New Digs...

Woo hoo! All settled into my new home at Baan Klang Krang Condominiums. And it could NOT have gone smoother. My friends Vee and David Johnson showed up with a van an hour early and got right after it. They started around 8:15 and we were unloaded and they were gone shortly after 10:00 a.m. What a blessing to have almost all day to get unpacked and settled in.

And the final walk-thru of my old place was smooth as Thai silk. I'd heard horror stories of some places gouging you on the damage deposit, but the only flaw they found was where I had had a picture hung. Rather than charging me for repairing the hole (and the wall paper) the land lady said she'd blow it of if I would find an inexpensive wall clock to hang there. So I am going clock shopping tomorrow!

The new place is going to work out fine, I think. I am almost completely done unpacking and ready to settle in for my first evening in my new home. It is actually larger than the old place, only two years old, and considerably less expensive. Most importantly, I am an easy five minute walk from church and much closer to all my Thai friends.


I have ridiculous cabinet space by Thai standards. Certainly far more than the old place.

A very roomy dining area with more cabinet space. Roomy enough for dinner guests if I choose.

The living area is also very large. I plan on getting a big recliner or easy chair, and I will have lots of room to have folks visit in the evenings, etc.

You can barely see it in this photo, but on top of the building in the center is a huge golden cross. What a welcome reminder in the mornings this will be!

From my balcony, I can watch the Sky Train pull into the station below. I am literally a hundred meters from the Sky Train, which will take me most places I might want to go, including work.

I am so glad to have the move behind me. Ready now to start chapter two of this tremendous Bangkok adventure. Thanks so much for your continued prayers!

Back in Thailand!

After two and a half weeks of visiting family and friends in the US, I arrived back in Bangkok last night. It was a tremendous blessing to get to spend time with the folks and to finally meet my niece Gabbie, who was adopted from China by my sister and brother-in-law just after I left for Thailand last summer. Still, when I looked out the window of the plane last night and saw the lights of Bangkok, it felt fantastic.

Hard to believe that folks missed me very much when I was only gone a couple of weeks, but many people did come up to me at church and say how happy they were to see me back. Have to admit, that is a good feeling.

Back to Ja Rurat today, and it looked like the kids had missed me quite a bit. Here, a trio recite Matthew 6:33 from memory, the verse I had asked them to work on.

I brought hair berets and toy rings for the girls and Hot Wheels for the boys. All of that was very popular. Above, the kids who had recited the verse, got first pick.

Snack time.

Posing with C.

Vee, giving the 'Wee' sign.

At Bearing, a group of young folks from the US and Australia were on hand to help us have 'play day,' with the kids. Here, they are doing a water balloon toss.

Ting and his sister Sanit get their groove on.

As we finished with the kids, Ah Jan Wint announced that 'to celebrate,' my return, the church was paying for everyone and we were going to a Thai barbecue joint. Far different than in the U.S., each table has a bowl resting on hot coals, with a small dome that is heavily worked, as you take a small piece of meat or vegetable and cook it yourself. It is a favorite type of meal/restaurant for the Tais I know.

Son and Ting have the barbecue fully loaded.

While Ting is eating!

For my Thai Friends - a look at Kansas City

Kansas City is known as the cityof fountains. There are more fountains here than any city other than Rome. Today, I went with a friend to a shopping area called the Country Club Plaza. Here are some photos.

Several restaurants have tables along the sidewalks.

Stateside

Back in the US for two weeks. I am here for three things: to visit my family, to go see Carolina in the College World Series, and to go into the office in KC a few days for meetings related to work. I left just after midnight on the 11th. Vee took me to the airport and even though I'd only be gone two weeks, Mewi, Son, and Ting insisted on going also, to see me off.

Vee, me, Mewi, Son, Ting.

The Dynamic Duo, Son and Ting. These two are such a blessing to me!

Ting, in his Paul the Missionary mode... practicing for what it will feel like when he is called to go to the US to share his story. I believe that day WILL come. His story is powerful and he needs to be sharing it with teens and young adults everywhere.

It was wonderful to get to visit church at Pleasant Valley again.

The small group I used to teach had a great reception for me (lots of food). It was so good just to get to see them again!

I planned the timing of my whole trip around the College World Series, hoping desperately that Carolina would make it for the fourth straight year, which they did. First game for the Tar Heels was yesterday. This is Jason's boys Jake and Jayben outside the stadium at an NCAA display.

Four generations. Dad, me, Jayben, Jacob, and Jason. What a special day this was!

The team prays before the game.

Play ball!

Jayben, Jason, and Jake enjoy the action. Although UNC lost their first game in extra innings, it was a perfect day for me.

End of Chapter One

I landed in Bangkok a year ago this week. I will never, ever be the same.

Coincidentally, I am flying back to the US this Tuesday evening to start a two and a half week visit. Seems like a chapter of my life is coming to an end and I can not wait to see what chapter two of this adventure holds. By the way, gaan pa jon bpai means 'adventure' in Thai. It is a word I have struggled to memorize, but I finally feel like I have it down. That's important to me, because I so much believe that a life of radical commitment to Christ is true gaan pa jon bpai.

I went to Ja Rurat only today. Here, Pin is teaching the kids the letter 'F.'

Ohm took this photo. He is getting to know the camera better than I do.

After Ja Rurat, I raced home to get cleaned up. I needed to get to the wedding party for Wit, one of the associates I work with. Wit came to DSTi about the same time I got here the first time I came. We sat near each other and I taught him all about cheering for North Carolina! He's not just one of our associates, he is a friend. I am very proud of how he has done in his career, and very happy for him as he makes this big step in his life.

The bride and groom cut the cake with a sword.

Posing with the happy couple.

We had a HUGE meal at this party, with Chinese style fare, since Wit's background is Chinese. This is roast pig ear.

Shark fin soup.

And roast whole sea bass. And that wasn't all. They do wedding parties right here, although Wit may be working for years to pay for it!