Glimpse of Thai

Now that the physical journey of Thailand 2011 is over- the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual one realllly begins. *(i say this as my body is rejecting everything that N.A. has to throw at it... and it isn't pretty folks!)
As I digest all the craziness that was these past 6 weeks here are some more photos to enjoy...

Post on the GO!

So... I'm sitting here in Vancouver Airport waiting to board the last plane of the journey- and i can't lie... as much as I'm happy to be on Canadian soil my hear is already missing Thailand. I loved the joy of the people *(like BaWao) - I loved the songthaew rides to church and our final trip to the airport *(yes we took a Songthaew to the airport!!!)- I loved bartering in the market- I loved building relationships with people- I LOVED pretending that i knew how to speak Thai when i really only knew 5 words)- and I REALLY LOVED experiencing God at work in their lives to the point of overflowing when they worshiped- It was an amazing experience and I don't think I fully understand all that I've learned while being away... But while I'm pondering life i feel like i should show you a glimpse of these last 30 days. These are some thank you videos that we made for the Thai and Burmese Churches...





now off to Winnipeg- I'm coming home - Coming Home- tell the world I'm COMING HOME!
[k]

Rak BaWao

Rak in Thai is LOVE.
Rak is also a word I would use to describe BaWao.
The moment you step into the community where Bethel Church is located you will be greeted by BaWao with love. Ba (grandma) Wao is overflowing with love and joy for all those around her. Her smile and laugh is infectious. She loves people through hugs and making food *(much like a Mennonite Omi). And seems to be a mother/grandmother to all.
Much like other great mothers/grandmothers BaWao thinks of herself last. She lives in a small, one room house that is slowly sinking into the swamp lands it was built in. Even getting into her house was a task as her entrance way was a few rotting pieces of wood in barely above water. So to bless BaWao, as she has blessed those around her, the ACTION team jumped in and started to rebuild the entrance to BaWao's house.
They built a new deck and stone path so that she could get in without getting wet and even put in a porch light so you could find your way in at night.
While they were building BaWao created a cashew chicken feast for lunch (even while being blessed by others she tries to find ways to help in return) and I was able to put my menno-cooking skills to work by helping along side her. Clearly language was a barrier for us, but in the land of cooking/BaWao- no words needed to communicate. We laughed as sauces were made and food was tested (and by that I mean dipping fingers into pots of deliciousness!)- i even picked up a few knife wielding skills along the way. And I got a chance to show here photos of my fam. and asked about hers.
After lunch it was back to work for the ACTION team and at the end of the day BaWao had a new entrance. A few days later the team was even able to plant a small front garden just to add a special touch to the place.
I share this story because not because of the way in which we were able to help BaWao- but rather that her life is a testimony of the transformational LOVE of God.
Although BaWao lives in a place no one would wish to live in *(with drug dealers, outcasts, and the poorest of the poor), in a house that is sinking into the ground, she is overflowing with LOVE. I see her walking with God and knowing what it is like to experience love from Him that she has no other choice then to share that love with others *(in her community, with foreigners, and with a menno girl in the kitchen).

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." 1 John 4:16

Rak BaWao for me was about seeing and experiencing a glimpse of how God is LOVE and how to live out that love.
I am blessed.

picture this....

Ever Wonder...

have you ever asked yourself... "i wonder what it looks like where Kristin is?!" - have you ever want to see this lovely place she speaks so highly of?! Welcome to the first ever tour of The Hope Center- media capital of Thailand! *(or at least the location of the media team)



hope you enjoy!

*(more posts to come! stay tuned)

home sweet home...

Nothing says home to me like food, family, and farming. While here in Thailand I haven't technically been home but there have been a few key things that makes it feel more like...

Baking fresh platz *(HUGE shout out to Mennonite Girls Can Cook)

Food is always more enjoyable with having family around... and we have the best "adopted" family here in Thailand! Thanks to the Sinclair-Peters for hosting us and letting us invade their house and clean out their cupboards! *(not to mention allowing us to tag along with the amazing mission work they have been doing here for the past 11 years!)
If you want to know more of what Dave, Louise and their wonderful kids are up to, or if you feel the call to support them in there ministry out here to both the Thai and Burmese people check out THIS! *In other side news yesterday at the Burmese Church another 10 people asked to accept Jesus into their life and God has opened up a new door into a factory to share about His love and mercy! WOO! Pray for continued sharing of the Word and discipleship of new believers.

The last thing that really has brought me home is the fact that Chanchoengsao is the land rice paddies (rice fields). The other day we were driving at mad speeds by some gorgeous fields and all I could think about was home- and how the fields are doing, how the weather is, and how the family is!

Photo courtesy of a Family Celebration Dinner- celebrating the beginning of summer, Nick and I leaving, and life in general.
Aprons were made with much love by Omi *aka mom;
as a way to remind us all to serve in whatever we do this summer.
I'm wishing i would have brought mine to Thailand, it would have come in handy with the platz!

I hope you are all doing well- a BIG hello to Emma, Lukas, Leah, Megan and of course Helen *(hope you're enjoying Simonhouse!) Mom & Dad- I will call ya soon! Barb & Dan, hope you're able to keep cool in your place! (or find a new place!?!) Andrew and Sher- Make wise choices! Nick- we will see you in Gretna!
Love you all!
*sorry I didn't get a picture of a rice combine yet... I'm hoping I can get one still.

Half time Show in Thailand!

Yesterday was our first official day off- and in accordance with having a day off I didn't post- but clearly the things I experienced need to be shared, as it isn't every day you get picked up by an elephant and live to tell about it. So here you have it folks: The Half Time show!

First up:
A stunning Songthaew drive... which was driving by the same guy Louise convinced to drive us to the Burmese factory for a worship night last Monday- He had to not only drive but sit through the worship and stay for the meal after. I'm pumped to keep running into him, and see how God uses this connection we've built.

Stop one: The Tiger Zoo *(which also has elephants, monkeys, scorpions, and pigs!?)
Highlight from here was most defiantly the 25 baht (about 75 cent) coconut drink, feeding a tiger, and having an elephant pick me up! I actually think i stopped breathing when it happened....

Stop two: A beach at a Ban San
Here we risked eating some sort of seafood on a stick- which tasted amazing! Pineapple on a stick- which was even more AMAZING! And an hour long 3 person bike ride- which we drove up and down the beach to the joy of many locals who laughed and pointed.

Stop three: a Market
and when i say market- you are probably invisioning a bartering, thai-knockoff brand, market- where I come home with a bazillion Prader sunglasses, and Guccci purses... this however was a Fish market... which smelled lovely, but made for some awesome photo ops!





















Final destination: Home
After the hour long ride home- we sat around as a joint team and talked about highs of the trip thus far and one thing we were thankful for. For myself since being here I've realized that I am and need to be even more thankful for those push and encourage me in my Christian walk back home. I've been blessed with a great number of people who speak into my life and have asked some amazing questions- and here with such a small Christian community/small base Christian leaders I've come to see in influence and impact that has had in my life. So to all of you in my life who have pushed/ encouraged/ supported/ spoke/ or prayed for me- THANK YOU!

And there you have the half time show! It was a fantastic day to relax and unwind *(and give our hosts a break from us). And experience some different aspects of Thai life.

Now lets see what happens in the second half of the game!
*(for more pictures from the day and first two weeks see here)