How true those words are, for as my time here in Bangkok has been quickly coming to an end, I am able to look at all the pictures and to remember each moment as a witness of God's provision, protection, and power. I have met people, seen religions and traditions, and been immersed in a culture where the need for God is tremendous. Although the name of Bangkok in Thai means "city of angels," the majority of the 9.8 million who live here do not represent the name properly.
Even amidst these people, who often I find just seeing as a crowd and not as individuals because they are as numerous as the sand on the shore, God is at work. I know that He worked through us this summer in our ministries at Passport Cafe and Rainbow Pencil Group, with the missionaries' kids at Field Forum, for a family of Hmong refugees from Vietnam, and as we just lived life in Bangkok. And as God sent us out each day to do His work, I was more than confident that when we obeyed Him and followed His way, we were blessed, and sometimes surprised, by the ways in which He supplied everything.
Here are a few pictures, one from some of the ministries/opportunities that we were able to be a part of. :)
This is a kindergarten class from GES (Global English School) where a friend of mine, Sarah Wigal, teaches. We were able to observe an ESL classroom for an afternoon...and play with the kids some. :)
Rainbow Pencil Group.... I couldn't write enough about this place even if I tried.
This is Passport Cafe, a ministry at Chula University where students can come, practice their English, and hang out with American students too. We had a blast getting to know the manager, Bee; the owner of the restaurant next door, Nick; and the students who would stop by.
Here is a picture of the guy mks who were at field forum. Tu and Caston did an amazing job loving on them, while Katharine and Karissa worked with the younger kids. I believe that part of the success of the field forum in general was the love and attention that was shown to each mk, something that hasn't been stressed in the past.
Today has been a Thai day because, with it being our last day in Bangkok, we scheduled to meet with a friend at 10 and then do a few other things at different times, but the Thai sense of time won. We didn't end up meeting the friend until 11, pushing back a number of things, and other specifics were cancelled after having been rescheduled for the past three days. Haha. God is still teaching me to live by time and not a watch. ;)
Speaking of watches and time, I leave for the airport in exactly 12 hours! I am very excited to be home and can't wait to see my dad and family!! It has been an adventure, and I will miss Bangkok, but I know that Pittsburgh and then Nyack are where God needs me. As Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there," and I am blessed to have God's peace and contentment with being in so many different places yet to call all of them home. :)
