I got back to Thailand the middle of last month with it being more quiet than normal because of the Thai New Year called Songkran. Many Thai leave the city to go back to their villages for the 3-4 day holiday.  The Thai New Year starts in April and interestingly they use a different calendar than us, their calendar year started on year that Budda died (543 years BC).  So, its actually 2550 in Thailand!  It is quite a holiday indeed; a big water fight like I have never seen before!  In past, Thais would go to the elders to ask a blessing/cleansing on each other.  But now days people are on streets throwing water on any passing guest, dancing and drinking. I went one of these days with some coworkers to ‘play Songkran’.  We rented a pickup truck, had huge buckets of water, and hit the streets spraying water on each other.  Was fun time! Thou, the focus has changed from the roots it had. Reminded me of how our holidays have evolved, how focus of Christmas has turned into Santa Claus and Easter has turned its focus to bunnies. 

I turned 30 last month & the Lord blessed me with sweet treasures throughout the day. I visited a Thai friend that had just moved, met a new friend, Pai, on the bus (see prayer below) & some friends came over with a DQ ice cream cake & made Mexican.  I have been back in language study the past two weeks and plan to study through June and then take a month off before I start intensive study with new teacher for gov’t test.

Praises

• My dad is cancer FREE.  We got the results from his prostrate cancer surgery back right before I came back to Thailand.
• My time in Wisconsin was such a sweet time and saw God’s hand over all the meetings and time I had with people!  Now, its your turn to come visit me J
• Was asking the Lord about getting in women’s bible study & develop r-ships with some other American women and a women’s bible study just started up among some co-workers at our base.  We are doing Beth Moore’s study on book of Daniel and meet on Wednesday nights. So far its awesome!!
• Got my Thai car & drivers license & purchased a motorscooter this week.
• The Lord is faithful and true and lavishes His grace on us when we are in need.

Prayer Requests

• Motorscooter Driving:  Pray for protection & grace when I drive my motorscooter on opposite side of road here and learning the ways of the traffic.
• Pai:  On my birthday I met a Thai gal on the bus and it seemed to be a God connection.  I have had food with her couple times & took her to our bases worship night.  She has sweet personality & she had tears during worship.  Pray for our relationship and that the Lord will touch her heart with His love.
• Go to Nakonsorn May 18-20:  I am traveling with some coworkers to encourage churches in Central Region of Thailand.  Pray that we are blessing, safe travels, and joy of Lord to be expressed.  I am to prepare activity, program for senior adults.  Any ideas besides Bingo?!?
• YWAM Mercy Ministry Leaders Meet May 24-26: I will be helping plan & attend our mercy ministry leaders meeting.  11 leaders from different projects will be coming to Bangkok for encouragement, discussion, and counsel.  Pray for our staff that the Lord accomplishes what He wants done.
• Kids Club in Slum:  Pray that kids come/have fun & see love of Jesus and for the staff while serving, as its hot season (about 90-100 degrees).  This week we took a field trip to a local waterpark.
• Language:  I am studying with current teacher until July and then look to get a new teacher to prepare me for taking the Thai gov’t exam in December.  Pray for endurance & grace & confidence in my trying.
• Relationships:  Pray that I abide deeper in Jesus & the outpour of that will be loving relationships with the ones God puts across my path. 
• Protection: Spiritual, emotional, and mental protection in the newness/vulnerability of this 1^st season.
• Patience:  That in the midst of building relationships, learning language, that I won’t be so hard on myself with wanting to be further than I am.  That will be patient, enjoy the process, & live in moment.

 And where is the place of My rest?  But on this one will I look:  On him who is poor and of contrite spirit and who trembles at My word. Is 66:1-2