Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I have been a little under the weather lately. It certainly hasn't been from cold weather though. The temperature is staying around the mid-80's. Whew, and it is already the middle of November! Some of you have been asking what they do here in Thailand to celebrate Thanksgiving. The Thai people do not traditionally celebrate this holiday, as it is an American one. However, several of the Thai Christians have started recognizing the day as a day to give thanks to God. The words for "Thanksgiving Day" in Thai literally mean "the day we thank God." That really hit me this year, for that is what Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about. I am ashamed to say that most years I get so caught up in "what we are going to eat" and "who is coming for dinner" that I forget the beauty of having (in most cases) a whole weekend off of work to focus on all that God has done for me. What a blessing! I challenge you (and myself) this Thanksgiving among all the hustle and bustle of friends and family to take some extra time with the Lord and thank Him once more for all that He has done for you and around you. God is actively at work in our lives, in our churches, and in our world - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Sometimes I let the fact that we literally owe Christ our lives not have such a direct impact on my daily life. May God have all the glory this holiday season!

In Him,
Bethany

Timewise

Just a little note for those of you that are curious. The time here in Thailand does not change for Daylight Savings time. For the next 6 months I will be 1 additional hour away.

Home Again, Home Again...

Well, I am back in Bangkok safe and sound. I had a wonderful trip! The first 2 days were spent in Khao Lak (cow-lack) which is where ABWE had a shelter for the tsunami victims. They determined to have a service every Sunday at the center whether or not anyone showed up. They still have services every Sunday as well as ESL outreaches to the community. They now have some land that they are planning to use to build a larger center/church. It was such a blessing to be able to worship with them. I love meeting more and more of my spiritual family. I hope that I will have the chance to go back and visit again during my time here.


The rest of last week was spent at a resort on the Karon Beach in Phuket. Missionaries from all over Asia were treated to a 3 day/3 nt stay by the Christian Hospitality Network. After the retreat, our team here in Thailand had their quarterly meeting. We flew home the next day, and Lesa and I took one of her missionary friends that we met up with at the retreat around Bangkok. It has been a very busy week! The mtg. went well and the retreat was such a blessing. I feel refreshed, somewhat in my right mind :), and ready to face what God has planned for me this next week.

I hope to talk to you more soon,

Bethany