The Beginning of the End

It hardly seems possible that I leave Chiang Mai in two weeks. This summer has been an amazing blessing and stretched me in so many ways. I get too sad when I think about leaving all of my new, dear friends so soon, so I am just soaking up every minute and making the most of it.

Our schedule has continued as normal, with our equipping times, lunch on campus, English lessons in the afternoon, and various activities at night. This past weekend, we hosted a lock-in at the Zone for the students. I got wrapped from head to toe in toilet paper (like a mummy) for one game, which made for some pretty hilarious pictures!

My English students have become more consistent in showing up for lessons. Leah and I teach five students for one lesson: Kik, Gift, Aom, Boom, and Tum. We really enjoy our time with them, and we've tried to make contact with them outside of English classes but haven't had a whole lot of luck. We do seem them around campus fairly often, so I am praying that they'll keep coming to the Zone and hanging around more often. Xin, a girl I met early in the summer, and I have been building a friendship and ate lunch together earlier this week. I ran into her one night when we were at the Night Bazaar, and she came up and said hello and introduced me to her friend. She always tells me that she wants to spend more time together but then repeats that she has a very busy schedule. I hope and pray that she and I continue to build a relationship as well and that she can meet other Christians here. Sai and James, English students who are actually high-schoolers, are really sweet and I enjoy my lessons with them. Sai is really cute, and she giggles so much when I try to pronounce my Thai words! She tells me that she will teach me Thai if I teach her English. All of these students are ones for whom I am praying to meet more friends at the Zone, become involved in the community here, and study and learn more about Jesus.

Several of the guys that frequently hang out at the Zone have been studying the Bible with Chris, which is exciting and encouraging. Chris and his wife Casey are six month apprentices here, training to be long-term missionaries. They have been such a blessing to us here. They have two adorable daughters, Maggie and Melanie. She, of course, is "Little Melanie," and some of my fellow interns find it funny to name me "Big Melanie." I prefer "P'Melanie," the term that Thais use to address somebody older. It just has a better ring to it. :)

I've been having some problems uploading my pictures lately, so sorry that there are no pictures for this post. I'll have to add some later. Thank you for taking the time to read this post of random ramblings. I'd love to answer any questions you may have, whether about Thai culture, Thai Christians, what food we like to eat, what Thai words we can say, or anything in between! :)

May the Lord bless your week.