Perfectly Cloudy

...from the missionary's blog

2009-08-03T04:42:00.001-04:00

by The Thaikid Returns

What can a person do in 6 weeks of teaching in a Thai school?

After her shock of sleeping on a pallet on the floor each night, “squatty potties” (toilets), and cold dip baths, Katie adjusted well. Living at the school in one of the houses provided for teachers has been good for Katie. She has learned to eat a variety of Thai foods daily with the teachers . Many times trying to smile while eating foods she didn’t like. In the evening she exercised with them.

At her desk, Katie had her Bible, Christian tracts, and an Evangi-Cube. During long breaks, she read her Bible and did a Bible Study. When students and teachers asked her about what she was doing, Katie had an opportunity to tell them about God. During her English classes, Katie taught songs like “My God is so big” to her students too. Before leaving to return to America, her students lined the way out of the school to say “Goodbye” to her.

During her time here, Katie has had opportunity to get close to two teachers, A. Nit and A. Biap. As she got closer to these teachers, they opened up and told her about their struggles in life. Her housemate, Nit, wanted a Bible to read and has been asking questions about what she has read. Nit was impressed by the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter one because of her Chinese background. Once back in America, Katie will keep in contact with her new Thai friends and will be emailing some favorite scripture verses for A. Nit to read. Another teacher, who was closed, has begun asking questions, as well. Two students have shown interest in God and asked for a visit and more Christian literature.

Before leaving a teacher told Katie, “Thank you for coming and bringing so much good to our school.”

What can a person do in 6 weeks in a Thai school? They can be a good friend and share the love Jesus with others.

A typical day at Blai Praya Wittyacomb School

2009-07-06T23:12:00.002-04:00

6:30 AM - Wake up to the sound of a Thai news radio station being broadcasted throughout the school grounds. Wish they would turn it off so I can sleep more :) Roll off my pallet and head downstairs for a dip bath and brush my teeth. Read my Bible, pray, eat a granola bar, and get dressed.

7:50 - Walk to morning ceremony on school grounds with my roommate, P'Nid (Her first name is Suphanee, but her nickname is Nid. P stands for big sister.) Observe morning ceremony: a teacher lectures the students while they stand in straight lines (in the sun!), a student leads the other students in the Thai National Song, then the school song, then they say the 5 tenants (??) of Buddhism and wai to Buddha. I keep my hands by my sides.

8:10 - Walk to school, climb 4 floors to the English department. Sit at my desk and receive my schedule for the day. (Turn the fan on HIGH!) There are 8 periods in a day and I usually have 3 or 4 classes. In between classes I do a Bible study called "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" by Beth Moore. It is great and I usually am able to finish 2 "days" in one day. I also check papers sometimes or work on my next lesson. There is a computer in the room, and when the power is working I can check the internet!

I am also blessed with many visitors to my desk! Teachers come and offer me food and fruit and sit down to talk and practice their English. Students stop by and look at my pictures or just smile at me. They all marvel over my white skin. I tell them, "In America white skin isn't popular! Dark skin is!" They can't believe that white people would actually lay in the sun to get darker. When they go to the beach they wear a hat, pants, and long sleeve shirt so they won't get darker!

A typical class - I walk into the room and am greeted enthusiastically and happily! "Hello teacher!" "Hello Katie!" Then the class leader says loudly, "Stand up, please." All the students stand up and say, "Good morning teacher Katie." I say, "Good morning! How are you?" They say, "I'm fine and you?" I usually throw them off my saying "Excellent!" or "Great!" (They only know fine!!) And then I tell them to sit down.

Sometimes the teacher will give me a topic to teach and sometimes they will say it's up to me. So I do songs: "Hokey Pokey," "This is the way" and so on. We play games to practice their English. I also do a lot of vocabulary practice by showing my pictures. I can show them pictures of my sisters and they learn the word. Pictures of my dog, my church, so on. They LOVE to see my pictures, especially of my sister Karlie! They say "suay mak mak mak!" Which means, very very very beautiful! (I agree, by the way!)

I also get a chance to share my faith with them. I usually draw a cross on the board and say, I'm Christian. Or in Thai - Chris-te-an. I tell them that I love Projow (God) and Preyesus (Jesus). I tell them about my boat (church). Some students know what I'm talking about but for many I am the first Christian they have ever met.

12:20 - Lunchtime! P'Beab (Niyom) usually cooks lunch for me and it's pretty good! We sit at my desk and eat together. Sometimes, teachers will make "appointment" with me and take me to a restaurant for lunch. Every Thursday I meet with the Blounts (missionaries) for our weekly meeting. It is such a blessing and encouragement.

4:00 - School is out! By this time I'm HOT and yucky, so I go home and take another bath and change clothes. Sometimes I watch a little TV (ER on DVD) or read my book. Take a break!

5:30 - My roommate P'Nid and I go to the market on her motorcycle. They sell raw meat, fruit, and vegetables. And don't forget insects to eat! We buy some meat and vegetables and go back home and prepare dinner. It's been fun learning how to cook Thai!

6:30 - Go walking around the school with P'Beab! Sometimes I watch her play basketball first.

7:30 - Time for another bath and get ready for bed! Do my Bible study "Lies Women Believe" and write in my journal. Talk to Grandma or Mom. Go to sleep around 9:30!

Well, I hope this gives you an idea of my typical day! There are always surprises and different things that happen, but this can give you a good idea! Leave a comment!

Thailand! (part 1)

2009-06-20T10:43:00.005-04:00

So, by now, I'm into my second week of my missions trip to Thailand. And the theme so far? God is good! He has been my Everything this week. So much has happened that I have no clue how to start blogging about it! My internet access has been shaky to say the least. But, I will give it a shot!!

Tuesday, June 16: Began my journey to Thailand! Charleston to Atlanta, first. Spent a few hours walking around the Atlanta airport. Got lost once and ended up having to go through security again. Yes, I am that ditzy sometimes!

Finally got on the flight to Japan. Once I am sitting there, the pilot announces that there has been a volcanic eruption in Russia! The ash is covering the path that we were going to take over the Pacific, so we have to take a longer, alternate route. As a result, we have to stop in San Fran to fuel up. Great news! :)

The flight is uneventful! I sleep, listen to music, and read. Watch a little tv on the screen way in front of me. I try to ignore the couple next to me who show way too much PDA. I think it was about 14 hours. Finally arrive in Tokyo, where they have held my next flight! Yay! I was afraid I would have to wait for another plane. The next flight took 8 hours. More sleeping and eating weird airplane food. At least I have a seat between me and the person by the window! I can move my legs! Yes!

Arrive in Bangkok. Can't keep the smile off my face. No problem getting my baggage and finding my taxi. Went to stay in the nicest hotel I've ever experienced! Slept more, took a nice long shower, and went back to the airport for my last leg of the journey. It took about an hour and we were in Krabi!

Linda and Richard were there to pick me up and they took me to their house not far from the airport. They successfully kept me up for a few more hours before I went to bed.

Friday, June 18: Time to begin work! I went with Linda and Richard to the Thai countryside. We visited people who said they were interested in learning more about God. We had a Bible study. Same on Saturday, except that the group on Saturday is mostly young girls and they are so excited to learn about God! And excited to see me, a foreigner! They call foreigners "farangs," and I hear it whispered whereever I go! Also "cow" which means white! The girls touched my hair and legs and were so interested in me. It was too cute. Two twin girls, Not and Nan, were especially smart and answered all the questions correctly! (I was told-the whole thing was is in Thai.)

Also, on Friday, we went to my school: Blai Prayawittyacom! It is WAAAAY in the country and not like my other Thai school. I finally met Niyom, the teacher who I had been in contact with before my trip. She is so welcoming and invites us to eat lunch at her house. Before lunch, she ushers me into an English classroom and leaves me there to talk to the kids! This was when those pictures were taken that are on my facebook account. I spent about 20 minutes there but it felt like a long time because I wasn't sure what to do!

Then, we go to my new house. This is where culture shock hit me! I thought that I was prepared but I definitely wasn't. It is a 2 story house. On the bottom floor it has a small living area and kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms: mine, Suphanee's, and an empty one. There's no AC, and in my room there is no bed. The bathroom consists of a Thai style toilet (I won't get too graphic here!) and a tank of water. You use the tank of water to both flush the toilet and dip a bowl in to a take a bath. Whew! This shook me up! I wasn't ready for that!

Anyway... (it gets better! I promise!)

Saturday, June 19: Worked again with Linda and Richard. The most memorable moment from this day was the Thai funeral we attended that night. One of Richard's friend's mother died. When you get to the funeral, you go to this area that looks like a restarant or a family reunion set up. You eat dinner and there are hired cooks and waitresses. One of the dinners was chicken inards! Mmm! After you eat, you go up front and sit in the chairs for the audience. Monks are seated up front. The coffin is there, and in front of it is an image of Buddha that people go kneel in front of and light insense. Off to the side there is a platform where the monks will chant. There is a white string that is hanging down to the platform. It goes up to the ceiling and then back down into the coffin. That is so the chants that the monks say go right into the coffin.

On the platform there are these big paper fans that have a picture of Buddha on one side. The monks hold them in front of them while they chant. Linda said that they do this because they don't want to be distracted or think bad thoughts while they are chanting. On the other side, writen in Thai, it says: "You are born. You grow old. You have pain. You die." How sad. What kind of hope is that?

While the monks are chanting (which is the strangest sound), everyone in the audience wais (holds their hands in front of them in a prayer-like gesture) to show respect to Buddha. We don't wai, because we are Christians. No one even pays any attention to us. Linda told me that there is a lot of pressure on the monks because if they make one mistake during the chants, the person who died is doomed.

After the monks chant, people go up and give money to the monks. This is one way to make merit for your next life (I think). And, people have to bring money in a white envelope to give to the family. Richard had to give money for all of us.

Well, this is long enough for part 1! I'll add more later! Sorry I can't post pictures!

If you managed to make it through this whole post, leave a comment!

1:10 AM

2009-06-14T01:10:00.002-04:00

I thought I'd stop in and say hello since I can't sleep! Only 2 days until I leave for Thailand! I'm leaving Tuesday morning and flying to Atlanta, then Tokyo, then Bangkok. I'll spend the night there and then fly to Krabi the next day. (Click on that link to see some pictures of beautiful Krabi!) So, all together, there will be about 23 hours of flying!

And I'm pretty much ready. But my brain won't settle! At about midnight I got up and packed some of my bathroom stuff, then made up my guest bed, washed the dishes in my sink, and here I am still not tired. I guess I'll go try to sleep again!

His love

2009-06-09T11:20:00.003-04:00

It's truly hard to understand His love for us. These passages make it so real...

From a woman who wrote about her husband's response to her double mastectomy:

As we wept and trembled when he took my bandages off the first time, I was so ugly, scarred, and bald. I was in intense grief that I could never be a whole wife to him again. Steve held me tightly and with tears in his eyes said, "Melana, I love you because that is who I am."

I instantly recognized Christ in my husband...No comeliness in us draws Christ's attention; it is only His essence that draws Him to us.

And this one...

Put together all the tenderest love you know of, the deepest you have ever felt, and the strongest that has ever been poured out upon you, and heap upon it all the love of all the loving human hearts in the world, and then multiply it by infinity, and you will begin, perhaps, to have some faint glimpse of what the love of God is.

from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Oh Lord, give me the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how high, how long, and how deep your love really is. And help me experience your love, though it is so great I may never fully understand it.

Every last detail

2009-06-08T11:07:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting here near tears because of God's goodness. He has taken care of everything regarding this trip. I'm just writing this because I don't want to forget how He cares for the smallest details in my life. He is SO good. My most recent example - I just got off the phone with a friend from church. Yesterday, I mentioned that I wanted to find 8 little gifts for the English teachers at the Thai school. I wanted to take them a little something American or South Carolinian! She went out and bought 8 mini Charleston baskets for me to take. What??? I mean, how sweet is that.

And yesterday, my church went above and beyond when they gave me more money for my trip. And promised their prayers over and over.

I just can't get over His goodness. And the goodness of His people. Oh Lord make me worthy of serving you!

This is one of those posts...

2009-06-02T21:50:00.002-04:00

...where I have to be real! I'd like to be all, "I'm fine! I'm brave! I'm excited! God's in control!" But the truth is, I'm scared! I'm anxious! I'm nervous!

Ok, enough with all the exclamation marks. But you get the point. These 2 pictures below represent my biggest sources of anxiety. The first picture is of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it represents the flight to Thailand. It's going to be long. I've done it before, and I was miserable. Unless you've been on one of these excruciatingly long flights, you just don't get it.

Second, the whole airport thing. If you know me, you know that I'm quite prone to getting lost. I have no sense of direction, and these huge airports frighten me.

Last, the hotel picture represents the night I have to stay in Bangkok alone. I'm staying in the airport hotel, so I won't have to take a taxi or anything. But I've never spent the night alone in a hotel! Really, I've never spent the night alone in any situation like this.

But, and that word is key, I KNOW this is God's will for me. I KNOW He wants me to do this. I KNOW He will protect me. And I KNOW that although it may be tough, it's really not that big of a deal. And it will totally be worth it, when I get to meet all those sweet Thai students and teachers. That is the part I can't wait for!

This may be a sign that I am ready for summer

2009-05-27T17:00:00.000-04:00

There is a certain student that I have to "talk" to several times every day. Let's call him Alex. He generally a good kid, he is just ALWAYS out of his seat and ALWAYS talking. So, during my day, I say "Alex" about 100 times.

The other day I was taking a little afternoon nap. Through my sleep, I heard Toby barking obnoxiously in the backyard. It finally woke me up...and I sat up and yelled, "ALEX! BE QUIET!"

Oops! Wrong name!

Toby went to school

2009-05-26T17:38:00.003-04:00

On Friday, Toby came to school! My class is pretty much awesome, and we earned the opportunity for me to bring my dog to school. We were allowed to have him for the entire day, but I didn't think Toby could handle it! So, my grandparents came at lunch and brought him along. Toby actually did very well! He was a bit nervous, and I had to hold him for most of the afternoon, but he let everyone pet him and he was a hit! It was a great surprise for my class!

Girls' Weekend!

2009-05-25T20:26:00.002-04:00

I am one blessed girl! I just spent the last 3 days with my girlfriends from college: Audra-Kelly, Denee, Erin, and Melody! (One friend was missing - Kelly.) We went to Asheville and had a wonderful time...including 12 hours of shopping on Saturday! Erin and I were so tired we actually stayed in the car and had a nap while the others went in the last store.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the feeling in the air. It was one of total acceptance. With these girls, I can say whatever I want, and they accept me. Actually, they LOVE me! What a feeling! It was good for my soul to be there with them, and get some things off my chest. It was good to share some stuff that's going on with me, and not feel judged or looked down upon.

Most of the girls don't know this, but I've conquered something big this weekend. Well, maybe it's too soon to say conquered, but on my way there! (Hey Erin, did you notice my correct use of it's? That's just for you, girl!) Anyway, it's due to my girls and their love and support. So thanks, girls, for being you.

I've got a big week coming up. I've got to finish report cards (actually, starting them would be good too!), start packing up my classroom, create a DVD for each student of class pictures, and get a presentation together to share at church on Sunday. But, I feel energized from this weekend! Plus, it definitely helps to know that in 2 weeks from today I will be done with the 2008-09 school year and one week away from Thailand!

another funny moment

2009-05-04T20:14:00.002-04:00

Every morning at school we watch the morning news. This morning during the part about school lunch, they announced that we will be having peach cobbler for dessert. One little boy piped up. "Peach cob? What's that??" And another boy answered, "Fruit on a cob, or maybe fruit on a bob! You know, like corn!"

funny moment

2009-04-22T16:33:00.001-04:00

I was at the post office today mailing my visa application when the clerk sees that the address is The Royal Thai Embassy.

"Are you Thai?"

hehe!!!

Ah, no. I'm the whitest white girl you can imagine!

Spring Break Project

2009-04-18T17:51:00.003-04:00

This china cabinet is older than me, and it was in every house I lived in as I grew up. I have "fond" memories of dusting it when I was little! So ever since its been mine, I have wanted to paint it. I painted my kitchen cabinets white soon after I moved in, and later bought a white kitchen table. So, this needed to happen! It was a pain to paint but it is so worth it! I love how it turned out. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures but I painted the back wall of the cabinet yellow to match the kitchen walls. And I changed the cabinet pulls to something a little more modern. Yay!

Spring Break!

2009-04-05T19:23:00.003-04:00

Oh my...I am SO thankful for Spring Break! Melody is here and we are having such a great time! We have been able to do stuff with Kelly and just hang out. We've been pretty busy, actually, trying to fit in all the things we want to do. Tonight we are going to get pizza and watch "Saving Sarah Cain." I'm so thankful for good friends. Here's what happens when you don't have a fourth person to take the pictures!

Holding my breath

2009-04-01T18:11:00.002-04:00

I feel like I'm holding my breath lately, just waiting for Spring Break! School has been a bit on the stressful side. This is one of those times I wish I could go into details and let it all out on the blog. But I don't need a lawsuit either! Anyway, I am simply looking forward to a week with little to do and a chance to recoup from a couple of crazy weeks.

You know, I have a tendency to think in metaphors sometimes. Its really a strange characteristic, I think. Does anyone else do this? For example, the whole poem I wrote about my tulips was obviously a metaphor for something else. And I was thinking about my current feelings about school, I thought of a roller coaster. Some people get on a roller coaster and scream, throw their hands in the air, and thrill with each scary turn. Other people grip the bar as hard as they can, take a deep breath, and grit their teeth. Right now, I'm definitely the latter. I am getting through this time and bearing it, but I can't wait for it to be over! Just being honest.

Time for me to get busy with my chores, I have a guest coming for Spring Break!

Procrastinating on my report cards...

2009-03-24T19:22:00.004-04:00

Okay, since I really don't want to start the monumental task of report cards, here are some things that make me happy...

This tree! It has the prettiest white blossoms on it right now. Its my favorite thing about this tree.

I love looking out my door, seeing the blue wreath with the white blossoms in the background. Hoping for green grass soon!
My tulips have started to bloom!

And this little boy is the best!
How could you say no to this face?

He really wanted to get outside...

2009-03-19T16:13:00.000-04:00

Toby was fresh from a bath and he wasn't allowed to go outside...

But I guess he found a way to break the rules!

Waiting...

2009-03-18T16:05:00.006-04:00

A few months ago

I worked in the dirt
digging holes and
planting bulbs
pulling weeds and watering.

Then I waited.
I walked by the flowerbed
everyday
as I got home from work
to see if the bulbs had sprouted.

Week after week
nothing.
Just mulch and maybe some weeds.

Then
One day
A green sprout
I rejoiced!
The next day,
even more.

And now...

My grandma warns me
"They may not bloom this year"
But I can wait
Because I know
they will come at the right time

I promise I DO teach grammar...

2009-03-08T21:04:00.004-04:00

Friday was my grandpa's birthday, and since my grandparents come on Friday to volunteer in my classroom, we made a card.

I had all the kids sign it. See if you can read this note...

"You ant old! you young!"And this one that was added later: "you not young you old"

Well, if they don't have grammar skills at least they have a sense of humor!!

Weather questions

2009-03-04T18:39:00.002-05:00

Today I invited a meteorologist to my classroom to culminate our weather unit. At the end of his presentation, he asked the class if they had any questions. I cringed inwardly because my students aren't always the best at asking questions. When I ask them if they have any questions, once in a while I will get an actual question. But most of the time I get these kinds of responses:

"Um, um, um..." (long pause) "I forgot."

Or (here's my favorite)
"One time, when I was visiting my grandma we saw snow and then we put on our jackets except for Austin who couldn't go outside because he was in trouble and then we made snow angels and played in the snow and we tried to make snow balls but the snow melted and then we went inside and made a fort from my grandma's sheets and we hid from my mom but she found us!"

So you can understand why I cringed. But, my kids did a pretty good job asking actual questions (we practiced before he got there!)

But the best was when one little boy asked, "Why does the weather change?"

And without skipping a beat, another little boy turned around and said, "Jesus, boy!!"

Shoulda been a nurse

2009-03-03T20:31:00.002-05:00

My mom's a nurse, and I think she secretly wishes that at least one of her daughters will follow in her footsteps. Now they are great footsteps, don't get me wrong. I have no doubt that my mom is the best nurse to her patients and I definitely call her with any of my aches or pains. She always has the answer.

However...I am the biggest wimp when it comes to medical stuff. I can't talk about IV's or veins and honestly just typing those two words makes me uncomfortable. And blood. Forget it. Needles. Yuck. I can't even walk into a hospital without feeling nauseous. I was invited to a party in my mom's honor at the hospital. They were EATING FOOD in the hospital. Mere yards away from VEINS and IV'S. Needless to say I couldn't eat a bite. I had trouble swallowing my diet coke.

Well all this rambling does have a point. I should have gotten over my phobia and been a nurse, because I feel like one at school.

I'm a softy, and the kids know it. Last year, the school nurse told me that my class had the most nurse visits! So this year, I decided to toughen up. My kids were going to have to be seriously sick or bleeding profusely in order to have to go. Even so, I have constant complaints all day long. "My stomach hurts." "I have a headache." "My throat hurts." "I have a paper cut." "I think I sprained my ankle." "I bumped my head on my cubby." I'm telling you, its NEVER - ENDING!

Most of the time, I try to muster up a sympathetic smile and say, "I'm sorry. You'll be ok." Sometimes I give some medical advice. "Try going to the bathroom." "Get some water." "Did you eat breakfast?"

But then the kids have the nerve to actually be SICK sometimes! Last Thursday, a boy looked queasy and didn't even ask to go to the nurse. He wanted to stay in class. Finally, I sent him to the nurse and he had a temperature of 104.7!

So, I'm at a loss. Do I act tough and basically tell the kids to get over it, or do I send them to the clinic? If only I had a bit of my mom's medical knowledge.

Treasures

2009-03-01T18:50:00.002-05:00

There are certain memories that you want to store up in your heart and never forget, like precious treasures. Today I had one of those moments.

During my pastor's sermon, he was talking about Paul's journey to Jerusalem and how the people around him tried to discourage him from going. They knew - accurately - that Paul would face suffering in Jerusalem.

Then pastor referred to my trip to Thailand, and how important it is not to discourage me but to encourage me. He said, "We need to be saying, Katie, we are proud of you. We are behind you. We support you, and we will be praying for you." Oh and the best part of the moment was the church saying, "Amen!"

That is a moment I will be sure to remember this summer when I feel a little homesick and missing my friends and family.

Bribery

2009-02-25T19:58:00.003-05:00

My bribery is working so well! Last week I went shopping and spent an insane amount of money on toys for my students in order to "motivate" them to behave. Really its just bribery but I don't care! It's working!

At this point, my two high-flyers are competing for a semi-truck full of Hot Wheels. There are about 20 Hot Wheel cars in it, and I seriously saw these boys go speechless when I showed it to them. Their mouths actually fell open. Its like the equivalent of showing me a box set of ER and Beverly Hills 90210.

These two boys are working to earn points, and the one who has the most will get the truck at the end of the week. Thinking ahead to next week, I went to the store today and bought two Bakugans. These are the strangest boy toys that I have been exposed to but they are the coolest things for 8 year old boys right now. Believe me I know.

I'm such a softy though, I already feel sorry for the one that isn't going to win. But, he is aware of the rules and chooses not to follow them, so I guess I need to toughen up.

Great things

2009-02-21T13:31:00.002-05:00

You know when someone does something great, loving, sweet, and unexpected for you? You can't help grinning from ear to ear, laughing, and telling everyone about it! That's how I'm feeling right now!

When the Lord brought back the captive ones from Zion,
We were like those who dream.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter,
Our tongues with joyful shouting...

The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.

Psalm 126:1 - 3

Won't take much to beat me

2009-02-19T22:19:00.003-05:00

I've seen this game on two blogs now so I went ahead and gave it a shot. I'm a little ashamed of my score! There were some states that I had no clue where to put! So I challenge you to beat my score and come back and tell me what you got!