We have now been in Thailand officially for 32 hours, and what a 32 hours it has been. You enter a country like Thailand and the spiritual heaviness hits you quite quickly. We departed the other Thailand team at the airport and made our way to our hostel. As soon as you step out of the taxi, even at 2am, the heat hits you... hot, sticky heat, that never really seems to leave. But we got to our hostel just fine, and even got a nice surprise when our rooms were air conditioned. Found out later they are only air conditioned at night and for a few hours, when I woke up sweaty as ever, not a feeling I'm going to enjoy getting used to but nontheless thats Thailand.
Yesterday we got some good fruit salad for breakfast for less than a dollar, and had some good worship in the park. The rest of the day was mainly just about getting settled. Finding a new hostel for tonight because we only have two night at this one, talking with people and getting a feel for the area. Jetlag still pretty strong so we were all able to take a nap and then head out again for dinner when it was a little cooler. We were blessed with running into both of the other Thailand teams last night at different points and being able to see familiar faces and get some hugs, sweaty as they were, it was nice.
Thailand is way different than anything I've experienced before. We are learning to rely on God so much, while in a place where God is not a part of the culture at all. Everywhere you look there are idols and temples and it is what every Thai person will tell you to go and see, "giant buddha, sleeping buddha, standing buddha..."
We are standing strong in the Lord though, and rejoicing that He has given us authority over all the evil forces of this world.
prayer points:
1. health- I (becky) have been struggling with that one already and could really use more strength
2. spiritual readiness- we are being constantly surrounded by idols and temples and so much sin
3. God's provision as we figure out what to do for Christmas as well as where to go afterwards.
Hi Team, yup sounds like Bangkok. I pray that God will give you an extra dose of health through the pad thai and tom yam. You are all ready, God placed you here because Thailand needs it. Be bold in a bold world that does not know God. He is with you all personally!
ReplyDeleteMark, NL