Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 6/5/2010
Ok, it's not really a treehouse (thats just what we call it) but they do have a lot of similarities; a nice view overlooking the neighborhood (or village in our case), bugs, a lack of outlets, morning sunlight, and a cool breeze (at night....sometimes). One of the more unique places we've called "home" these past eleven months, but a fun story
nonetheless!
Another fun story of this past week is that we are legit English teachers. Teaching multiple classes a day; racking our brains for fun songs and interesting topics, have been the subject of our afternoon conversations. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, is a real winner and who knew the Hokey Pokey would be such a hit! Popsicles with beans, rice, and more have been a refreshing treat these past days as well. Leave it to someone on our team to listen for the bell as the ice-cream man wheels past our place. We've had some good times in Cambodia this past week and are expecting some good times to come these final weeks of our
race!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 6/5/2010
Hoping we would get to see them again, knowing it might not work out; Madeline and I said goodbye to our English class.
A few minutes later, we sat down with the school's director and heard his vision of wanting to build up his school, its reputation, resources, and status with the government. His one request of us was to pray; to pray the school would continue to grow and its students would come to know Christ while in his care. After our conversation we said goodbye and walked away, wishing we could spend just a little more time with them all.
Today however, we had a surprise. During their break, our class of students came (on their own) to say hello. We played a quick game and waved as they ran back to class. It was so much fun and exciting to see them again! A special visit we truly enjoyed and one we never would have expected! Thanks God for the surprise and encouragement!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 5/28/2010
I don't even know the names or stories of so many of the kids I have met this month. With the language barrier and few translators, it is hard to do anything more than play games or share a few Bible stories . A few days ago though, at the AIDS orphanage, the nurse ran into the room, handed me a little baby boy, and explained that his name meant "Strong One." In Vietnamese culture one's name is important. Nearly everyone can tell you the meaning or some significance of their name.
As the nurse continued to tell me this boys story, I learned His mom had died a few weeks prior and he hadn't been in the orphanage long. After our conversation, it made me wonder the names and stories of all the kids in the room. Still however, all I could think about was "strong one" and the irony of it all. A weak little AIDS baby, orphaned just weeks ago, whose mom's hope for him was to be "Strong"!
I sat there holding him a bit longer and began to pray. I prayed for the person he would become and what God was going to do in and through his life. A verse came to mind, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-11)
My hope and prayer is that "Christ power" will "rest" on this child's life, and I believe he will grow up to be a strong man of God. Mark 11:23-24 says, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain go throw yourself in the heart of the sea and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have recieved it, and it will be yours." Being truly strong and strong in the Lord I believe and trust God this little one will live out the meaning of his name!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 5/27/2010
A Few Random Tidbits From My Time
In Vietnam...
I tried to eat the Big cheese a three pound burger- didn't quite get my picture on the wall though
I saw a few rice fields in the highlands and what it looks like just after it is picked.
The church we went to had someone's pet monkey ( it was a little sad he was on a chain though)
Nha Trang is a beautiful beach
Crossing the street is a contact sport of sorts
Mango Steins are my favorite asian fruit!
... I also still think Asia might be my favorite continent!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 5/27/2010
After a 9 hour bus ride from Nha Trang I got to my room, dropped my stuff on the floor, and fell asleep to the screeching sounds of Vietnamese Karaoke. A few short hours later I awoke to trumpets, trombones, and more. A marching band of sorts, right outside my window; merely part of a funeral procession on the streets of Ho Chi Minh!
I would describe this month and this city as chaotic, not necessarily in a bad way, but interesting I guess. Usually we have a set ministry or two that we stick with the whole month. But this time it was different. I worked and visited with kids in orphanages, Aids children, street children, youth groups, lepers, a house for the blind, and multiple churches. A few overnight bus rides and a wide array of experiences would describe my travels this month.
The first place I was able to go was up in the highlands. We spoke in their church service, worshiped with the congregation, played games, and loved on the kids at a nearby school. It was a great trip and really beautiful. Taking 21 hours to drive there it was a little intense for a weekend trip (it takes less time to drive to Colorado from Cali), but definitely quality bonding time with those in the car along the way!
The second trip I was able to make was 9 hours or so outside of Ho Chi Minh. It was in Nha Trang, a beautiful beach area. While there, we talked, worshipped, and prayed with lepers that have been alienated by their families and villages. They are amazing people who love and trust the Lord. They also probably encouraged us as much if not more than we encouraged them. I love the time spent with them and the opportunity to have a few more days outside the hustle and bustle of the city. The views of the water weren't that bad either.
All in all my time in Vietnam has been a little random and chaotic. It's kind of like crossing the streets of Ho Chi Minh. I could never tell you the timing of it, or how we do it without getting hit; but somehow we keep walking and always make it across. Though this month was a bit crazy here and there I know God led us to the right places at the right times, all we had to do was keep walking.
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 4/30/2010
I remember a song from VBS as a kid. The words were "God loves a cheerful giver, ha ha ha ha, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Whoever sows generously will also reap generously." This song comes from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 and is a great example of the generosity our "family" in Thailand has shown us.
They are generous not because the have excess to give, but because they give what they have; they give their hearts, they give their time, they give their energy, the give their money. They give all of who they are!
One of the theme verses at the camp we helped with this past week was Matthew 22:37-39. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it love your neighbor as yourself." I always like the sequence of this verse and how they are connected; especially the part that says "the second is like it." A big part of loving God is loving others.
1 John 4:7-8 says it well. "Dear friends let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love." All that to say Mom, Pastor, Tik, Tuk and their friends Mook, Pooh, and Aoi know God...and have loved God by loving us these past two weeks. Their intentionality, generosity, and care for us has been an amazing representation of Christ's love.
- Before we even arrived mom sewed us fun purses as a gift from the church. She prepared in advance for our arrival and made us feel included in their family.
- They also had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches always available for a snack if we needed it. It was as if they knew us (at least our culture and what we would make us feel comfortable).
- We attended family and church gatherings, met the grandparents, and were able to participate in holiday festivities.
- They toned down the spice for us in the dishes they made because they knew we might have a hard time with it.
- And for my birthday they treated me as one their own; letting me celebrate with the compassion children that also have birthdays in April. We had birthday cake, fondue, presents and all! It was a very unique and fun birthday!
-
We all had buddies to exchanged notes or little gifts throughout the week with too. It has helped us get to know one another in such a short period of time, and is something that made us all feel included and cared for.
Their intentionality with us has been above and beyond and a blessing from God. Working with this family has been one of those experiences where you go in expecting to give to them, but they bless you a hundred fold in return. I love that God's kingdom functions that way and it is amazing to see firsthand!
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 reads, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly but whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
You should hear moms laugh, see Pastors smile, and experience the cheerful hearts and giving that this compassion program produces. Even the little kids at camp were using their allowance to buy some of us gifts instead of treats for themselves. It is awesome to see Christ's love in these people, their home, their church, and ministry to the community...my hope and prayer is that we can take their joy and generosity and bring it to others we come into contact with (both here on the race and when we get home)!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 4/28/2010
A few random things I have learned/done in Thailand!
The mangoes here are better than in Africa (in my opinion)...and the fruit as a whole is AMAZING!
Compassion is a great organization that really impacts the kids and their family's lives!
We helped out at a camp, on zoo grounds, in Pattaya... While there, I got to take my picture with a tiger and ride an elephant!
We rode a Karaoke Bus to camp; flashing lights and all!
I am a fan of the Thai new year celebration!
I don't really like Spicy food!
7-11s are everywhere....and though I really don't go to them at home they are a comfort of sorts!
It got to 104 degrees (with an intense humidity) the other day
I love smoothies and icees
We met with some of the people from the leper colony; it was a good experience to see where they live and talk with them a bit!
We took a trip to the river and dug for clams; so the church can have a fun dinner next Sunday.
I really like Thailand, its people, and the culture as a whole!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 4/27/2010
Picture this; A bus of 50 campers ( ages 8-16), a karaoke machine, flashing colored lights at every seat, a mic with a loooooong cord....and an overnight ride ahead. Thai Karaoke on a 10 hour bus rice was definitely a memorable experience!
in all reality, this whole month has probably been one of the most memorable of the trip! My team has been working with Selaphum Church and the Compassion program here in Northern Thailand. We were a part of two Compassion camps this past week and had a great time getting to know the kids. The first camp was English Camp. It was up north in a jungle area with the theme "Walk as Jesus Walked". My teammate Erin and I got, to teach the 7-9 year olds. We made balloon animals, learned the alphabet, silly songs, fun bible stories, and played games. We enjoyed our class, and (to be honest) every other kid at camp as well.
The second camp we were able to help out with was for Compassion children from all over Thailand. This one was held Pattaya at the Botanical Garden. It was really pretty and packed full from beginning to end. Our mornings here started around 6:00AM.
Over the past week we have helped out with a wide array of things; from leading worship, to giving messages, to playing games, to splitting up into our classes, to packing ourselves( with everyone's stuff ) in the back of a pickup truck, and last but not least riding a bus ( in style) with Thai Karaoke. It really has been a great week full of fun memories! We were glad to be included in the camp and love the kids we've met!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 4/24/2010
Songdkian is the Thai New Year celebration. It is celebrated for three days straight with a huge water war.. We were so excited to be a part of it this year... and it truly has been filled with some of the craziest water fights I have ever experienced
We arrived in Selaphum the frist day of the celebration. On the drive up from Bangkok our car was hit three times with random buckets of water...little did we know that this was just scratching the surface of what was to come!. That night, after arriving, we had to go through town to get mangoes (in the back of our pastors pickup truck). We might as well have jumped in a swimming pool we got so wet! Every couple shops along the road had a mass of people in front of it with water guns, hoses, and buckets ready to throw at whoever came their way. Some water was warm and some was FREEZING cold, as if they had let it sit in the freezer for a moment to make sure we would REALLY feel it!
Day two was even more intense; we were given tropical family shirts; Everyone matched as we drove 2 hours in the back of the pick up, to go to a family new Years celebration we won;t soon forget. The moment we left water was flying every which way. . We even ran out of water before we got there so we stopped by a little lake, refilled our buckets, and were ready once again! We had a blast, were soaked, and drenched a few ourselves along the way!
One we arrived at the celebration...Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were all there. It felt like a fun 4th of july barbecue, only it was April, a water fight, and hot pot ( or asian type of fondue) outside under a grass roof. It was so much fun..the food was incredible, the company was amazing, and the holiday itself is one I wish we could celebrate in America.
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Amanda Pattison on 4/18/2010
As most of you know I am fully funded for the rest of the race. My friends Casey and Erin however, still need some financial support. Here is a video for you to get to know them a little bit. Enjoy!!!
" Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
II Corinthians 9:6-8
Casey and Erin Scritchfield need just under $4,000 to be fully funded for the World Race. We are believing with them that they will be fully by the end of the race. YOU can help!!
You can pray.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. None of us could do this without all of you! | |
|
Next 10 Articles >>
|
|
|
