Christmas morning and opening presents. Thankyou for those who sent us gifts. They were very much appreciated! We had a real Christmas tree (along with ants).
We were able to have Christmas lunch with missionaries who were still in Lopburi over Christmas at the loca steak house run by a British expat. We share are Christmas traditions from our different home countries.
Last night we went to our Church's Christmas outreach event. The event's starting time was 5:00pm, but when we arrived at 5:20pm there were only a handful of people not from our church and many empty chairs. By the time that proceeds started (around 6:30pm?) the place was full. Christians from surrounding churches feel obligated to come so there are many more Christians than none Christians, but when the crowd was asked for whom this was their first time to Church, I'd say there were 10 or more hand go up. For a church of only abour 12 adult members, they did a wonderful job getting such a big event together, especially as they do not have a pastor. 
The children's program led by a Swiss missionary was packed. The most children they've ever had. The event was still going at 8:20pm when we decided that it was late enough for our two boys, as there was still a 40min drive back home. We pray that there will be a least a couple of people who start coming to our church after this event.
Last week we were both involved in Christmas outreach programs in local school around our area (we are also involved this week). It is an annual program organised by one of the longer term missionary working in Lopburi. Here am I playing King Herod in the birth narrative of Jesus.
It was a bit strange to be going to schools with Buddhist temples built within the school grounds. I can't imagine too many Christian schools in Australia letting Muslim missionary come and teach their children about Islam. We pray that a seed has been sown in the hearts of some of these children and teachers.
Last month we went to see the annual feeding of the monkeys at one of the "Monkey Temples" in "Old Lopburi". Large amounts of food are laviously prepared to thank the monkeys.
When we leave Lopburi next year, the monkeys will be one thing we won't miss!
Lots of fun until the kids started eating the spaghetti after they had played in it and after it had been on the ground too!
Photos from the Loy Kratong Festival Parade close to our home
In the present, (Thai) people everywhere have the feeling that “Loy Krathong” is a festival for being joyful, for relaxation, and is an opportunity to ask forgiveness from “the Mother of Waters” for depending on the water for drinking and use. More than this, (people) also throw dirty things into the water, which is equal to not respecting “the Mother of Waters.” Therefore, in the krathongs are lighted incense and candles, and sometimes other things or small amounts of money are placed (there) as a way of making merit too. After this (floating the krathongs), (people) ask for a blessing from “the Mother of Waters,” in order to have happiness and good luck. But in some regions there will be more important details; for example, the Loy Krathong ceremony in the North would include feeding the monks at the temple to make merit first, then floating the krathongs in the rivers, as a way of floating away one’s various sorrows, illnesses, danger, and sins with the krathongs. As for older people, they will often use this as an opportunity to observe religious rites. or harvest. They therefore use this period of time to release their emotions to have fun and relaxation."(Extract from an article written by a past student at our language school)
Our city is known for its sunflower fields so we ventured off with our neighbours and one of our teachers in search of 'Sunflower Valley'. It took a while and a couple of wrong turns but eventually we found it.
This is a church being built in Pak Phanang with money donated from a Korean church. They have no one yet to come to the church apart from the Thai pastor of the Presbyterian Church who is coming down from Nakhorn Sri Thammarat to live in Pak Phanang. The philosophy is 'build and they will come'. I'm not sure that is the wisest way forward ...
We returned today from our trip to Pak Panang in South. More in our next newsletter. But for now can anyone guess what this building is (click on the picture for an enlarged view)?
After that we head off to South Thailand to visit this family working in Pak Panang. They are working alone in this city and OMF would like us to consider working down there with them.
Please pray for God's clear guidance as to whether he wants us here or in Lampang (North Thailand) or somewhere else. Well be staying together in a single room so please they that the children sleep ok.
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