Mondays have been filled with contact with our readers, English conversations, and discussions about faith. When we first arrived our hosts asked us to reserve Mondays for activities with our readers. At first we were hesitant to give up that reading time. But we are so thankful that we submitted to the request of our hosts. It has been a blessing to us, to the building of relationships and has increased our undertanding of our students. We have visited the Ancient City, the King's Park and the Teakwood Mansion. All of these places honor the past kings of Thailand and Buddha, as do most of the historical sites in Thailand. There were photos in the Teakwood Mansion of the present king of Thailand being confirmed as monk in the Buddhist faith. The kingship is transfered within one family in Thailand and the Buddha's appearance seems to change as the king changes. Our readers are able to visit with us about what all of this means to them and we also are able to share our faith. There is great respect shown for the king in Thailand. Even in the movie theater everyone stands to honor the king and sing the national anthem before the movie begins.
Please continue to pray for us as we begin our last week with our students. One of Gary's students plans to join us for worship services in Watcherapon this Sunday. He has really been questioning Gary. We will also be taking some of our most interested readers to the home of P'Patinya on Monday. He is the preacher and a great leader for the church there and has become a good friend during our times in Bangkok.
Our readers also see us in a different setting than 'reader/teacher' as we experience scenes here. We have enjoyed that so much and so have our readers. This week will be a very different event. Our readers are going with us to the largest marketplace in Bangkok to show us what it is like. They have given us the appropriate warnings about what to wear, what not to take, the crowded aisles and bargaining for the right price. Our students enjoy being able to tell us about their lives and their country.
We have also enjoyed taking our students to the street cafe's (I guess you would call them that) to eat and visit. They like to tell us about the Thai food. We are very leary when they tell us that a food is "just a little spicy". That usually means that it will burn all the way down.
Please continue to pray for us as we begin our last week with our students. One of Gary's students plans to join us for worship services in Watcherapon this Sunday. He has really been questioning Gary. We will also be taking some of our most interested readers to the home of P'Patinya on Monday. He is the preacher and a great leader for the church there and has become a good friend during our times in Bangkok.
Sounds good....Wheat is greening up here.
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