So we're finally awake at the right hours, sleeping at night, and beginning to learn some basic phrases in both Thai and Burmese! And... best of all... we have had the chance to meet and spend time with some incredibly wonderful people at the Lighthouse church in Chachoengsao. We moved into one of their sunday school rooms on the third floor on Wednesday (needless to say it is extremely hot!) and have been extremely blessed by the hospitality of our Burmese brothers and sisters! It's been an absolute joy to spend time with them, learn some new phrases, eat with them, and most importantly laugh together!!
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| our room at the Lighthouse (complete with mosquito netting and as many fans as we could get our hands on!) |
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| the Wat Sothon Buddhist temple we visited |
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| Watching some of the boat races! |
That evening, we also got to join in some of the city's festivities, together with the other Trek team, and some of our Thai brothers and sisters from the Hope Center (one of the Thai ministry centers). The Thai people were celebrating Loi Krathong. This is a Buddhist (mixed with Animistic) festival where people launch small wooden vessels with flowers, candles, and other decorations, into the river, to symbolize the removal of their sins, and as an offering to the river goddess for prosperity.
We didn't take part in the launching of the boats into the river, but did enjoy some really good Thai food from the many stands and vendors along the way! It was also just very interesting to learn a bit more about their culture, religious practices, and to just spend some time observing. I also was really moved to just pray as we walked along. While the festival was exciting, with amazing colors, lights, and great food, there is still a need for the people to know true hope and forgiveness.
And on Monday we leave for Burma!! Please continue to pray for us as we prepare and then head out, and for the Burmese people that we will meet! We are excited to see how God is already at work there, and to join Him!
Blessings!
I totally remember feeling the same way you did. We visited a Buddhist temple as well, where the thai people were worshipping the idols with flowers and monks were tapping their heads and stuff. The whole time we were there, I felt moved to pray as well. Afterwards, we debriefed outside the temple where there was a view that told me (and probably others) that God is definitely real. We prayed after debriefing and then found about 10 monks looking at that view.
ReplyDeleteJeremy and Adrienne, I am so glad you've been able to experience some of this culture already, and the hospitality that they and the burmese have to offer. Love you guys and praying for you.