Micah teaching one of our guests a card game.
Since December’s post was the year-end summary, this month we wanted to give you an update on our holiday gatherings we had over the past few weeks. The ministry opportunity we saw was to bless singles we know here with “family” celebrations on the holidays that they otherwise would not have. And at the same time, it gave our kids a special time where they got to be involved in serving, while also having others to celebrate with during the holiday season. Our original guest list/plans for Christmas completely changed from our original plan and ended up being a small but diverse group from Malaysia, China, and the U.S. We played games, played in the field outside, ate wonderful food prepared by Ruth, sang Christmas carols around the piano, and were able to send the singles home with “to-go” boxes of food and Christmas cookies and candy again. They had such a good time they invited themselves back for New Year’s!
Looking for fireworks at midnight.
So we did have that whole group for New Year’s along with a new Thai friend and a family from our local fellowship here. That night ended by going outside to try to see fireworks (we don’t yet know where to buy our own here like we did in our last country), but while we heard explosions in seemingly every direction, we saw nothing but feint flashes in the distance. Still, a good time was had by all, the new year was rung in, and friendships were solidified.
As of mid-January now, Thailand is facing a resurgence of Covid cases and is entering a soft lockdown state. When we first arrived last March it was a true lockdown with stores and restaurants closed, all schools online, etc. etc. At the moment the government has banned gatherings of more than 50 people, and schools are starting to do some online classes, however stores and restaurants remain open. Our church services have been canceled for January due to the rented building (which is part of a tourist facility) being closed now, so we plan to alternate people’s homes to meet in (which reminds me of how we used to meet in our last country of service, though for entirely different reasons). Strange times.
Blessings,
– Lance, for the Baker family