Monday and Tuesday in Thailand

Dear Family and friends,
Wish that you were here to see everything for yourself!
I just got finished with an ESL class with three teenage Thai girls. Their teacher, Ar, invited me in their class. I also had a few minutes in Robin's class, both times giving the students a chance to practice English conversation. The Thai people are so friendly, even though I only know four phrases, I can get by.

Our first stop yesterday was to visit with Goi, who taught the preschool at PhongPhet. In April she had her first baby and we got to meet little Calah. On Sunday I will get to see sweet Calah's Baptism.

My friend, Dang and her friend Oi and I also went to the summer palace of the king. Rama V had it built for a summer home. Think the King and I. They would travel up the river and get away from the big city. There are houses for his wives and their children and places to meet with the government officals. It was very beautiful and I will post photos on facebook later.

We later went to a park where they have display homes showing how different Thai families lived. The structures were made of teak wood, on stilts with a large deck. The homes would have two buildings, one for sleeping and visiting and a seperate one for cooking, like a summer kitchen. Dang said that she remembers visiting her grandmother in a traditional Thai home. Again, perhaps I can post some on facebook.

When we got back, I went with Robin for her weekly walk with one of her students. This woman is a hairdresser and each Monday night, she and Robin talk a walk around Beverly Hills. In the midst of lots of traffic and four story buildings, there is a new ritzy subdivision going up. They look at the progress of the huge houses. They have been doing the walk for years. The mansions are amazing. Most are very modern, Frank Lloyd Wright style. One very cool thing is that they transplant huge, 20 foot tropical trees in the yards. Robin said that they grow, due to the humid climate and high water table, they put down roots quickly. After the walk, Robin and I caught a late supper at the Pizza Kitchen and had one of the best Pizza's ever!

Today was a special day. Dang took me to BangNa Slum and the Daycare near there. They have about 40 kids enrolled. There were 8 new students about 2 1/2 years old. Many of them were crying, missing their parents. I gave them each a cross colored by the students of my school that say, "God loves you" in Thai. Then the little ones colored a cross for me to take home. We stayed and helped with with lunch. After the kids eat, they get a shower, three little kids at a time, get a dish pan of water dumped on them. This helps to cool them off and some are not bathed at home. Then they go up to the sleeping room, All 25 kids in the same room, the littlest ones in a crib, the rest with a pillow on the wooden floor.
While the kids slept, I had a chance to encourage the staff. Dang translated for me as I told them that they had the most important job in the world, to bring Jesus to these little ones. In April, the deaconess who had served as a teacher returned to the states. Sarah had done most of the teaching. I wanted them to know that Jesus will be with them as they continue to tell the good news.

In February the Slum had a huge fire. Twenty homes were destroyed, displacing 25 families. It was indeed a miracle that no one was hurt or killed. The firmen had put their hoses on the second floor of the daycare to fight the flames. Dang, Moaw and Leck, showed me the new buildings. We were able
visit some of the people whose homes were being rebuilt. Two of the ladies were very grateful and thank me for their prayers.

On the way home we stopped at a shoping mall that had 8 stories. It was amazing. They had several icecream shops with beautiful displays! I almost tried some but I was still full from lunch.

When I got back to Concordia Gospel Ministries Center, I had a chance to check my email and facebook. It is great to be able to connect with home.!!!!

Now it is late and I am ready to sign off. Keep praying for me and the people of Thailand.
Your sister in Christ,
Dawn