Learning and Exploring

Last week was slow on the work front. My ability to work with the microfinance part of my job was limited by my coworker being on vacation, so I spent a lot of time getting to know the Step Ahead staff, Thai culture, and Bangkok area. I have so many questions. The hardest thing about working in a cross cultural situation like mine is the language barrier. The staff are very nice and want to get to know me but our differing languages limit our conversations.

Saturday I went to kids club. This time I was the first one there, and when the kids saw me coming, they ran up to me telling me hello and giving me big hugs. The kids have become my favorite people to interact with. They are so much fun to play with, and somehow the language barrier seems smaller between us.

I am looking forward to our soccer clinic next week. We have a short term missions team coming in tomorrow, so instead of having kids club next Saturday we are going to use their man power to put on a soccer camp. We will also be having English classes at Step Ahead Tuesday through Friday night. This should keep me pretty busy, as I will be helping with the English classes and in charge of the soccer camp.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday I was able to walk around Bangkok. I ended up walking to the richer part of Bangkok, and it is amazing how nice and close to the poor parts of the city it is. I took some pics which I put on flickr if you are interested in seeing them. The one that has the skyscrapers in the background and the street vendors up close is my favorite. It captures the absurdity of the wealth and poverty that coexist side-by-side.

I am still trying to find how I can make the impact that God has brought me here to make. I appreciate all your prayers as I work out my salvation here with fear and trembling.