McCam Fam Update

“Neung Sua You Bon Thoh”

That is Thai for “The book is on the table.” That’s pretty much the extent of my Thai as of now, but hey – You never know when you’re going to need to know how to say that.

Life in BKK is going great. Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. It’s always good when you’re so busy you hardly have to time to write. The past few weeks have been filled with church activities, going to Playtime with Josiah, attending Thai school, and hanging out with the team and new Thai/ Japanese friends. I sometimes compare my time here to running (not that I'm running now, but once upon a time). When you first start running, it’s just terrible and you hurt all over. That’s how I felt at the beginning of living in BKK – just “sore” emotionally and spiritually from all the adjustments. Now I feel like I’m getting to that point where the new pains are wearing off. I feel like I’m getting stronger and am not as exhausted around every corner. Sometimes I’ll have carried J a mile or two – which used to wear me out, sometimes to the point I would walk into our apartment and crash – and now I’m like, wow I just did that walk and didn’t even think about it. God proves to me that he will provide what I need, which is usually just Him close to me.

Church is going so incredibly well. We are growing and more people are asking questions about the gospel. We had 15 people stay after church to attend our Discover Lifepoint class this past Sunday. Our Friday night activities are so much fun. Last week we had Cowboy night, complete with line dancing.

This week I start teaching English!! I am so excited. David offered to watch Josiah on Wednesday nights so I could be part of this ministry. If you know me, you know I love to teach – especially English. I have a feeling that teaching the alphabet to Thai people will be a little different than teaching high school literature, but I know I will love it! I pray this will bring more people to know Christ. I get to teach a Bible verse each week. So cool.

Last week, David and I got to go to the orphanage together. It was so cool to watch him hold this huge 6-month-old baby and play with a toddler girl. I ended up holding two boys in both arms a lot of the time. These kids are seriously starved for affection. They want to be in your arms the entire time. We also saw where they sleep – several cribs in a room together. They have to tie the older kids’ legs to the crib so they don’t try to climb out-- sad but they don't have many other options. These kids are generally safe, fed, given medicine, but it’s still heartbreaking. They need to be in families.

Josiah is doing great (by “great” I mean that he’s stirring up all kinds of mischief like his daddy.) He can say several words and loves to show off his belly button when you ask to see it. He has grown so much here. I know I haven’t seen anything yet.

Josiah "reading" his stuffed animal a book before bed. 

Josiah and the ladies who work at our apartment.
They kiss him every time they see him. He endures it well. 

David and I also had the amazing opportunity to visit the zoo on our date last Saturday while Brandon and Crystal watched Josiah. I got to feed a Giraffe a carrot (He licked my hand). I also almost got charged by an elephant who was walking on the path – not in a fence or anything! It started walking really fast toward me and David was like, “Jennifer, hide behind this tree!!” It was a teeny tiny tree and I was laughing so hard, but I hid behind it and the elephant walked past me and back into it’s fence. We also saw a seal show. The zoo only cost $3 to get in! So fun.

Prayers

*Please pray for David has he preaches the Explicit Gospel series. This is an incredible opportunity for Thais to learn about how the gospel is different from Buddhism.

*Please pray for our team, our marriages, our families, our friendships, and our unity with each other

*Pray that God would give me strength to be the mom my boy needs. He is the most important disciple we will ever have.

Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement. I promise to write more soon!

More random pictures

Me right before I ate the biggest chocolate chip cookie from Starbucks. I hid it from Josiah and ate little pieces of it when he wasn't looking. I know -- shameful. I'll die for him, but he can't have my chocolate.

Daddy and J at the park

Josiah and Tobin in our new Sunday nursery! Love love love!