Update:

Hey you guys ..just got back from Ko-Somate.. the island.  I went with a friend to the market one last time.  I will really miss the markets here.  And ..I've found that I've really fallen in love with Thailand.  It's such a great place. So much variety..color ..beauty.

 

The island was GORGEOUS.  I've never actually had a VACATION like that before.  We spent our days laying on the beach and drinking fruit shakes.  I didn't get that much color since  I couldn't wear my swimsuit.  They said we had to wear board shorts and tank tops.  It was still amazing - I had a wonderful time.  Salt water is really something.  I drank a lot of it. 

I picked up a bunch of shells this morning - think I'll make a necklace for you mom.  They have these natural holes already punched in the tops of them.  Pretty cool.

 

Tomorrow's our last full day.  Then Wednesday at 8 am we head out of here.  We'll be flying with the sun, so it'll be the longest day of my life.  We get back on Wednesday at 10: pm in Kalispell, even though we'll have been traveling for three days. 

Our lay-overs are in Taiwan, Seattle, Salt Lake, and then Kalispell.

We'll meet up with one of the other teams in Taiwan..and travel part of the way with them. That'll be nice. Good to see them again.

 

I can't wait to see you all. It's been too long.

 

love-

joanna

Update: 7/27/2007 - Welcome to the Island!

I have such cool news !! We're in Bangkok.. got in early this am. And got a little time to rest and recoup before starting our debrief.

 

We found out later, that tomorrow we'll be going to an island (forget the name) in the gulf of Thailand tomorrow.  We get to spend a few days 'relaxing' on the beach before we head home.  They said they usually do this for every team before coming home - but we had NO idea.  They didn't even hint.  In FACT they said that we had more 'ministry' to do.  And I was just praying so hard.  Because I'm really wore out.  And I was like " God ..ok. I can do this.  Just fill be up.  Be my strength."  And then I find out that I'm going to the beach.  An ISLAND no less.

 

We'll be traveling by Sontow - our main form of transport here - tomorrow at 7 am.  For three hours.  And then when we get to the ocean, we'll be getting into a couple of speed boats.  And traveling for a few hours out to the island.  I'm SO EXCITED!

I had to get some board shorts today since we can't wear two pieces and ..my legs are SOO white from wearing skirts all summer - it's not even funny.

I'm so many different shades of brown and white..it's sad.  I could mix and match every nylon color on my body in different places, how embarrassing.

 

Oh well. Life goes on.

I'm SO EXCITED!

We'll be back on Tuesday and head home Wednesday.

Talk to you soon!!

Update: 7/24/2007 - Orphanage Visit

We went to an AMAZING place yesterday..It's an orphanage called "home of the open heart".  It's run by this lady who's around 50, and reminded me a lot of you mom.  They started it in 2000, and already have 17 orphans living there.  Eleven of them are HIV positive. They have full-time nannies living there and caring for them.  You have to commit to 10 years when you volunteer to work there...so that the children can have you in their lives for a substantial chunk of their growing up years...and aren't constantly getting attached and loosing people.  They also have cottages - that are BEAUTIFUL..and they take in destitute widows/ and mothers -  who are too poor or sick to care for their children, or who have HIV, and will pass on soon.  At least they can know their little ones are in a good place.
 
I broke down in tears several times just walking around the place..because of the presence of God and how well the place was being run.  It was amazing...to see the looks of their faces - even though they know they're dying.. they were so happy.
I could see you running a place like that someday mom.  And if there's something I've been impassioned for during this time at YWAM..It is, to partner with other people who are passionate for God.  And HELP THEM make their dreams a reality. 
 
I love you so much.
 

Update: 7/23/2007 - Church Thing

Thought I'd comment back about the church thing.  We've been traveling to different places every week we've been here so "we've been the service" everywhere.  This last week was the greatest though.  We worshiped in the upper room of the Smoothie Shop with Jesse and his wife Uab.  Nan, Boom, View - and the other Smoothie shop staff..our team, and a few local Thai people.  We sang worship songs and Jono gave the message.  It was incredible!  Reminded me of how it was back when the church began.  A few disciples ..gathering together to worship, pray, and encourage each other in the faith.
 
I love you - keep the notes coming ...they keep me going.

Update: 7/10/2007 - Be the Duck

Today we have our outreach interviews with our leaders to see 'how we're doing'. It's a part of our requirements for 'graduation' when we get back. I think I'll do just fine.

This morning we had a really good time of worship, and intercession for each other. We individually asked Holy Spirit what He wanted us to be focusing on "putting on" for the last few weeks of outreach (this study came out of Colossians 3 - we are dead to our old nature, and need to put on the new nature)... He gave me a picture of water sliding off the back of a duck. And He told me that I needed to be like that ..with difficult people. To not let their harsh words, snotty comments etc. get to me. To not allow a root of bitterness to grow or fester. But to be like that duck and let them roll right off. He told me to focus on being "Courageous in Love". Because we love is our motivation..and we do things with that motive in mind - we do not have a 'circumstantial' attitude. "They did this to me..so I feel this toward them." We become initiators instead of responders.

I've been struggling lately in this area. That's because I was trying to work it up. God's love is never ending...the fuel tank is always full. I need to get my supply from Him. To not let their words, actions, or attitudes determine my words, actions, and attitude toward them. But to see them through God's eyes...be like the duck - let it slide - and be consistent in LOVE and GRACE. Because mercy triumphs over judgment. God has given me grace when I didn't deserve it..just so..I am to freely give what I have received.

An encouraging word - and gentle rebuke - from Father this morning. It was so good. He loves those He corrects. So I know I'm in the right place.

 

My English class is going good. Last night I met my students for the first time - Ann, Oom, Kai Kum, and Bia. They are very cute. Pray that God gives me good Ideas to help them learn, but that I also get to plant seeds and love them into the kingdom.

 

I hope everything there is going well. I miss you all -

 

love, joanna

Update: 7/7/2007 - Cold Coffee & western toilets

I just got to Chang Rai..well, not just. We actually got in last night. Terry and Janean are back too. It was so good to see them again. It felt like "mom and dad" were home. They are like adopted YWAM parents..and are so wonderful. They had a good time in Australia..as good as it can be under the circumstances. The funeral was on Wednesday. And it was an open casket...(which I've never heard of for baby deaths).

 

Chang Rai is great. It's civilization...Our dorm that we're staying in is really nice, with AC in the rooms and even a western toilet that flushes!! And there's a sink and a mirror in the same room as the toilet.

We'll be here for two whole weeks. Jesse and Oab have started a coffee/smoothie shop with YWAM and we'll be working there and building relationships with the university students. In the evening I'll be teaching "English conversation" classes with a few of my fellow team mates. The others will be teacher guitar lessons, doing sports ministry, and hanging out on the campus with the students.. it'll be way different then the work we've been doing in the hill tribes - which was more apostolic and "servicey." We held a lot of programs and did dramas, the dance, and preaching. We'll still do some of that here, but more then anything - it'll be just getting to know these people and live with them in their culture..and share Jesus' love on a day to day deal as we teach them what we know..with the English, music, etc.

I'm excited about the smoothie shop too. It gives me so much hope for the future - just hearing how they got it started. I think of How God might birth YadaRoot coffee shop ministry...and how great that will be. This is the second ministry of this nature, that I've gotten to see and hear about... so I'm really encouraged.

 

Tonight we're going to the night market, and I think some of us will go and get our Hair cut and get Thai massages - which are supposed to be amazing. I've never had a massage before. It's 100 baht for an hour - that's 3 dollars American!!

 

I hope that everything there is going great..and that you're playing lots of scrabble and getting ready for me to come home. I'm really looking forward to sitting around the table with all of you - talking about our last half a year..(5 months). We'll have to buy some Starbucks ice cream and drink the REAL coffee hot and black. The coffee here is good..but it's so much stronger then in the states..so it took me a while to get used to. Also - they serve it in little 4 oz. cups. Everything here is served "small" - even if you order "large". But it's good ..it's really good. Just different. I haven't been able to drink it hot though - because it's soo hot here. So I've been frappin' it up (frappuccino).

 

It's exciting though. God has been giving me really cool ideas for YadaRoot coffee shop. As I continue to travel, and experience different cultures - I want to pick up ideas and recipes (For coffee and pastry/food) and have a multi cultural coffee shop ..with tastes and sounds from all over the world. What do you think??

 

I need to go. But I just wanted to write you and let you know that I'm in Chang Rai - the YWAM family is reunited..and we'll be embarking on a new phase of the journey tomorrow. There's only 3 weeks left. And I'm in a city with internet - this is cheaper. So if you want to reach me..send me a line.

 

love you,  -joanna

Update: 7/6/2007 - Starbucks with rice & beetles

I am looking forward to having the fall at home - if that it was God allows.

 

This past week as been difficult. We've all seemed to reach the end of our supply - physically and spiritually..with these hills tribes. It's been hard to lead a group..when you were the STUDENT the week before. God took care of it though. He used it to teach me more about servant leadership..grace..and patience. God's good like that.

We will be leaving tomorrow for Chang Rai - praise God!! The last three weeks will be spent there. Terry and Janean get back on Saturday night. If all goes according to plan. It will be nice to have them. I don't want to make it sound like this past week has been terrible. It's been really good actually. We're all just tired.

 

We saw 13 people accept the Lord - it was an entire family. The were formerly the village witch doctors. So some of us got to witness/ take part in their 'cleansing ceremony' of burning all their charms and instruments that they had used to call the evil spirits. It reminded me of stories I'd hear from Grandpa and Grandma Walters in Madagascar.

 

On the fourth of July we were preparing to leave the Tribe. They killed a fatted goat. Correction. They had Emily- one of our teammates kill the goat. And then we watched them boil it..skin it..tear it from limb to limb, and make our dinners. Don't worry Dad - I took plenty of pictures. It was really disturbing. =)

 

The kids there were beautiful. I've been taking a TON of pictures of them, and really want to do some serious painting when I get home.

MOM...the end of the week we got to work in an orphanage that you would have just LOVED. It was set up so nice...more like a home then anything. They only had 10 little girls..and they treated them just like their own. We slept with them in one big open room. Under PINK mosquito nets. I felt like a princess.

 

I love you all so much. Eat LOTS OF that wonderful AMERICAN FOOD. You don't know how good you've got it..until you have rice and beetles, bat wing, pig ear, BBQ frog, fish eyes...or some of the other interesting 'delicacies' we've been so fortunate to sample (live on)...ha !!

Everything is funny in retrospect...so they say.

Did I mention we're going to CHANG RAI tomorrow?? God Bless Starbucks for taking over the world!!! ....land o lattes here I come.

 

LOVE YOU - joanna

Update: 7/1/2007 - Power of God in the Hill Tribes

My Dear Friends,

It feels like so much longer then just one week - that I was last able to write you. We left Chang Mai on Saturday night and traveled to Pua, a smaller town 5 hours north (l believe... Haven't seen a map for a while). We arrived there at 4:am in the morning, only to find out that our contact thought we were coming the next day. So we slept on the side walk for a few hours with our luggage..while we waited to find out what was going on. Ironically - it was one of the best sleeps I've ever had.

We stayed in a guest house for one day while our leaders got information about the next hill tribe. That was Sunday...Monday morning we all piled into the back of the Pastor's friend's truck and traveled another 3 1/2 hours north. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen here in Thailand!!

In Baobgea, the hill tribe, we stayed in a bamboo hut on stilts ..and I got the experience of sleeping in a mosquito net for the first time!! There were a lot of friendly people and animals. I had one small cow that was especially fond of me - and followed me everywhere I went. Even the squatty (potty).

God moved in some crazy amazing ways. 31 people made first time commitments to follow Jesus. All were children and teenagers. Two women's backs were healed. Something with the spine - as we felt it move back into place while we were laying our hand on it!  One woman's eyes were healed..and she regained clear vision ...as well as the redness and puffiness went away immediately!!!  That same woman's appendix was healed...not sure what the total problem was with it, but she told Ja, our translator, that she has had terrible pain for a long time - some months - and that pain totally left her that night.

Two mothers brought their children to the church - with high fevers... We prayed and immediately the fevers left and they stopped crying. The One boy was just a small 10 month old.

We worked in the village school teaching English, and in the evenings held church services and visited the sick in their homes. I was blown away by these people's faith. They just expected God to do whatever we prayed. And He did. They told us, "We are so glad you have come. We know that your God is the way. He is our God too. We believe Him..not in man..but in Him."

This weekend we had the opportunity to host an "English Camp" at one of the government schools. This was challenging in a lot of ways - as they did not know that we were coming to also share the gospel. And the school was VERY Buddhist. Every morning and every night loud sirens would sound and the kids would line up and chant to Buddha. It broke my heart and was very discouraging ..because we would tell them about God's love - and then watch them go and bow to a statue made of gold. Literally.

Even through the opposition...God was there...and moved on the kids' hearts. No one got saved..that I know of. But they loved us, and we loved them, and we got a lot of their addresses..and will keep in touch. I believe that through a continued friendship..and more watering of those seeds that were planted...their eyes will be opened. I got attached to some of them though, and it was hard to leave.

Now we are in another small town. Staying at the Pastor's home. We will have tomorrow off - so I will have more time to write a few personal notes to you.

Tuesday - we will be leaving to go to our last hill tribe. This one is three hours north - in another direction. The Pastor says that these people have NEVER HEARD OF JESUS and NEVER SEEN A WHITE PERSON. So we are headed into way new territory. Please remember us in your prayers. He says that they have just been introduced to 'clothes'. As many of them still wear loin cloths...or something. This is what I imagined when I first heard that we were staying in hill tribes - but it has not been the case..until now.

Terry and Janean got terrible news this past week. They lost their first little grand daughter at birth. So they will be leaving our team for 6 days  - as we go to this new spot. And have left Jono and Me in charge....and I would appreciate your prayers for that. That God would give us grace for communication in Thai..and wisdom to be good leaders, and for safety. Also pray for Terry and Janean. As they go to Australia to see their son and daughter in law - for the memorial service.

More later - I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU !!!

- joanna