My Deliverer and My Stronghold

While David and I were at the airport rushing to catch our flight, while Pastor Anong and the kids were on their way back to Ban Chang, a bomb had gone off in central Bangkok.


Let it be known that our God is a God who delivers, and no harm can befall those whom He loves unless He wills it.



I'm going to miss our wonderful hosts. Undoubtedly, they've restored my love for children, to the point that it made me wish I were a father with children of my own.




In a place where people are frank and direct with their feelings, yet sensitive to yours. In a place where adults never really grow up, and behave like no one's watching. In a place where children jump up high to hug you, even if all they can reach is your waist. In a place where no one really thinks about traveling any further than the outskirts of town, attaining huge paychecks and becoming famous. In a place where food is the basis of all fellowship and laughter, where everyone teased everyone, where you fell in love and married your best friend. In a place where everyone helped their neighbors build houses, and played soccer when it started to get boring or tiring.



I'm reminded that not everyone pursues the American dream.



And I'm reminded that maybe, just maybe, home is somewhere else.





Somewhere beyond the blue and out of the reach of time.







The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. -David (Psalm 18:2)

If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a wandering to find home, why should we not look forward to the arrival? -C.S. Lewis

"Pi Wictor" & "Pi Daewid"

Just passed the midpoint of the mission trip, and everything has been wonderful! The people here have been extremely hospitable, and I do hope my ginormous appetite is doing some justice to their generosity. Time hasn't been passing too quickly or slowly: I've seen and learned much, and I've still enough rest at the same time.

I had been permanently posted to the Nursery section with David since yesterday, and today was our last day with them. Chasing a soccer ball around the playground, wiping their mucus from their faces, patting them to sleep, are just some of the things that I'm going to miss from my experience here. An interesting thing to note: Every teacher has her favorite kid, often not from their own class. The stranger thing to note is that the attributes of that chosen kid reflect something about the teacher's personality. One boisterous, feisty teacher has a favorite kid who is super rebellious and constantly refuses to eat. One loud and charismatic (but gentle) teacher loves a slightly autistic kid who us always seen moving away from the crowd. David's favorite kid (identified since last year) is a little shy girl from the Kindergarten whose name is called Pancake who's very quiet and enjoys burying her head in David's chest. As for me, I'm torn between a very good-looking young boy with long hair called Nooaid (he's going to be superstar if he plays his cards right) and a chubby kid in the Nursery called Kwan who can't stop talking to the people around him. Oh and did I mention, the kids have awesome nicknames. Ultra, Mega, Plang, Pee, Sea, Towsend and Alax. And it's super-cute to hear them calling "Pi Daewid" and "Pi Wictor".

The last few days have been spent traveling to the neighboring temple schools to organize hour-long English sessions for some of the students. It is truly by God's grace that we managed to capture the attention of nearly 200 kids (the first time) and 60 kids (the second time) for the entire period given to us. In addition, we've taught English to some of the Thai children in a small building called the Bethlehem house, where most of them come from poor families or have no families of their own.

The cell groups have been a massive inspiration for me personally. So far we've done cell group under the moonlight just outside the Bethlehem house, for a small family whose father has just lost his job, and in a hair salon! Each time, Pastor Anong ensures that some of the members will speak about what God has taught them over the week, and it is so encouraging to hear of their wonderful testimonies! If only my life and that of my Singaporean church mates were half as interesting. In addition, they all spoke with much conviction and at length, bringing much richness and openness to the fellowship that I hope to see back in Singapore.

It's truly been a fantastic journey thus far, and suffice to say, I've been encouraged very much by what this small-town church has done. Without a doubt, my Thai vocabulary has increased, and probably so has my weight.

Once again, I want to thank everyone for your prayers, and I look forward to telling you more stories about what God is doing in the Land of Smiles.



Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. -Paul (2 Cor 8:13)

Covered in Saliva and Mucus

It's three hours before midnight in Banchang, and I'm sitting in the Kindergarten 3 classroom blogging away. My mind is currently filled with Thai phrases and vocabulary, and with David as an enthusiastic, round-the-clock language teacher, learning a new lingo has never been this exciting.

Pastor Anong is a fantastic woman, almost hyperactive, and the Rainbowland Children's Development Center is a beautiful place. Not exactly in an aesthetic manner, but the people make the place seem so warm and comforting. The children are insanely adorable, yet at the same time easy to entertain. Those in Nursery are constantly speaking to me in Thai, crawling onto my lap or back, or hugging my legs wherever I go. Those in Kindergarten love to play fighting games, regardless of gender, and my arms are bruised from being whacked by building blocks and covered with mucus and saliva. It's not difficult to see why David missed this place so much after his two-month stint here last year.

My favorite time has got to be putting the children to sleep. At noon, the teachers will play Thai worship songs and arrange the beds for them to sleep, and David and I will pat the (according to the rhythm of the songs) till their eyelids begin to get heavy. Of course, the more energetic ones will toss and turn, but apparently after seeing me yawn they seem to share the fatigue too.

So far the afternoons and the evenings have been spent doing visitations, and I get those moments when I wished I could speak a little more Thai. David's Thai is fantastic, and it's no wonder Vicar was impressed the last time he visited during David's stint. To think that he was still complaining that he has de-proved some more. Most of the time, I feel like I'm the only visiting guest, but hey, I had my share of the fun during the Gen12ii mission trip to Japan.

There are numerous things to thank God for. Firstly, my toothache has ceased giving me long-term headaches, though I still feel the huge financial pinch and regret that I spent money taking out molars that had no relation to the pain. Secondly, the room that I'm sleeping in has air-con, and the bed is more comfortable than the sofa-bed at home. Thirdly, I'm getting to learn and utilize a foreign language, which is a personal enjoyment for me. Fourthly, the food here is awesome, and the quantity so huge we can hardly finish what's on the table unless we totally gorge ourselves. Lastly, there's wireless internet and a laptop, so I can actually blog about whatever we've been doing here.

I apologize if this post (and the next few too!) sounds a little too rush and unlike my usual writing style, but I don't want to take up too much computer usage time. My new bed beckons, and I'm torn between giving explicit details and getting sufficient rest for the night. I've chosen the latter, as you can see, but stay tuned to this blog for more updates on our Thailand trip! +)

Once again, thank you for all your love and prayers. +)


Jergen na krab!



Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. -Jesus (Matthew 19:14)

If

If God had given me a beautiful, idealistic woman who loved Him more than I did, and didn't mind being away from home.

If my family finances didn't worry me so much.



I would probably be attached to a church in a 3rd world country teaching English, music and sports in the day, and singing songs in a cafe at night.




But not everything can work out like this in real life I guess.




Thank you Lord for whisking me away from the hustle and bustle of working life to a small town in central Thailand.




Even if it's just for a week. +)





When I ponder about why everyone is fighting everyone in a struggle to reach the top of the ladder, I find myself preferring to be comfortable at the bottom with a guitar, a glass of wine and a few buddies who love to sing. After all, isn't it the kind of life that those who make it to the top of the ladder find themselves envying while doing their darnest to keep balance? -Valentino Casanova

-

It's a foreign feeling to have more than one girl liking you.


It becomes a cruel joke when I find out that all three have countless eligible suitors (not to mention those who are ineligible) who would do anything to win their hearts, but for some unexplainable reason I lack the slightest bit of interest towards any one of them.



Sigh. I've started using my new job as an excuse to not behave like a jerk, although loneliness and a wild imagination often makes for an offer too tempting to refuse.





I'm missing you.





More than you will ever know.







I dropped a tear into the ocean. The day you find it is the day I will stop missing you. -Anonymous

Wine in Heaven

The happiest thing I did today was to attend a wine appreciation course.


My dad spends money on gadgets and holidays to Japan.

Andrew spends money on branded clothing and whatever rare leisure time he gets.

Nicholas spends money on sound systems to fulfill his audiophile nature.



I think that if I have money, I'll probably spend them on wine. Not a wine cellar though, too much of a hassle.



P.S. If anyone wants to share a bottle of Muscato after work, call me! +)




Sometimes pictures of heaven have baby angels with harps and lots of clouds. I don't think anyone wants to go to a heaven that looks like that. In my opinion, there's definitely going to be rib-eye and free-flowing wine, all my friends and family members to toast with, and no one will ever feel shy dancing and singing till his or her heart's content. -Valentino Casanova

Mad World

I love the little truths in songs like these.

And I love it more when it gets stuck in my head and doesn't annoy the hell out of me.



Mad world. Such a mad world.


I can't wait to go home.




In a mad world, only the mad are sane. -Akiro Kurosawa