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As we approach the Thailand embassy in New York to get my Visa fixed, we notice two policeman standing by the doors. There was an error with my Visa and I had problems when i resent it. The plan was to get my Visa fixed the same day of my flight. As my friends and I curiously look up at the police officers, we were told that it was a Thai holiday and that the embassy was closed. My visa wasn’t fixed fixed and I had an international flight coming up in just a few hours.
We are glad to share about one of our blessings for the past two months.April, was full of fellowship and incouragements.God blessed us with the opportunity to visit our families and also to have to of our students with us. It was a time, when we had witness once again, how GREAT IS OUR GOD, and what a privilage to be in His family.
As we tentatively stepped into the crowded temple, we were ushered to the sit in the front of the room on the floor. Monks arrayed in bright orange robes sat cross legged across from us following a voice leading them in a chant. I scanned the rows and saw him. He looked solemn and emotionless, yet sorrow could not be hidden from his eyes.
His hair and eyebrows were shaven. To help his fathers’ spirit get to heaven, he had to participate in the event as a monk.
It is exciting to have wild life in Avoda. It is nice to see our cows walk by, grazing on trees and whatever is left of the grass after the dry season. Mother hens with their chicks, pecking the ground,looking for food. Small wild pigs running around, chasing each other for that one fish head. However, with a zoo come a few minor challenges. Keeping certain animals or birds out of the kitchen has become a skill one needs to learn here.
The first time I saw her she was playing hide and seek with the little kids in the barnyard. Running amidst hay and cows, she made the game fun for the little ones. She was quick to accept me, a foreigner in her area and we parted with hugs.
Today I went back to the slums in Mae Sot to visit the kids who go to our school. I searched for her, hoping to see her. It was important that I saw her, because it was her the Lord put on my hearts to help. One woman had donated enough funds to help two girls who are at risk of being trafficked get out of the situation. As we drove towards Mae Sot, she came to mind. Could this be the girl God had chosen?
Students of Avoda come to Christ with faith that is alive and accept Him as their personal Savior.
More than once we have witnessed how God works: He takes away everything a person could boast about and shows us who really is worthy of Praise. He blesses with His strength and uplifts the weak and lowly in the eyes of this world. We thank you for your support and prayers. Because of your prayers and Gods mercy, we are still here today.
It’s been almost two years. Here I am. Living what I thought was my dream. A full time missionary. In an orphanage. If I ever thought I was a capable for this position, it was a lie. When hard times come,my weaknesses loom over me and I sink into , discontentment, and depression. I start wishing I was doing something else, that I was somewhere else. Africa once again seems captivating and alluring. Lord, are you sure you want be to be a teacher here? Can I do something else? Like open an orphanage? Look at what Katie Davis did! “It’s not about you, my child. It’s all about Me. This is all my work. Not yours and not Katies. My plans for you are bigger then what you can imagine for yourself. Be patient and trust in Me.”
New Missionary Friends – 1/25/13 (Serge)
Written by Slava Kachkovskiycountries. They travel with LOGOS HOPE Ship that sails from one country to another, containing over 400 missionaries that sacrificed themselves for 2 year contract to serve the Lord in any country that the ship drops them off.
They do any work that is needed to help the spread of the gospel. They try reaching people of all countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Spain, Africa, etc…) by providing physical help, medical aid, evangelizing, or just washing dishes or cleaning floors.
If you saw the presentation about Thailand, you probably heard about a girl named Som-yueng. She lived here at school, and when she got older, her parents sold her. In the presentation we were called to pray for her, so that the missionaries might raise enough support to return her to school. January 6,2013 Som-yueng was brought back and is now enjoying her time at the Avoda school. We had a chance to witness this amazing God’s work!!! I am so excited to see God’s power and His mighty hand every day!!!
I know Serge has posted a few things about us learning the Thai language…well I wanted to share with you the latest news. Since Monday, Ploi has been teaching us the 44 consonants. This morning, we had a test on them (dun dun dun.) We had to be able to differentiate the sound AND remember how each letter was written. Not an easy task! However, we definitely felt the Lord’s blessing when all five of us received A’s!!!! Thank you all so much for your prayers!!! God is definitely answering them.
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We all wanted to say huge thank you for everyone who is praying for us to learn Thai.
It’s going well. But please continue to pray. It has only been 1 week (and we learned all the Consonants already). The letters are very unusual and need a lot of practice in writing them. Practice, practice & more practice makes them so much easier to remember. :)
~Shoes~
As you can see that there a lot of sandals by the entrance, it’s because in Thai culture they always remove shoes before they come inside kitchen or the house or even the porch, regardless if the floor is clean or dirty, you still take off your shoes at the entrance. This rule goes for homes, churches, and schools. What is even more surprising is that even to enter some stores, one must remove and leave the shoes by the entrance! But not too many stores are like that. So far I’ve been to only one that you had to do that. And a good way to know when to remove shoes or not is: if you see LOTS of shoes by the door, that means you have to take off yours too ;)
Finally We get to Cook! (Serge) 2/14/13
Written by Slava KachkovskiyI wanted to apologize for not updating the blog for a week or so.
LOTS of new things happened here and have much stories to tell and photos & videos to post, so I will do my best to catch up! But the main thing is that we actually SEE God working here and we see how he is moving the hearts of Thai people. It’s just a true blessing to be part of it. :)
Bonding with Children. (Serge) 2/14/13
Written by Slava KachkovskiyLast week half of our Avoda children that were participating in competition, had left to Chiang Mai (big city in North Thailand), but other half of children stayed home to cook, clean, and watch over the property.
So in the evening we had some time to spend with them. We brought with us few card games like “Go Fish” & Christian “Go Fish” with Bible characters and heroes and other similar games, and children here absolutely LOVE to play. Because they are growing up here like ALL children should.