Ketchup

It has almost been four months since I first came here to Bangkok, Thailand. What to think of all this life now? Everyday is an adventure.. sometimes I wish life would slow down, halt, stop! Yet I find myself reasoning, realizing what a blessing and what fun I am having.

Since I wrote last school began at Ekamai International School. The 17th of August, yes it has been awhile since I have written. The first day of school was intimidating nothing like summer camp. There is ~1200 students from grade K-12th a lively bunch who I don't always understand verbally because their choose of languages vary from English, Thai, Tagalo (I can't spell) to well I really don't know. I really think I must have one of the best job around here I get paid to play, pray, worship, sing... all around have fun. Okay not everyday is fun but at least every other day is. I am assistant chaplain at this adventist school. Chaplain for grades K-6th that is about 23 class so I'm never bored. But I do wonder at times if others think I am slacking off.

I went to Bonti Baan Rongyren Farang (the Bamboo School) for a weekend. It was a blast for a number of reasons but it was also a disappointment. A blast in that it was the first time that I traveled all the way by myself, had the kids recognize me and enjoyed the company of Momo and Arthur. A disappointment in that I went to witness a boy's baptism but the Pastors did not show up to baptize. Hmm? What to think of that.

Coming back, 2 weeks later, was WOP (Week of Prayer) I spoke and sang for K-3 and we had a man (Steve Arrington) speak for grades 4-12. It was a great experience for me because it taught me how to ...

* be a spiritual leader for children
* be dependent on God for touching other people's lives
* be willing or humble to ask for other's help
* and much more that I haven't even realized yet...

It was an incredibly busy week but fun! That weekend I went to MC (Mission College) for their AYA Rally and enjoyed not being pursued by any "Visa Hunters" that is persons who see me as a good ticket to the USA. I admit I was moody at first because I really didn't want this to happen again (it did last time I was at MC). It was nice to hang out with Dollie, Hazel, Laura and their friends it made me miss college but it is okay. I also got to see my friends from Bongti Baan - Wittiya, Marli, and ... oww I can't remember her name!? That was nice some familiar and safe faces. I also remet a guy that I met the only time that I was at campmeeting a long time ago. Josh something... funny that he should reappear... I had a crush on him at the time!

This last weekend was a long four day weekend. It was EIS' Teacher Retreat - we all went to Pattaya, Thailand. A dirty, crowded beach right outside of Bangkok. I learned a lot on this retreat. I mingled with my friends, bungee jumped from a 50 m height, swam/floated in a warm ocean (first time!), went to a transvestite dance and walked through a red light district. All in all it was quite an eye opener.

Thankfully God always brings me back to where I began.