"I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams."

Christmastime.  So many emotions, memories, and aromas evoked with that one simple word.  

For the last 24 years, I’m grateful to say that certain things remained the same for me during Christmastime: being with family, our Christmas tree decorated with sentimental ornaments, a fireplace, truly cold weather and hats/mittens/scarves, Colorado’s snow-covered Rockies, apple cider, caroling, baking, church Christmas program, etc. 

Well, almost none of that was here in Chiang Mai with me this year. 

Not being with family was obviously the hardest part; how I wished I could be back for just one day even to decorate the tree and bake with them.  While I had mentally prepared myself for this separation during the holidays, emotions did overtake me more than once.  The weather was a surprisingly hard component of not being home as well.  Since I’ve never experienced Christmas in a warm climate before, my mind simply couldn’t and wouldn’t equate sweating with Christmas (unless, of course, I was bundled in snow gear and shoveling the driveway or traipsing around on snow shoes).  And where were all the Christmas lights and gazillion banners and store decorations to remind you that it was Christmas?  Oh, right.  Thailand’s a Buddhist country.  They just don’t celebrate it the same way.

So, what do you do when it just doesn’t feel like Christmastime??  How do you enjoy the season when so much of what you associate the holiday with is not within your grasp? 

You go back to the profound basics of Christmas: a Savior is born!  Christmastime may not be the same in Chiang Mai, but my Christmas half way across the world could be the same because Christ is the same…yesterday, today, and forever, the promise in God’s gift of His Son remains!

While it was hard to experience the holidays without my “norms,” I feel as if the Lord stripped away so many of the distractions of the seasons and refocused my heart on Him.  God drew me to Him more than ever this advent season as I thirsted for something to fill the voids.  I ran hard after the advent book I chose this year, The Names of God, which explains the history and meaning behind various names of God, provides opportunities to pray through them, and lays out the promises associated with each one. A world away from home, but I still felt full of His presence and deeply touched by His abounding love.  Yahweh, my Deliverer. Jesus, my Savior.  The King.  The Child.  The Bright Morning Star who heralds in the dawn, the hope of a new day!

How grateful I am that the loss of traditions and norms are overshadowed by the joy, hope, and peace bursting forth from the incarnation!  

A Taste of Thailand

             Similar to its food, Thailand is spicy and full of surprises.  Amidst its vibrant and inviting ways, I've also found Thailand to be very peaceful.  Here’s a sampling of life in Chiang Mai, probably just enough to whet your appetite and maybe leaving you with a desire to experience the full-course-meal for yourself! J

            Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles,” as is evident with almost every interaction I have with Thais.  They are such a friendly people and always want you to feel comfortable and welcome.  A traditional greeting incudes a polite wai and is coupled with a bright smile.  I’m greeted this way almost every time I pass the guards in my mooban (neighborhood) or at the entrance of our school; what a great way to start each morning! 

Meghan, my roommate and driving instructor, testing out Ruby!

It’s said that every Thai owns at least these three things: a cell phone, a DVD player, and motorbike.  Well, I now feel more connected to the Thai way of living since I’ve purchased my very own motorbike!  We call her Ruby, a smooth-riding red Honda Click.  An automatic, of course, since having to think about shifting gears in the middle of Chiang Mai traffic did not seem to bode well for my safety.  Whether I’m flying down Hang Dong at 80kmp, weaving through traffic around the Chiang Mai moat, cautiously winding up the mountain roads, or enjoying the beautiful rice paddies in the countryside, I feel more intimately connected to Thailand and it’s people.  Because of this and the freedom that comes from having my own transportation, I think Ruby is my favorite Thai spice. :) 

Rather large beetles at the market that I have not yet braved.

       

Adjusting to the culinary ways in Thailand has taken some time. Finding food in Thailand is never a problem, as there are markets everywhere and food vendors around almost every corner, but finding food that’s familiar and safe is another story.  It’s a possibility that I’ve unknowingly eaten dog meat here, but I can’t prove that; let’s just say I’d suggest only buying meat at the market via recommendation.  My paranoia has overtaken me sometimes and I’ve thought that for sure I have worms or a parasite.  Thankfully, lunches are provided by the GIS kitchen staff who spoil us with incredible Thai food throughout the week; they even make gluten-free substitutes for those of us with an allergy.  Some things you’re sure to find everywhere are rice ("khao") and chicken ("gai").  My favorite dishes so far are fried Indian curry, cashew chicken, mooping (pork on a stick with sticky rice), and green curry.  Also, while utensils are almost always provided (at which point you eat with the spoon, not the fork), it’s not uncommon to see people eating with their hands at street-side stalls.  Meals are also a very communal event, so people often get several dishes to share amongst the group.  

A Kantok Dinner is a must-see cultural experience in Chiang Mai, where you're entertained by traditional dance and music while enjoying an assortment of popular Thai dishes.   As part of our Thai culture training through the school, we had the privilege of attending a Kantok Dinner with the GIS Thai staff members.  The dancing, costumes, and music beautifully reflect various cultural values and characteristics of Thailand’s regional groups.  If you’re lucky, you might even get to join the dancers on stage! 

 

We get to enjoy the freshest of fruits here! Yes, that's a coconut tree. Yes, that's a man with a machete. Yes, he's on our roof about to take a whack at it. ;)   We also have papaya and mango trees in the yard.  Jen, our maeban, loves to share these fresh fruits with us when they're ripe 'n ready; she's the best! 

As a Buddhist country, Thailand obviously displays countless wats, or temples.   A giant white-washed Buddha can be viewed from Grace International School atop Doi Kham.  An energetic group of GIS staff members walk to the wat every Saturday morning as it heralds one of the most beautiful views of Chiang Mai.  My own visit to the wat produced mixed emotions: I was awed by the temple’s ornate beauty, but also saddened by the void of hope and peace that this religious site brings.  We witnessed individuals and families worshipping man-made idols, praying to ancestors, and offering various atonement for their sins to monks.  Please continue to pray that these beautiful Thai people would come to see the Truth and personally know their Maker and Savior.     

I was privileged to see some of the fruits of faithful evangelism and Christian community-building efforts at “Pray for Chiang Mai,” an event organized by the church I’m currently attending, The ACTS Church of Chiang Mai.  This powerful evening of prayer was devoted to lifting up different individuals and groups to the Lord, from the country’s King to its media personnel to its missionaries.   The culminating prayer involved the crowds placing their hands on the wall of the old city, looking through the gate and up the mountain that marks the traditional entrance point of the King of Thailand.  Beautiful symbolism of the city’s sin leaving through the same gate where the True King is being welcomed in!  

Some of my favorite Thailand adventures to-date include experiences with elephants!! But that will have to be for another day. If you're anxious to taste more of Thailand, hope on over for dinner any time! :)