Blessed Are Those...

What a day.

It's too late to write, so I posted some pictures from today's family visits. Hopefully they'll speak louder than words anyway. This weekend I'll explain what my organization actually does.

Ohhhhh how we take so much for granted.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are the are those who are persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Matthew 5:3-10 

Friendly livestock...

Smothered in Oreos.

Her husband is HIV-positive. She doesn't know.

Grandma's hands shaving bamboo.

This princess and her family drink from the water below.

They work so hard...

::Sigh::

Titus 3:3-5

My mornings start around 6:00 a.m. with a shower so cold my lips turn blue and my heart slows. Call it an exaggeration, but it’s cold. The smell of roasted flesh creeps through my window and I listen to the street vendors yell back and forth as they set up shop for the day. P’ Lek and P’ Pang accompany me to work. It’s an awkward ten-minute walk when our conversation ends after the greeting. I’m practicing my Thai diligently… really, I am. It’s hard.

The office is full of vibrant conversation and nine beautiful, dedicated women. We sit in the tiny kitchen made for tiny Thais, and enjoy breakfast around 8:00. I eyeball each plate to make a mental note of what I want to try the next day, and what I want to stay faaaar from. We disperse to our desks, and the workday begins. There’s chatter back and forth, but most of it means nothing. I can’t communicate the way I want with the people I work and live with. That’s hard.

My orientation with Adrienne, Siam-Care’s director, left me satiated with emotion. Overwhelmed, I sat nauseous for the majority of her introduction as we examined the rise of HIV in Thailand and its ties to some upsetting cultural behavior. I read the children’s books Siam-Care disseminates to educate kids, families, schools, and communities on incest, rape, and pedophilia. THAT, was hard.

I’m still struggling to find my way around… order food… feel useful… and stay awake. It’s dogfights and motorbikes that lull me to sleep. I’m lonely and stuck, and it’s just… hard.

“GET OVER YOURSELF!!” I know, right?! As I slip in and out of pity parties, I realize it’s the perfect opportunity to thank God for the struggles. This experience wouldn’t mean nearly as much if my faith weren’t being challenged and stretched on every level. As Marcus likes to remind me, the hardships (which are SO minuet when I look around) are preparing a stronger heart, more capable hands, and a better equipped disciple to live out the future plans God has for my life.

Small accomplishments – like successfully purchasing food from the market or finding alternatives to language when connecting with kids – will eventually blind these cynical eyes and open my heart to all that’s in store.

So… it’s hard...

Thank goodness.

On the agenda for the month... umm...

Incase you weren't hungry before...

As a form of respect toward those older than you, Thais use a "P" before names. This is P' Ting, and she's been my saving-grace on numerous occasions. 

I'm going on my first home visit Wed. with camera in-hand!!!

...Interim...

I'm all over the place at the moment, but I've thankfully settled into my apartment and job. Until I get solid downtime to shoot and write (hopefully this weekend?), I'll post a few "pickies" to keep your interest.

Please pray God opens the door for some very important photo opportunities. I would love to use this skill in-particular as an instrument to inform and help others. The city flaunts wealth and beauty while massive populations lie unnoticed and uncared for between the cracks... 

The city at dusk.

With music blaring and spandex galore, hundreds of individuals throughout Bangkok get together every morning and evening to do aerobics in the park. It looks like a blast.

My new backyard. Nice and quiet... ; )

There's plenty to report on, so check back soon. Xo

THA101: Intro to Bangkok

Thirty hours, 27 love letters, two books, and ten doses of Dramamine later… I arrived in the sticky city of Bangkok. Dodi met me at the airport and excitedly carried my bags out as he shouted, “it’s cold tonight”. Um, actually it was 79 degrees and I had just left –6 Syracuse… wrong Dodi… not cold. He laughed as I sat myself in the driver’s seat and waited for him to get in. Oops. They drive on the left. In a daze, I rode 30 minutes with a gaping jaw through the city, and was eventually dropped off at a seemingly sketchy guesthouse that reminded me of the hostels I visited in Europe. Everything looks sketchy in the dark. It’s fine. Bangkok is truly international, with all sorts of foreigners buzzing through the streets. Massive malls fill the city center, and ornate temples line the river.

I’ve been left to myself for the past two days. In that time I’ve witnessed a mall shooting, stocked up on Kinder Buenos, stumbled over my Thai, and eaten everything in sight. Orientation is tomorrow. I move into my apartment Tues. and begin work on Wed. My director was present at church this morning, and after one smile and big hug, I knew I'd be worked to the bone. It’s in God’s hands, and my purpose here is to help in any and every way possible. So, BRING IT ON!

The adjustment is… an adjustment. Life will surely get challenging once I begin at Siam-Care. The need is tremendous in this country and I’m blessed to know God is working to touch the lives of those surrounding me.

Ok, ok. Here are the pretty pictures I promised. 

A woman sleeping in the Tokyo Airport.

Monks at the Buddhist Temple, Wat Pho.

Shoes burry the steps outside any temple. Buddhist practitioners are chanting on the right.

The MASSIVE reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.

Prayers in the temple. 

A lot of gold.

This was just a photo I took of Michael and Marcus as they were moving out my apartment.

I've got a lot to say about being a Christian in a predominantly Buddhist culture... Love you! Check back soon.

The Inevitably Poignant, Bittersweet Departure

I’ve done it before and I really think I’m getting better: fewer tears, less stress, and little doubt. This is where God wants me, I know, but when I booked my ticket four months ago, I wasn’t thinking about how much I’d miss dinner around the table with my uncontrollable family and demon-possessed dog. I didn’t consider the girlfriend withdrawal I’ll undoubtedly experience, and I didn’t know I’d be starving for Marcus to be by my side.

I’m once again being held captive in in-between-land, and like any trip that requires separation from everyone and everything I care most about, my stomach is whirling in a thousand directions. But I’ve done it before… I think I’m getting better…

When I escape this miserable cold and am re-introduced to the sun in 90-degree Bangkok, my attitude will unquestionably change. But for now, I’m coveting your prayers for safety and peace. Although my Savior will clutch my hand every step of the way, I wish I weren’t doing this alone. Free from distraction, yes, but we all know there are more laughs with someone else. Please help me laugh with you…

 

My flight leaves tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m., where my intinerary takes me through Detroit, Tokyo, and Bangkok. I'll post my arrival once I find internet. Can’t wait for God to unfold His always-perfect plan so I can turn this cheesy frown upside down. Next post will be from the land of Thai! Love, always.

Gai Pad Prig Pow, Everyone!!

That’s Thai for “Gina’s favorite chicken dish”! I can’t spell “hello” correctly, so… deal with it.

Welcome! For all you oldies but goodies stopping by, here’s my brief introduction to the world that is BLOG: The piece of Internet you’re staring into has been dedicated to the footsteps of my journey in Bangkok, Thailand. There, I will be serving children and families suffering from AIDS through my communications background. A blog gives me the opportunity to share my stories and photos with the friends, family, and stalkers I’ve left back home! I want to stir OOOOs and AAAAHs, laughs, tears and interest… but ultimately I hope to raise awareness coupled with action.

On a side note, my visa finally came!!

 

I want YOU to feel ownership of this experience. Many of you reading this supported me financially and spiritually, and it is because of YOU that I’m able to try my hand at God’s work in another country. I want to be completely candid and open about my experiences as a missionary, but because of cultural and governmental policies in Thailand, I may run into limitations.

This is an interactive form of communication so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE respond in whatever way you’re comfortable! You can leave comments at the end of any post, and if you have questions or would like me to discuss a topic, just let me know! For the most part I’ll be alone, so knowing you’re out there paying attention is such a blessing to me.

I can’t wait to share the good stuff! Thank you for your love, always.