Research

I am trying to consistently set aside time to do research on things I need to be getting in order before Thailand. In the process, I found some helpful links I thought I would share for anyone who may be looking to travel internationally (or to Thailand!).

[more may be added to this list in the future]

Sites I've found helpful:

Travel Independent- almost everything you could want to know about travelling internationally, right down to what to pack!

World Nomads- they have an app for the iPhone to help you learn some conversational Thai (among other languages)

Sierra Trading Post- everything you might ever want or need to know before buying shoes

LinguaEdge- online classes to train you in teaching English overseas and earn your TESOL Certificate

TESOL

It is strange to be taking a class (and notes!) again. I signed up today for a 50-hour TESOL class through LinguaEdge and just completed Unit 1 (of 40). The goal is to spend 7-10 hours/week working on it. Which, I'll admit, it a little ambitious for me, but in order to complete it by the end of March, I need to be aggressive in completing it. It's part of...

John Lapos' Check-List for Thailand:
(...which happens to be much shorter than my personal "to-do-before-leaving" list)

[ x ] Copy of passport
[ x ] Copy of degree
[ x ] Copy of transcripts
[ x ] Resume
[ ] Research medical evacuation/catastrophy insurance
[ x ] TESOL certification
[ ] Raise support
[ ] Double-check my shots
[ ] BSC application (3 letters of reference)
^ I put the easy things first so I could feel successful :)

It's hard to believe in 4.5 months I could be on a plane to Thailand... for a year. I am praying that God makes a way for me to go and to stay there, and that He would continue to prepare my heart and mind and body for what He will do with me while I am there.

Blog Theme

Once Claire and I get settled in Thailand, I am thinking about doing a daily blog-theme. Here are my thoughts for what to expect:

Mish-mashed Mondays
Teaching Tuesdays
Serious Wednesdays
Low-expectation Thursdays
Photo Fridays
and Whatever Weekends

I cannot promise a blog post every day, for 365+ days, but I will certainly make a valiant effort to keep all of you updated as much as possible, starting now!

Beautiful Feet

"As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:11-15

Thank you for helping enable my feet to travel to Thailand to share the Gospel with the Thai people. Please follow my journey here-- and feel free to comment and ask as many questions as you like!

I am eagerly anticipating how God will use the prayers and hands of His people to push back darkness in Bangkok, Thailand.

In Him,

Liz

Decisions

I am very excited to finally be able to write this post... if you have talked to me since August, what is coming will come as no surprise to you, it involves Thailand. While our team was in Bangkok, John Lapos (IMB missionary) and Pastor Thongchai (Protestant Rep to the King) both mentioned that fact that Thailand needs single missionaries to come to Thailand. Why? Because ministry there is uniquely suited for single people. It's relationally based, and they need people who can be flexible, and who have time to spend with the Thai people.

So, providing that God makes a way, I will be going back to Thailand for a year.

I would leave in June with Claire (who is also planning to go for a year and teach), and then return with the Spotswood team in the Summer of 2013. We would be interns for John Lapos, and also teach at the BSC (Baptist Student Center). There is so much that I am excited about and looking forward to... It is hard to encapsulate in one post at 10:30 at night... which is pretty late for me these days!

It is a chance for me to really trust God-- outside of the safety and comfort of the all-too-familiar America. It is a chance for me to fail. And it is a chance for me to grow. I can't be scared of that-- of failing. But I can (and should) be scared of living in such a safe way, that I never do anything of value for the Kingdom. So, this is my next step.

I have had such unique opportunities to share about what God has been doing in my life since I got back from Thailand. Our team was able to share on Wednesday night with our whole church body about our missions trip to Bangkok. We gave out over a hundred cards with pictures of people we met, part of their story, and ways to be praying for them. Then, I was able to share at a staff meeting (and show pictures, of course) with my co-workers at FCS about Thailand. After sharing with the staff, the Kindergarten teacher asked me to talk to her class about it. After that, I figured I'd pretty much tapped out my formal "audiences"-- but then I got a call, asking me to share with the Awana TNT group on their Missions Night.

So. Cool. It was crazy, because, only a few years ago I was leading a 3rd-4th grade group of TNT girls, and sitting in that same room for Missions Night. I went through Sparks, and led Sparks for many years, and always loved hearing the missionaries share about these awesome things God was doing all over the world. Who knew that someday I'd be speaking on the other side? Haha, only God. And what felt so strange was that... I am normal. There is nothing special about me; I have no exciting talents. I can't juggle, I have no musical bone in my body, and I don't pick up new languages quickly. And yet, despite being so average, God has chosen to use me. In my journal last night I wrote,

What an upside-down God we serve-- who uses broken things to carry His light to the nations. Wow.

Platt had this quote in Radical about how we are all given the Commission to be missionaries, and some of us are cross-cultural, and some of us are inter-cultural. I am excited about the opportunity to be a cross-cultural missionary for a year. I am hoping it will help give me some perspective and also some direction for what God wants me to pursue when I go to seminary upon my return.