Leaving Phuket

This morning I woke up around 6am, which happens when you go to bed at 8pm because your completely exhausted. I noticed right away how sore I was from our previous days boat adventure. I decided to ignore my body's complaints until we went to breakfast and my stomach decided to rebel as well. All of the new, overwhelming smells were finally, well, overwhelming me. Breakfast has been my favorite meal of the day so far in Thailand, but not today. I'm thinking that the boat ride has taken a toll on my equilibrium and now everything I smell makes me want to, well you know.







We just got on a plane to fly to Chaingmai. I cannot wait to see this city that I've heard so much about. It'll be nice to see some familiar faces there as well since the Missionary retreat for Asia Pacific is going on there this week. We are especially looking forward to getting to see Zach and Danika M. and their kids.

Well, I'll try my best to write again soon, although I can't make any promises. :)

Touring the Islands

Today we took a tour of a the Phi-Phi islands off the coast of Thailand. One word: UNFORGETTABLE. The islands were so magnificently beautiful that it didn't even matter that the sky was grey and overcast. (It is the rainy season here).

                         

We traveled at high speeds by speedboat over the choppy Andaman Sea in the Indian ocean. It was completely exhilarating and a little painful. Kinda like sitting in a metal can that's being dropped over and over again on the cement. But I loved it! There is nothing like sitting at the very front of the open boat as your flying over the waves. I felt like a little kid, having the time of my life. As I bounced around in the front of that speedboat, holding on tight to keep from flying off my seat, I could feel my Father smiling over me, enjoying me, enjoying His creation.

                         

We stopped to visit several different Islands. One was called Monkey beach. The trees and ground were covered with long tailed monkeys and people were throwing them bread. We stopped at another beach to swim and relax, then we stopped at an inlet to snorkel for a bit. We loved seeing beautiful blue and yellow fish swimming around our faces. It was an incredible experience. But as we sailed from island to island, I couldn't help but wonder about the locals that lived and worked there. Do they have an adequate witness of the gospel? Do they have anyone in their lives to tell them the truth about the God who adores them, who's heart breaks for His lost children. He sacrificed His own Son for them, out of love stronger then we can ever comprehend. But who will tell them? As I sat on that boat today, I begged the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to these islands.

Our First Three days

Ok, here it is... A blog from me. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write, but it's honestly taken me a while to find the words for the overwhelming feelings I'm experiencing here.  I know my husband has already written a couple of blogs and filled you in on some of our excursions so ill just summarize the past few days in my own words...

Day one: The highlight of the day for me was going on a tail boat tour down the Chao Phraya river. The incredible sights and smells were unforgettable.  Then we walked through Pho Wat, home of the reclining Buddha and the Golden Buddha.  To be honest, day one was the hardest for me so far.  I've never been a fan of large cities and Bangkok is far the largest I've ever visited.

Day two: We spent this day seeing more of Bangkok and doing some shopping at an incredibly large mall called MBK where you can barter over the price of your purchase. (which I'm really not good at bartering, but fortunately my husband is.). This day was much easier for me but more difficult for Marcus and Alli. It's so strange to me how culture shock affects people at different times and different ways.  We have found food to be the most difficult issue today as we have been out and about.  We keep thinking it would be nice if we just had someone to tell us what was good to try.

Day three:  Today we flew to an island called Phuket.  The shoreline is dramatically beautiful with crystal blue water and sandy white beaches.  It's a lot more relaxing here then it was in Bangkok.  The food is much spicier in the south of Thailand but a helpful missionary friend advise us to use the words "my pet" a lot, which means not spicy.  We are loving the Thai food.  I have developed a passion for mango which I never knew was so good!  We took a shuttle from our hotel to Patong Beach which is lots of shopping and at night turns into a bar/ party scene.  Just down the road is a public beach.  We got suckered into getting our pictures taken with iguanas and a marmoset, which was way to cute not to hold, we'll at least until he bit me.

More to come on our adventures in Phuket....

It makes a difference to this one

I've had it in my heart to write this blog since January, but with travel, homeschooling, and speaking engagements I just haven't made time to do it.  But today, on Easter Sunday, as I have enjoyed watching my children worship Jesus, eat candy, and feel loved and happy, I can't help thinking about the millions of children around the world that don't have a mom or dad to love them or let them know how much Jesus loves them.

I would like to introduce you to one of these precious ones.  This is Ivan:

Ivan is 4 years old.  He is diagnosed with Apert Syndrome and because He was born this way, no one wanted him.  So he lays in a bed in a orphanage in Russia.  He is fed enough to survive, but he does not have a mom to hold him or a dad to pray on his behalf, to beg God for his healing.

The doctor believes that Ivan has a favorable prognosis. He needs surgery very soon or he will miss the window of opportunity to correct the fusion of his skull bones before it damages his brain.  This treatment is easily accessible in the USA.  Without it, his doctor does not believe he will live more than 2 years.


Unfortunately, Ivan lives in Russia.  In the fall of 2012, Russia closed all adoptions to American citizens.  This means that Ivan and so many other children like him will remain alone, wasting away in their beds, without love or hope.  How this breaks our Father's heart! Each of these little ones was created by Him for a purpose.  Who will tell them that they are loved and wanted?  We must pray and intercede on their behalf that Russia will reopen their doors to our country so that godly couples can adopt these suffering children.  They are God's heart. 

What if this was your son? You would do anything to rescue him, no matter the cost.  Jesus already gave all He had to rescue Ivan.  How can we let this precious little boy, so loved by our Father in Heaven, continue to struggle for life.  He is alone, broken, desperate for love that you and I have known all of our lives.

What can YOU do to help Ivan and so many others like him?

You may not be able to bring him into your home, but perhaps you can help a family that is willing and able to.  The church in America has the resources to help every one of these children, if only we were all willing to do something.

Do we care?

 Lord, give us your heart for your children.  Forgive us for our self-serving lives and for closing our eyes to those in need around us.  Wreck our hearts with your love Lord!  Expand our capacity to love with your love! Enable us to rescue your little ones.  Show us what we can do to help!!

^" Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."  - Proverbs 31:8-9

For more info check out reecesrainbow.org