สวัสดีทูกคน
Hey Everybody
The 9 month mark came without much pomp and circumstance; mostly it just came with a lot of hot weather mixed with rain and enough sweat to create it's own rainstorm.
(That's actually kinda gross....)
But I've moved again; finally settled into a house that, so far, is exactly what I'd been praying for since November!
Close to everything; 20 minute drive out to Doi Saket, walking distance to Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Baptist church, WonGen Cafe (Where we host TheLight), the soccer field we play on Mon/Fri nights, and a multitude of cheap market food stalls!
It's already turned into the hangout spot for all sorts of people; chilling on our couches/rug/plastic chairs and playing board games, darts or even the wii that one of my roommates has.
I have a lot to be grateful for!
In 9 months I've gone from knowing about 3 phrases to being able to explain to a phone technician that the DSL cable was installed by the previous tenant or interpret to a police officer that my friend's computer and passport were stolen from his house without breaking and entering. (Long story).
I've gone from a kid who wasn't sure exactly what would happen several weeks out to having roots and a home set up and ready for any new assignments/tasks sent my way.
At BHJ the staff are speaking much better English, the girls are healthier, more energetic and in better communication with their sponsor parents. The girls never let me leave without attempting to stow away on my back with lots of squeals of "Mai bpai pee chai" (Don't go, older brother). The family I have out there always makes me late for any sort of plans I might've foolishly tried to make in the evenings. (Including skype meetings).
I have a good group of friends, both Thai and farang that hang out regularly whether playing soccer or frisbee, hanging out at TheLight or at home, having deep discussions or just making fun of each others' accents and ideas of what's "normal."
TheLight is EXPLODING! We first had our meetings on Saturday nights, but due to the amount of people and partnering with the cafe that we borrowed, we switched to Sundays; and now are already filling to capacity. The bi-weekly soccer games are now so full that we're considering renting a larger field, (or even 2 or 3). What started as a dozen guys from TheLight only 2 months ago is now topping 30-40 guys on a small field usually meant for teams of 5-6!
And in a side note, I took a long-weekend to go play in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament on the beach in Cha-Am a few days ago; came back sunburned, sore and tired as all get-out, but had a blast and already back at it with things here in Chiang Mai.
I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everybody who is praying and supporting me here. I am SO grateful for all of you helping me get set up here, and even more importantly; keeping me here!
พระเจ้าอวยพร
God Bless
