Things i'm learning

Apart from learning the language, there are so many things that i'm learning daily about Thai culture and where many christians are at here in their understanding of the bible and the gospel. One of the things that struck me recently after having some good chats with thai friends and hearing their testimony's, is how the 'gospel' as many of us know it never really seems to come up. It seems that the turning point for them was more about an experience (or multiple experiences) or a song that they heard that made them want to find out more or want to put their trust in THAT God. It's not that they heard that Jesus died for them and therefore they can now be in a relationship with God. I don't doubt for a moment that they are now christians and love God with all their heart, but i also wonder for some, if the going were to get tough and if the material 'blessings' were to stop coming, would they still stand firm? Is their foundation of belief based on what god is 'doing' for them, or from a solid understanding that blessings don't necessarily mean material ones, but the blessing that we can actually now be in an undeserved relationship with God. As i listen to their testimonies and hear how God has worked in their life, i can't help but praise God that he is so merciful and gracious to us all and i'm also constantly amazed at the many different ways that God can work in people's lives.

As i also talk to John & Denise and hear and see the ways they are working with Thai's to help them learn to read the Bible for themselves, it just confirms for me the hunger of thai christians to want to understand the Bible. Their appetite and eagerness to learn and serve is insatiable. For most of them, only now are they starting to understand the reason we live our lives the way we do. That it's NOT because we have to obey a set of rules in order to be saved, but because we are in a relationship with God, and that it is just the right response because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. And as they start to understand it, they all get so excited, they want to find out more and more. It's just so encouraging and exciting to see.

Anyway, here are a few random snaps as well of friends i'm making, places i've been and other random things in the past week:


Last week at cell group, a couple of the girls (oum and gun) had their birthdays, so we had a cake to celebrate. we were originally going to go away camping, but due to excess unseasonal rains (it was BUCKETING down) they decided it better to not go camping and to have a 'social' at church instead.


My favourite purchase so far over here has been this electric tennis racquet which is actually a mozzie zapper! it's so much fun!! unfortunately illegal to bring back to Oz (believe me, we've tried)


Here's a pic of Oum and Me. Oum's getting married next month and somehow i think i'm now playing multiple roles at her wedding - from playing piano, helping with catering, doing makeup (cos i used to sell makeup and that makes me an expert) to helping with flowers - cos i've got a green thumb - NOT!! :) Seriously tho, she's awesome! it's been great getting to know her and hanging out with her


went to this awesome floral display on saturday. it's a special festival where they make these massive floats out of flowers. it's amazing and really clever and really beautiful (yes, even i'm saying this).


part of the gang that wen to the flower show


At the flower parade, i saw this bunny made of flowers and thought the ferguson's would appreciate it


I know asians have an obsession with hello kitty, but isn't this taking it a bit too far???