Stu "Baaah"

Means "crazy stu." Such is learning a new language. "Ba" means "let's go," but I must have held it a little longer than I was supposed to and it turned into the word "crazy" in Thai. And the Thai girls thought that that was pretty funny so that decided to stick it to the end of my name. haha I hope "stu baaah" won't stick too much.

Yesterday we met up with some Thai students and went to the Big C to meet our missionaries to eat. The three girls were Rinda, Lek (which means small), and Tiap. They were so welcoming and jumped at the chance to practice their English with us. In the process we also learned a little Thai. This reminds me how I always enjoy diving into another's culture and language and customs. It's definitely not easy. Thai is a whole other system. The language is tonal, and it has 5 tones: mid, low, high, rising, and falling. So what this means is that the same two words can have totally separate meanings based on the way you say it. For example: "sahm" with a low tone means "fork," but "sahm" with a rising tone means the number 3....I think...

Anyway, enough with the language lesson.

I'd like to go ahead and say that this team is incredible. So far our trip has been bathed in prayer and scripture. I feel like I've discovered a new love for the Word of God. I am reminded how active and living it actually is! I know that God has great things in store for our team and our ministry here. He is so good, and his love endures forever!

The missionary family is so great as well. Scott and Valerie have both been here for 12 years and I sense in them an amazing love for the Isaan people. Their three kids are cool too. Elliot, 8, is a ton of fun! I've never been great with kids, but I love this kid! I think he likes me pretty well too.

This morning our team had church. It was simple. And it felt right. We read and discussed a passage in 1 Peter, prayed, and worshipped with music. It was good :)

This afternoon is the Thai service. Which I won't understand....haha but that's okay! But this is it for now. Here's a thought: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

stu

I <3 Cold Showers!

I am having the time of my life! We got to Mahasarakham pretty late last night, at least it felt really late to me. Two nights ago I went to bed at 8 and got up at 4...hmm. Last night I went to bed around 10:30 and woke up around 7. So I'm slowly adjusting to the jet lag and the time change. It's funny...it's like 5 in the morning at home right now, but it's only 4 in the afternoon here. You're all sleeping right now....haha.

Anyway, I'd like to say that cold showers are amazing! Especially after a hot sweaty night...wait, that didn't come out right. haha. It's just that we don't have A/C and it's pretty hot and humid at night. At least until I become adjusted to the temperature over here....

On another note, the food is incredible!! And cheap! Seriously, the Thai food I've had so far is really delicious! And the people are so very nice and kind.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Tonight we're planning on going to the night market to eat and to meet some Thai students. It's gonna be pretty great! Until next time!!

stu

The Time Has Come

Today, I leave for Thailand. I embark on a great journey to the unknown. Well, it's a journey - an adventure! I feel an excitement that goes with every sort of mission trip. It's amazing that we can feel this feeling, as if we're about to take a cliff dive into the waters 50 feet below hoping that we can swim once we rise to the surface. This is my cliff dive for the summer, and I can't wait! Well, I don't have to wait anymore - the time has come!

"I'm leavin' on a jet plane...."

But I'll be back in August :)

stu

An Introduction

Hi, I'm Stuart. This will be a place where I can share updates about my summer in Thailand. Hopefully it will be somewhat entertaining... :)


This is what I've been thinking about lately: faith drives out fear. I once heard a message from a good friend of mine in Athens on this subject. He said faith is the opposite of fear, and on the brink of traveling to a foreign land I know what he means. I have always had a fear of the unknown that has been paralyzing. I was home schooled until I was in the 10th grade, and it scared me to go to public school. Looking back there was nothing to be afraid of! The same happened with driving a car, going to college, auditioning for a choir, etc. I have been afraid of these things when there's no real threat or danger to be afraid of! But this is different....


I would normally be freaking out on the inside, and I hide my fear very well. But this time I know God will provide for me. I have faith that he will take care of me. I have faith that our ministry will succeed even if we never see the harvest of our labor. I am trusting God with my summer because he knows me better than I know myself. And amazingly, I am not afraid!


Romans 8:38-39
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."


Paul hit the nail on the head with these verses. Having faith that God loves us and that He will be with us wherever we go will drive out the fear we have of the unknown, or of failure, or of our inadequacies. What a relief! Worrying takes up too much time anyway!