Our First 8 Days

Sent: Mon, June 6, 2011 2:37:58 PM
Subject: Our First 8 Days

Hello Dear Friends and Family in the US!!Wilai here, reporting on our trip thus far.  As you may know, we have reached our destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  a beautiful mountainous city in north Thailand.  We got here last Tuesday and things started rolling. I checked in at a hotel near the church that we would be attending and took care of Alathia's schooling and started house hunting. I got to meet many great people at Grace International School where I will be teaching.  They were so kind and friendly.  One teacher told me about a vacant house next door to her. Through her house keeper, I got to see the house and was able to meet the owner. We negotiated a good price, but I was still looking for something cheaper. But after a few houses, I realized that the first one was the best offer. Another lady came to the hotel to pick me up and drove across town, so that I can move in Sunday night, after church!  It is a beautiful home with great neighbors.  A lady across the street is a retiree who is a Christian.  She loves to play Christian songs on her keyboard.  I am planning to go play with her one of these days.  My teacher friend, next door to me is also a Christian from Europe.  She has many fruit trees, such as jackfruits, mangos and coconut trees, that she said that I could have all I wanted, for she did not care for them.  Alathia told me that those were the exact trees that she had prayed for.That we would have near by, but that the coconuts would not fall on our roof!  Well, here they were, right next door!!  The house has tiled back porch that is perfect for my outdoor cooking. Best yet, is that the landlords, a couple my age, are so nice and gave me a lower rate of 9,000 baht, that is about $300.00 US.  It is a very reasonable price for such a nice house fully furnished. (You can view the house pictures on face book.  Facebook is pretty safe, if you use it wisely.  I just use it for communicating with friends overseas and my family. You will see many pictures that Alathia took in Thailand as well.) Alathia and I attended church for the first time yesterday. (They only have one service a week and home group Bible Studies and Fellowships on weekdays.)  We were not quite sure how it was going to be, but I was hoping that the Christian Outreach Center, English service was going to be something close to our church back in the States. After service, both Alathia and I were thankful that God was there in that place of worship. We both went forward to God's continues guidance. It was a nice surprise that there were a lot of people from my school and Alathia's school that were part of the church.After church, we had a nice walk to a near by mall for lunch and to shop for a few more items for Alathia. When we got back to the hotel, we had kind people to take her back to the dorm. Alathia is adjusting well to college and dormitory life. It was rather rough the first few days, as expected, because I was not there to shelter her from the cultural shock that was bound to come. But she is doing incredibly well and learning so much. Today, Monday, June 6th is her first day of classes.  She is making friends with many students from all around the world as well as learning a lot of Thai with her roommate.  I admire her attitude and am thankful everyday that she is here with me in Thailand.  We are like Ruth and Naomi, in the Bible.  Alathia, like Ruth, had followed her mother to the land of her birth.  I know that God will bless her richly.  Alathia is a fighter and she knows that she always has options, that if it does not work out, she can return home to the States.While we are missing the many comforts of home and the people we love, God is here to help us in every step of the way.  I found a friend in the hotel owner where I was staying for almost a week.  Stefanie lowered our rate and even gave me a refund because I did not stay the full week, (which was not their normal policy.) She was always looking after us by buying us meals and helping us with so many insights on living in Chiang Mai from a foreigner's perspective.  Stefanie is also fluent in English and Chinese. Which was so nice that Alathia can communicate to some one other than me in English. While Alathia was at the university, I thought I would surprise her by renting a motorbike for us to practice.  Well, no sooner than a few minutes on that bike, on a narrow street that I had a minor accident. Nothing serious, just a few scrapes on my shin.  But it did give me a new respect for the motorbike. . . it is going to take a larger street and some getting use to.  I decided that Alathia will be the one riding the motorbike most of the time,while I will just have to ride a bike to my school.  This was a much better arrangement for I live very close to GIS while Alathia will have a longer ride to her campus. Through many wonderful church folk here, God helped me to connect with the right people to help me with transportation and moving into my new home . It was not very convenient to travel when you have not means of transportation.  I  know that I would not want to own or drive a car.  So the next best thing is to own a bike.  Through a wonderful lady who helped me find my house, she took me to buy a Honda motorbike.  One that is just like hers.  I rode around on her bike to know that it was a smooth riding bike.  The model was very safe with hand held automatic starter. I am sure that Alathia will love it, especially in royal blue color!  I can't wait to see it, for it will be delivered in the next few days!!So, today, my first day in settling into my new home, I have another friend from church, from Australia, who is going to take me to the local department store, Big C, like Walmart back home, to buy a standing fan and other household necessities.  My house is not fully air conditioned.  You might think that odd. But in Thailand, they believe in conserving energy and most homes do not have air conditioning for the entire house.  I was thankful to have ac in both bedrooms and having it in the living room was a big plus.The weather turned hot as soon as we arrived. It did not rain every day like a real rainy season.  However, the pass two nights, it rained long and hard.  I have never heard (or have forgotten) of so many frogs croaking after the rain.  I don't know if they were crying or rejoicing over the rain!  We missed Tom and Sam about one day as they headed back to Texas.  I did not get to go to the dentist yet.  But will have to make arrangement for one close to Hang Dong area.  My Thai cell phone number: 089-657-3729, Alathia's is 087-2266-908.  Calling from the States, you would have to dial 011+66 minus 0(in front of the 8's) then the number beginning with 8.  It may be easier to skype for some of you.  Please feel free to contact us.  Alathia and I will be in school from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Thailand time which is either 12 or 13 hours ahead of you guys in Texas and more from the Pacific coast time. We love and appreciate each of you.  You all are very near and dear to our heart.  May God bless you and keep you in His will and purpose.Love, Wilai and Alathia