Happy Fourth Of July

This summer is going by way too fast! I looked at my calender and realized, "Oh, its July 4th?!" Normally I'd be sitting by the Strickland's pool, but  in Thailand it's just another blazing hot day with no particular importance.

Now that I'm past the half way point of my summer, I'm much more aware that I will be leaving soon. I actually don't want to talk about that yet. haha This past week, however was incredible. Most of our time was spent planning for the next American team that will be arriving this Wednesday. There are 17 of them and it will be just as busy or more busy than the last team. We have been praying that God would use their presence here as a light for Him, because twenty something Americans really stand out in a crowd.

This past weekend was one of my favorites. If you have been following my recent posts you know that one of my best Thai friends is a guy named PakPao. Him and his friend, Nieb, planned a weekend trip to Sattahip, which is a beach South of Bangkok. So four guys, PakPao, Nieb, Chris and I, loaded up early Saturday morning and headed out! The first picture is of Pattaya, which is where we stopped for lunch.

Sattahip

Nieb's dad is a general in the Thai Navy and hooked us up with a super nice guest house at the Sattahip Naval Base. We were also treated to dinner at a fantastic restaurant on the beach which was by far some of the best food I've had in Thailand.  With all the beautiful scenery, I was given an opportunity to talk with PakPao about how God created all that we see. It is so exciting to share life with this guy and I can't wait to share the gospel with him when that opportunity comes my way. Please continue to pray for him.

This was at a sea turtle conservatory in Sattahip

Chris, Me, PakPao, and Nieb

The Lord led me to this passage Sunday morning in Sattahip and to me it really describes the struggle that I have had over my mom's passing but also of the great joy in God's blessings.

"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance."          Psalm 66:10-12


For the King,
Tate