MicahJohn

I had a glorious return to the kids area of the local park tonight. I hadn’t been there for six months. The American kids I’d gone there with had been back in the States for a while. A 26 year old white male terrorizing Thai children is, well, a terror. However, a big brother chasing around some little brothers and sisters soon results in joyful chaos on all sides.

The next two houses on the street where I now live house relatives of my new housemate. Last night I had the privilege of joining in the joyful chaos of a family dinner. I think my Isaan may improve in the next three months.

As an aside, we ate broccoli and sprouts wrapped in bacon and topped with mayonnaise.

I’ve moved in with a friend from work. I’m looking forward to not living alone. I’m looking forward to increased Thai exposure (my friend is Thai).

I’ve realized that living alone for the past two years I have forgotten some of what it means to share a space. Differerent people have different expectations about cleanliness, about what constitutes “late” and “early,” about entertainment, about food.

Yesterday afternoon I raced from work to join a collection of friends on their way to ผาแต้ม. The eleven of us (myself, a couple from Nagaland, another couple (he from Thailand, she from Australia), four Thai guys about my age, and two American ladies) traveled in two vehicles.

On the way we stopped for some fresh (still moving) fish.

Upon arrival we threw up the tents and made our way to the cliffs. ผาแต้ม is a national park that contains prehistoric cliff paintings. We hiked down to the first two painting sites in the gathering dusk. We decided that going further was of little value as increasing darkness would render the paintings invisible.

All through the adventure much fun was had in the singing of songs. James, the guy from Nagaland, is a fun guy to have along for a sing along. He brings excitement and harmony.

Returning to the tents, the grilling began. Pork, chicken, and fish were all in abundance. Marshmallows and cookies even made an appearance. Note: Marshmallows from Australia are different than American marshmallows.

After dinner we sang some carols together before playing some games. The penalties for messing up in the games were steep. Perhaps most entertaining of the punishments was the marking of faces with charcoal.

National parks on clear nights are great places for stars. After going to bed, I got back up and went for a walk with my eyes on the sky rather than on where I was going.

In the morning we went to see the sun rise on Thailand. I’m a fan of sunrises.

We wrapped up the morning together with a Christmas presentation at an elementary school before driving back into town.

I’m now in at Benchama (my school) wishing that I didn’t have to choose between a number of fun things going on tonight.

The other day a friend told me of a Thai teacher who, in preparing to give his first grade students a lesson in Christmas history, decided to tell the story with Joseph and Mary married.

My friend was scandalized: “The Virgin Birth is a major doctrine.”

I was reminded to try to think past the familiar Christmas story to the reality of Mary’s scandalized friends, family, and fiance. Those around Mary knew as well as the Thai first grade teacher that good girls don’t have babies before they’re married.

Mary is a model of surrender to the will of God. She was a ‘good girl.’ She had found favor with God (Luke 1:30). She had probably found favor with those around her as well. I must confess that for myself it would be very difficult to say to God “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” knowing that the fulfillment of God’s word would leave my reputation with those around me shattered.

Oh that I would fix my eyes on Jesus so that the eyes of this world do not sway me.