To me, they are reminiscent of kiwis in taste, but not quite as flavorful. Their incredible color, however, is what really makes these fruits fun to eat. They grow on cactus-type plants, and the fruits have a pink and green skin with a few fin-like outgrowths. The flesh is either white or brilliant maroon dotted with dozens of little black seeds.
On Sabbath after spending a week at the Nonthonburi church plant teaching English, and visiting some of the neighbors and students, I worshipped with the pastor and teacher who run the center. The little sanctuary was on the third floor of their narrow apartment. I am continually amazed at how many people are packed into this city. Four of us worshipped together. The work is slow in Bangkok because to be Thai is to be Buddhists, and they often risk being shunned if they express interest. God is working here, however.
This past weekend I had to leave Thailand since I only had a 30 day visa. My dear friend, Grace, is a student missionary in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, so the Lord allowed me to go there to spend time with her and her fellow workers.
Ahhh... I never realized what a country girl I am until I've spent a month and a half in the city buried in the city. Instead of being restricted to breathing deeply near every concreted-surrounded tree or gazing longingly at the few parks I've driven past, I was able to be immersed in nature again.
We traveled four hours outside the capital to Vang Vien - a popular place for adventurous European backpackers. High limestone mountains cloaked in wispy clouds jutted from the earth. A brown swirling river cut through a few of those mountains. Networks of caves pierced their insides. We took kayak/canoe things down the river one day, paddling next to fishermen, traditional bamboo-woven houses, and the majestic mountains.
On Sabbath we went caving, slipping and sliding in all the water and slime, praying the tight spot where the water was up to our next and the ceiling was nearly touching our heads wouldn't fill up with water by the time we turned around.
On Sunday we took a stroll through the rice paddies, to the annoyance of many boney cows in our way. I was refreshed. I was revived. A Lao lady literally attacked my muscles during my $5 traditional Lao massage.
We rode in the back of a pickup truck on the four hour drive back with a chicken, several giant bundles of bananas, and various Lao travelers. Black smoke billowed out of the bus in front of us straight into our lungs for a good portion of the way.
My time here in southeast Asia is so short, and just as I start building relationships with people, I am uprooted and moved to the next center. As I get attached to people easily, this has been difficult, because I want to hang onto them. How can I bring them with me to the kingdom of Heaven after such a short time together? What is my purpose here in Thailand again?
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20 Yes, this is my purpose, to accurately represent Christ to people who've never experienced Him before. The task is daunting; I have been shown time and time again that my character is far from perfectly reflecting Christ's. I can't bring them with me to church each week, I can't convince them to risk estrangement from their families by converting, I can't change their hearts. All I can do is be an ambassador, to plant a seed in their heart and to reflect the love of a God who is waiting for them with open arms.
Dragonfruit's taste is not what makes me eat them. It's their irresistable color.
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The Thais are a beautiful, humble, friendly people.
My purpose in Bangkok was to share Jesus and be a blessing to the people. God gave me many friends, like these two "tour guides" who took me site-seeing one day.
She came to learn English from one of our centers. We went to her home and caught her doing her gardening work.
The Grand Palace lives up to its name.
"Chang" are a most beloved animal throughout Thailand.
I'm glad I serve a God Who's much more alive than my two companions here.
Teaching the kids at the Thonburi English Center/Church Plant.
