New Beginnings

Despite the flooding problems that continue to be a huge problem in Bangkok there are new things taking place in my life. This past week I moved into a new condo even more into the heart of the city. I now live on the 12th floor of a 28 floor condo building. I can look out my window and balcony and see the skyscrapers lit up all around me. I also have a great view of the sky train (above ground transportation system) coming and going from the station that is about a 3 minute walk from my home.

I have only lived here a few nights and have already fallen in love with it in so many ways. I love that I have a kitchen (fairly small) with a mini oven and an individual burner that I can plug into the wall. I can cook now!!! I can only cook one thing at a time on the burner and the oven is small but I can cook and am so excited about it. The other night I made macaroni and cheese and corn bread (jiffy mix). It was so much fun to cook again. I have to learn how to grocery shop again.

I also love that the place to do laundry is on the 7th floor which is also the location of the pool and the work out center. This is great because you can put a load of laundry in and exercise and come back and put it in the dryer and exercise some more. I desperately need to get into a good exercise routine. I have slacked in that area and need to discipline myself to bring it back.

This week will also bring about new beginnings work related. A new 7 week term will start at the BSC (Baptist Student Center) this week. I will teach 2 classes on Monday nights from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and then 7:00-8:30 p.m. and then will teach the free Bible/English class on Thursday nights at both of those times. I always meet new students every term and then continue building relationships with the ones I already know. My class on Monday nights at 7:00 is already full and I have 23 students. I'm not sure yet about my 5:00 class on Monday.

Another new beginning that I am REALLY EXCITED about will take place this Friday (Nov. 4th). I will start a new cell group/Bible study at my home on Friday nights (6:00-8:00) training some of our new Christian young ladies. P'Pom will help me with this group also. She is my Thai partner in the ministry. We will invite the following girls so please pray for them: Nan, Fon, Aom, Mum, Fah, Kaew, Luktarn. They have all become Christians in the past 3 months. They are already being discipled on Sunday afternoons but this group will give them another way to learn more about God's Word and how to share it with others.

All of these things will start this week as long as the flood waters do not reach this area. I'm thankful that they have not reached me yet but am trying to help others in need who have been affected by the flood. God is in control of everything so all of these new beginnings will start sometime soon (in God's perfect timing) and I'm excited about all of it!!

Flood or No Flood- that is the question?

Will Bangkok flood in the city is the million dollar question these days? A few days ago the word was that the water was receding and that Bangkok was spared. Today the news is that many dams and other safety nets built have failed and the water is coming this way. The outskirts of Bangkok have already been hit and people are leaving their homes.

I went on another food run today just in case because I was already starting to eat the food I bought before so that it didn't go bad. Right now I just wake up every day and check the news, look outside, and carry on with my normal day if I don't see water.

I have a large bin full of water in my bathroom also just in case I need it in the future to take a shower. I have plenty of drinking water stored too.

If the flood will hit my area it should happen within the next day or so and after that it should be clear sailing. Today it didn't rain for the first time in a long time which is good. The rainy season should actually end by the end of this month so we should be on the mend soon.

Please pray for the many areas and people devastated by the flood already.

God's Clear Direction

I'm always searching for what is God's direction for my life. What does HE want me to do and where does HE want me to go? At this time, God seems to be making it clear that it is His will for me to stay in Thailand longer. The reason it is so clearly His direction is watching all of the pieces to the puzzle fall into place. At a time when the IMB is struggling financially to keep people on the field I was given another term to serve. Although the ministry is often changing and I don't really know all of the details of what I will be doing in the next few years I know God will lead me since He so clearly opened the door for me to stay.

Lots of changes are to come with this new term. I will be moving apartments in the next few weeks and will have a roommate. After living alone for 3 years I think I am ready for some company.

If there are any people who still read this blog I will be going back to the U.S. for 3 months from January-April so I do plan to see family and friends before serving this next term. I hope to be able to share many of my photos and experiences with you and to hear about your life as well.

Every day is a journey to see where the Lord will lead me. I just have to keep my eyes focused on Him so I don't miss the plan.

Change of Plans

Things are always changing even little things like when to wash clothes. Tonight I had a great plan to get a step ahead of the game, so that tomorrow on my day off i can just relax. I got home from teaching at the BSC around 9 p.m. and planned to wash about 3 loads of laundry. I got to my apartment and realized I didn't have laundry soap so I planned to go out and buy some at the 7-11 store which is just around the corner. I got all of my laundry organized and together for washing, collected my laundry coins, and then I heard the sound of rain. Rain here is not normal rain. It is usually terrential and you can't go out and stay dry even with an umbrella. It has been raining now for almost 2 hours which means the roads are also flooded so no laundry being done tonight. So much for great plans of getting ahead of the game. Looks like it will be a normal day off tomorrow of doing laundry, cleaning my apartment, and all of those not so fun things.