Whoa! Long Time, No Post!

Well, things have definitely gotten busier. We are now adjusting much better to life here in Surin. Although I cannot say at all that we are out of our culture shock yet. We have been reading some very good books about culture shock and transitioning to a new country. Many times, people think they have to completely blend into the new culture and that makes it overwhelming and eventually discouraging. Because it doesn't really happen. One book was saying that the goal is not to "go native" and completely forget where you came from. I remember in college, that was the attitude of some people. They were renouncing American life to go live with the people of the world. Problem is, that will never really happen. As an American, I will always be American, I was born and raised in that culture and really cannot divorce that completely. Nor should I, in my view. And honestly, do we expect foreigners to act and think EXACTLY as we do? I don't, anyway. I actually hope they will keep the culture of their homeland alive. And I don't think the Thais expect me to become completely Thai and do nothing American.

Now, that's not to say that I build my little American ghetto where I retreat from all things Thai. That's the other extreme. Rather, this book was saying that you become bicultural. So I am an American, living and functioning in Thailand. I adapt to the Thai way of life and learn to speak and live and spread the gospel effectively in this land, in their way. Wow, what a revelation! It makes it easier to transition when I realize that. So it's okay to enjoy things American, to miss home, and do silly things here that are normal in America. As long as I have a sense of humor. (Like hitting my head on every awning because I'm a wee bit taller than many here)

Well, as far as our life here goes, we have had some great opportunities with the students from the nearby school. We have set up a regular Friday night English study with them. It is primarily to help them with their English, but we hope to be able to share the great news of our Lord with them as we progress. We see them everywhere now, in the market, at school plays, driving down the road. And they have even come out to church a couple times since the Anchor group left. So praise the Lord! Relationships are being built out of which the gospel can be shared with them.

So here are a couple pictures of our opportunities with the kids. Pray that God will keep opening the doors to work with them and tell them the Good News!

Until next time,

Andrew Kilcup