thank you.

I've been thinking for weeks on how to properly thank everyone at Spotswood who gave delicious treats to Steph & me, and our wonderful Family here... I've tossed around the idea of a haiku (who doesn't love a haiku?), a song (actually, no one wants to hear me sing), and handwritten notes (except I'd be back in America before they would all be finished!). And so, I fall back once again to my typical mode of mass communication with my friends and family state-side... my blog.

Here's the bottom line. You all blessed us beyond thanks and beyond words can capture. Getting to see everyone's faces as they received their gifts... and their reactions when they asked, "How much do we owe you?" and we told them, "It's free. A gift from our church." was priceless. You gave big. And you gave deep. And we are so thankful.

I can't capture it all, but I do want to thank you.

Thank you...

- for giving generously to meet specific needs (& cravings!)
- for buying seemingly silly things, like cinnamon chips, that are now being used in baked goods whose profits support ministries that work to end human trafficking
- and for buying awkward items (I promise the boy's underwear and toe-fungus pens were not for Steph and I!)
- for giving joyfully- not begrudgingly or out of a sense of obligation
- for giving us yet another reason to praise our Father
- and not just for giving... but also for praying for us and the work being done here
- for remembering us, even though we're half a world away
- for taking the time to love not just those of us you know, but those you've never met
- for enabling us to be a blessing to others

For those of you wanting an update on Alli & Sandy's visit, I'm pleased to announce they will be doing a guest post (!!) on their time here. Stay tuned... 

following up!

Last post I ended with some specific prayer requests, and they've all turned into praises this week! So, here is a little follow up so that you can rejoice with us :)

- Jet-lag: Steph and I are both sleeping through the night, and it seems that my brain has returned to it's normal functions (instead of short-circuiting every hour or so). 

- Claire: She's back in America, people! And, on her flight from Germany they didn't end up charging her extra for all her overweight bags (praise!). Believe me, they probably should have, because they were very overweight. 

- Steph: She's still doing well-- she had her first week at House of Blessing this past week, and her classes here at the BSC start tomorrow. I'm sure she'll be posting more about it on her blog in the near future.  

- For logistics: Phones, meetings, paperwork... it all got done (and smoothly to boot)! Yay God!

[Our 4th of July Party at LifePoint! Check out Tiffany's awesome flag-cake!] 

This next six months is off to a big start. Here are some highlights of what has started and what is coming:

The LifePoint college interns arrived last week and have begun MTS (Missions Training School) which I'm joining in on. It's an intensive 6 week program with 4 hours of "school/class" in the morning and then ministry opportunities in the afternoons and evenings. I've been attending the morning sessions and then taking care of my regular ministry responsibilities while the interns do theirs.

[Interns leading activities at Thursday English Classes at LifePoint...] 

[...And building relationships]

Tutoring at Rahab resumed last week (We're meeting on Tuesdays now)! It was so good to see the girls again, and in the last two months we've had 2 new girls join Rahab. It is so exciting to see girls coming out of the bars and into Rahab. Please pray that their hearts will be softened by Christ's love and the Truth. Pray that God's light would shine in Patpong.

Classes at the BSC started tonight for me. I am teaching 12 classes this term (9 regular classes, and 3 tutoring engagements). My Monday classes started off sooo good! We talked about hobbies in my 5:00 class and family trees in my 7:00 class. The students all seemed engaged, talked, asked questions and laughed. I couldn't have asked for more on a first day... or a Monday!

This Thursday, I officially begin  the first of my LifePoint ministry responsibilities. I'll be helping every Thursday with Cafe Boly, the non-profit coffee shop associated with LifePoint: BKK. I say non-profit because all (yes... 100%!) of the profits go to ministries that work to help get women out of sex-trafficking, like: OneLess. And! Cool story: The founders of OneLess are from LifePoint: Smyrna and have committed to come to serve in Thailand for the next 3 years, and are flying here tomorrow! Brittany runs/manages the Cafe, and wants for the Cafe to be ministry both financially and also relationally. So, 6 different LP folks have committed to "adopting" a day at the Cafe, where we will come, sit, and engage the people who come in and invest in the Thais who work there. I also will help bake treats for the bakery! People, pastries and Jesus... what's not to love?

[Celebrating with Leigha on her Sweet 16!)

[L-R: Monica, Me, Steph & Chelsea]

[A few of the LifePoint Ladies!]

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Steph and I as we seek opportunities to be obedient to the calling God has placed on us... to make much of Christ. We could not do what we are doing without your support and your prayers!

finished.

[A newsletter will be sent out before the end of 11/20 with details on how folks who pledged can make their donation through YouCaring.]

After months of training, three days of carb-loading and hydrating, November 18th arrived. Race-day. I was nervous, excited, and really hoping and praying that I could finish before the clean-up crew started breaking down the course... 

Crystal, one of the women from our church, came to support and encourage us! She and Claire ran the last 10K of my half-marathon with me. Crystal and her husband, Brandon, have been some of our biggest fans here in Thailand. Who else but a stud would wake up at 2:00 am to help support two girls from her church... and then run with them?! 

[2:30 am... ready to head to the race!]

We arrived around 3:30 am, and the half-marathon line-up didn't begin until 4:30 am, so we had some time to kill and take some pictures...

[Crystal & Claire]

[Claire & I]

[Crystal & I]

Before the race, I had to make a little trip to the ladies' room... I feel like using the toilets in Thailand are always a burden. First you have to find them, then you usually have to supply your own tissue, and your own soap... what a hassle. So after some bad directions and lots of "hong naam, you-tee nigh?" (where's the bathroom?) I finally saw some signs and arrows. It was still dark, but I had my eyes peeled for some porta-potties. Nowhere. I'd walked so far from the race, I knew I must have missed them. Stopping a police officer I asked again, "hong naam, you-tee nigh?" He proceeded to walk me to a what looked like a charter bus. Yes, a bus. It would seem they don't use porta-potties for races, they use giant buses. I walk up the steps, and sure enough, they've compartmentalized the bus and each "stall" has a squatty potty. It is at this point that I remember I didn't bring any toilet paper... So, back to the street I go and I start looking around. Before too long, I spot a girl holding a roll. I approach her, "Khaw tote kha. Oww nit-noy maay kha?" (Excuse me, can I have a little bit?) Lucky for me, she was either feeling generous enough to spare a square, or too caught off guard to say no. I won't go into details about the lack of cleanliness or the fact that it was a squatty potty... But... That's one experience I wouldn't mind not repeating. After that little adventure, it was time to start stretching and lining up for the race.

[Folks warming up... They were so intimidating with their fancy stretches, salt packs and fanny pack pockets]

[Ready, ready! Lecrae's "Gravity" album all queued up for the race]

[Everyone in front of me, I was right in the middle, which I loved!]

[My last view of Claire and Crystal before our reunion at the 7-mile marker!]

I've never been in a race before, but everything people say is true. There really is such a supportive and fun atmosphere at a race. Everyone is cheering everyone else on; it really is neat to be a part of! 

If I had been a spectator, I would have taken a lot more pictures... pictures of Thai people holding up signs they made that were poorly translated. My favorite one just said in huge letters "I DIED." Haha, that was a sign I didn't want over me during the race! I also would have taken a picture of the random spectator giving out high-fives, or the guy who stopped running to hand out prunes to people (I don't know, it's Thailand...). I would have photographed the runners' smiles when they got to a checkpoint and were rewarded with cold water, sponges and watermelon wedges, and the people like me trying to balance all those with my phone and personal water bottle, all while still running, ha! 

But even though my pictures are limited, there were plenty of photographers. Every time I felt like slowing down or being bored (because, let's face it, 3 hours is a long time), there were the paparazzi! It was enough to get the spring back in my step and put a smile on my face. I don't want to think about how many Thai folks now have pictures of my sweaty face!

[This was taken, while running, at my 1/3 point. I was on a bridge and the sun was just beginning to rise.]

[Claire ran her 10K with me, for the last leg of my half-marathon to help spur me on and set a good pace with her fresh legs. This photo was taken after the race, but it was a joy to see her and Crystal's face at the 7 mile marker!]

[After the race! They provided us with free tiger balm patches, which I promptly applied to my sore knees.]

I can't tell you how much you all were an encouragement to me while I ran... and really, this has been such a joy to be a part of, albeit a bit surreal. In fact, if it weren't for needing to slather my body with tiger balm today, I might think it didn't happen! I have been so blessed throughout this whole process. Claire and I started off by wanting to do something to help a dear family, the Kelley's, with their adoption. And, while we were able to do that ($610 was pledged!!), I feel like I have grown and been so uplifted through this process as well. There is something really neat about being able to help rally people for not just for a cause, but for a child. Your contribution, whether through encouraging us, praying for the Kelley's or giving financially is going to make a tangible impact on a child and their family.

Here is my encouragement to you... If God has grabbed your heart about something, run with it. See where He takes you and see how He changes you in that process. It's worth it!

[For Claire's post on the race, click here!]

[month one]

Today marks our one month mark in Thailand!

It is truly hard to believe that we have "only" and "already" been here a month. Sometimes, it feels like I've been here a lifetime... (except for the fact that my extent of Thai is 30 words!) and other times it feels like we just arrived.

This week the BSC staff welcomed our arrival and the June birthdays with a little celebration, complete with cake, gifts and flowers! The Thai's love any excuse to celebrate... and it was all well photo-documented. As Archan Thongchai said, "Let's take a picture! It's part of our culture."

This month has been filled with so many mission teams and visitors to Thailand. It has been neat to get to rub shoulders with so many people who not only love the Lord, but also are dedicating their lives to taking His Name to the nations. There is so much camaraderie between those who have the same heart and vision for ministry. I love it! John Lapos is always talking about how "we're family" here in Thailand, and I really do feel that way. Sometimes it's messy, complicated, and difficult, but at the end of the day, we're all brothers and sisters in the faith. It's crazy how you can meet someone for the first time and have so much in common with them... that's the unity that knowing Christ creates. That's the global Church!

Here are some brief bio's of some of your brothers and sisters abroad:

Meet Matt, a 27 year old originally from Florida who is teaching and doing missions in China. He's in Thailand on his visa run-- but taught English in northeast Thailand a few years ago. While he's only here for a couple weeks he's been joining in with the Conversation Corner at the BSC and even came to our small group!

[left to right: Matt, Kyle, Bakery, Lina / getting on the BTS after small group!]

Then there's Rod and Rhonda, an awesome couple who came to Thailand with two of their three kids. They have such a heart for the Lord and a great sense of humor. They're always game to join us for late-night smoothies and are willing to stay up and share stories!

There's also the Lifepoint team-- 9 interns from Smyrna, TN who love the Lord and are fired up to be in Thailand to be trained at the Missions Training School and put that training into action through serving in various ministry capacities in Bangkok and beyond. To read more about their journey, you can check out the team blog, or some of their individual blogs! (I will post more later if I find out that other members have personal blogs)  [lifepoint sending- blog] [ryan's blog] [erica's blog] [brianna's blog] [shelby's blog] [emily's blog]

There are also teams and individuals from other places in the U.S... but I haven't met them all yet. Every time I have breakfast or lunch at the food court at the BSC it seems like there are more farang!

Last, but not least, is the Florida team, five folks from... Florida! They're a part of Calvary Baptist Church, who has a history of partnering with the BSC and serving in Thailand. Two other Calvary folks have been here a while, Paul and Barbara, serving in a ministry they started called "Grief Share." The Florida team led Friday Night Life tonight and I got to tag along afterwards with them to dinner. There's a neat outdoor restaurant near the BSC which is the Thai equivalent of "The Melting Pot" in America... except it's only $4, and all you can eat!

[left front to back: Pat, Rod, Lauren, Meghan / Ryan, Rhonda and Luke]

Thank you to each of you who are supporting us through prayer and/or financially! It has been such a blessing to know that there is an army of people lifting us up... Thank you for being a part of helping us build relationships and show Christ's love to the Thai people. I hope that you are encouraged by how God is using you, through us, to make Him known in Thailand.

closure.

I love need closure. I know that life isn't always neat and tidy, and things don't get wrapped up with little bows... but for as much as they can be, I like them to be. There is something comforting in it. So, as things continue to wrap up for me state-side and I say my farewells (for now!), I wanted to post my last "until I'm out of the country" blog post and catch everyone up on where I am and what is coming in the next few days. 

On finances...

God has been so gracious to provide financially for Claire and I to be able to go to Thailand. He has used our places of work, our families, friends, and church to radically bless us and send us covered in prayer and financially. We estimated that we would need $500/mo to live on in Thailand-- and that goal has been met! Praise God!

The parents and staff at FCS surprised me on the last chapel by presenting me
with a check for Thailand and praying over me. I have absolutely loved getting
to spend the past two years serving alongside such an incredible staff,  and with
such awesome parents and children. 

On communication...

Some of the students in the K class at FCS made me laptops so that I could email them while I was in Thailand... (see the picture below) So adorable! However, to aid these paper laptops-- I was recently able to purchase a laptop for my journey.

Also, my co-workers at Catalyst all chipped in to buy me an iPhone to use internationally while I am overseas! Technology really makes 12 time zones seem a lot closer. 

On packing...
Anyone in a 10 foot radius of me this week has probably heard me talking about pitching and packing. Despite how the family-basement currently looks, this is progress:

I did not expect that sorting through every childhood treasure would take quite so long, but 24 years of stuff adds up. I'm paring it down to a spare closet in the basement and my bookshelves (which have been sorted!) I am going to miss all my books in Thailand...

But the good packing news is that Old Navy is currently selling appropriate "Thai teaching attire", and I was able to complete my wardrobe for my year there. I love one-stop shopping! I now have shoes (from a previous venture), clothes, and am ready to pack my bags. Once I uncover them from this mess I've made!

On leaving...
Claire and I will be departing Dulles at 6:40pm on Monday. June 11th. Tonight and tomorrow are "family days", Sunday is "church family day" and Monday is doubling as "AGHH. I Still Need ___ From Wal*Mart And Forgot To Get It Day" and "Departure-Day". We'll have a layover in Heathrow (London) and in Singapore. Depending on how internet works there, I will try to do a mini-post at the airport. Here is our route:

[click to enlarge]

I am so excited for the opportunity God has given me to take His Name to the nations. I am excited to see not just what He does in my life, but what He does in your life as a partner with me in this.

And as always, the comment box below is always open for your thoughts, <3, and requests!

Financial Update

I want to share with you how God has shown Himself (yet again!) to be Jehovah Jireh in my life-- He has already provided $3,500 for my year in Thailand... that is incredible! A year in Thailand is about $6,000 and airfare home is approx $1,000-1,500. So the total cost is: $7,000-7,500. That means that there is less than $4,000 left to raise!

Through monthly sponsorships, $1,080 has already been pledged... leaving only $240/month left to be raised in monthly sponsorships. (That's 8 people committing to sponsor me for $30/month, or 4 people giving $60/month, or a combination of monthly and one-time donations.)

And. Above and beyond that, $800 has also been given to help cover my pre-trip needs (visa, airfare, laptop, etc.).  Praise God!

To each of you who has given sacrificially to help be a part of sending me to Thailand, thank you so much. It is a blessing and a responsibility to have you supporting me. My prayer is that God uses me as a worthy investment of your resources, and that I am a useful and faithful vessel for Him. Thank you for supporting me, for praying, and for following along on this journey.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Eph 3:20-21

Strollers and Backpacks and Dishes, oh my!

For the past week my parents have been working tirelessly to aid Claire and I in collecting, sorting and pricing items for the Thailand Fundraising Yard Sale which culminated this morning on the Lisco's driveway. After having made multiple trips the day before, the next round of packing started promptly at 4:00 am this morning. (Shout-out to my mom and dad... who are awesome: The whole basement was covered in "to-sell" items that all found their way to the yard sale by 6:00 am. All those military moves paid off in yard sale set-up efficiency!)

Arriving at the sale-site at 6:00am, my mom, the Pezzutos, Mavrick, Krystle, Samantha and fellow Thailand sojourners, Zac and Abby proceeded to assist in sorting and staging load after load of "to sell" items. There were a ton of families and individuals who donated to the sale... and the final result was incredible!

The Lisco's driveway... transformed into a shopping alley!

Families, strollers, and yard sale sharks came ready to bargain, wheel and deal! It felt like Thailand all over again... "Five dollars?? How about I give you three." "Deal!" It was also great to have the opportunity to explain why we are going, and how their purchases were supporting us. "I can eat 6 more meals in Thailand because you bought those $7 speakers! Thank you!" A lot of people even made donations to support our team. It was such a great (albeit exhausting) morning. We left with our skin a little sun-burnt, our backs a little sore, but with $606 raised! Praise God! This money will go to support Claire and my trip to Thailand and also help support a couple members of the Short-Term August team from Spotswood!

A huge thank you to everyone who gave us their stuff to sell, their time to set-up/tear-down, their donations and their driveway! This yard sale was a bigger undertaking than I ever anticipated... and there is no way it could have been pulled off by my effort alone. Thank you for partnering with the Claire and I... and the Thailand Team.

Abby, my sister, and future sojourner to Thailand, manning the  front tables!

Favorite Quote of the Day:
There was a flock (yes, a flock) of kids who were browsing our wares for over 30 minutes. They found the "free stuff" box*, and also made a few purchases. As soon as they would discover or acquire another toy (or piece of a toy...) they would start shouting, "Just because it's broken, doesn't mean you can't use it!" Over and over and over again. They were cracking us up, especially when they came back to re-shop three more times! We gave them some "loyalty buyer" incentives for all their support :)

Favorite "oops!" of the Day:
...When my mom sold my sister's pair of sunglasses by mistake. Yard sales should come with a warning: Unattended belongings will be sold.

__________
* The "free stuff" box was perhaps the most entertaining box at the yard sale... a magnetic dartboard with no darts, half of a model of the USS Enterprise, some Highlights and American Girl magazines, a headband with unusual ribbons coming out of it, etc. The kids loved it. And couldn't get over that everything in the box was theirs for the taking... and take it they did! It was empty before the end of the day.

Thailand Benefit Dinner

Wow. I don't know where to begin... Tonight was incredible. So many people poured so much time and energy into making this evening happen. It was beautiful, and I was completely humbled and blown away! Weeks ago, when Pastor Doug mentioned we were going to have an "Italian Benefit Dinner" my first thought was that it would be mass-produced boxed spaghetti and Ragu sauce. Maybe some re-heated meatballs if we were feeling crazy.

What I did not imagine was hand-made pasta, rolled and punched into over 1,200 raviolis, from-scratch sauce, hand-assembled salads and authentic dipping sauce (and dozens of different home-made cakes). Here is the man behind the event... meet Ralph Mattera. He and his wife, Gradye were my Sunday School teachers my senior year of high school. They have such a huge heart for the Lord... you only have to meet them once to know that. He and his team invested hours and hours... and hours and hours preparing and prepping for this evening. What a testimony to his love of the Lord and his love of missions.

Ralph Mattera adding some parmesan to the ravioli. 

My mom (& dessert)! She helped prepare and serve at the dinner.

There were about 360 people who walked through the Fellowship Hall of Spotswood this evening and enjoyed a truly authentic Italian meal, complete with scenery from Italy projected on the wall and an Italian soundtrack. Tonight alone, God raised over $2,200 for our trip to Thailand! That is two months of living in Thailand (each!) or our plane ticket home! So many people gave generously to help support us... I feel truly honored and humbled that God has allowed us to do this, and has placed us in a church with such a heart for missions.

A snapshot from the evening.

This evening could not have happened without the awesome volunteers who came to help-- our college group, friends, relatives and small group showed up in style to help bus tables, wash dishes, engage guests and serve joyfully. God has blessed Claire and I with some incredible friendships. Friends who love the Lord and desire to serve Him and His people. (They've been so faithful to help with so many of our fundraisers, and not just this one, but others such as the Natalie Grant concert this past March!) But here are a few of the folks who stepped up to help this evening:

Tonight was also a neat opportunity for Claire and I to connect with people and have the chance to talk with them about what God is doing in our lives through our church! I am so excited we had this time to show some of our "eternal family" the impact that our God and His church has had on us... and also hear the God-stories of our brothers and sisters.

And, last but not least! We had a special guest this evening... Supot! Supot is our Thai tutor. He came over from Thailand a month or so ago, and has been meeting with us weekly to help us practice our Thai before we leave. Claire blogged about our most recent "Thai tutoring" lesson on her blog (click here to read it!).

Supot and I... posing for a pre-dinner picture!

For everyone who came, supported us, and gave: Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I am excited for the day you are able to see the impact your life made in Thailand because of the investment you've made in our lives. You have truly loved us not just with "words or speech, but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18).
For everyone who served: From Jenn doing all the "paper"-preparation, Jared and publicity, Lauren coordinating volunteers, Candice taking all these awesome pictures, the Matteras overseeing and preparing the food, Bob coordinating the dinner, Doug picking up all the loose ends, planning, and making tonight seamless, to the servers, the hosts and hostesses, and the cheese-sprinklers... (the list goes on and on!) Thank you.