Ghost Ladybug and Squid

Day 5 and 6 have been such a blast. We have been hanging out with our ministry partners more and it has been so fun getting to know them better. 

Day 5:

Today was our first day to go out with our ministry partner and start talking to freshman in the caf. Right now, we are trying to build friendships with these students and really just be interesting to them. We, CCP, pretty much are bait. We are the shiny cool toy that attracts the Thai students, but that is kind of all we can be right now. If we rush it, we could ruin the relationship from the start. Tikky and my target goal is the Education freshman. We will try and hang out with these 40 girls because they will be here the longest and P. Betsy (our staff leader) has already met all the sophomores, juniors, and seniors.The freshman are easy to spot because of their white shoes. Only the freshies wear the white shoes. After lunch we took a break and then went to the night market together. Better believe I was picked up on a motorcycle.SO MUCH FUN. I met some of Tikky's friends and walked around the night market looking at cute cheap clothes and yummy fruit. Dinner consisted of squid and shrimp. I ate 2 bites. So very thankful though for this food, especially lime smoothies.

Day 6

Today started with a double date trip to the Amazon cafe( coffee shop). I was so excited, just picturing a yum bagel, muffin, anything.. but sadly none were available. Little disappointing when I saw rice patties as the breakfast option. Towns and I split the blueberry smoothie instead. After that we went to the church and listened to a sermon about the urgency of spreading the gospel. It talked about how hell is real and Jesus can come any day. How much do we hate someone to not share the gospel with them? God uses our weaknesses in his strength. I love knowing that. Evangelism-not a strength of mine. After training, we went to lunch again with our ministry group. I met with Tikki and some of her friends. We had such a good conversation and found out some of their nicknames which included:

Bear, Nun, Elephant, and Ghost Ladybug(of course because she likes to fly and ladybugs are everywhere)

After lunch, we took a break and then met up with them again for the freshman orientation. The freshman were introduced and we actually were introduced as well. Favorite moment: As I was walking back to my seat, a Thai student yells I love you Katy and does the "I love you sign". Such a sweet moment. Later, we met up with some of the Freshman for dinner at the market place again. When  I introduce myself as Katy, they love to laugh and say "haha.. Katy Perry." so cute. I found out that my name in Thai means Coconut milk. Apparently, it's a good name. 

This week has been so incredible and I thank you for your prayers. Now I pray to be selfless, be a servant, and to not grow weary. They respect and value their king so much, and I want them to know the REAL king. How in awe we should all be of him. Thanks again for your prayers!

New words:

aroy-delicious

baba bobo-crazy

narac-lovely

cry cay cay guy-Where can i get fish eggs? 

The marketplace

Had to. They loved it.

Matching t-shirts. Don't worry. Me and Towns will get these.

This is the meal i ate. Well bought and stared at.

Motorcycle drive. Bah so fun!!!

Dragon fruit. Are you Americans jealous right now?

Princess Belle and Black Spaghetti

Day 3.

Day 3 started out with church and then many games of sports. If the boys were not in shape, they will be after this trip. They played 3 games of soccer, followed by 2 games of basketball, badmitton, and knock out. The girls played badmitton and knockout, but were too busy chatting with all our new friends or playing with princess Belle and the other tines. Princess Belle was a name given to the most precious tot by Princess Milcah. I cannot remember her real name. She might be the cutest child I've ever seen. After the games, we met with our ministry group. I loved this night. We went to a cute, romantic spot called "The Green Leaf." Besides the thousands of lizards that crawled around us, it was incredible. It had American food as well! I got a pepsi and rosemary chicken wrap. YUM. During dinner, the Thai students told us their testimony and how they came to know. It was definitley my favorite part. Hearing their stories was so special to me because they went against what their culture believed to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That is incredible! Once my ministry partner, Tickky, converted and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, she immediately told all her friends and some of them have come to know the Lord. I have so much to learn from her and I could not be more excited.

Day 4 was a Sunday, so naturally we went to church. Ha, but Church started at 1 so the students could sleep in. How nice! Love it. Church was amazing. We had lunch and then went into the big room to worship with the Thais. I was wondering how this was going to work out, since we both speak different languages. However, it was the most beautiful worship I've ever experienced. We sang together in our different languages rejoicing the Lord. Emotional experience for me-i cried the whole time. It reminded me of the verse in Revelation 7:9 which says, " After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. "

What an amazing picture of heaven.

After church we played more sports and games and headed home for the night. For dinner I had a drink that literally tasted like a butterfly. Interesting, I know. I fell asleep watching Letters to Juliet in Thai. What a great day. Tomorrow, going into the campus to do some ministry with Tikky!

Words for the day:

Cun Chu Aray- What is your name?

Kob Kun Ca- Thank you

Mai ped- no spicy

The boys after their soccer game

Sweet Princess Belle

Black Spaghetti-I did not order this



Our ministery team



Cankles and Dinos

Swatika!! ( or Hello in Thai)

Finally in Thailand and it has been an incredible experience so far. Meeting these Thai Christians has been so fun and inspiring seeing how they live out their faith. Our journey was a 2 day adventure-very tiring, exciting, and smelly. Our travel flights were from Birmingham to Charlotte, Charlotte to New York, a long lay over from New York to Singapore, Singapore to Bangkok, and lastly Bangkok to Khon Kaen where we were greeted with smiling faces, Thai students, and sweet kids running around everywhere. It was probably the best greeting I've ever had. One of my favorites being from a cute little boy named Sam. He greeted me by taking a picture of me with his cross necklace, as well as swinging a light saber at my face. Right when we got back to "The Great Diamond"( our residence) we all were out in 10 minutes. Of course, because of the jet lag, we were  up the next day at 5 am in the morning wide awake.Good to be in my new home for the next two months.

Double decker plane! Who knew there could be an upstairs to a plane?

Large and in charge cankles after the 17 hour plane ride. Did not know this could happen either.

Day 2.

The next day we went on a city tour to visit all the city sites. We saw temples, markets, stray dogs EVERYWHERE, and visited a big mall with a fresh supermarket.  After the tour, we went and ate with all the Thai families and their children at Ja Pawn.( a place where there are vendors everywhere). I've learned that I love lime smoothies here. The fruit is just too good. I'm obsessed. I've realized that I absolutley love my team and can't wait to get to know them more and more as the summer goes on. Thank you all for your support, prayers, and love for this amazing opportunity. 

Words I have learned.

chai-"yes"
mai-"no"
jah yin yin nah-"easy tiger"

My new favorite fruit. (ngom) Looks deceiving, but taste incredible.

Just a normal stray cat laying on the tables where we eat. No big.

Yummy food. Watermelon smoothie and fried rice!

Motorcycles are frequently used  in Thailand. I loved seeing the girlie girls with bows on their head cruising on a motorcylcle.

Motorcycle by the lake. My favorite place on the tour.

August in front of the mall. Interesting advertising.

Townsend and I in front of one of the many Buddhist temples

I'm in love with little Sam

Interesting fact. There are many dinosaurs statues and shrubbery in Khon Kaen. This is because they found a dinosaur fossil here years ago. They are proud of their discovery. Molly Mitch, if you are reading this- this pic is for you.