Happy New Year!

What a full year 2008 was, and 2009 promises to be no less exciting.  This year I will move to Thailand!  Moving seems like a long way off – I have been itinerating for five months and only have 28% of my monthly budget raised – but I know that God is faithful to accomplish what He has started.

Thailand though is not far off, because I am here in Thailand as I write!  I am here for a SHORT three-week study trip, and so far it’s been great.  I arrived safely in Chiang Mai after a looooong trip (LAX to San Francisco to Beijing to Bangkok (where I spent the night) to Chiang Mai), and I am so happy to be here.  I have been spending time with friends, doing homework, praying, riding my bike, and enjoying living where I know God wants me to be.

For New Year’s Eve, I spent some time with Mark and Janie Durene and their daughter Jocelyn and her husband.  Mark and Janie will be my mentor missionaries when I live here, and they are wonderful people.  Then I went to another friend’s house for a midnight celebration with food and fireworks.

cheap and legal, fireworks are a thrill year-round

I’ve also had some great time with friends, including Wor and Paew who I met and have spent time with ever since my first trip to Thailand in 2006.  On New Year’s Day we went to the Royal Flora Project, a huge area of different gardens and exhibits.

Paew and me – the Thai behind us is the name of the park, “Ratchapruek”

This Monday, I begin two weeks of intensive classes – 8am-5pm lecture everyday.  I will study about intercultural communication and culture transformation.  I am very excited about what I will learn, and how I can apply my knowledge to my future ministry with the Thai people.

May God bless you in this new year!  Thank you for all of your prayers and support in 2008, and thank you for your faithfulness to continue through 2009.  Be sure to check out my most recent newsletter too!