Oct 22, 2018 - Imigration, Thai Reaourcefulness

It wasn't that great of a day overall. We are here for 3 months. But we have a 60 day visa, so we need to get a 30 day extension. We can do it anytime before Nov 24. But we have an immigration office here in Ubon. So today is a day off from service so we thought it was a good day to go ahead and do it. When we showed up, the officers hadnt quite finished the morning rush, and only a few people we're there, but they said they needed to break for Lunch. So they closed up for lunch which meant we had to wait outside til they came back....

Oct 21, 2018 - Meeting day

We had a wonderful day today. All of US went to the afternoon meeting. Brother Lee , one of our elders from Korea gave the talk today. I went up to him after the meeting and said you speak well in Thai, he said, he speaks like children. We got to get to know an older couple. They live about an HR and a half away. They only cone on Sundays now as they are afraid to drive at night. They invited US to come spend a week in their town. They go evety Tuesday to the local market and place everything they have usually. Especially publications for...

Oct 20, 2018 - Catching up

I didn't realize i hadn't posted in a few days. We have sort of come to a routine here. Wednesday we flex, this week we took off. Went to Central plaza to find Anna a hat for service. The sun is very strong here. Tuesday she had a mild reaction to the sunscreen we tried. Then Wednesday evening we had our second Thai lessons. We passed our consanants test, and learned about the vowels. With 44 consanants we only have 32 vowels to learn. Thursday Emily and I went out in the ministry. We worked another market. This one was not as busy. But we...

Oct 16, 2018 - Visitors, Thai language class, and Tuesday Market preaching

Monday was a nice day. For us it's a school day for the girls, as there is no Monday FS group. In the afternoon we had the visit of Mie, a sweet Japanese sister, and a Thai sister, not sure her name. Several keep wanting to come visit to see where we are. Mie brought oragami paper. We made a bird, and a boat, and a couple paper airplanes. Then we played a board game for a bit. Then at 5 it was time for our Thai lessons. We spent much of the 1St lesson on the Thai consonants. There are only 44 of them. They each have a name, like we would...

Oct 14, 2018 - Morning Market, afternoon meeting

We got up and went to the Morning Market. It's under a neat building near the river. It is everything you would expect of a market in Thailand. Upon entering we are greeted by an array of beautiful flowers, and orchids. Then to the left is the meat section. Hugh cuts of meat, and live fish in bins full if water. We walk a bit further and in buckets there are everything from live eels, frogs, turtles, worms, possibly what looked like baby snakes, birds,and of course a big plate of grubs. All waiting for someone to take home to cook. Some...

Oct 13, 2018 - Saturday Ministry

Today as always was highlighted by Saturday morning service. Today we got to work with a couple who own a small private school. They also have 2 little girls. 8 and 5. Nami is the 5 year old. She's a little any, but they both are real sweet. One of the blessings of working with them, was the brothers fun and energetic way of helping us with our presentation. Again we are still in the Convention campaign. So it can be simple. Sawadee Ka - Hello Chan cheu - My name is Emily Non Chu arai? - What is your name? Chan ya hai koon - I have...

Oct 12, 2018 - meeting night

Today was highlighted by going to the meeting tonight. I think one of the beautiful things about a Thai congregation, is hearing them sing the songs. They sing so loud, and they truly love one another. I also just listened to the speakers tonight. The Thai language is hard, but when you hear it spoken. Hear not just the changes in tone, but them changing their emphasis, and modulation. I can tell these brothers treat the information with great care. I look forward to learning from them. We also feel really welcomed and accepted here. one...

Oct 11, 2018 - lazy day

Didn't do much this morning. The girls played in the exercise room. Jenny got a massage. I uploaded some pictures from the camera. I think I posted my limit for today.Later I went for a massage. For only about $6, they really do help you feel better, and more relaxed. They are so therapeutic. After my massage, I stopped in a little place to try some chicken curry. In Issan they don't use coconut milk in it. So it's spicier. The woman who took the order said it was really spicy. While I was eating. I noticed an older woman come out. I think...

Oct 10, 2018 - Day of service, and Central Plaza

Today we spent another wonderful morning in service. We placed about 8 invitations and showed only 10 videos. It was a bit hot today. But we did have a nice view working along side the Mun River. This afternoon we went to check out the Central Plaza. The mall in Ubon. It again was large. We did try the Sizzler restraint inside it. Western food seems to disappoint around here. Its ok, but I think the Thai food is so much better. And much more affordable on the budget. We do like the 10 baht ice cream cones at dairy queen. or 15 baht for a...

Oct 9, 2018 - Ministry day in Ubon

Today was a good day. We got up a bit early and skyped with mom and dad. Although we didn't have the best connection today. Then today we all got dressed and walked to the kingdom hall for service. It was another lovely group of about 23 out today. We we're driven out to the territory, and then I got to work with Dream today. Jenny had a very sweet Japanese sister to work with who is very good at English, and Thai. She was very helpful to Jenny to come up with a good basic presentation. She even wrote out a small cheat sheet for Jenny....

Oct 8, 2018 - Moving Day

Today after breakfast I walked over to the apartment building we are renting from. I got the key, and paid the deposit, and first months rent. 5000 baht per month+4000 baht deposit, plus 200 baht for water. We get the deposit back when we leave. Is it the most glamorous place? No. It's a big studio apartment wit 2 beds and couch. Thai style bathroom. (everything gets wet when you take a shower) A working fridge. Balcony with a sink. Free wifi. It works. But consider what you would get at home for the steep price of $150 a month. There's...

Oct 7, 2018 - First meeting

Today we got up. Straightened our room a little. Then Skipped with Nana and Papa. It was nice to see their smiling faces. Anna was being silly and making silly faces at them. Then we studied our WT for the meeting today. We studied in English, but tried to find eazy simple answers for all of us with the help of Google translate. By this time it was time for breakfast here at our bed and breakfast. I had French Toast, and coconut yougert. It was quite good. Then time to get dressed. We walked to the Kingdom Hall. It is only a 9 minute walk....