans). Not sure how it became such a hub for things.
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