Simply Living Life

I have been getting back into a regular schedule again at school. Last weekend I had a real dose of missing home and questioning being here. This week I am beginning to understand. Relationships are forming with the students. I am beginning to see progress in their work and making new friendships and that is very rewarding to me. I know that I want to be a blessing to them and to pass along my passion for music and look for opportunities to share my faith with them.

As I sat, depressed (in Starbucks of all places) I remember remarking to Kalya that there are so many layers in Thailand. Don't worry, I'm not going to go all Shrek on you. What I mean by the layers is there is this whole "tourist" layer where people come to visit and take in Chiang Mai on their terms going away with a very shallow picture of Chiang Mai and Thailand. They don't realize the wide contrast of poverty and wealth here. It is seen as a very inexpensive holiday. I see a people, on one hand, that work so very hard just to make enough to daily exist while, on the other hand, there are people that are quite well off. Not so different from anywhere else, really. It's just that the contrast is so much more apparent. Tourism is such a huge industry here that many people have found a way to make their living on the tourists that come through town regularly. These merchants seemingly think nothing of setting up their stalls and stands weekly and sometimes daily just to bring in an income selling anything from beautiful pieces of artwork to T-Shirts by the thousands. And selling them very, very cheaply by Western standards. To compare, I was trying to imagine Spokane setting up Pig Out In The Park every weekend like clock-work. Things of that magnitude happen every night in Thailand, especially in places like Chiang Mai which rely so much on tourism. But it's not just catering to the tourists. There are Morning Markets and Evening Markets that cater to the locals, as well.
The hard work that goes into this day in and day out blows me away. I know it's a cultural thing that is just a normal way of life here. But, clashing with that, there is a "Western" ideal that Thailand is continually being bombarded with through television, advertising, billboards and mass marketing. It's so strange to see the culture hit with this when the vast majority will never be able to have most of the things that the advertisements are touting. I am seeing very clearly that where many Thais find their joy is in the simple things. Things as simple as a walk, a bike ride, sitting at a street food stall and having a long leisurely meal with friends and family. I am really beginning to appreciate that again, not unlike when Kalya and I were first married and couldn't afford to do anything but enjoy each other. This is a good lesson to re-learn. This is just a lot of thinking out loud as we try to find our place here. Living in Thailand on a Thai wage has really made me take a look at these things much more closely than I ever did before.

We have noticed how much more slowly things move here (I am not talking about the traffic). The process of getting things done like a vehicle title transfer, to getting a workers permit, to even getting contractual things regarding my job ironed out, move at a very slow pace. Patience is definitely a virtue here in Thailand. Our appointment with the first place we were looking into to volunteer can't happen until August 16, which seems like such a long ways away. We are praying about what other places to look into to see where God might have us work with children and young girls that have been rescued from child trafficking. We are needing patience and discernment in this area, as well.

The rainy season has definitely hit. Our streets within a two block radius around our house were all flooded this weekend with 3 to 4 inches of water filling the entire street. The Ping River is rising and threatening many areas of Chiang Mai. A lot of flooding has already happened and there are many concerned people wondering if their home will be flooded next. In fact, many areas of Thailand, especially in the north, are experiencing this.


There is great potential for mud slides and severe flooding and the heaviest part of the rainy season has not even hit, yet. With this thrown on top of the things that I opened this post with, there is great cause for anxiety here in Thailand. What a need for a Savior and God to put their trust in to supply their needs and take care of them. We hope to somehow be His hands in showing His love and care here.

Lots of rambling, I know, but please know that, while we really miss home, family and friends, I really am enjoying the students here at Payap and the relationships that are developing. We are doing our best to simply live life. Thanks for reading and thanks for your prayers.

Bryan and Kalya