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!