What am I doing?

I've been challenged by 2 things lately. I've been hearing these questions running through my head over and over as I try to avoid having to answer to the prompting in my spirit.


1. Am I doing ALL that I can to further the Kingdom where I am RIGHT NOW by serving and loving?

At the end of the day I think, what excuses did I come up with today to escape from having to do a difficult job?
I can't speak the language. God's speaks their language and has the power to use me even though I can't communicate in the natural; that's a bad excuse.
It's too hot and it makes me tired. Well, too bad. 65 million other people have lived their whole lives in this heat and they are hard workers. Not a good excuse of being lazy when other people are dying without hearing about Jesus.
I miss home and would rather be there. I'll be home soon enough...that means only a little time left to make a difference RIGHT HERE.

Everyday there are opportunities if my eyes are open to see the needs. Sometimes I need to go seek out somewhere to give and not just wait for an opportunity to come to me. Every day that we walk with illegitimate excuses is another day of walking in selfishness, looking out for our own needs instead of people who are way more desperate than we are. Jesus gave up His whole life for this.

"even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."


2. Am I loving people well WHEREVER I go? Is the love of Christ being shown through my life by the way that love people?

There are people that are hard to love. No matter where I go, there are those people. I can't escape it. But Jesus didn't choose to love certain people. Those people that hard to love are probably people who really need it. If I'm claiming to follow the life of Christ, trying to be more like Him, loving people like He did is such a huge part. It's not something that we can avoid in running after Christ.

"If I give away all that I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. "


Kop koon pra yesu pua siri. (?)

Thank you Jesus for grace.

The Little Differences

It's been about 3 months since my first day in Thailand and it's been quite the learning experience trying to figure out this new culture of new things and ways. It was just yesterday that I realized that i'm finally learning to function more Thai style when I said something that I couldn't remember if we use in America or not. So I was hit by also by the fact when I return home in less than 3 months, I'm going to have to undo my new way of thinking and learn how to function American again. I thought I'd share a few of these things over the next couple weeks. Here are just a few of the many differences between Thai culture and American culture.

The WAI
Eachday when seeing someone for the first time (especially anyone older than you), it's your responsibility to WAI them. It's taken this long, but I think I'm finally remembering to do this along with the greeting
"Sawatdee Kha".
American's probably wouldn't appreciate this so much if I did this to them.

Toilets and Toilet Paper

I'm sorry if this is somewhat gross but it's just reality. Aside from the fact that we don't use the term "bathroom" or "restroom" here, only "toilet", there are a few more tricks to learn. Because of poor functioning sewer systems, all used toilet paper is to be thrown in "the bin" (trash can), not the toilet. In addition, most places you bring your own toilet paper because it's not supplied. Some toilets you also flush manually by pooring water into it.

Transportation

I will have not driven in over 6 months by the time I return. That alone will be a weird feeling. In Thailand the driving system is opposite so I'm now used to driving on the left side of the road and the driver being on the right side of the car. In my mind, it's actually hard to remember which side American's drive on because i'm mixed between the two.

Also, I'm used to having a taxi at my side with the wave of a hand, anytime, anyday.

Next time: movie theaters, shoes, straws and McDonald's delivery!

Beautiful People

These adorable kids deserve a blog of their own...