So, life around here has been crazy. I took some time not blogging because life became very routine, as I'm sure it does everywhere. Most my time is filled with homework, which is the last thing I want to do while in such an amazing country. We finally got to start our own English class, which was amazing and super fun.
On another note... flooding. The most talked about topic in Thailand at present. Thai news is filled with it. We were in Bangkok and kept getting told over and over it wouldn't effect us. Bangkok is surrounded by a dike system to protect the metropolitan area, in which we live. We thought we were okay, and then began to notice the lack of water and bread in store shelves. Soon, even eggs were gone. So, even though we were reassured of our facilities not flooding, we began to worry about food and water. You can't drink tap water in Thailand, especially not with all the flooding. So, just when we though we had made it through, we were then informed of this large puddle (a gross understatement I assure you...) capable of flooding up to the third floor in some places was headed towards Bangkok. If the dikes could hold, we'd have no troubles. We began to notice that all the roads out of Bangkok were closed except for one. No one was sure that the dikes could hold. Furthermore, Ayuttya (I think that's how it's spelled) is where all the big food factories are. It is also under a massive amount of water. So, there's a lack of food because of the factories not being able to operate and the factories that do operate cannot get food in and out of Bangkok because of there only being one road in and out. Suddenly, everything began to feel more panicky. There was so much tension, we'd all crack morbid jokes just to feel better. We fought about some of the stupidest things. It was super stressful.
One beautiful night, one of my teammates and I got on a bus to go downtown to teach English. Halfway there we noticed a little bit of rain, but nothing to worry about. By the time we got off the bus, it looked like there was a hurricane over our heads. We hopped in a taxi to take us about 10 blocks to the church. Got a call halfway there saying that our class was cancelled and we needed to get home ASAP. We were hoping we could pick up our other two team members and convince the guy to take us all the way home. He refused because the streets were starting to flood. No one would even take us to the train station which was at the end of the road and most of them were headed in that direction anyhow. So, our only hope was to walk for a mile in the flooding to get to the train station. This started out okay with a few laughs and joking. The rain in Bangkok is super polluted so that was especially not fun. It became especially not fun when there was ankle deep puddle which you suddenly realized were not just water. The sewage systems are above ground, so with the flooding even sewage ends up in the streets. There were pipes draining on to the street, even, that you knew were raw sewage. If you know me at all, I'm super obsessive compulsive and terrified of germs. I even avoid public bathrooms as absolutely much as possible. If I go into one I will wash my hands and then use hand sanitizer after I leave the bathroom. My whole world crashed stepping into those puddles. What made it worse was that my anxiety took a hold of me and I started to become a hypochondriac and worried that I had broken skin on my feet that would get infected and I'd end up with like Hepatitis or something. We made it and I got on the train and we were soaked and so many people were on the train that people were literally falling out when the doors open. I got home and showered, including washing my feet with tons of antibacterial soap. I then just cried. It was awful because there was nothing I could do, and my feet were covered with germs that I was not only terrified of, but others I never thought I would have had to encounter. The one thing I need to remember is that God is bigger than a germ. I had to remind myself over and over.
So, we had arranged road trips in order to renew our visas, which involves crossing the border and coming back in. Those were just as chaotic to plan, because the flooding had an impact on our travel plans. My team ended up flying instead of taking a bus (a blessing I assure you). So far down here has been amazing. It almost feels like I'm in Thailand for the first time. Bangkok is Thailand, but it's huge and very westernized, I feel. Down here is more traditional and beautiful. There's mountains. :) It's super hot though. I don't like the heat.
Going into Burma was super amazing. The country is definitely different than Thailand. It's gorgeous. It was frustrating though to go into a country where I don't speak the language... again. I don't know a lot of Thai, but I can get places and I can't do that in Burma. We've been teaching in Burmese schools in Thailand, which has been super fun. The kids are amazing. The Burmese seem to be a lot louder than the Thai, so it's different. The culture is different. After church on Sunday, we walked into the jungle (wearing flats and a skirt...) to meet some Burmese people living here. There was one lady who only had use of one of her hands. She either is mostly paralyzed or she's paralyzed down half her body, but I don't know for sure. I wish I could say she was healed right there in front of us, but she wasn't, but I definitely think God did something inside of her that day. We also prayed for her next door neighbors who said that their kids could go to church. Unfortunately, they needed a ride, but there is no one to give them rides. It would be super cool for there to be more ministries to the Burmese here.
It's crazy, but life has still been good. It's been super stressful, but still amazing. God is good.
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