Newest News...

Dear friends…I know that it has been awhile since I’ve last written. Sometimes it feels as if nothing has happened, as I have entered the monotony of language acquisition, and sometimes it feels as if so much has gone on in the few short months that have passed.

As you all know, this journey out here has been a difficult one for me. I have felt loneliness like I have never known, and it seems as if anxiety has been a constant companion. But I am now coming to see that this has been a pivotal time in my life. I have learned so much about brokenness, and humility, and about God-confidence rather than self-confidence. I confess that I truly felt like a strong person before I left, and now I am more than aware of my weaknesses. I know in my head that God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses, but that has not yet translated to my heart…I am still learning these truths everyday and constantly need to be reminded of who God is and how he sees me. He has been, and will continue to be so gracious to me, and I could not be more thankful for that. Through all of this, I have had to come to make some very difficult decisions.

My health has really suffered, both emotionally and physically from my time here in Thailand and as a result I have decided to come home and seek healing and restoration. God has revealed his grace to me through our leadership here in MBMSI, as they have expressed desire to see me well above anything else. I know that these things don’t always make sense as to why they happen or what the purpose of all of this was, but I do trust that nothing is wasted and that my time spent here (no matter what length of time) will be used in some way. Even though I am coming home it does not mean that I am abandoning my call to missions. I am not sure what it’s going to look like, but I do know I will be involved in some way in the future. My heart for the Thai people has not diminished and I plan to continue being involved in the Thai communities here in Canada.

I have been incredibly blessed by all of you as you have walked with me in this journey through prayer, through care packages, through emails, photos and letters. I cannot even begin to put into words how you’ve helped me through these difficult times. Your words of encouragement, the letters and painted banners from churches, the constant reminder of prayers on my behalf have meant so much to me and I am incredibly grateful. There have seriously been times where I have been absolutely amazed by your kindnesses to me, and your interest in my life. I understand the investment each of you has made in being in relationship with me and I regret, and am truly sorry for being unable to carry out my commitment. I have been processing through this decision with my team, and with the leadership of MBMSI, and there are changes taking place, but they are mobilizing people to take my place and work with the Khmu people in northern Thailand. And so, I have officially returned to Canada. I spent a week in Abbotsford with MBMSI leadership and debriefed with them and processed my homecoming. All of this happened really quickly during the conference in Phuket, so I apologize for not filling you all in sooner but I just had enough time to pack my bags and tie up any loose ends. I am currently spending a week in Vancouver with friends and will be returning to Alberta mid November.

I would like to invite you guys to continue to walk with me in prayer as I make this transition. I don't desire that your involvement in my life comes to an end just because I have returned home. Your prayers have really been a sustaining factor for me in these last six months, and will continue to be cherished in this new chapter of my life. Thanks again for everything. I know that this may come as a shock to many of you, and for that I am sorry, but I want you to know that I have truly appreciated your friendship, your encouragement, and your untiring love toward me. God bless.

Phuket Town

Sorry for the silence on the blog front recently...on Friday, Oct.12 our team headed for Phuket, in south Thailand to join the rest of our Asian missionaries for a conference. This has been an incredible experience thus far...one of healing, restoration, and beauty. We are staying in this beautiful resort close to the ocean and have had some amazing times of worship together, and hearing about what God is doing in this part of the world.

I will be staying here until Oct.22nd, so I likely won't be able to update my blog until I return to Lop Buri.

Please continue to pray for us as the enemy wants to discourage us.

Thai Scribblings

Now that I've got the camera back, I figured I might as well put it to good use...I am super grateful to have it within my possession once again. This is me, beginning to learn how to write Thai. Seriously...so hard.

Lost and Found

Just to let you all know...I got my camera back!!! Sometimes at the movie theatres here they make you leave your camera at the front, to ensure that you won't use it to bootleg films. This was the case with my camera...after two hours of sitting through a movie, I was destined to forget that my camera was not in my purse, and I walked out of the theatre none the wiser. I like to think that it was a bit of a miracle getting it back. You can never be quite sure what's going to happen in this country...someone may think your camera is nice and take it for their own. I wasn't getting my hopes up. But, lo and behold, they still had it after a week and I am so grateful!!! There weren't even any extra photos taken on it!

In other news, I have begun reading and writing. It's so fun and so hard! I read my first word the other day at a local coffee shop. I was so excited that I called one of the girls that worked there over to confirm that I had read it right. They laughed behind the counter at me after that.

Psalm 27

Something that has been speaking to me...my eyes simply cannot go on to the next chapter. It seems that I must stay here for awhile.

The Lord is my light and my salvation-

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to devour me,

when my enemies and foes attack me,

they will stumble and fall.

Though a mighty army surrounds me,

my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked,

I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord-

the thing I seek most-

is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

delighting in the Lord's perfections

and meditating in his Temple.

For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

he will hide me in his sanctuary.

He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Then I will hold my head high

above my enemies who surround me.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

singing and praising the Lord with music.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.

Be merciful and answer me!

My heart has heart you say, "Come and talk with me."

And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."

Do not turn your back on me.

Do not reject your servant in anger.

You have always been my helper.

Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation!

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O Lord.

Lead me along the right path,

for my enemies are waiting for me.

Do not let me fall into their hands.

For they accuse me of things I've never done;

with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness

while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Amen.

A Little Bit Low

These last few weeks have been ones of lonliness, anxiety, pain (both emotionally and physically), and sadness. It started with some difficult conversations that I needed to have, which have not yet been fully resolved. It's amazing just how much being emotionally drained can affect you physically! My health has not yet fully recovered from that ulcer episode just over a month ago...

Then last Saturday, I was driving my motorcycle to school. It was raining, the roads were slick and people were a bit careless. As I left my house I told myself to be particularly aware of what was going on around me, then got on my bike and went on my way. Just as I was approaching a very large traffic circle, another girl on a motorcycle just cut into traffic! She didn't look at oncoming traffic at all, and didn't exactly merge...she just cut out right in front of me. There was car beside me, so I had two choices...I could hit her or I could fall. So, I hit my brakes and because the roads were slippery with rain I went down. I slid for what felt like meters, but could have only been inches, and finally came to a hault. Thankfully there were many people around to help me up. They picked up the bike and moved it off to the side, picked up my broken sandal and magically put it back together, and then tested out the bike to make sure it still worked...all the while laughing, I'm sure to make me feel better about the whole situation. I couldn't think, and could barely communicate, but what I could say was "my butt hurts" as I had taken the spill primarily on my rearend. Then, after we established that I was relatively ok, and the bike still worked, they sent me on my way...I got back on that old horse and drove the rest of the way to school. When I got there I immediately burst into tears, and the teachers tended to my wounds (which were few...thank the Lord) and then finally sent me home. I went into shock, and haven't quite been myself since.

That same weekend I lost my camera, and my bike helmet got stolen (well, actually traded...they took my nice helmet and left me a relatively crappy helmet). So, all in all I have been having a tough go of things.

All I can say right now is that I am in need of prayer. Please, I ask that you would come alongside me in these moments...pray for restoration of health, for peace, and for joy. All of those seems to be hard to come by at the moment. Thanks.

Free Stuff!!!

Thailand simply continues to amaze me. There are things that take place and happen to me or around me that are so far removed from what I understand back home, that it makes me laugh. I have two such instances to relay to you now...

There is a big sports field near my house called Sinaam Geelaa. I go there a few times a week to run (as the staring is much less frequent there than if I were to run on the street), and sometimes play basketball or badminton. I had just finished my run and I was passing by this group of people all undernieth this tent that I had seen there for a few weeks, but never quite understood what it was about. This man then approached me and explained a bit about what they were doing...they were testing people's hearts and fitness, and he asked me if I would like to be tested as well. I kindly declined, but I decided to sit with some of the people there and talk to them a bit. After a bit of persuading, I finally gave in and proceeded to go through a series of tests. First, they measure your height (they had to bring the bar up quite a bit for me), then your weight, then your body fat percentage. They write all of these scores down on a little page that's all in Thai and then they send you on to the next test...following of all that, they test your blood pressure, your pulse, then they make you lift something, push something, blow into something, and squeeze something. Then the grande finale is to sit on a bike with a heart moniter thing and pedal for 5 minutes. I seriously had no idea what was going on. After it's all over, they take your little score card and put all of your data into a computer and it spits out this reading that tells you how healthy you are. Apparently, I'm kind of fat. A guy that was helping me out (who appeared to me to be quite fit) was said to be just plain fat. I think I have discovered a bit of a cultural difference! Anyway, it was well fun even though I hardly understood what I was doing and what my results were all about.

Now, my second incident is this little treat that I discovered a few months back. There is a store here called Big C. Boy, do I ever love this store!!! I guess the best way to describe it is it's like Walmart, but way cooler!! Plus, it's a little taste of the familiar so I like going there. Anyway, after you are done shopping you go to this magic counter and you hand them your receipt. Sometimes they give you something, and sometimes they don't. I have no idea how it works or why they do it, but it's awesome!!!! I often come away with free cans of pepsi, one time I got a laundry bag, and another time I got a book...but this time...oh, this time!!! This time I got a haul! When I walked up and handed the guy my receipt he took a look at it and said, "My mii khong" (which means 'we don't have the things', or something to that affect), so I thought that either I wasn't going to get anything this time, or that they didn't have the thing that they were going to give me. I started to walk away, but I saw him bustling around behind that magic little counter and before I knew it he handed me a mug, two small packages of cookies, and a package of squid!!! I was so excited!! I was meeting Bitsy somewhere after that and I couldn't find her, but all I could do was smile with my free things in my hand and chuckle to myself at how wonderfully odd this country can be sometimes.

My strange, new free things!!! Hooray!

The picture on my sick, new, favorite mug. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Done and done!

The photos are added!!!! So click on the button that says "view photo album" to the right, and view away friends!!!

Photo Time!!!

So, I reckon it's been awhile since I've added some photos on here. So, here's a bit of my current life in Thailand. Also, in other news, I just got a motorbike!! It's a wee Honda Wave, but it's loads of fun. Please pray for safety as motorbike accidents are as common as the rain fall in this country.

Wan and I, her first time skating!!!

My friend Duane and I...

Our living room...decorated beautifully by Bisty...it really feels like home.

My birthday apple pie!!! Bitsy made it for me as a surprise. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE pie!

Phil and I after swimming in the brown waters at this waterfall...I found some sick, big bug in my shirt after it bit me.

So, that's it for photos right now. I have loads and loads, and will be adding them to my photo site shortly (and i will let you know when i do that). Thank you for faithfully reading friends!!!

Health...

Ok...so I have had one of the most interesting/difficult weeks thus far. Basically, I had some serious stomach problems that just weren't getting fixed and after a series of different and horrible experiences (if you want more detail just email me and ask) the doctor discovered that I have some hyper acid something...kind of like an ulcer, or maybe it is an ulcer. I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm currently on medication for it and have been feeling better but I feel that I still have a long way to go. It's crazy how open I've had to be with people about this...they talk quite freely about things that we so often try to hide. In fact, sometimes the first questions people ask me now is how my stomach is and I have to give them the full update. Kind of funny and kind of humbling for a westerner...we love to keep up our image don't we...? Anyway, if you guys could please pray for me in that I would really appreciate it. I would love to be at full health, and fully functioning once again. Thanks...

Glai...the Bane of my Existence

Imagine with me, if you will, knowing a word whose counterpart happens to be the exact same word only said with a different tone. This is "glai". This word said in a mid tone means "far"...this same word said with a falling tone means "near". "Glai" rhymes with "sly" or "die" which is what you feel about the word when misunderstanding happens (which it does).

Allow me to relay to you my Sunday evening...currently in Bangkok there are the University Games taking place. This is an international competition with the best athletes from each nation coming to represent their countries in a variety of sports. It's basically the olypics of the university world. A friend and I decided to check out the volleyball and went to watch the Canada vs. France match (seriously awesome!!! Canada won!) but this venue happened to be quite far outside of the city and our taxi there was costly. After the match was over we spent about an hour wandering around asking people where we could catch a mini van back into Bangkok, each of them telling us to go somewhere else. Eventually, we got stuck in a taxi and were heading off in the direction of Bangkok...the very thing we didn't want to do. (This is where "the word" comes in)...the taxi driver mentions where he is taking us, and this happens to be a place that I am familiar with. In my mind, it was much farther than we wanted to go in a cab, so I asked the driver, "Which is closer? Future Park (where we were going), or Mochit (where we could go to catch a sky train)?" (future glai gwaa mochit may kha?), to which he answered "mochit". So, I tell the driver that that is now where we want to go. Without any explanation, he stops the car, waves down another taxi and begins the process of transferring us. At this point, I am so confused that I am not going anywhere until I gain some level of understanding! Again, I use that confusing little word and eventually resort to hand gestures only to discover that Future Park is directly in front of us. We were literally almost in the parking lot. Even though I was really conscious of the tone that I was using it didn't seem to matter. Glai was glai and so was I.

The Joys of Travel

Thank you all for your patience and faithfulness to the blog, as I have been tardy in my updates. I could make excuses, but instead I will not. Again, thank you for continually checking.

Anyway, this last weekend was a long one as I had to make a journey out to the western part of Thailand (for those of you who received my newsletter, you will notice my mistake when I said I would be going east to Burma...haha. Way to go Jessica!) for a visa run. It took me 7 hours to get there with every connection happening quickly and smoothly. I had the great priviledge of being able to connect with a few friends out there, enjoy an amazing hamburger (which are a rarity out here), and have hot showers (no hot water heater in my house). It was a great time of getting away, meeting people and experiencing life on the border. It's a different world over there! Plus it's cold (I suppose that's relative, but I got lots of use out of my hoodie and jeans).

My journey back proved to be somewhat different than my one going out...I took a van from Mae Sot to Tak which took about 2 hours, and from there I caught a bus to Nakhon Sawon. I finally arrived around 6pm and was hoping to catch a bus to Lop Buri from there, but to my dismay there were no more buses running that evening. I caught a motorcycle taxi to the train station only to find that the last and only train going to Lop Buri was at 10pm. So, being as I had no choice, I bought a ticket and waited my alloted 4 hours only to find out that the train was delayed by an hour. Now you have to understand that here in Thailand, a woman travelling alone is somewhat unheard of. It always surprises/worries them when they see it and so they make a special effort to care for and protect the lone ranger, which happened to be me. As I sat there (making crossword puzzles to stave off the boredom), at least 3 different women approached me and told me that it's dangerous for me to travel alone...a little late now if I may say so, but sweet nonetheless. My train finally left a little after 11pm and my lady friends made sure I was on it and had a seat. I arrived in Lop Buri just after 2am. Literally 14 hours of travel, and double the time it took me to get to Mae Sot! One girl that I met on the train offered me a ride home in her car and took me to straight to my door. I was really grateful for that after all the talk of danger...

I am home now and don't plan on travelling for at least a little while...my faith in Thailand's transit system needs some time.

Hello, My Name Is...

I have done a great job of sticking my foot in my mouth over and over again! The list gets larger and larger of things that I say wrong. There was the time when I told my teacher that I drank coffee with my friend in the bathroom (I meant to say "bedroom", and they refuse to let me live that down), and as of yesterday I told my nieghbours that I am pregnant. The word for stomach and the word for pregnant are the exact same...it just matters in what context you use the word. Obviously I used it in the wrong context as they promptly asked me how far along I was...thankfully the Thai people have a great sense of humor!
Also, you know that you have been studying too much when you think that the predictive text in your phone should know phonetics. I was texting a friend and was trying to write phonetic thai words and I couldn't understand why my phone wasn't recognizing them! Like, why wouldn't it know "naam thok"? Those seem like perfectly normal and well used words! What has become of our technology?!!!

Fish Sauce and Foreheads

There are many new adventures that I have stumbled upon, and so I feel as if I have much to write about....shortly after somewhat settling into our new homes here in Lop Buri and beginning our somewhat comforting routine of language school, we left and spent about 4 days at a conference 2 hours away from here. From there I parted ways with everyone and went to Bangkok where I had the pleasure of connecting with an old friend of mine. It was so great to see her, catch up, and talk about what it's like to live in Thailand.

Me and my lovely Beth...

After she left I went and wandered around one of the many malls (that give you a slight taste of home...complete with Starbucks and Body Shop) where I came across what appeared to be some sort of political campaign. I attempted to talk to someone who looked like they knew what was going on, but I didn't really understand much of what we talked about (although I nodded and made noises like I got it). Anyway, somehow I ended up walking away with some sort of gift bag that they were handing out...now, I've been told that when you receive a gift here in Thailand you do not open it in front of the giver...rather you take it home and open it there. So, I graciously received this little baggy of goodies, and after I walked away I opened it. This is where the real confusion began. Inside was a bottle of fish sauce, a hand fan, a bag of salt, and a wee box with a small bottle of liquid, a tiny spoon and a tiny plate inside of it. Now, I'm not sure if these gift bags are meant to be an incentive to vote for this particular party, but I honestly did not know what some of the contents were for, so like a good little learner I went to the nearest Starbucks to get the necisarry thinking liquid (coffee) and I proceeded to ask the man behind the counter what I was to do with the things in this bag. At first he wasn't even quite sure what these things were for and so we both laughed as he tried to figure it out...next thing I know, a small circle started to form around me and the man came out from behind the counter (even as the line continued to grow), and they told me that the little box had some sort of liquid that was used to test how much iodine was in the salt. And then they told me that iodine is good for the brain. I'm still not entirely sure what I'm supposed to do with it, but it was so much fun trying to figure it out!!!

My goody bag...

In the meantime Bob, the leader of my team, went up north to join in on some baptisms that were taking place in the village were we are going to be located in after language school. While up there he decided to try out the local barber and had quite an adventure of his own. I have to say, his hair cracks me up! He went in and they cut his hair, and then took a straight razor and shaved his side burns and the back of his neck quite high. Then they put a hot cloth on his face and proceeded to massage his face...he said they even massaged his eyes! Then they used the straight razor to shave his face and, this is my favorite part, they even took the straight razor to his forehead. That's right...they shaved his forehead!!! I love it! So, I'm waiting to see if it grows back and begins to fill in.

When I returned home I spent the evening hanging out with my neighbours. As we were sitting there, all of a sudden we saw something scuttling along the ground. Now, this is quite normal in this country as there are many different kinds of rodents and amphibian that we just don't have at home, but this one seemed unnatural and new...as we looked a bit closer we realised that it was a bat that was injured and couldn't fly!!! One of the guys pinned the little bat to the ground and I took a photo (even though I was terrified that it would escape and attack my face). Anyway, for the rest of the night they proceeded to throw giant leaves at me in jest that it was actually the bat. And for those of you who know me, this never gets old...I will jump everytime, so this is their new fun thing to do to Noina (that's me).

My little friend, the bat

One of the girls in the nieghbourhood...what's up with my face?

This is the fruit that I am named after...Noina

So...I think that's enough adventures to relay for this time...things are still difficult and adjusting is still hard, but I am able to see God's hand in the midst of it all. Thank you for your prayers and for all of your encouragement!!!

Me pretending to study...

Some phonetics to get you guys started

Language School has Begun!!!

Today was my first official day of language school...now, I just want to make sure that you know what it is that we are doing exactly...it's not like school in that we sit in a classroom with desks and we listen to a teacher all together. Rather, each member of our team has their own teacher (or helper) and we sit in a room with them and, at the moment, make sounds at them. If anyone walked by and had no idea what we were doing, it would seem pretty strange and pretty funny, but it has been fun so far!!! I'm training my mouth to make sounds it has never made before. There are two sounds that involve speaking from the centre or back of your mouth...one sounds kind of like the 'u' in 'just' if you were putting on a southern accent. The other one sounds like the 'e' in the word 'term' if you were putting on a brittish accent. I'm not sure if that really gets it across very well, but just imagine difficult sounds and then add tones on top of that.

I'm not sure if I mentioned in my last post, but I now have a bicycle which has made life in Lop Buri much more fun and interesting, and much smaller!!! I'll add photos another time, but my bike is bright blue (sii faa) and has a basket on the front and an extra seat on the back (for my doubling pleasure) and it's about 1000 years old. I refer to it as my Mary Poppins bike. This was mine and Bitsy's mode of transportation for this last week as she was waiting to purchase a motorbike. Seriously, I have to say that we stuck out like a sore thumb...two farang (foreign) girls weaving through traffic. Also, on Mondays everyone in Thailand wears yellow shirts to celebrate the king...so imagine two foreign girls wearing yellow and pedalling through the city. Amazing!!! Needless to say, there have been many honks and plenty of laughs as we ride by. And I have been getting my exercise as I've been biking for two in the heat of the day with a bike that only has one speed...

Well...I best be getting to bed...I have another long day ahead of me of making sounds and cycling around. Night...

Nookles with Shimps and Squids in Cravy

The wonders of the things we can eat here in this country. I had never heard of 'nookles' or 'shimps' prior to coming to this country, but now things like that are in plenty.
Anyway, I have not been able to get online much recently, thus the silence. We arrived in Lop Buri on Tuesday and have been 'orienting' to life here since then. Bitsy and I moved into our place and have been working on making it feel like home ever since. We live in a really great neighbourhood (called a Mubaan) and have been getting to know the people in our community and become acquainted with this place we are to call home for the next year. Lop Buri is a small city known for it's monkeys (evil little things) and for it's heat. It is seriously, likely the hottest place in this country and I can tell by amount of perspiring I do daily.
There is a phenominon happening throughout Thailand at present that I refer to as "jazzercize". They call it "aerobics", but it's more just like movement very similar to dancing and it's all done to very loud music in public places. I discovered that there was a place quite close to my home and decided to start attending. Yesterday I rode my bicycle (that is very Mary Poppins-esque) to the stadium and found that I was about an hour too early, but I also found that there were a group of competitive badminton players. I struck up conversation with them, and ended up playing again the coach of the local school and then playing against some of his students. I'm trying to convince him that it would be a good idea to let me join Team Lop Buri, but we'll have to see how that goes.
Anyway, we have not yet begun language classes...we officially start on June 12th and I think we're all pretty excited to learn as we quickly come to the end of our language as we sit with people, and I think everyone gets tired of saying and hearing, "I'm sorry, I don't understand". There is a girl that I met here on my first day who I gave my phone number to and she calls me regularly, but she doesn't speak English and I speak minimal Thai...we have some pretty funny phone conversations.
Just to let everyone know, I am doing much better than I have been. I had a really low day when we first arrived...not entirely sure why. I am learning to live in the everyday and clinging to the fact that God's mercies are new every morning. That's the wonderful thing that I am coming to realise in being here. I have never had to live day to day before, and now I am discovering God's sustaining prescence...even when things seem dark.
I love your emails and your encouragements...they mean so much to me right now!!! I will be posting photos and will be sending out a newsletter soon. Thank you for your patience! I also have my post address now, so I will send that out in the next letter. If any of you want it sooner, just email me...lots of love!!!

photos

Ok guys...I have posted photos on my album...so click on my link on the right....also, just to let you know, the comment box has been shut down so I am unable to read any of those sweet little comments you guys have left me (assuming that you are leaving comments), so I apologize for not commenting back. But check out the photos all the same...Lu, I've put some of the church and the kids from the village on there just for you!!!

Here it is...the old post.

I find that being in Asia always brings with it adventures and random events...if you are willing to walk down alleys and introduce yourself to large groups of strangers that don't speak your language, you are in for a treat!

We spent about a week in total in the north and stayed in the small town of Chiang Khong for about 5 of those days. That is the place we will likely be living, and there are two villages on either side of it that we will be working in. About 2 days before we left I started my wanderings...I ambled down this back street where foreigners obviously never venture (I gathered that from the pointing, the giggling, and the stares), and I saw a bunch of people playing badminton and soccer at the end of the alley. I decided I should join them as they looked like they were having fun, and before I knew it, I was sitting down and eating all kinds of fruit and singing them songs. Around 8pm it seemed as if they decided it was time for me to go home, so all the kids accompanied me so that I didn't have to walk alone. My journey back to the guesthouse was a fun one filled with laughter, loud talking, the kids trying to teach me thai, frogs, geckos, dookays (evil lizards that bite and never let go), and loads of light-swarming bugs. As they left me at my door they told me to come back to theirs’ when they finished school the following day.

The next day, Reg and I decided to explore...Ajarn (pastor) Sohn lent us his truck so we were able to easily get ourselves around. Basically we ended up driving into the jungle and when we could drive no further we parked the truck and hiked the rest of the way...we found ourselves two waterfalls and were literally wandering through real jungle!! We didn't see any snakes or spiders, which was nice, but somewhat disappointing, as you always want to be able to say that you saw those things. We drove back into town, ate lunch, and found out from someone at the restaurant that there was another waterfall about 30 minutes from there. We decided to check it out and this adventure became much more wild than what we had experienced that morning. We drove through villages and past water buffalo into very remote places. We came to a village and could go no further, and it was absolutely pouring outside...a villager invited us in out of the rain, and once it lightened up a bit we began our 3km walk to the waterfall...it started raining harder and we had to walk barefoot through rivers and mud on a path that was only a foot wide...through corn fields, past terraces and into the jungle. There was nothing but the sound of our laughter and unidentifiable jungle bugs that resembled the sound of chain saws. We never actually made it all the way to the waterfall (an adventure for another time) because I had to get back to see my new found friends…an evening filled with more fruit, more of me singing to the group, learning Thai, and a mini badminton tournament. This group was quite accepting of the crazy farang that had stumbled into their little soy, and told me that when we return in a year that I must come and see them. Once again, the children accompanied me home, and once again I had to say goodbye.

We left Chiang Khong that morning and made our way back to the big city of Chiang Rai. We spent the night and it was there in a small internet café that I made a new friend...a beautiful girl who graciously told me her story and let me into her life. I don’t know that I can say that I have had many experiences where I immediately felt love toward someone, but I definitely did here. I was really grateful for her, and will be connecting with her again in Bangkok in a week. Please pray for her to fall in love with Jesus who is so obviously pursuing her…

That next morning Reg and I boarded a plane to Bangkok (seriously, what a wonderful way to travel), and upon arrival we parted ways...he headed to Phuket and I am now in Pattaya where I will be for the next 5 days. Bitsy worked here for 9 months last year, so I am here meeting her friends and spending time with her before our rigorous schedule of language study begins. I have never been anywhere like this...Pattaya is a city that breaks my heart...it makes me sad, it makes me angry, it disgusts me. This is the centre for prostitution and anything else horrible in this country. Pretty much every foreigner you see is here for something immoral. I know it saddens God, and I also know that he has a great amount of love for these people...it is here that the light seems so much brighter and the darkness seems so much darker. God, please be drawing people to yourself!!!

Shoot!!!

So I wrote this really great post with photos and all, then my time ran out and I couldn't load anything. I'm still going to post that one eventually, but until then i'm just going to whet your appetites and let you know what's up...

i am currently in Pattaya....basically Thailand's 'sin city'. Home to an incredible amount of prostitution and other such things. it's quite shocking actually...nothing like the rest of Thailand. anyway, i arrived here on thursday and will be staying until Tuesday. Bitsy, a member of my team, lived here for 9 months last year and wanted me to come down and meet her friends and see where she lived...that's what we have been doing.

today we went and worked in the slums with world vision...we had kids hanging off of us all morning. it was wonderful!!! there was this beautiful little girl (and I mean LITTLE!!! i could have pur her in my pocket!) who kind of stood off to the side and wasn't quite sure what to make of us white girls, until i picked her up and started throwing her in the air. she laughed and laughed, then came and sat on my lap for the rest of the time. Would anyone be opposed to me bringing home a whole slew of children in 3 years? mama jess...

tomorrow we will be joining something called Street Church...they have worship in a pub on what is called "walking street" (where all the prostitutes walk, and all the foreigners flock to). they literally have church right there in the middle of it! It's great! There are so many people here with a heart to serve and love those who are caught up in this horrible industry. I'm so glad for them!!!

Anyway, I know I have promised photos and they are still coming. I have some good ones!!! As soon as I have a solid connection and a bit of stability you are all going to be overwhelmed!!!

Peace and love to you all!!!

Northern Journeys...

The following paragraphs are excerpts from my journal...we are currently in a small mountain village called Chiang Khong, right on the border of Laos. Our internet is limited, thus journal excerpts.

From May 17th- "I am venturing into some unchartered territory...Chiang Rai. I have never before been there and I don't know what I am going to see. As we journey north on transportation much more posh than I have previously experienced in Thailand (flights are so cheap! Why have I never done this before?) I look at the two Thai men beside me and realise one thing...I am a giant. My legs are pressed uncomfortably into the seat in front of me and they have space unimaginable even as they slouch! Apparently the Khmu people we will be meeting in the north are much smaller than the average Thai person. At least I won't ever get lost in a crowd.
On our way to the airport this morning our taxi got a flat tire on an unbelievably huge and busy highway. Props to our driver who changed it in under 5 minutes!
My plane buddies just woke up and ordered themselves some "cafe yen" (iced coffee) and some sandwiches and proceeded to ask me numerous times if I wanted some. They were going to pay, and also buy something for Reg who is sitting somewhere else. They haven't even spoken to him. I love them!"

From May 18th- "Chiang Rai was similar to any other Thai city...home to fantastic markets (where I bought 3 mangos for 50 cents), tuk tuks, and plenty of foreignors. Bitsy and I explored, got lost, found Thai dancing, and di our best to get a feel for the city.
Early this morning we all piled into a van and drove literally into the middle of nowhere. we bounced down rugged roads getting deeper into the jungle's foliage, and more surrounded by tree carpeted mountains. Before I knew it the wide expanse of the Mekong River was before me and the land just beyond it...Laos. What an amazing sight! Even as I sit here and write I can hear the music floating across the river...and it is here that will likely be home within a year's time."

Today- We are still in Chiang Khong, the village just across the river from Laos. We had the opportunity to go to a village where there are some believers. They have been working for years in that place with much opposition from other villagers...these people have been faithful. We spent some time playing with the children which crawled all over us, brushed my hair, made me drink water out of toy cups (hopefully i don't get too sick), and let us love them. What an awesome time it was!!!

Just to let you all know how you can best pray for us...I have been really struggling with adjusting to this place and this culture. I think I'm experiencing culture shock for the first time in my life...I realise more and more everyday just how much satan doesn't want us in this place. The north has been a wasteland for missionaries in the past and I think that we as a team are coming to face the difficulty of this task, the mangnitude of our committment, and the vast distance that lays between us and all that we know. I don't think I have ever struggled like this before. Also, Phil has started having seizures again...he had gone nearly 4 months seizure free and then once we arrived in Thailand he had one, and then another one the following day. It discouraged all of us. It brought questions into our minds about being here...we need your prayers.

I have lots of great photos, just no place to upload them at the moment so continue to be patient and I will have plenty of treats for your eyes. Thank you to all of those who have been praying and have been sending encouraging emails and such. I have needed them more than you know at this time. You have been real God sends to me. Thank you!!!

Ghost With a Shirt on...

I've been here about a week and I'm already making discoveries. I wouldn't say that I'm making head way, but I am learning stuff. Take for instance this tonal treat...the word for "shirt" and the word for "tiger" are the exact same, only one is said with a rising tone and the other is said with a falling tone. So, we joked about telling people to check out your new tiger as you pointed to your shirt, but I don't know how funny that is as I'm likely going to do that at some point.
Anyway, all of that to say that the word for "butterfly", literally translated is "ghost with a shirt on". I don't know how well it would go over if I called it a "ghost with a tiger on".
Also, today we discovered that we could make a joke about how little thai we know by saying "I speak snake snake fish fish Thai" ("pud Thai dai nguu nguu plaa plaa ka"). I say it and the people laugh. They may be laughing because they have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, but I choose to believe that it's some sort of silly inside joke.
We are no longer in Chon Buri but have moved up to Bangkok where we will spend the night, leave the majority of our belongings and head up north. We will be in Chiang Rai by tomorrow afternoon to check out where we are going to be doing ministry in a year's time. We're going to spend about a week scouting out the area and connecting with people and then will part ways as a team from there. I'll keep you posted.

Making Home in Thailand

I'm here!!!! It has been a few days now, and I still can't believe that I am here and that this is going to be home!!! We arrived at the (brand new) Bangkok airport on Tuesday afternoon after 20 some odd hours of travel. We had absolutely no problems going through customs (praise God for his faithfulness) and gathered all of luggage in one piece. Nothing was lost, broken or misplaced!! So awesome!!
We were warmly greeted by the amazing people from Team 2000 with flowers in hand, smiles upon their lips and nothing but encouraging things to say!!! What a great scene to come upon for our first few moments in the country.
We exited the airport to be welcomed by that thick, hot, moist air that instantly clings your clothes to your body, makes your hair curl and your skin sheen, and then piled everything into a van. We also somehow managed to stuff ourselves into that same van (Reg and I were crammed in the back surrounded by luggage...at least we were insulated had we crashed) and they made a gracious stop at one of many Starbucks to cool our tempurature confused bodies and then proceeded to Chon Buri...where we are now.
Check your maps...it's on the eastern seaboard just north of Pattaya...this is the home of Team 2000, other members of our organization and they are hosting us and are doing their best to make our adjustment into life here smooth, comfortable and somewhat normal. I am so grateful for them as they have been through this same experience 6 years ago and remember these thoughts and emotions as if it were yesterday. They have scheduled some things for us, such as checking out the local aquarium (which I have to admit is so super cool!!! Seahorses are unreal! They are perfectly formed, just smaller, from the moment they are born!! I was blown away by God's creativity in the things he has made below the water's surface...some of which we shall never see), hearing their stories and the things that are going on in and around Thailand, joining in on their hip hop ministries (no joke, the guy who leads this thing has won breakdancing compatitions in Thailand. He's unreal), and eating at many of the different restaurants in the area. The rest of our time is pretty much free. I'm really thankful for that as this is quite a big adjustment...I'm no longer visiting this country...I live here.
So that is what has been going on for us recently. We shall be here in Chon Buri for at least the next week and then will be making a trip up to Northern Thailand to connect with the people we shall be working with. I will continue to keep you all posted.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and emails. I really appreciate them! Some prayer requests for this beginning phase of this journey...my jaw: I have a horrible case of TMJ and it has been more painful than I think it's ever been. I would love to be healed! Bitsy: she has been battling a cold and a very sore hip. Love to see her up and running at full strength again. And just for our team in general...we are all quite vulnerable right now and I can sense that Satan would love to get us down and discourage us before we even begin. Pray that God would protect us and help us to recognize lies and claim victory in not only our own lives but in the lives of the Thai people. And last but not least: for this country!!! Something you see a lot of at the moment are people wearing really large amulets around their necks...they believe that it brings luck and wards off illness and other such things. It would be amazing to see people in this country take hold of Jesus and trust him with their lives!!! It is already happening so continue to pray!
I have to admit, I haven't taken many photos as of yet...lame lame Jessica...but I shall soon and then I will post them. I love you all and miss you lots...please let me know how all of you are doing. Oh! I also have my phone up and running now so if anyone wants my cell number or my skype address just email me and I can hook you up!!Peace.

Blogger doesn't make sense in other countries!!!

So, I thought it would be nice for all those who read this (and I'm not sure if any of you do), to give you a wee update concerning our whereabouts. We have officially left North America! We said our final goodbyes last night (was that last night? I have no concept of time) and boarded the plane to Taipei, Taiwan. 13 hours of blissful sitting brought us that much closer to our destination, and has left us tired, hungry and smelling of travel. If any of you wonder what that may smell like, just imagine wrapping yourself in plastic for a few days, and there you have it!

It's pretty crazy to think of where this year taken us...we are actually going to Thailand!!! We are really moving there!! In about 4 hours we will be enveloped in a warm, humid hug and shall be filling our bellies with food that has been calling me for years. As difficult as it has been to say goodbye and to bring an end to the life I've known in Canada, I feel incredibly blessed to have seen God work all these details out and to have finally brought me to a place where I'm going where my heart has longed to be. He's truly amazing and it is now, in this place, as my emotions have begun to settle, where I can feel excited and marvel at God's hand in my life. What an adventure!!!

I will update again once I have arrived at "home". The tastes, sights, and sounds of Thailand will be filling my senses shortly....

Mildmannered Town gone Super

On a Saturday evening, just like any other, a small group of unassuming people shed their disguises and gathered together to discuss how to continue to keep society safe. Many would say that their powers are not super, but each has a special gift. Whether it be paranioa, special baking skills, or changing diapers at incredible speeds, this random little cluster of combatants fights evil and super-villianry to keep the common civilian from harm.

The society of supers

Aunty Bacteria...all about cleanliness

The Atomic Chef...showing off his guns

The Green Girl...loves foliage

Rainbow Rider...travels at the speed of light

Captian Canuck...has that flashy little frisbee thing

The Ale Avenger...lethargically lets villians come to him

Captain Savaho...scares villians away with his costume

And Safety Girl...has a neurotic hypersensitivity to danger. Loves reflectors and frequently uses her emergency response guidebook.

These dear friends gave me a bit of a send off that will stand out in my memory for years to come! Thank you my fellow marginal super-heros! What a great evening!

Wee Ones...

I've been spending loads of time with my friends and their wee ones...it's strange...my friends may not change so much during my absence, but their kids? Man, the ones that aren't speaking will be in school when I get back, and there are a few still in the bellies that won't even know who I am...so I have been spending as much time as "auntie Jess" as possible. There are a few lovely little ones that aren't photographed here (as of yet)...more to come.

I know, I know...these two aren't kids...but I just love the photo!!! Daryl's eyes...they're so big....

Where in the World is Jessica Richards?

Follow the journies of Jessica...where was she this week? Early Saturday morning, I again loaded my belongings into the gutless cutless (which is quickly becoming like it's name) and began the long 7 hour drive to Jasper. As much as my packing and unpacking has taken on a second nature type of feel, I mysteriously forgot the majority of the things I needed this weekend. I must not take for granted that I always know what I'm doing, or that I continuously have my wits about me!

Although I journied alone, I was very much amused...by random road signs (Manly Hall...seriously? And the 'scenic' highway to Alaska, which turned out to be simply a dirt road), and by singing unabashedly at the top of my lungs. Upon arrival in Jasper I was greeted by familiarity, family and a wonderful 22 degrees!!! What could make for a better weekend?

On Saturday evening we attended mass with my aunt and I was once again struck by Jesus' amazing sacrifice for us!!! Not only his sacrifice that paid for our sins, but the life that he has given to us now, so that we can live and do and breathe!!! It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me! Pretty amazing. We entered the church in the darkness, and lit candles. All of which was a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection...with his resurrection he brought us life.

One thing that has really been sticking out in my mind recently is the act of remembering. Jesus asked his disciples to remember..."Do this in remembrance of me"...and the Israelites constantly remembered what God had done from them, and how he brought them out of Egypt. I feel sometimes as if we have lost the art of remembering, or have possibly become worse at it. Or maybe just I have. I love Paula's blog that is entirely given over to remembering! I want to do more of this...more of remembering the things that God has done for me, and the monumental moments in my life where he has 'parted the waters' or even in the daily things where he has opened my eyes to see beauty in my surroundings. I believe that also in our memories, God can and will be glorified!

So...after a weekend of reconnecting with family and saying more goodbyes, Monday afternoon brought with it the journey home.

Speechless...

I've got no words for what you're about to see. David (my brother) and I set up the camera in the basement and started jumping...the rest is history. Spectacular history if I do say so myself!

Check out my photos to see more from this magical evening!!!

April Fools

I think a big joke has been played on us by the month of April herself...I mean, we were led to believe that it was going to be all warm and beautiful and then BOOM! It snows for 2 days and a foot of snow is left in the blizzard's wake. So sad.

In some ways I blame myself...it seems that God may be giving me a great taste of winter before I leave and live winter-free for 3 years. Boo snow!

Anyway, the countdown is on for me...I think it's only about 4 weeks until Hope for Thailand team boards a plane for Thailand to begin a new life over there. In these last days I'm constantly reminded of my need for Jesus. I mean, I know and realise that we are always in need of Jesus, but there are definitely times where we aren't as aware...I have become vividly aware! I'm in a state of constant revelation of my dependence on Him...I have definitely been challenged to be a woman of faith who doesn't walk in complacency, but who steps out and trusts the One who leads. Lynnette came in contact with some radical people the other day who walk and live faith here in Canada and are experiencing daily persecution for what they believe. Why aren't the rest of us? It's not that I long for suffering, but I do long to be someone who lives this thing, walks in fear of nothing, and who listens to the Father and obeys.

I met an amazing couple this last weekend. Once again, I was challenged by their lives of faith and by their commitment to the call of Jesus. I stayed at their place on Saturday night and and spent a few hours becoming acquainted with these beautiful people. They are in their seventies, and have totally devoted their lives to doing whatever it is that Jesus asks of them. The gentleman said something that remains vividly in my memory..."When I was forty, I asked the Lord for forty more years to serve him. Anything after that time is a bonus." This couple is not looking to retire, but to go where God asks them to go, and to do what God asks them to do! I long to have that kind of faith in the later years of my life....

So...here I am, sorting through my belongings and considering what may stay and what may go, and decidedly not going outside for fear of losing my extremities to the cold. April...you really have made us the fool!

Home? It's where I take off my hat...

I arrived back in Three Hills last night after a weekend of connecting and speaking in churches. It's good to be home. I will be here now until I leave, and I'm so glad for this time.

I did some thinking today and I realised that over the span of this year (since May) I have done so much! This has been a year of uncertainty, of change, and of constant new beginnings. I have moved 5 times, and still have the biggest move of all coming up. I have taken about 15 flights, all between here and Abbotsford. I have been to college (for the first time ever!...and liked it...shhh, don't tell anyone). And I have met more people than I can count. Literally.

It has been a good year, but I am looking forward to no longer being in limbo and to settling down a bit more, for a solid year of language study.

I'm Back...

It seems as if I have fallen off the face of the earth. I apologize to those of you who read faithfully and come to find absolutely nothing new in my little space on the web. I shall attempt to fill you as best I can...

I am no longer in TREK. We finished on March 2nd, and I departed shortly after to Vancouver to spend some time with friends. Unfortunately for them, I was still coughing and attempting to get over whatever it was caught (I'm not sure if it was about the fish at all...see previous post with me kissing some aquatic creature), but we still had a wonderful time. Concerning my illness, I have officially been sick now for over a month. I think I am on the mend thanks to Cold FX (and mom).

I was home for a few days, and came back to Abbotsford yesterday to do one more final week of team building, which has proven to be useful and beneficial thus far. We are working on things like roles and responsibilities, conflict, and team convenant. And after this is over I shall be coming home for over a month!!!

BIG NEWS: Today is the day our team purchased our tickets. We are going for real!!! Our departure date is set for May 7th, and we will be flying out of Seattle, WA. Unbelieveable!!! So, the goodbyes will be real...

Thanks to all those who follow what I'm up to and where I'm at. I really appreciate your prayers and all the love you send over emails and comments. I hope to connect over the following weeks.

Almost Done!!!

Hey guys...I have some great news to tell you! My entire team is now officially at 100%! I am still going to be connecting with churches and getting more people on board, as support tends to fluctuate and as it's so important to have lots of prayer!

Also, the program I have been in comes to a close on Friday...we are sending out two teams...one to Mexico and the other to Egypt and we will remain in Canada for a few more months. The plan is for me to come back to Alberta sometime in mid March, hang around, say goodbyes and then fly out to Thailand at the beginning of May from Seattle. I can't believe that this is actually happening!

Anyway, I don't really have much more to share. Our team took some more photos recently in an attempt to get away from the typical missionary team photo...let me know what you think! Pretty gangsta, huh?

Church Dance

I probably had one of the funnest evenings last night! One of the local churches put on a dance...random, I know...but so fun!

Let me paint a picture for you...we walked into the community center and the lights had been turned down low...on two big screens they had the "dance of the freaky circles" (for those of you with any sort of music screen saver thing, you'll know what I'm talking about), and balloons randomly placed throughout. They played an ecclectic assortment of music ranging from worship dance to Abba, to Corrinne Bailey Rae. No joke. It was all over the place! The best part about it was it was multi-generational...kids in their early teens, young adults and some grey haired folk all dancing together...and at one point, everyone had grabbed onto another's hips and we were all awkwardly kicking and bouncing in a community-center-wide train. Oh, the good times!

Pastors by day, djays by night...spun us some songs on their itunes, and created a safe and fun atmosphere to dance like an idiot and do something different for once...who knew a church dance could be so great!?

Happy Single's Awareness Day!!!

We were all sitting around the table at lunch today discussing this thing called "Valentines Day"...somebody chose to describe it as the day that singles hate, married couples could care less about, and that dating couples adore!!! It is that one day a year that makes you more aware of your solidarity than any other major holiday....thus the single's awareness day.

So to all my friends out there I wish you a Happy Single's Awareness Day...and for those who think this is the best day ever, a Happy Valentines to you.

The Farm

We had an absolutely crazy weekend in Seattle and surrounding area. It didn't seem to matter what we did, something would go wrong or turn out to be slightly disasterous.

Take for instance the place that we stayed...first of all, it's called The Farm. As you drive up to it, all you see are these brightly colored buildings with pictures of animals on them and a huge glowing cross out front. Now, The Farm has a really great story and the people who run it have a really great heart...they just lack some really great facilities. The first night we were there the boys stayed in this little shed that smelled of poo, and us girls stayed in this large room on a cement floor covered in carpet. I must explain that there were no beds to be found anywhere, and I'm pretty sure no heating, so we all slept on the floor and, no joke, shivered for almost the entire night. At around 4am all the girls started laughing at how ridiculous this situation was, at how cold we all were and at how little sleep we were getting.

The next morning brought with it another set of adventures...there are no working showers on The Farm so we all loaded up into the vans and headed to the local pool to use their communal showers. It was so funny!!! None of us went for a swim, we just walked into the change rooms and showered and got ready for the day.

After that, we drove into Seattle (because The Farm is actually in Snohomish, WA), and spent the rest of the day at Pike's Place Market. So fun!!! I kissed a fish, went to the original Starbucks, tried on some huge air boots (I can't really explain), and ate lots of taste testers! Hurray!!! We went on to Everret to get dinner (because none of us actually wanted to go back to The Farm), and wasted time wandering around afterwards to prolong the agony of returning to those bright colored buildings.

That night we decided to switch it up and have us girls in the warmer shed that smelled of poo rather than in the big room where we nearly froze to death. The only thing is, there are way more girls than there are boys so we were wall to wall with girls in the shed. There was literally no walking space...every visible section of floor was taken up with girl. So, it was much warmer in this shed and alot of us had a much better sleep, but right outside our door there was a retarded rooster and a bunch of turkeys that crowed and gobbled through the night, keeping some of my sisters awake.

The next morning we decided that we were going to go back into Seattle to catch a service at the Mars Hill church. One van load of us decided to get a bit of a headstart so we wouldn't be late, and the others would come a few minutes later. I was in the first van load...just as we left The Farm, the driver of our van noticed an odd light on his console that he just couldn't figure out...we decided that it wasn't doing any damage and so we carried on. As soon as we got on the I5 the steering wheel started shaking violently and there was a crazy noise coming from my side of the van....we had a flat....this was like the icing on the cake really. We pulled over and began looking for the spare and that's when the other two vans pulled up...I'm not even joking, it took about 10 people to figure out where this spare tire was and then it took about 5 to figure out how to take it off the van...and these are all smart, farm-like, competent people. It was just a secret, sneaky spare tire.

Anyway, we got to church mostly on time and the boys went to sort out the tire situation and we all met up afterwards and went to Lynden to watch the superbowl. A great ending to a wild weekend....