Ruth Follow -Up
By mid August, my gmail to Ruth was on its way.The response repeated the information about her living circumstances. There was no place for a missionary of any kind in her home. She prayerfully researched possibilities.
Multitudes of thoughts popped up in my mind and heart and on to my prayer list. They kept knocking at the door my procrastinating brain.
Late in September Ruth forwarded information about and a gmail address for James Redeker.
From there on the itinerary was in God's hands.
Ruth and I only had email communications until my arrival.
After about two weeks, my Thai cell was in service. Ruth and I made an appointment to meet ECB (Evangelical Church of Bangkok.
As a greeter it was easy to find Ruth. She shared my pew as Dr King fed us good Manna. Lunch was our next event we went to the mall one soi from the church.
Thanks to Ruth, I found my favorite set of restaurants. On the Fifth Floor of the seven story mall was a glass encased eating area with about 50 stalls. Before entering, proto call was to buy a cash card to make purchases from each stall. All types of Thai delicacies were cooked fresh as one watched independent chefs. Each was priced well with in my budget. For 80 baht ($2.40) it was possible to receive a nutricious meal: meat, vegetables, rice and a fresh fruit smoothy including ice cream or sticky rice for dessert.
Before the end of my tenure at BSC, Ruth and I shared a taxi ride and attendance at a Christian Thai wedding at her husband's church. His Mission in Bangkok was managing a Christian raisin station. Ruth and I spoke occasionally on our cells.
She introduced me to the ins and outs of Thai culture, the best of Bangkok and an English/Thai church home at ECB.
Truly a God appointed guide.
James My Role Model-Meeting
Through multiple forwarded messages, a connection was finally made with James Redeker . He questioned my experience and my dedication to the Lord. James agreed to lift the mission possibility in prayer.I sensed that he was not eager to introduce me to a mission site. Some how, my request was forwarded to Tain.
By the end of September, the required paper work for a Thai visa was in process. Tain requested: an application, transcripts, insurance verifications, and letters of testimony and reference. The tentative time of service was from October 30 to December 29, the sixth term at the Baptist Student Center in Bangkok.
God solved timing issues and I was Asia bound on October 29 for two transfers and 30 hours of travel time.
At 9:00pm (2100) I walked into the Bangkok airport to be greeted by Peter.
Follow up
James and Linda, his wife, lived in Oklahoma. In past years, the couple were full time missionaries serving at BSC as director and educators. Frequently, during the winter term from October to December, they journeyed back to Bangkok to serve and take advantage of lower rates for dental and medical services.
With the or twelve co-workers, we shared quarters at the BSC guest house until December.
James was an active minister and teacher at the New Vision Baptist Church. BSC and the church shared the five story building on Phaya Thai Road. The guest house was adjacent to the church. It sat in an ideal location next to the Skytrain on a main thoroughfare near the center of Bangkok. Several years before the property was purchased from the royal family.
(Bangkok, the 8 million citizen capital of Thailand, is the hub of Government and commerce on the Chao Phraya River.)
We hit the ground running. The morning after my arrival was registration day. Our job was to evaluate and place students into one of the eight levels of classes that would best help improve their English language skills..
During our lunch break, James and Linda treated me to an elegant meal at a hotel within walking distance. They familiarized me with the neighborhood around the school. Part of the procedure was to learn to exchange money at a local Bank and find shopping resources.
As a side light, we learned that Rama 9, the current King of Thailand, had passed away earlier in the month. The entire country had just entered a one year season of mourning. In respect for the King everyone wore black and a black ribbon in remembrance of his passing at all time s.
My first experience with the Buddhist culture of my host country and the expectations of BSC began within 18 hours of my arrival thanks to the Redeckers.
The couple and I shared many joyful days for the next 8 weeks. Like a sponge I soaked as much information as possible.
Christian brothers and sisters are excellent role models and encouragers.
God helped me listen to and learn from the Redekers.
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| James Redeker Thanksgiving 2016 |
