Winter Solstice--Shortest Day of the Year? I don't think so.

December 21 is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.  Really?  Not for us.  December 21 was the longest day of the year.  We left Ubon on December 20 at 5 pm and arrived in Bangkok at 7 pm.  We left Bangkok at 3 am on December 21 and flew to Doha (7 hour flight) and then on to Philadelphia (15 hour flight) and arrived in Philadelphia at 3 pm on December 21.  Time zone travel is the weirdest thing.

Here are some final memories from our trip. Thanks for following along.

During our time in Thailand, for those of us riding in the back of the truck,  we learned early on in the trip that sunglasses are super helpful whether day or night. It helps keep the dust out of our eyes as we travel. Earlier in our trip, when me, Jadyn and Leah were riding in the back, this photo was taken without our knowledge.  

Well, on Wednesday night as we were driving home from the village, a second photo was taken of us without our knowledge.  Lol! We, of course, broke out in singing, "I wear my sunglasses at night..."

The photos just screamed "album cover."  So, here are the "Salted Crickets" comin' at you from Ubon Ratchathani.   

On Friday, after the last school program, we returned to the hotel to have a few hours of down time and to get packed up.  We said our goodbyes to Pawn and she also gave us a little gift.  

During the downtime, Krista and I went to Big C for some last minute snacks to take home and we got some fruit slushies. 

We left our luggage at the hotel and we walked down the street for lunch.  

The owner was so happy to see us again!  She gave us extra food- papaya salad and spring rolls.  We also had rice ball pudding again. On our walk back to the hotel, Kris and Silk treated us to fresh fruit from the fruit cart - papaya, pineapple, guava. There were some dipping options, some sort of plum sugar, plain sugar and one with chili peppers for the guava. 

 

 

When we got back to the hotel, I tried to pay the hotel bill.  Both of my cards wouldn't work and Kris' didn't either. We were thinking maybe it was a sign that we were not supposed to leave! So we determined I would have to get more baht at the ATM. We left our luggage at the hotel after checking out and drove to the Albino Water Buffalo coffee shop. What a beautiful setting!!  We ordered our drinks and then went out to visit the water buffalo while the drinks were being prepared.

 

As we were walking back, we saw the owner of the farm.  His name means "Purpose." His son owns the coffee shop.  Purpose was walking very hunched over to take us further into the farm to see more water buffalo. As we visited briefly with him, we asked of we could pray for him.  We prayed for him and he said he felt lighter and stronger. And he was standing straight!  As we walked back to the coffee shop with him, he was walking standing straight up! 

 

We thought we were done with ministry but God had one more appointment for us. Actually, it's a reminder to us again, always be ready and looking for those God appointments.

The team spent some time processing and debriefing with Kris and Silk. We had such a great trip and our team has really bonded.  One of the team members mentioned they were not expecting such a strong bond.  It's such a beautiful thing. 

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at Big C for the ATM. It took 3 times for my card to work in the machine (I had already used it at that machine multiple times during our trip). Silk and I prayed and then the card worked! 

We got back to the hotel, paid our bill and made our way to the airport.  T* (another church member) met us at the airport to give us gifts and send us off with blessings. Seriously, the Thai team and church members have blessed us so much. 

We said goodbye to Kris and Silk (and forgot to take a final photo with them!).  But, you can enjoy this silly video..."we are family!"

Our flight to Bangkok ended up being delayed for 30 min.  The flight is only 55 minutes but we were served a meat/pastry snack and water and then tea and coffee were served!?  That certainly doesn't happen in the US. Fastest service ever!

 

We checked in for our flight at midnight on Friday.  Flight left at 3 am on Saturday morning (Thailand time). 

Another random thing to share with you, in case you were wondering.  You may have noticed in some of the photos all of the various hand gestures shown.  Well, they do this for EVERY photo...  

• "Go like" -- thumbs up
• "mini heart" - two fingers form a mini heart
• "Yay" - fist pump

"Go like"

"mini heart"

"Yay"

Sometimes there are other facial expressions, but those are the main three.

This trip was amazing.  I could not have asked for a better team to serve with.  So much love for all of them.

We shared in 8 schools. We shared with close to 1000 people (students and teachers).  That means that many people heard the Gospel messages and the true meaning of Christmas.  We connected with all 9 house churches, some were combined.  God is so good.

Back home in Philly, sending our "mini hearts" to Kris & Silk

Here are some reflections from the team that I heard throughout the trip:  

"Incredible graciousness in the way we were blessed by the Thai team and all of the people we connected with." 

"Amazing how well teachers received us and how they stayed for the program. We were very clearly sharing the gospel. We were able to share with and influence so many young children." 

"It was such an honor to be used by God." 

"It was cool to see how God put our team together and every day, every testimony was lined perfectly without us trying (fitting the audience--whether in the church or school). The entire trip was truly God-ordained."

"Amazed at even in the midst of our busy schedule and sharing in so many schools, we were still able to see so many miracles and God at work." 

"The Lord moved.  Just thinking about the fact that close to 1,000 people heard the Gospel message AND we witnessed two healings...we prayed and He answered!  He did more than we could ever ask for.  God did an intense work while we were here!"

As a final thought to all of you, my readers, thank you for your continued prayers and support during our time in Thailand.  We had safety in all travel.  Everyone remained in good health (until the last day one ended up with a bad cold).  So many lives were touched and YOU were also part of that.  

 

 

 

Was That 3 Days or a Week??

Our days have been full and we've done so much in the last three days.  When you read this blog post today, you may also be asking the question, "was that 3 days or a week??"  This is what we've been up to for the last three days... 

The hotel has been so amazing and accommodating for us.  I really appreciate their willingness to open the fitness center early for me. It only opens at 7, which was too late for me to get everything done and leave with the team on time. So, one day, I just asked them if they could open it early (6 am instead).  And, they did! So thankful for that gift! 

On Wednesday morning, we were challenged by Charles' devo for our morning team meeting. He challenged us to live intentionally and to be open to God using us. We saw this demonstrated on our trip so many times. He also challenged us to identify who our "Timothys" are in our life.

We went to the Phana School to do the Christmas program.  There were about 100 students in grades 1 and 3.  We were able to set up before the kids arrived (in so many schools the kids were early and waiting for us!) The school provided us with delicious coconut drinks. What a treat! 

I shared my testimony at the school in the morning.  I am praising God for giving me the words to share and to be able to explain it in a way that was helpful, understandable and engaging for the students.  The Holy Spirit was at work and the students were so focused in listening to me. 

 

 

  

We met some international teachers there who were from London and are teaching there for a year. Another teacher, Timothy, was from Uganda and has been teaching there for some time now.  For our last song, "We wish you a Merry Christmas," he led all of us in singing and after several rounds, kept speeding up the song. The kids loved it!

We joined the church members to lunch at a cute coffee shop.  "Food is Memories" -- that's the truth! 

 

In the afternoon, we went to Khum Lek School (about 39 students in preschool, grades 1-6).  The school was small but the students were so well behaved. Karen shared her testimony with the students.  After the program, M* (from the KL house church) brought her drink cart to share some treats with us.  Then we went to her home and met with those from the KL house church.  M* shared her testimony. She wants her home to be used for the youth and young people, children's ministry.  She wants to leave this legacy behind. Krista shared a word from the Lord with M* and we all prayed over her. The other church members, even the children, shared their testimonies.  This trip has been so good for all of us in the reminder that we should always be prepared to share our testimony and how God has worked in our life. 

 

 

 

 

 

When we left her home, the team split into two groups to go to two different homes, with church members who are bedridden.  The group I was part of went to pray for Grandpa.  He has trouble with his knees. Chris prayed over him and we joined with him in prayer. Grandpa stood up and walked with his walker after our prayer.  He said he felt stronger!  God is good! 

The other team members prayed for Grandma in another home.  She was laying on a hospital bed and a few weeks ago, her health was very bad. The team members prayed over her and then Lucy started the group in singing "Amazing Grace." Those who were there said it was a meaningful time.  Grandma was excited for them to come...she had been waiting for days.  She had kept asking her daughter what day it was because she was so excited for the visit from the church. Grandma was full of joy after their visit.

We took some pictures together with some local children who showed up as we were leaving. 

We got back to the hotel and had dinner at hotel coffee shop.  Half of the team received their food and had finished it before the others were served. Not sure what happened there, but it made for a longer day for some. 

On Thursday, Leah started our team meeting with the devotion, sharing on the parable of talents and how our gifts are worthless unless we let them go and let God use them.

We went to the Kut Paeng School.  There were about 120 students from grades 1-6 there.  They spoke English very well at this school.  Unfortunately, many of the teachers were distracting with taking photos during the program.  The principal came in at one point and there was a flurry of activity with more photos.  It was kind of disappointing but nothing we could really do.  Lucy shared her testimony at this school. 

 

 

  

 

We made a quick stop for some souvenir shopping at a place with local crafts and handmade items.  After shopping for a bit, we stopped for lunch.  

 

 

 

The next stop was a coffee shop where Silk shared her testimony. 

Our afternoon school was a visit to Benjathan Phitatya School with about 160 students in grades 1-6. Chris shared his testimony for the elementary students.  Earlier in the week, this school kept contacting Kris and Silk asking if they could add the high school students to see the program.  In the end, they ended up bringing the high school students in for about 20 minutes, with about 70 students.  We ended up having enough materials to hand out for everyone.  It was like God multiplied things for us that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We left and made a quick stop at the hotel before heading to a local mall to a store called, "Moshi Moshi."  Two sisters from the city house church met us there to bring us gifts.  

 

We went on to a special dinner at a "boat-shaped" restaurant.  The sunset was beautiful.

 

  

During our time together at dinner, both Som and Pawn shared their testimonies with us.  Our team has been so adventurous in eating ALL the food!  It's been so impressive.  The unique dishes that night--exploding catfish and fried frogs!  

 

Then, Kris and Silk ordered a special dessert for us.  We waited and waited and waited....and then this came out...

Seriously?  Bread?  

 

Well, the bread wasn't enough for us all.  We had to stop for ice cream and things got silly.  We had to say goodbye to Som tonight.  These goodbyes are getting harder.  We've grown to love everyone so much.

 

Friday was our final school program at Rachaphat Demonstration School with about 70 students in 2nd and 3rd grade.  Charles shared his testimony.  Another city church member, B*, teaches at this school.  And, Geng and Tukta's daughter, Hannah, goes to this school as well.  This school was so much different than many--one being that the students were not dressed as festive as other schools and they were sitting in chairs and tables.

 

 

 

 

 

That's all I will post for now.  We are headed to the airport for our long flight home.