Hooroo to Chiang Rai residency

Well, ladies and gents, this is THE LAST POST YOU WILL READ FROM ME IN CHIANG RAI. 

Packing Christmas gifts for the audiences!

Sorry, the caps lock key got stuck.

Haha, actually, I'm really excited about moving to Mae Sai, TOMORROW, in case you couldn't tell.  I know it can be hard to tell what I'm excited about, especially when I only talk about upcoming events perhaps 20 million times a day.

Anywho, given the auspicious event that is very nearly about to take place, I think I should give some final love to Chiang Rai, a beautiful city by many standards (except for the dogs, but I am slowly reconciling myself to them).

Yesterday was my last day with CRCSC.  We celebrated with a lunch at a local resort, called the Rimkok Hotel.  I'm sure they're relieved to see the back of me, that crazy Aussie girl who either mangles their mother tongue, or speaks a strange version of the English language at them. 

The school students

OK, OK, I say that in jest, because I know this won't be the last of my mingling with these gorgeous Thais.  They're all coming with me to Mae Sai!  Not to live, just to clarify, but to help me move.  (I was surprised when they announced they were all coming along for the 1-hour drive north - I was only expecting P. Yu to come with me)

The week that has just passed saw the CRCSC crew running 4 separate Christmas outreach programs - in a local school, in a drug rehabilitation centre, in a youth detention centre, and in the women's section of a jail.  The staff were able to show the Nativity story on DVD to 3 of the 4 audiences, which we all thanked God for.  Unfortunately there were some problems at the jail, and our time was cut short, so that we couldn't show the DVD.  But, regardless, we were still able to sing songs, pray, and encourage the inmates there.

Christmas carols in Thai (I didn't know the words, I
just held them up)

This I am thoroughly enjoying about Christmas in Thailand - the Christians here see Christmas as the best time of year to evangelise, and get the message of truth about God out there.  We would do well to get onboard with their enthusiasm for outreach, I reckon.

On a slightly different tangent, but still related to my time spent in Chiang Rai, thank God with me for this time He's given me to adjust to the language and culture in Thailand.  Somebody told me before I left Australia that the first 3 months would be the hardest.  I also knew they would be a fairly good indicator for me, personally, if I should stick around for the entire 15 months - because if I couldn't cope with 3 months, how was I going to cope with the year to come?

Yes, I dressed up as Santa. Don't laugh.

But I am convinced that this is God's will for me to be here at this time.  Whilst I am no expert on the language (wow, there's still so many words to master before I can resume filling my daily 10,000 words quota my dad reckons I use), and there are still so many silly mistakes I make (culturally, fashionably, relationally), I feel ready to go.  I feel like I'm somewhat able to consider myself as having entered the world of being bi-lingual.  Now I don't take any credit of this for myself!  God has given me the ability, the opportunities and the motivation (although this often lacks, because I snuff it out with my laziness) to desire to communicate in Thai.

It's also your friendship, cheering me on, and your practical help, that keeps me here.  You guys are gems, how you stick by me and send me encouraging notes!  I am so grateful for you all.

I see potentials and opportunities in Mae Sai, to get involved in people's lives, and hear their stories, and to share the love of God with them. 

There is no greater truth than the fact that we were created by a God who wants us to be best mates with Him, so that He can free us from all the crap and pain in this world.

 [Here endeth the sermon!]  Love you all, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A fun game to play with baby powder...