Thai newspaper proof

This photo was specially taken for those of you who are still in denial and do not believe that I am actually in Thailand... Those who think I might be hiding away somewhere in Krugersdorp or maybe in someone’s roof, hahaha.
Do you believe me now? Is this proof enough?

PHI-PHI ISLANDS

Yes it does get better and better everyday on this island. We are like this bunch of students on a very long holiday. I always look at pictures of pretty islands and blue-green water; people snorkelling and sipping juice out of a pineapple... and this time I was the one in the picture. It felt as if I was walking into a brochure of some exotic island. But then I realized this is true life I am actually real and this place is actually real. I can still not believe I was actually there. Fifteen of us who study together went on a trip to the Phi-Phi islands. These ones are especially for you Jonny. A picture is worth a thousand words. So in today’s special I will only be boring you with some beautiful pictures of places that really do exist on this
‘God-with-us earth”. Amazing, God truly is a magnificent artist!

The 29 people who do the course with me are absolutely crazy! Most are from somewhere in America others from England, New Zealand, Cambodia, Austria, Vancouver Island, Canada, Scotland, UK, Texas...
Today we each prepared a short 2 min teaching using elicitations. For example: showing pictures, describing an object, showing an object, miming an action. Then we the “Thai students” need to say the English words. More difficult than I thought but we all got through it. Brian is the comedian in the class. He’s from New York, age 27 his lesson was on T.V programs. This is him acting out a soap opera.
We are still learning how to use the white board, to speak slow and pronounce the words loud and clear. Tomorrow we start teaching our first English lesson to real Thai people.

16 Nov.
Things just get better and better. I love it here, the people the food... mmh
FOOD
This is especially for Janie cause she asked about the food. My first Thai meal was delicious. Rice, chopped up chicken breast softly cooked. The small bowls from the left is: chicken soup, middle: mild sause, hot chilli sause. To the right is cucumber. A lot of food for a small person such as I. As I was struggling to get everything in the Thai man who brought the food, topped up my chicken soup... this is what happens when you misunderstand one another. I thought he motioned to take the bowl but he decided I needed some more soup and brought more cucumber. All of this for a mere 35 bath (R7).
Yesterday I walked around Phuket town, just exploring and came to an amazing lookout over Phuket city. To the left I saw the sea, to the right was a mountain where the sun was setting. WOW! Stunning, this is where I missed a special friend of mine... By now I was tired from the walking and treated myself to a very expensive meal: steak and tjips 240 bath. Which is actually what I would have paid in South Africa.
There are all kinds of food and treats on the streets. Today I bought freshly chopped up pineapple and papaya for 10 bath. I don’t know if you are interested in the prises but this is very important to me as I love budgeting and getting more than what I pay for, bargaining. Another lovely discovery is sweet potato with grated sweet coconut!

I am very cautious of what I eat because on Saturday, famished from walking around at the beach side I was in desperate need of food. Sat down while showing the Thai people a picture of what I thought looked nice: White rice, fried egg and chicken mix. The first thing they put in front of me was a huge jug of water with ice. I should have read the signs... what followed was finely chopped up chicken cooked in chillies. For those of you who know me, know I hate hot food. Unfortunately the Thais love it. They can’t speak English but saw I found the food extremely hot. Half way into it I just called it quits. They probably took pity on me that’s why they brought me some carrot and potato soup. Now that was good!
This shows how friendly these people are. Always willing to give more than what you expect of them.

Here are some of the beautiful beaches we visited thus far. The one at the bottom is Rawai beach, at top is Nai Han Beach and inbetween is somewhere in between the two...

Okay, okay. You probably don’t want to hear preaching from me the whole time. What I am really up to is what you people nagged me about to start a blog. Jason (an American who lived in New York and doesn’t like it there) and I took a walk around “town”. By town I mean around the South point of the South of Phuket Island. Check the map out. We stay in Phuket Town. There we cought a bus for 30 bath (divide it by +/- 4 to get rand value) to Rawai beach. I took a swim and some Thai’s shared their food with us. Delicious coconut bake.

From Rawai beach we walked all the way close to Nai Harn Beach, chilled there and realized we need to catch a bus back to Phuket town at Kata beach. With no Tuc-Tuc’s in sight or motorcycles to give us a lift we decided to walk. Halfway there we got tired and wanted to take a rest. The Thai lady didn’t understand me so she gave us a lift to Kata Beach on her motorcycle, wonderful! Thai-ed from the journey we sat back and was exited to take the journey back to Phuket town when we saw the bus at Kata Beach.

Pre-Departure

I am in eager expectation to officially begin this journey to Thailand. So many adventures to be sought after: Mountains to climb, people to meet and seashores to discover... though most important of it all, a soul to be shaped through trial and error. Good times and bad, challenges and lots of laughter.
“Lord develope in me a character that seeks after your kingdom and righteousness. To ask questions and not be afraid of the answers.
This is one of the poems which as inspired me and surely will carry my throughout:

Ithaca

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
[ Greek original ]
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The time draws near and my heart is being prepared for the journey ahead:
“I will disciple you this year. Grow in you a warrior heart to stand up and fight for what you believe in. Trust me follow my steps closely. I am the commander of the armies. Like a sheep to the slaughter, I bore the sins of the people of Thailand. Go now and preach good news to the poor. Lift them up, feed them clothe them, love them: Physically, Spiritually and emotionally. Serve and lay down your life for them.”

14 Nov. 09
Lord there is no more I can ask of you my God. You have brought me to this magnificent place. I give you all honour and praise. The earth truly belongs to you. Thank you for this journey, my heart and spirit is content. For the first time in a long time I am truly at peace. Lord work miracles through me, show me the way to the abundant life you have promised us all. To not fear the unknown but embrace it, to follow the dream in our hearts and truly be content. You are my confidence, I am at peace living in a foreign country and I feel at home, because I know you are with me and truly where you are with me is where my heart belongs.

How can we- how dare we limit ourselves when the one who created heaven and earth created us. This is blasphemy when we dare think lowly of ourselves, it serves no one. Not you not God. We need to lift His name on high and understand when Jesus spoke the words written in Mathew 6 “Do now worry... he meant DO NOT WORRY, because HE cares for you. He is the care taker- taking away all our cares. How can I be in a foreign country and be so happy and even more content? Because I have taken my cares to Him. Praise Him for he is good!