sooo, it's christmas... and i'm sweating up a storm. i know that you may be jealous about that comment, but to be quite honest there's a backfire to a hot winter... you miss winter completely. you miss all of the snow, the skating, the food, but mostly the family.
i'm not saying this for attention, i'm saying this because i truly miss you guys. there's something to be said about being home at this time. although i know that i should be here, my heart is still with you guys as well.
but on a more positive outlook... there's a lot to be thankful for! the christmas party was an amazing success. there were 98 ladies out from around 20ish bars. we played games, sang songs, made crafts, and had supper together. it was so amazing and as bonita had pointed out, everyone there was really impacted. from the servers to the volunteers to the ladies to the speaker. everyone was put outside of the "norm" and put into an amazing time together... all joining as a group. i loved it. i loved seeing Christ move in ladies. there was all thai leadership... so cool! and the speaker was from singapore (the same one at the retreat actually)... and was very great!
there have been ladies which have shown interest in coming into the center... and whatever God has in store it'll be amazing. but regardless of that, there has been such an amazing difference in how the ladies react to us as we go to the bars. we hug, and they are just so happy to see us. we (michelle and i) actually went to get some pizza near our house and a lady was there with her boyfriend (from england), but anyways, she had sat at the same table as me during the dinner... and we just had an amazing time talking and just to see her again. her boyfriend actually asked her, "why are you smiling so much?" and she just said that she was so happy to see us. a different lady ran out of the bar and was so ecstatic just to talk and see us again... i'll never forget her face.
michelle left yesterday. that was hard. she understood what i was/am going through. she was such a support to me and to the ladies and the organization. we taught english together and she stayed here a couple of nights between going to school in bangkok. she's from the states and went back from Christmas/school/weddings. so, anyways, she's gone now... and although it's hard i know that she's going where God wants her, and that's so great! oh, but we went to go see a lady from the bars to say good-bye to before michelle left and she was almost crying... she's one of the most precious ladies i have ever seen. she's one of the first ladies i was introduced to when i started here in october... God is so good. no matter what the circumstances. anyways, i want you all to know that i'm thinking and praying for you... if you want to e-mail me, please do. i'm also on facebook. please keep in touch... i'll listen!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Parents and Thailand
just thought that i'd send a couple of pictures with our updated time with my parents and myself in thailand.
this was a "mock" thai village haveing 5 different Northern Tribes represented in one area. it was amazing to see a lot of the character from the houses to the people
i snuck a quick pick of some monks when we went to " wat doi suthep". wat means temple and it is a famous one of chiang mai (a city we stayed the north for 3 days) as it overlooks the city and is quite beautiful. it is also a pigrimage for monks suposidly.
thai silk factory. it was cool as we got to see how thai silk is actually made from the worms to the dress... so cool!
original thai dinner and dance. that's something i'll never forget.
this was a "mock" thai village haveing 5 different Northern Tribes represented in one area. it was amazing to see a lot of the character from the houses to the people
i snuck a quick pick of some monks when we went to " wat doi suthep". wat means temple and it is a famous one of chiang mai (a city we stayed the north for 3 days) as it overlooks the city and is quite beautiful. it is also a pigrimage for monks suposidly.
thai silk factory. it was cool as we got to see how thai silk is actually made from the worms to the dress... so cool!
original thai dinner and dance. that's something i'll never forget.
Friday, November 30, 2007
dad and mom
ok, so my parents just came out the other day, and we've been having a pretty good time i think! i toured them around my home of bangkok of course, but we've also been to amphawa (a small, non-touristy, floating market town). so, their streets are actually canals and they make their way around by boat. they also have some streets, but the main strip is on the canal. we then later went out on a boat to go see fireflies at night. it was so cool. very different as well... anyways we're off to chiang mai today (a town in the north), so i am pretty excited for that.
miss you guys and thanks for all your prayers... if you ever need me to pray for anything or just want to keep in touch, please do!
miss you guys and thanks for all your prayers... if you ever need me to pray for anything or just want to keep in touch, please do!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Always morphing
things have been going better then before. there has not only been reconciling within the group at home, but there has also been an abundance of people coming to english class. litterally it's packed! we have to get more chairs from the other room and sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough working space. it's amazing to see all these ladies here. the spritual attacks are still here and lonelyness seems to be hitting me in every retrospect, but the prayers and support are so encouraging to me. i've really been learning that obedience is much more important then perfection. if we do what God wants us to, he will provide. it's been affirmed in many ways, and i thank-you all for your support financially as well as spritually. it's helped along the way.
we've been busy from going to confrences to planning for the christmas party. but, it's much more about what we are all learning then what we are doing. you can just see Gods hand working in each lady that lives here and that comes into the house. yes, there's problems and no, we are not perfect, but we are in Christ's arms and that's all i could ask for. i don't know what else to say.
the poverty compared to the wealthy in bangkok is mindboggling. i saw a "thai investment bank" the other day, with people begging for money on the street just below the sign. it shows the contrast of bangkok very well... there's an ongoing mentality that what you have defines whom you are... one that is bought in many cultures and areas of the world. unfortunately that is not true... as you could be the richest asshole ever (sorry about the vulgarity... it's just so true). and you could be the poorest most kind person ever... and although these extremes are found everywhere, you can also be rich and striving after christ more then ever as well. i'm noticing that within this church which i am attending. it's a house church which politicians, artists, fashion designers and archetects from around bangkok come. they are some of the richest people here, and yet so humble and real before Christ. it's amazing to see... and it's amazing to realize that God chooses to bless people. yes people work for it, but ultimately it's Christ whom blesses you.
thanks for the love and support, i'd love to hear from you too... danaekrahn@gmail.com
we've been busy from going to confrences to planning for the christmas party. but, it's much more about what we are all learning then what we are doing. you can just see Gods hand working in each lady that lives here and that comes into the house. yes, there's problems and no, we are not perfect, but we are in Christ's arms and that's all i could ask for. i don't know what else to say.
the poverty compared to the wealthy in bangkok is mindboggling. i saw a "thai investment bank" the other day, with people begging for money on the street just below the sign. it shows the contrast of bangkok very well... there's an ongoing mentality that what you have defines whom you are... one that is bought in many cultures and areas of the world. unfortunately that is not true... as you could be the richest asshole ever (sorry about the vulgarity... it's just so true). and you could be the poorest most kind person ever... and although these extremes are found everywhere, you can also be rich and striving after christ more then ever as well. i'm noticing that within this church which i am attending. it's a house church which politicians, artists, fashion designers and archetects from around bangkok come. they are some of the richest people here, and yet so humble and real before Christ. it's amazing to see... and it's amazing to realize that God chooses to bless people. yes people work for it, but ultimately it's Christ whom blesses you.
thanks for the love and support, i'd love to hear from you too... danaekrahn@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
it's real life now
so, after the initial shock and then the settling in culture shock, thailand seems more like real life.
and, when i say real life it's not super easy. this last week has been a struggle. there's disunity within the household, but mainly due to respect issues (from not doing jobs, to talking back, to threatening... even threatening to leave). but, it's allowing everyone's colors to show. we (mainly bonita, ann and i) are praying for healing for the ladies here, and as wonderful of a prayer as it is... it's really difficult to deal with the issues as they arise.
just think about it through their eyes... even if it is impossible to fully comprehend. you've been disowned at a young age. probably abused. you've been involved in prostitution. rape. you've dealt with pregnancy at a young age (15 for example). abortions. always looking out for yourself... no matter what it takes.
hurting people hurt people.
the past doesn't just dissolve in one day. it's not fun. and, the healing is hard. there are wrong decisions. and, it's tough love. the tension at home has been hard.
the spiritual warfare is intense. when bonita and ann where talking to the ladies the phone would ring at key times (crying times!). honestly, a hydro line blew up at a key point... it's ridiculous.
i wrote in my journal the other day...
"I feel claustrophobic. not in the sense of having a desire to 'get out' but more of an acknowledgement of the fact that there is so much evil surrounding me. so much that seems to be closing in. but, i just want to thank-You for the light. There's a piercing light within this claustrophobia. It's constant. Consistent."
your prayers are always helpful and i thank-you so much for them. we are in a war zone right now. but, i just want to thank-you so much for all of your love. i can feel it encouraging me overseas.
don't worry, i am safe. safe and sound in the arms of Jesus. i've never felt so close to him before in my life. don't worry about me. just pray for the ladies... and for discernment as well as endurance as we face these battles. (at least we're on the winning side!)
and, when i say real life it's not super easy. this last week has been a struggle. there's disunity within the household, but mainly due to respect issues (from not doing jobs, to talking back, to threatening... even threatening to leave). but, it's allowing everyone's colors to show. we (mainly bonita, ann and i) are praying for healing for the ladies here, and as wonderful of a prayer as it is... it's really difficult to deal with the issues as they arise.
just think about it through their eyes... even if it is impossible to fully comprehend. you've been disowned at a young age. probably abused. you've been involved in prostitution. rape. you've dealt with pregnancy at a young age (15 for example). abortions. always looking out for yourself... no matter what it takes.
hurting people hurt people.
the past doesn't just dissolve in one day. it's not fun. and, the healing is hard. there are wrong decisions. and, it's tough love. the tension at home has been hard.
the spiritual warfare is intense. when bonita and ann where talking to the ladies the phone would ring at key times (crying times!). honestly, a hydro line blew up at a key point... it's ridiculous.
i wrote in my journal the other day...
"I feel claustrophobic. not in the sense of having a desire to 'get out' but more of an acknowledgement of the fact that there is so much evil surrounding me. so much that seems to be closing in. but, i just want to thank-You for the light. There's a piercing light within this claustrophobia. It's constant. Consistent."
your prayers are always helpful and i thank-you so much for them. we are in a war zone right now. but, i just want to thank-you so much for all of your love. i can feel it encouraging me overseas.
don't worry, i am safe. safe and sound in the arms of Jesus. i've never felt so close to him before in my life. don't worry about me. just pray for the ladies... and for discernment as well as endurance as we face these battles. (at least we're on the winning side!)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
God is amazing
okay, so thank-you so much for all of your prayers everything went fantastic.
there were so many divine appointments. we got tones of good rates on things and were able to stay in Nong Khai (which could be my future home b/c i love it so much) and see the place whitch we will be staying in the New Year as a group. it was nice and cool and the people were nice and it was right along the river (border) between thailand and laos. after our first night we went to Vivetine (capital in Laos) to the thai embassy. originally it seemed like we were going to have to stay an extra day as they only process visas in one day during emergency situations (and we would have to pay an extra 5000 Baht (around 166 CAD) for this). so, i was getting a little bit annoyed at this. but, kept my cool. then as we were waiting for the reciept for my visa ann talked to this official (after praying for quite some time) and said that she was told that i could recieve my needed visa within the a day and that we did not have our luggage, which we left in Nong Khai in total faith, and could not just spend a night in Laos as she had to get back to work. so, they made her send a fax from the NGO that she is working with to verify that iw oudl be living w/ her for these next months and that she had to get back to work asap. we were told to come back @ 2 pm and talk more about the situation.
we went back @ 1:15, as we knew it opened @ 1 and would wait if needed. there was no line, so we went up to the desk and the lady asked for Anns passport to verify that the document faxed over was for her, and then she passed both passports back over the counter and said, okay you're good to go and you just have to renew your new visa in thailand. we didn't realaie that what she said was true @ the time.
we got onto the bus to go back to Nong Khai and i opened up my visa, and inside was a "Non-Immigrant 2 month education visa"! basically, i can stay in thailand and just renew my visa, and the actual date that i will have to renew it by is Feb. 2nd as they give you 30days grace after the visa is expired. it's amazing! originally i expected to have only a 30day tourist visa which i would have to renew in laos and pay all the extra traveling cost and everything to go out there. but, now it totally worked out! thank-you so much!
went to the school the next day, and another huge blessing. they said that i would only ahve to pay for 3 months of schooling. i signed up for 6 months, planning only to take 3 months of the course, but needed the visa, so i sacrificed and was going to pay the extra $ to stay in thailand. so, that cost was cut in half! it's just amaing how it all worked out and i thank all of you for your prayers.
my parents are coming out on the 27th of this month and i am fervently planning for their arrival, so sorry that this came out later then it should. you're awesome!
there were so many divine appointments. we got tones of good rates on things and were able to stay in Nong Khai (which could be my future home b/c i love it so much) and see the place whitch we will be staying in the New Year as a group. it was nice and cool and the people were nice and it was right along the river (border) between thailand and laos. after our first night we went to Vivetine (capital in Laos) to the thai embassy. originally it seemed like we were going to have to stay an extra day as they only process visas in one day during emergency situations (and we would have to pay an extra 5000 Baht (around 166 CAD) for this). so, i was getting a little bit annoyed at this. but, kept my cool. then as we were waiting for the reciept for my visa ann talked to this official (after praying for quite some time) and said that she was told that i could recieve my needed visa within the a day and that we did not have our luggage, which we left in Nong Khai in total faith, and could not just spend a night in Laos as she had to get back to work. so, they made her send a fax from the NGO that she is working with to verify that iw oudl be living w/ her for these next months and that she had to get back to work asap. we were told to come back @ 2 pm and talk more about the situation.
we went back @ 1:15, as we knew it opened @ 1 and would wait if needed. there was no line, so we went up to the desk and the lady asked for Anns passport to verify that the document faxed over was for her, and then she passed both passports back over the counter and said, okay you're good to go and you just have to renew your new visa in thailand. we didn't realaie that what she said was true @ the time.
we got onto the bus to go back to Nong Khai and i opened up my visa, and inside was a "Non-Immigrant 2 month education visa"! basically, i can stay in thailand and just renew my visa, and the actual date that i will have to renew it by is Feb. 2nd as they give you 30days grace after the visa is expired. it's amazing! originally i expected to have only a 30day tourist visa which i would have to renew in laos and pay all the extra traveling cost and everything to go out there. but, now it totally worked out! thank-you so much!
went to the school the next day, and another huge blessing. they said that i would only ahve to pay for 3 months of schooling. i signed up for 6 months, planning only to take 3 months of the course, but needed the visa, so i sacrificed and was going to pay the extra $ to stay in thailand. so, that cost was cut in half! it's just amaing how it all worked out and i thank all of you for your prayers.
my parents are coming out on the 27th of this month and i am fervently planning for their arrival, so sorry that this came out later then it should. you're awesome!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
going to laos
so, i will be going to the Thai Embassy in Laos on Monday. I recieved information regarding the Thai school i will be going to, and so the immigration office here in Bangkok informed me that when I bring this information to the Thai embassy in Laos they can issue me another "tourist visa" because of official doc. for the schooling in Bangkok. Ann insisted that she would join me, which will be such an asset as she speaks fluent Thai and English and would allow things to go much smoother.
your prayers have been amazing! we were in and out of the immigration office in 15 minutes. this one lady just helped us right away. and then also with the school. they were able to recieve documentation that i would be attending the day after I applied (which was yesturday!). thank-you so much.
the prayers were also felt today when Ann and I did outreach to the bars. if we go into the bars we have to pay for drinks, but what we mainly wanted to do was talk to the ladies which we already know and invite them to the Christmas Party. Everyone we wanted to talk to was having a break outside. you have no idea how uncommon that is. one lady actually was just walking out as we were going to ask for her. God has been opening up amazing doors. I am learning a lot not only in different cultural aspects but in spiritual aspects as well. my eyes are being opened to a greater world. it's truly amazing.
prayers for the upcoming Laos trip would be awesome, as well as they Christmas party and just for me as I am feeling like a square pig in a round hole out here. i mean, i knew it when i came but, everything is different. and i don't mean just on the outside. their way of thinking is totally different. the women here don't take much initative and the whole outlook on life is different. they live for more of a here and now mentality then a future mentality. i just want to focus on what God has called me to. to love on these people here. and i don't want to get weighed down because i am different. 'cause things are different, but i want to focus intensly while i am here and get to the heart of the matter and not insecurities that pop up. you guys are awesome. if you want any prayer or anything please let me know, i still want to keep in touch even though we're miles away!
p.s. i'm still looking into uni as well... focusing more on specific universities... can't believe it
your prayers have been amazing! we were in and out of the immigration office in 15 minutes. this one lady just helped us right away. and then also with the school. they were able to recieve documentation that i would be attending the day after I applied (which was yesturday!). thank-you so much.
the prayers were also felt today when Ann and I did outreach to the bars. if we go into the bars we have to pay for drinks, but what we mainly wanted to do was talk to the ladies which we already know and invite them to the Christmas Party. Everyone we wanted to talk to was having a break outside. you have no idea how uncommon that is. one lady actually was just walking out as we were going to ask for her. God has been opening up amazing doors. I am learning a lot not only in different cultural aspects but in spiritual aspects as well. my eyes are being opened to a greater world. it's truly amazing.
prayers for the upcoming Laos trip would be awesome, as well as they Christmas party and just for me as I am feeling like a square pig in a round hole out here. i mean, i knew it when i came but, everything is different. and i don't mean just on the outside. their way of thinking is totally different. the women here don't take much initative and the whole outlook on life is different. they live for more of a here and now mentality then a future mentality. i just want to focus on what God has called me to. to love on these people here. and i don't want to get weighed down because i am different. 'cause things are different, but i want to focus intensly while i am here and get to the heart of the matter and not insecurities that pop up. you guys are awesome. if you want any prayer or anything please let me know, i still want to keep in touch even though we're miles away!
p.s. i'm still looking into uni as well... focusing more on specific universities... can't believe it
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