It's 1:30 pm on Wednesday and while you are sleeping, I just finished teaching. Before I tell you about that, let me tell you about our trip yesterday to the "floating market". The team loaded a double-decker tour bus at 7:30 am and left the great city of Bangkok for the jungle. It was amazing to get up on the main bridge looking at the whole city. 10,000,000 people live in Bangkok.
We traveled out of town stopping at a coconut plantation and I had coconut sugar (made from the flower) and got to see how each part of the coconut was used. Then we traveled to a city where we boarded small, narrow longboats--two people wide and five seats long and began to motor up this very dirty canal to the floating market. We found ourselves in a "sea" of other boats--some buying-- some selling--everything from designer purses to food, right out of the boats. It was bizarre to see these old Thai ladies paddling their boats and cooking food right out in this dirty canal. After lunch in a restaurant--not the canal, we went to an elephant farm and got to take pictures (some even road) with the elephants.
The evening included dinner with one of the regional team--too much to tell.
This morning, I taught my final session. It was amazing to see the outpouring of response. People are motivated to give their lives for the cause. They are so appreciative of all that we have taught them and the help we have given them over the years. I just had lunch with the founder and director of ON. He is turning his post over to a National (someone who actually lives in the country that I cannot mention here). I had the opportunity to help him work through the emotions of this transition--giving up his dream so that it can blossom. He wants to do it but it is understandably hard. He shared with me that he felt our meeting was a Divine appointment to help him transition to the next challenge--to reach the business sector in the above country.
I have taken a number of pictures and will try to post them when I return. I have to screen them for security reason. Faces seen by certain officials could result in problems for the team. Amazing how easy we have it in the USA!!! Let us be bold and faithful with our opportunities.
Tim
Have a save trip home, thanks again for serving in this very real way. You didn't say whether you rode an elephant or not, and how could your adventure be complete without eating from the "floating" restuarants.
See you Friday
Posted by: DeWayne McNally | August 20, 2008 at 03:50 AM
Great job, Tim! We are looking forward to, and praying for, your safe return. Can't wait to hear more and see the pix later! Well done. :D Really cool that you got to experience the real culture there! And glad your eating experiences have been positive!! lol
Posted by: Beckye | August 20, 2008 at 08:43 AM
I've been praying for you and specifically for "divine appointments" - so when you posted this blog it was a great reminder of God's faithfulness. Glad you could take in some of the cultural adventures, too... not sure if I could eat anything from the floating restaurants...wish I didn't have so many issues. See you soon!
Posted by: Val | August 20, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Thanks for sharing all the amazing things God is doing throughout the region. It is exciting and challenging how the nationals are taking ownership of their ministry and taking their passion to the entire world. Have a safe trip home. We look forward to having you back here.
Posted by: Doug James | August 20, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Tim, praying for you and the team during these exciting and humbling times there. Love ya, Greg Kappas
Jn. 15:16
Posted by: Greg Kappas | August 20, 2008 at 04:39 PM
God is awesome! It is great to hear about all He is doing through you and the others at the conference. Thanks for your faithfulness to His calling and for the leadership example you set. Praying for a safe return.
Posted by: John Rondeau | August 20, 2008 at 08:00 PM