Category Archives: Life In Bangkok

“We’re On a Mission from God”

        blues brothers

As some of you may know The Blues Brothers is one of my all time favorite movies. My brother and I (and yes even my mom and dad) could (probably between the four of us) quote that entire movie to you. With our move to Thailand and the strong calling God has placed on my heart to work at the orphanage, I can’t help but see some similarities in my adventure today and that of Jake and Elwood Blues.

The Blues Brothers synopsis: Two brothers, with a not so perfect reputation, go back to visit the orphanage where they were raised. The nun, affectionately referred to as “The Penguin” informs them that the school is going to be closed and the only way to save it is to raise $5,000 in 11 days! When they hear this, the good Lord speaks to them and they decide they “have to get the band back together” for one last show. They are convinced nothing can touch them because “they are on a mission from God.” If you haven’t seen this awesome 1980s classic, please do yourself a favor and watch it!

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There’s Always Tomorrow…

I haven’t written in a while but I think that is because I am in a little bit of a mood.  It’s just the process of adjusting to life in a strange place in addition to the toddler mood swings.  The novelty of the new experience is starting to lose its shin and the reality of having put aside our life and everything that we know back in the States for the next four years is weighing heavy on me.  There are days when I really enjoy Bangkok, the adventure of the unknown, but now that it is getting increasingly hotter, up to 100 degrees, the “adventure” of the everyday, of trying to find a cab that will take you home or dealing with your super hot, unhappy toddler is becoming more of my reality.  I understand that this is normal for life here but that doesn’t make it easy.

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The Not So Charmed Life

“You’re going to love the life in Bangkok with a nanny and maid! Your life will be so easy!”

The growing pains of building employee/employer relationship in Thailand isn’t as easy as I had thought it would be. Chris told me that the boss/manager role in Thailand is more of a parenting/counselor role. Don’t misunderstand me, we love having Pai. I see her as a friend, guide, and lastly an employee. She keeps me company all day and I enjoy having her with us but today I learned having an employee in the Thai culture is not like having an employee at home.

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Mercy Center: There & Back Again

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25:40-45

Today is the day, I am finally on my way to the Mercy Center, and to be honest I am very nervous.  As I sit here in the taxi that is taking me through the many back roads of Bangkok, through the slums that I really don’t think any American ghetto could even come close to an equivalent, I am amazed at what I am seeing to where I almost can’t process it.  The butterflies in my stomach are starting to make me a little nauseous and I know that it’s just the fear of the unknown.  We are making our way through the slums; I am worried that I am not going to be strong enough to do the job that is being set before me.  I am scared that what I will see here, the poverty, the loneliness, the huge chasm that is my reality from the reality of these homeless children I am about to meet is going to be too much mentally that I won’t be able to handle it.  While I consider what my next four years will be like volunteering the doubt is starting to creep into my mind.  There is a good chance that I won’t be able to handle this emotionally, mentally, and I’m sure sometimes spiritually but I do know one thing and that is that I am doing none of this alone.  This is part of the plan, the plan that God has so graciously included me in and I alone can’t do this but I can do all things though Christ.  Philippians 4:13

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How To Be A Lady (In Bangkok)

In case you were ever confused as to how a lady should use the bathroom properly.

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I found this in my Thai massage parlor by my home this evening and it is too funny not to share with everyone. The best/funniest but most disturbing part is the figure on the top right… Scary but true.

Buddha, Spirits, and Brahma! Oh My!

I find other religions fascinating, always have and always will. It amazes me what some people can believe and make their life’s work and how it can be so different from my own beliefs, not to say their dogma is wrong or that they are bad beliefs but just different. I came to Thailand with the understanding that it is a Buddhist country, around 94%. This pleased me to hear since Buddhists are a peaceful people who believe in karma, so I feel pretty safe. The second largest religious group in Thailand at around 5% are Muslims, most live down at the southern border of the country toward Malaysia. The remaining percent are other/Christians at around 0.7%.

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After all… What are sidewalks for?- By: Chris

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When you go somewhere, you have this idea that you will be open minded. Embrace the new things. Different strokes for different folks… Blah blah blah. And for the most part I would agree. In fact there’s a lot I will deal with, crowded trains where you are up on everyone, drivers who feel that it’s ok to drive down the middle of 2 lanes. But there’s 1 thing I refuse to adapt to.

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Chinese New Year & The Erawan Shrine


Friday was the start of Chinese New Year and little did I know that on New Years Eve whoever celebrates this holiday goes shopping to have their new purchase for New Years Day. I decided to go shopping for some of our new home essentials not realizing that everyone in Bangkok would be shopping… Needless to say it was a mad house at Big C (the Thailand Walmart) but because it is the New Year they had some great sales!

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