Yesterday - we had a great and relaxing day. Today was all about relaxation. We drove out to the middle of nowhere with some Muslim friends of the Richards. The husband is Banchim (remember that name). The ladies sat outside on mats and made rice wraps and fresh coconut treats for lunch. When we arrived, the family whose home we were at got fresh coconuts right from the tree and cracked them open and we got to drink right from the coconut. That was pretty cool. Then we went and got the banana leaves for the treats to be cooked in. While the ladies were making the food and talking with the women the guys sat around and sang some worship music. That led Banchim to ask Keith what we were singing about. I love how God uses worship to open doors! Banchim left to go do his daily prayer time but his time to hear wasn't over just yet. After eating and hanging out a little longer we packed up and went to a resort for some beach time. Now this was no regular resort. It was way off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere just outside a slummy area. But it was absolutely beautiful! While there Yo, the Richard's Thai intern, got to sit and talk with Banchim and his family and answer a lot of questions they had about our faith. That was huge. This family is deep into Islam. Becoming a Muslim is very easy. Getting out is vurtually impossible. If that happens you are automatically divorced unless both spouses convert and you are banished from your families and are outcast forever. So the fact that they are asking and are interested is huge! After he was done Banchim and his family took Ong, another Thai Christian that anyone from the last trip knows, to the bus station. He shared with them all the way there even more. Please keep that family in your prayers. They are more and more interested all the time. The Richards have known them about a year and this has never happened. Well, after a peaceful day at the beach we had an awesome time of worship right there next to the water. It was pretty sweet.
Today - today we went back to the church in Hat Yai and had a block party at a local park. There were a few eye opening experiences but I don't want to tell the story since I wasn't involved. Please ask Kristen and Carrie their stories. It will be more personal and touching coming from them. I know they will want to tell all who ask. We then went to do our souvenir shopping and had our last evening share time and worship. Tomorrow we will get up and have our personal worship and devo time and then head out back to Bankok to start our travel home. Please continue to pray and we will see you guys at the airport. We arrive around 5:45 Monday evening.
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