New Website!

We are excited to announce that we now have a website!  

We've put our ministry updates, photos, blog, and more all in one place!  

Check it out at: PKBookhamer.wix.com/Thailand

A Dream on New Year’s Eve

I woke up this New Year’s Eve morning after having a dream.  In the dream I was asked to speak at a conference.  It was a real honor to be there with so many highly educated people.  But while we were there a bunch of troubled kids, orphans and foster kids, came in and were stealing our things as we participated in the conference.  Somehow, I ended up walking in on them stealing from us.  At first I was really mad.  My anger seemed to have no effect on these kids.  They didn’t care that I was mad; they didn’t even seem to care that I had caught them.  And then they had a song that they sang, and I don’t remember all the lyrics, but it was about all of the advantages that I had in life that they didn’t have: education, connections, money, opportunity, and the things that separate the people who succeed in society from the people who don’t; the things that separated me from them.  There was one line in the song about grace, about how all of these social advantages that I had paid the price for grace in our society.  Because I am educated, I get opportunities.  Because I have money or connections I get things in society that they don’t.  There is no grace for them because it is assumed that if they mess up it’s because they intend to. The hammer comes down harder on them than it ever would on me. 

At that moment, I felt that the Lord opened my eyes and showed me that each of these kids had been hurt… mainly by parents.  Some of them had been abandoned, or intentionally hurt, or abused, or just didn’t have parents at all.  I felt like God showed me that he is our heavenly Father, and he has a love that will never disappoint them, will never let them down, will never hurt them.  Also, that he is the only one who can heal them, and that his grace is completely free and is given equally to everyone who follows him.  Then I felt like God said, “You need to tell them about me.” 

Somehow, I got them all to sit down, and I was able to meet them where they were at, being honest about where I was at: I am educated, I have a loving family, I’ve never gone through a lot of the things that they have gone through.  But, I still have hurt in my life and that hurt affects the way I interact with others.  Then I got to tell them who God is: that he loves them enough to not leave them where they are.  That he is the perfect Father who will never hurt them, will never leave them or abandon them, and that his grace is free. When we mess up, he loves us enough to not leave us there in our mistakes.  He loves us enough to changes us, and give us his Holy Spirit, and make us new.

Then I got to tell them that for some reason God chooses to demonstrate his love for us through each other.

In some way, each of us can relate to one of the positions in this dream.  Honestly, each of us at least started out like the kids in this dream; maybe we’re still like them.  Either way, we need to decide what we’re going to do about it.  If we are following Christ, God wants to use us to show his love to those around us.  There are so many people who don’t yet know him; people that he loves dearly, lives he wants to change.  We need to be obedient to God.  Who are we sharing him with this year?  Who’s life does he want to touch through us?  In what ways do we need to submit to him by obeying the call to share his truth with others? 

Happy New Year!  Let’s make it count for God’s kingdom! 

Not Home Yet

It’s your first glimpse into a new world, a world that is home for many people but altogether mysterious to you.  A far-away feeling is a close companion much of the time.  Are you lost?  Here by mistake?  No, you have been brought here by One whom you love so deeply that you voluntarily become a stranger in order to offer many estranged loved ones a renewed relationship with the greatest Love of all.  This Love is also a new world, a mysterious Kingdom, and the King, Himself, has invited us to live with Him.  

"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.11-12 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."

1 Peter 2:9-12 (MSG)

Re-Thanking God for the Ants...

Our neighbor got some free entertainment yesterday as I flung the sandals off of my feet and hopped around frantically in front of our house.  Hundreds of red ants were pouring out of the soles of my sandals and attacking me for disturbing their new colony.  This left me dancing about desperately trying to brush them all off.  Our neighbor sat calmly and watched, but I know she must've had great stories to tell over dinner that night about the crazy "farang*" who lives next door.  

Today, the ants launched a second attack.  As I sat in a coffee shop attempting to study Thai, I noticed a burning sensation on my neck.  Itching and burning, I could feel the heat and swelling of mysterious bug bites.  Mysterious because the bites continued to appear but no bug could be found.  By the time I found my way to a mirror to investigate the situation, I had a least six red, swollen bites on my neck.  And then I saw him... a little red ant swinging like Tarzan from a strand of my hair, biting my neck with every swoop!  First, I felt like could've killed him!  Then, I did kill him.  And then I started thinking.  

Recently, I've been letting small things irritate me.  Exhibit A: Ants, very small and very irritating.  I have not been patient and my attitude has been terrible.  But I have been increasingly aware of my need for a more Godly perspective in day-to-day life.  These are the same ants that I have been at war with for the past six and a half months.  At the very beginning of this war I wrote a blog post about Phil's absurd prayer thanking God for the ants.  That was very humbling for me.  This afternoon I reread that blog post.  With my own words staring at me, I was once again convicted of the same sinful tendencies that brought about this confession the first time.  

I guess review is one of the keys to learning.  So here goes once again... 

Lord, thank you for the ants.  Open my eyes to see life from your perspective.  Teach me to walk in your peace, not swayed by everything that doesn't go my way.  I praise you that your grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12).  Amen.

*Farang is the Thai word for foreigner 

Our King

After a funny meeting on a country road, a neat, older Thai couple invited us back to their home.  Louis and Need served us chocolate milk and watermelon as we sat in their living room chatting.  They showed us photos of his days in the Thai military and their two kids graduating from college.  They proudly showed us a photo in which their daughter was receiving her diploma from the king of Thailand.  We commented on how special it was that she was with the king.  They pointed to a large portrait of the king hanging on their wall, and the husband put his hand on his heart and said, "He is our king!"  

Phil & Mr. Paitoon in his home and shop,
 photos of the king in the background

Today we met a Thai gentleman who is one of the most esteemed boat building instructors in Thailand.  He is very old at this point in his life and has had many honors in Thailand and abroad.  Mr. Paitoon, the master boat builder, showed us an impressive gallery of  photos of boats that he had built over the years.  Several of these photos featured the Thai king sailing in Mr. Paitoon's boats!  Other photos showed Mr. Paitoon receiving honors and awards from the king and queen.  He proudly told us that the king had called him a "skilled craftsman".  

I was struck by the evident love and admiration each of these people had for the king.  They were honored to have him as their king.  Any encounter with the king was worth boasting about.  Later, I was relaying this story to a friend when it hit me: why don't we feel this way about our King?  

In scripture, Paul boasts a lot.  He boasts about his encounters with the King, about the work the King has done, and about the promises our King has made to us.  Paul even says in Philippians 1:25-27, 

"... and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  

 I want to change.  I want to boast about my King and talk about my encounters with Him.  Let's live lives worthy of the Gospel of Christ, and let's boast about our King!  

In Christ Alone,

Kate

Who is Praying for Her?

I took this photo at a market tonight.  When we got home and I looked at this image, I was struck by so many things; one of which was the question that this post poses:

Who is praying for this little girl?

Is anyone praying specifically for the man selling mangoes on our street; the woman in the park; our neighbor who just spent three weeks  making merit at the temple; or for this beautiful little girl?  

Within a culture that has been so saturated by Buddhism and animistic beliefs, who is really praying for the Thai people?  

Who is on their knees, even on their faces, 

for this nation?  Am I?

We serve the great I AM, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God who loves us and sacrifices for us rather than demanding sacrifices of us.  We serve a God who delights in us and longs for us to enjoy Him.  The God we serve answers our prayers with even more than we could ask or imagine.  Our God is a God of forgiveness and healing, which is what each of us needs.  

"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." {2 Chronicles 7:14}

In our February update video, we said that we strongly feel that we are called to intercede on behalf of the Thai people.  We want to cover our neighbors in prayer, and those we see around town.  We want this nation to be covered in prayer. 

Please join us on our knees as we wait expectantly for the Lord to blow our minds by His mighty work here.  

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  {Ephesians 3:20-21}

And please pray for this little girl.  I don't know her name or anything about her, but our Father in Heaven knitted her together artfully in her mother's womb.  He knows and loves her.  He longs for her.  Pray that she would come to know Jesus, the One who gave His life for her.  

In Christ Alone,

Kate

Local Commotion

After one terrifying van ride from Lopburi to Bangkok, which included 25 people in one 12 passenger van, we have been much more inclined to take the train for our travels.  This mode of transportation has a lot of character -- many unexpected things take place that are worth sharing.  Here's a snapshot of your everyday train ride.  

Going Frugal

Third class seating on the Thai train is free for Thai people.  For the "farang" (foreigner) it costs up to 24 Baht (that's less than $1 per ticket).  We like this price, so we always try for third class.  This price guarantees a ride on the train, not a seat.  There is no air conditioning in this class, but there are rotating fans on the ceiling and the windows open offering a nice breeze.  

Dress Casual

The only downside of those nice breezy windows, is that this seems to be the season when farmers are burning their fields.  Don't wear your nice clothes on the train because you usually get powdered by some ashes as you ride through farm country.  

Evidence of a Collectivist Culture

The West is very individualistic in many ways, but here in Thailand that is not the case.  This becomes surprisingly evident on the train when total strangers take us under their wing.  Every time we have ridden the train, those around us have completely rearranged seating to ensure that Phil and I get to sit together.  They also take the time to find out where we plan to get off so that they can make sure we know when we've reached that location.  

Spare Change Pays Off

Don't forget to have 5 Baht (Thai currency) ready to hand out the window when the train stops at the Ban Phachi Junction.  In return you receive a cup of amazing coconut ice cream right through your window!  Brilliant marketing strategy.  (Not to mention that first and second class do not get this because their are sealed in their air conditioned cars).  

Ride Hungry

Aside from the ice cream, there are several dining options on the train.  Vendors walk up and down the aisles selling fresh fruit, cold drinks, and various dishes that are Thai specialties.  

Hot Season Caution for Train Passengers

Have we mentioned that it gets hot here?  Well, let us tell you that it gets really HOT. This past week a train derailed, and the cause: some news reports claim the weather was so hot that it affected the stability of the tracks.  There were only minor injuries due to this accident.  

People Watching

Watching the other people on the train... always enjoyable and a cultural learning experience.  We get to chat with lots of new people, and learn more about how Thai people interact.  We also get to use our language skills which can be great fun, and a good motivator to keep learning.  

One favorite memory from the train was watching an older woman buy a hammock from a train vendor.   She skillfully bartered for a lower price and concealed all emotion during the transaction.  Once the vendor was gone, another lady asked how much the hammock costed.  The older woman's face was priceless as she proudly announced the price of her purchase.  

STAY TUNED for more snapshots of life in Thailand.

First Update Video from the Field!

Encountering Push-back

"Keep Thailand Buddhist and leave your God in the good old USA :("

That is the comment that was posted not even 24 hours after uploading our update video onto Vimeo.  As we send out our first update video, we have also become increasingly aware of the resistance the Gospel will receive (and consequently, we will also receive).  

Satan knows that Jesus is pouring out His Spirit, and Satan will do all he can to hinder that work.  Please pray fervently for the Lord's work to prosper in this country.  

_________________________________________

So, we had fun filming some shots from our everyday life here... we thought we'd share with you our first video update from the field!

Bookhamer Update Video Feb 2013 from Phil & Kate Bookhamer on Vimeo.

The Testimony of a Lifetime

Some people just have incredible testimonies.  I always wished that mine was more exciting, but I guess there are blessings in having a boring testimony, too.  

Long bus trips apparently bring out the best in us...

Worship at Singburi Market Church

 Phil and I started going to a small church in Singburi, a town that is 15 miles away from our town.  Although 15 miles doesn't seem like much by American standards, it still takes us an hour to get there by bus.  Even though the Market Church, as it is commonly called, is fairly small, it's got a lot of passion; even charisma!  

But this post isn't about the church itself, it's about the man who came to speak last Sunday.  He looks white on the outside, but he is perhaps just as Thai as the nationals.  He doesn't speak much English, so some of the "hows" and "whys" and "whens" are a bit foggy.  But here are the snapshots of his testimony that we know...

His mother passed away when he was young, and he was abandoned by his father into a Thai orphanage where he was raised.  

Some time later, he discovered a mass on his throat.  I'm not sure if it was cancerous or not, but we know it was serious.  This medical issue took him to a hospital where he was treated by a doctor who was also a missionary.  

This man has now lived a fruitful life as a missionary among the Thais, bringing the message of healing and salvation to the people he loves.  

Isn't it amazing that the Lord used a very serious health issue to bring this man to salvation?  And that the Lord is still redeeming what must be one of the most painful experiences of this man's life, being abandoned by his own father.  Had he not been raised in Thailand, he would not have such insight into the culture, nor would he have the linguistic fluency of a native Thai speaker.  

Praise the Lord that He is a God of healing and transformation.  Please pray for this man to continue being a living testimony of the Lord's redemptive work.  

A Time of Suffering

       We enjoy sending photos and stories about the good times, but this post has taken me a long time to write.  I have tried to write again and again.  It seems so discouraging sometimes that I have had to ask Kate to do most of the writing.  To be honest, if it were not for the Lord and Kate, I think I would have left Thailand a few weeks ago.
       I anticipated that suffering would come as we moved to Thailand, but I imagined it in different ways.  I thought it would be mainly physical.  The reality has been physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological attacks.  These have pushed me to the point of saying, "Lets go home.  It's not worth it.  It is not worth loosing sanity, friends, health, our lives, or our marriage."  Times like these are when we are really tried and we have to reach the conclusion that the gospel of Christ is worth it all.  When we give our all, he alone will sustain us.  He will keep our sanity, lives, marriages, friends, health and everything else in the palm of his hand.

       Through all this I will say that I rejoice that this past month has been rough because it has truly strengthened my walk in Jesus, my love for God, and my love for Kate.  When Scripture says that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3), it is deeper truth than we can realize.  Although spiritual attacks have come, Jesus has been using them as a refining process in my life.  In part, I wish it would have come in a different way, but I am thankful because it has caused me to really cling to Christ.  I have learned, more than ever, that we have victory in Christ Jesus alone.  Jesus has given us the victory in him over sin, death, and everything else that tries to pull us away from him.
       I have gained new insights into his word and what it is to be free in Jesus.  The Lord has shown me grace and mercy, and his word has been more active and alive in my life than I can ever recall.  I rejoice and praise the Lord that he allows us to suffer for a short time that we may see his glory and know that he is truly the way, the truth, and the life.
       God is good.  Seeing Christ through Kate has given me a better understanding of the grace and mercy of our Lord.  So, to end this somber post, times are tough and it is tough to rejoice, but we will because God is faithful always.  We will fight with all we have for our lives and the lives of others, for the gospel and salvation that is in Jesus Christ.  He is worth it all.  Persevere in the faith.

Slaves to Christ,
Phil and Kate

The Missionary Survival Kit

"How do missionaries survive life on the field?"

Just in case this question has been plaguing you lately, we thought it would be useful to give you a picture just a few of our field survival strategy.  

"Reliable" Transportation (a.k.a. Bikes)

Pest Control: Ant Chalk

Pest Control: Bug Zapper

Ants... to keep us thankful

A vicious guard dog... 

Protection (a.k.a. Slingshot)

Lots of naps!

Repair Kit: Glue, paint, twine...

Creativity (a.k.a. Pinterest)

A Few Additional Items: 

A WORN OUT BIBLE

• "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." -2 Corinthians 4:17

LOTS OF PRAYER

GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

AND GOOD MOTTOS

• "Tie some twine around it... that makes anything look better..." -Kate
• "May pen rai" -Thai for "No worries"

Today We Grieve | Counting the Cost

Today we grieve with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Two families have lost loved ones on the Thai mission field this week.  Two car accidents, three lives claimed.  We do not personally know these families, but our hearts are close as we have been called to minister to the same nation.  

One family lost two children in a car accident.  The other family was hosting the wife's parents, and a separate car accident claimed the life of the wife's mother.  

We cannot begin to comprehend the depth of their grief, but we are in awe of their strength.  This is a link to the most recent prayer letter of the family who lost two children... it is powerful to read.  


Please lift these families up in prayer in order that we may bear some of the burden of their grief (Galatians 6:2).  


I am not as strong as they are.  After two days in a row of hearing stories of missionaries who have lost loved ones, I asked Phil if this was worth it.  I find myself counting the cost and, sometimes, not sure if I am willing to give it all.  It can be so easy to say, "Yes, Lord!  I surrender all to you!  Take my life!"  But when life gets tough, when you watch people giving everything, and it hurts, sometimes you question.  

As Phil and I were praying for these families today, the Lord gave me a new perspective on sacrifice in my earthly life.  The Lord showed me again why the Gospel is worth my all.  

The message of salvation in Christ is worth everything I have to offer and more, because an earthly life in exchange for an eternal life is like ashes for a crown of beauty (Isaiah 61:3).  It is an unfair trade is the most glorious way.  I have been given life and salvation freely, and I choose to give my life back to the Lord to be used in whatever way brings the most glory to His name.  Amen.  

In Psalm 39, David says, 

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.  You have made my days a mere handbreadth;    the span of my years is as nothing before you.Everyone is but a breath,    even those who seem secure."

Death seems to put life into perspective.  Let's live with the realization of how fragile life is, and let that knowledge change how we spend the precious days we are given.  

 

Thanking God for Ants...

Phil thanked God for ants tonight... 

I definitely didn't see that one coming.  

I wasn't feeling very thankful for them myself.  They entered our house by the thousands when it rained the other day, and then decided to make themselves at home.  Before I am able to shower each morning I have to wash hundreds of them down the drain!  They are constantly on our kitchen table and on our bed.  Whenever you sit on the couch you find at least 3 or 4 crawling on you.  Not my idea of a praise report.

The shock effect of Phil's prayer got me thinking though.  It's very easy for me to pick out the nice things in life and thank the Lord for those.  And if I think positively enough then it makes all the other, not-so-nice, things more bearable.

But maybe that's not the right attitude.  

Perhaps the Lord is trying to teach me to be truly thankful for those things that are hard, uncomfortable, and inconvenient.  This concept doesn't make sense from a human perspective, but Paul understood it,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  ...That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 When I go through difficult situations, it reminds me of my own human frailty and causes me to rely on the Lord more fully.  In light of this new perspective...

here is my list of praise reports from the field:

I'm thankful for... 

• Toilets that have to be flushed with a bucket of water
• Cold showers
• Diarrhea 
• The latch that falls off our door every time we open it
• Language barriers
• The curtains in our home (they're really ugly)

All of these things, although uncomfortable or inconvenient, remind me where my strength is from and in whom to place my hope.  

And, most of all, 

I'm thankful for a husband who thanks Jesus for the ants.  

Loi Krathong | "Festival of Lights"

It's amazing how beautiful the darkness can appear when light is added.  The moon illuminates the night sky with it's pale reflections of the sun's light.  Manmade fireworks are a brilliant display of colorful brightness.

Tonight we attended a Thai festival called Loi Krathong, which translates to "Festival of Lights".  Always celebrated on a full moon, this is a time for people to make offerings to the spirit of the river, asking forgiveness for polluting it's waters.  Small boats are made out of banana wood or bread and elaborately decorated with live flowers.  A candle and incense are lit on each one and they are sent, floating down the river, as a sacrifice.

Reflections of Light
How amazing that even amid the blackest darkness there can be a ray of light!  Pale reflections of the Truth finding their way in among the lies of this world.  The Thai people who participated in the festival tonight recognized a need for forgiveness in their lives.

God is gracious to love each of us while we are yet sinners (Romans 5:8).  Although we are thankful that the people tonight know that they have sinned, we are also sad that they seek forgiveness from one without power to forgive.  Christ alone has that power (Mark 2:6-12).

Perhaps this is a good starting point for ministry - finding some truths within their culture and introducing Christ from there.  Beginning with the light that is reflected into their lives and showing them the source of that light...  Jesus, the Light of the world (John 8:12).

Please Pray

• That the Lord would bless us with relationships in which we can be salt and light;
• For Thai Buddhists to come to recognize Jesus as the true Light of the world... 
• ... that they would find true forgiveness in Him!  

p.r.a.y.i.n.g...c.r.e.a.t.i.v.e.l.y.

Last Monday was a day of hard work, and we have nothing tangible to show for that work... for now. Oswald Chambers once said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." On Monday, that is exactly what we did, but it may not have looked as you might expect.

To be honest, when I saw that the entire day on Monday was set aside for prayer, I had to mentally prepare for a loooong day.  What a pleasant surprise it was to find out that no one had the intention of sitting around in a circle praying through a bullet-point list.  Not only did we spend hours praying together, but we were also creative, artistic, and laughed quite a bit!

Worship started and concluded the day.  Throughout the day four people shared reflections from Matthew 4, the temptation of Jesus.  Each of these reflections was followed by a unique time of prayer.  (See photos below)

There was time to visit each of the prayer stations and pray silently.  In another room there were tables set up with paper flames to write out prayers for whatever country or issue was on our hearts.  These flames were then displayed together to show the power of prayer.  

The white board made up the Thailand prayer station with photos, a map, and prayer points--
all things that symbolize the Thai culture and needs in society.
The Philippines prayer station is the table on the left.  

The Indonesia prayer station, again with photos and
items symbolizing the Indonesian culture.  

Prayer station for South Korea and Japan

The next prayer activity that I participated in was modeling our prayers with clay.  This could be depicted in abstract or concrete designs.  Below are some of the prayers that resulted from our group...

A prayer for those in Islamic nations to experience the presence of the Lord and be freed from Islam.

Person praying, connected by a chain of prayer to the Bible.
Depicting confidence in the Word of God, and the desire to be
more faithful in prayer.

Coin in open hands with dual meaning...
1. Everything we have we give back to the Lord
2. Our hands are open to our Father who meets all our needs and provides for us

A prayer to flourish in whatever place and situation
the Lord places us in.  

A prayer for the various denominations in a specific country
to be unified through the Holy Spirit, calling out with one
heart in prayer, growing and reaching out to those around
them, with roots growing deep into Christ.

M&M prayers - take a small pack of M&Ms and pull them out one at a time.
Each color corresponds with a bowl filled with prayer requests.  Take a
request to pray through and then either place the M&M on the paper or eat it!  :)  

As much fun as this day was, I believe that there are some important take-aways.  

Relationships in our day-to-day lives are often filled with fun.  We do all kinds of fun things with our kids, friends and family members, but we are not usually creative in our interactions with God, the Creator of fun.  These photos are very exciting to me... I truly believe that our relationships with Jesus could be richer if we spent fun and creative time with Him.

I love the verse in Exodus 35 when Moses is explaining how the LORD has filled and gifted Bezalel,

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel... and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts."  (Exodus 35:30-33)

This is a great illustration of how much our God values creativity.  I'd like to encourage you to go out on a limb and revamp your time with Him - especially if you're feeling spiritually dry. 

Being creative in time spent with the Lord takes work for me.  I have to really think of activities that would enrich me spiritually.  But I want to encourage you... "Longdoo!"  That's the Thai word for "try"... try being creative with the LORD sometime, and let Him surprise you by how He moves.

The Colors of Singapore

We've now been overseas for more than a week without updating you.  Yes, we're alive!  Here's a glimpse into our lives at the moment.  


**If you're going to skim, don't miss the "Humorous Highlights" throughout and the photos at the end**

Kate's Take: 

It's official: I love the tropics!  

Singapore is very hot, humid, and tropical (see photos below).  Little geckos run along the walls and small ants claim the floors.  There are beautiful botanical gardens across the street from where we are staying.  The plants seem bigger than life; we even came across some large lizards (3 feet in length) in the gardens!  

This sums it up well.

Being that this the rainy season here, we've had rain most days.  Usually not lasting more than a couple hours, the rain is often accompanied by thunder and lightening.  

Humorous Highlight: We were given a lesson in "Lightening Safety" in one of our courses because Singapore gets more lightening than almost anywhere else in the world.  

Back in Class

Our time here with OMF has been a time of transition, fellowship, and education.  Every morning begins with candidates and staff gathering together in worship and prayer for various fields, departments, and individuals.  Sharing testimonies is highly valued as well.  

We gave our testimonies Tuesday morning in front of candidates and staff. We are the only missionaries in the current Orientation Course that are headed to Thailand, so our testimonies were met with much enthusiasm.  Many staff members, who used to be missionaries in Thailand, came up to us with encouragement, stories of their time on the field, and helpful insights.   

Humorous Highlight: In one of our medical sessions we learned that we will be required to go through a "de-worming" process every six months while on the field.  No worries though, visitors are free of this obligation!  

Singapore... is that a city or a country?  

Singapore is a very modern city (city-state to be exact) and is fairly westernized in many ways.  English seems to be the most common language, which is nice for us as we explore.  There are lots of fun things to do and see.  

Humorous Highlight: We have gotten lost numerous times now simply trying to cross the road.  Some streets do not allow pedestrians to cross at street-level, forcing them into a maze of underground tunnels which lead to any number of places (i.e. shopping malls, subways, and other streets).    

Lessons in Culture

We have had many cross-cultural experiences that are fun enough to mention.  We are joined at OC (Orientation Course) by many from the UK and Australia.  Apparently, American English and UK English are considerably different.  There's been quite a bit of laughter as we discover each others' home cultures and get a taste of the culture here...

• Tea Time: Every day at 10:40 AM we have tea time (which I love).  We've been introduced to "Milo," a powdery substance much like hot cocoa mix.  Add some cream and sugar and it's a fantastic tea time drink (or "cuppa" if you're an Aussie).  
• Roti: There is a small Roti-Prata cafe' within walking distance of OMF HQ.  Roti is an Indian dish that can be served as a meal or a dessert.  It is one of Phil's favorite desserts from his time in Thailand.  We've been frequenting this cafe'.  
• China Town: We got the chance to explore China Town with some other "OMF-ers" as we are called (see photo below).  We all had a good time ordering at the food vendor carts.  Thankfully, someone pointed out to us the sanitation ratings on the front of each cart (we were only supposed to order from "A" and "B" rated carts).  
• Dessert was very interesting... multi-flavored, shaved ice on a bed of jelly cubes and red beans.  I'm still not sure what I think.  

Humorous Highlight: Those from the UK and Australia do not know what a baby stroller is; they refer to them as a "pram" or a "buggy."   

Also: pants are "trousers"; flip flops are "thongs"; and a woman's slip is a "petticoat" (which will made someone blush if you bring it up in conversation).  

Photos

Although the weather has been quite grey and rainy, we did manage to get out to snap a few photos for you.  

In-Culturating

We had dinner in China Town (which is close to Little India) during the Indian Deepavali festival.  

Phil thought this was funny because it said "No Tooting."
Turns out, it says, "No Touting," which is equivalent to "No Soliciting."
Sorry Phil. 

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens across the street from us.  

Miles and miles of gorgeous flowers and various tropical plants.

We need to invest in a tropical plant identifier :)

There are many orchids in this part of the world, I think they are a favorite of mine.

Congrats if you made it all the way to the end of this blog post!  I know, it's a long one.  Hopefully you enjoyed a brief taste of Asia.  We love you all in Christ, and really appreciate your support!  

In Him,

Kate