Scenes from a town.

hey friends - back again! it's just more fun to post with pictures!! although it seems you enjoy my stories too! ;) good, i'm glad i can entertain you. i gotta say, the internet is the greatest invention - it has kept me sane when i miss home and keeps me in touch with those i love!

*so, sally and i make the same trek - nearly everyday - on a strip of street, to any or all of the following...the local market, night bazzar, grocery store, massage place, video store, and restaurants. it's an interesting walk dodging traffic, being the object of gawking stares, and lots of local vendors to choose from. it is a good walk and it meets most of our goals. it is convienent and i feel fortunate. there are lots of food - fruits, veggies, greasy foods - mixed in with different types of flowers, bootleg videos, knick knacks, alter offerings, and lottery tickets! The fruit is usually very good - i have been disappointed with the pineapple though - it's usually amazing in Thailand...i don't think it's in season yet. i can't say i'm a vegetable person - or that i cook for that matter - but it looks good! i try not to partake of the street vendors too much - i have a pesty bug that comes and goes here! :( we love our video store - to pick up old new releases...if that makes sense! And how we love our Farang Cafe - that's sally inside ordering tacos!! The owner is so sweet and good to us. She knows exactly what i want: the "farang club" (turkey breast, 3 pieces of toast, sweet red onions, mayo, tomato, lettuce, bacon, and fried egg! AWESOME) and the BEST waffle cut french fries!! we have decided to only go once a week! although, i do get sick of thai food fast...i heard that our area doesn't have the best thai cuisine either, so i don't feel that guilty for not being a big fan. the night market has lots of clothes (for tiny people!), goofy cartoon items, lots of sunglasses and shoes and bras, food food and more food...and of course, street foot massagers! it's pretty cool ("jang"). we are planning to head into the city more too to check out the local variety too - more to do there.

*i also got to hang out with an old friend that i met in thailand 5 years ago - she and her husband have their own org and are here as missionaries - they are awesome! it was great seeing her and catching up. she introduced me to a nice christian bookstore and cafe! i was also fortunate to have her show me around the red light district where there is alot of prostitution and flower girls hanging around...it is so sad to see young pretty "made up - grownup" girls sitting outside of strip clubs, huddled together "waiting" for customers to come along. it's so degrating and unjust. then there are the "flower girls" or boys in some cases, little kids that are on the street all night and morning selling flowers...and most of the time themselves, for a few baht. they are out there to help their parents - and sometimes forced to do more. it's just wrong and so sad - it infuriates me. i was glad that she showed me around these areas, because i have felt in a bubble in my safe little "suburbs" at the office. it's so different to be surrounded by the sex scene and bright lights of what's for sale - booze or flesh - whatever your pleasure, right? i just can't believe this is life for these kids...and there are little ways out - sometimes because they don't want to go because they make good money, or have no other opportunity, or someone is keeping them from leaving - pimp or parents, it's just evil.

anyways, that's why i'm here - to figure out how God wants me to help - how to use my skills - how to have compassion and do something about it. how to share with them the good news and that there is hope in the darkness. **pray for me as i try to figure that out! :)