 |
| From our first day at Santisuk |
 |
| To our last day, we've enjoyed sharing our trip with you |
Only now after having finished with our second and final two weeks of teaching at Santisuk are we able to take the time to make a new entry to our blog. The time at the school and the outside classroom activities with the students and staff kept us very busy, but has left us with fond memories that should remain in our minds for a long time to come. We again offer to you our viewers a taste through pictures of what we experienced in Thailand from February 2nd through March 7th.
 |
| Our hotel- the Mall Inn |
 |
| Canal "flowing" near our hotel |
 |
| Bus taken from our hotel to Santisuk school- about 25 cents |
 |
| Bus ride back to hotel on hot days (translated meaning- every day) |
At our hotel Moriah discovered a nail art studio that offered to teach her some techniques in exchange for some English lessons. While attending the class she also had the opportunity to meet with the runner-up to the title of Miss Thailand, who unfortunately could not speak English.
 |
| Moriah and Nail Art Studio instructor |
 |
| A sample of the nail art done for Moriah |
 |
| Moriah with Miss Thailand Runner-up |
Our hope and prayer is that our time with these students will not only have been helpful for increasing their ability and confidence to speak English, but to also have helped foster a desire to learn more about Jesus whom we often spoke about each teaching session. Prior to telling the story of the good Samaritan Gary had an incident which he then was able to use as a personal illustration of what Jesus was attempting to teach with this particular parable. After stepping on a wire that went through his sandal and painfully stuck into his foot, Gary pulled the object out and blood began to flow from the wound onto the sidewalk. As he hobbled past a storefront the owner noticed his plight and came out to administer first aid by washing his foot and squeezing the foot to purge the puncture site of anything that could later cause an infection. Then the man went to secure a clean bath towel from which he tore a portion off to wrap the wound and stop the bleeding, after which he applied a large bandage. Next he offered to find a way to get us back to our hotel. Yes, this Thai stranger clearly demonstrated what Jesus meant when he asked who it was who had proved to be a neighbor to the injured man.
 |
| God provided a personal illustration of the Good Samaritan parable (note the wire) |
 |
| The Lord's message of true love we trust we were able to leave behind with our students |
If anyone ever asks us the highlight of our time at Santisuk if would have to be getting to meet such wonderful students and developing relationships with them and members of the Santisuk staff. Everyone was so sweet and kind to us, which made saying goodbye difficult.
 |
| Lyndell's early morning class |
 |
| Delicious breakfast with students after 7:00 am class |
 |
| Visiting Ancient City of Bangkok with students |
 |
| Time for a little recreation between classes (the teacher became the student) |
 |
| Some members of the wonderful teaching and support staff at Santisuk |
 |
| Farewell picture with 7:00 am class |
 |
| Farewell picture with 10:00 am class |
 |
| Meal preparation for Friday evening Thai language worship service |
 |
| Santisuk parking lot and site of Friday evening meal before service |
 |
| Gary giving his testimony at Sunday evening English service |
 |
| Moriah playing for offertory at evening service |
 |
| Gary's favorite local coffee stand |
 |
| Coffee always specially brewed to order |
 |
| Gary's favorite dish- Shrimp Pad Thai |
 |
| Lyndell's favorite dish (not)- duck feet! A little too rubbery texture. |
 |
| Street stand outside hotel for pre-breakfast snack |
 |
| Typical pre-breakfast snack for Moriah before class (fried chicken with sticky rice and bananas) |
 |
| More early morning vendors on the way to bus stop |
 |
| A second delicacy we avoided |
 |
| One delicacy we skipped |
 |
| How many forms of transportation did we experience? Can you find 6 here? |
 |
| A faster, yet more odoriferous way to get around the city- water taxi (no dealing with traffic) |
 |
| The palace did not permit exposure of bare legs, men or women. This was our only option. |
 |
| Our team from Minneapolis |
 |
| Last view from hotel room before leaving Bangkok |
 |
| Man-made modeling clay flower arrangements |
 |
God's authentic stunningly beautiful floral arrangements
Even though the attractive clay flower arrangements we discovered in the market resembled the authentic real life varieties, they did not emit any desirable fragrance. Upon closer examination we also observed a wax-like coating that gave further evidence that they were artificial though beautiful in appearance. We might suggest that there is an analogy here in regards to the land of Thailand so-called the "Land of Smiles". This designation has come about because visitors not only love its natural beauty and historical riches, but also the country's friendly people and fascinating culture. |
Yet, we discovered that there is really no fragrance of life the way God has intended for it to be. There is a desire within the hearts of those we got to know, to be good people and help to contribute to peace in the world. However, there is a disconnect from their desires and how to attain them. God has implanted in the heart of each individual a longing to be what we were created to be. In the beginning when God created man in His image He looked upon this unique creation and said it was very good. However, after man rebelled against God that condition of being good was lost. The poet Milton termed it "Paradise Lost" and man has been searching for a return to that precious ethereal real estate ever since.
In reality, according to the Bible, there is really no hope to regain this desired goodness and peace outside of acknowledging and accepting the work of Jesus Christ as sufficient for ones's personal acceptance and forgiveness by God. All other attempts by man will fall way short of what a Holy God must and does require, perfection. A facade of peace and contentment can be constructed to imitate the authentic, but deeper down the heartfelt state of worry, fear, despair, unrest, doubt and hopelessness will be found. Smiles on a person's face can often mask the true inner heart condition. Without Christ, the Bible says we are dead in our trespasses and sins until by God's grace He makes us alive together with Christ through faith. Thereafter, the Bible says we become the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
Thailand has an appearance of goodness and peace, but until the fragrance of Christ is emanating from this land there is work to do for those who claim to be His followers. Our prayer should be that eventually the "Land of Smiles" will be known as such because of the abundant life the people have found in knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then their search for goodness and peace will have found its end.
 |
| The real deal |
We hope that those of you who have visited our Thailand blog have enjoyed the stories and pictures. We again want to thank those of you who kept us in prayer. Perhaps some of you may have been encouraged to also serve at Santisuk in the future. Please contact us if you would like more information.
