Learning Thai

We had an activity filled weekend with lots of new, interesting experiences. This weekend was the Loy Krathong holiday- it's amazing that we are now celebrating annual Thai holidays for the second time! Traditionally, people float "krathong" (little boats made of a cross section of banana tree and decorated with folded leaves, flowers, incense and candles). Many Thais believe that floating a krathong will create good luck and they also do it to honor the Buddha and to thank the Goddess of Water. It's also a symbolic way of letting go of anger, grudges, and wrongs so that one can start start fresh (we saw some people adding their own hair to the float to symbolize letting go of the bad parts of themselves).
We went to a local temple and canal to observe the festivities.

This crowd of people at the temple were involved in an amulet making ceremony. Several monks were making amulets from clay. The white strings that people held or had on their heads are all connected to the amulet making process and enabled people to share in the merit making.

Elderly, highly respected monk.

A man meditates before releasing his krathong in the canal.

Floating krathong- beautiful!

Also this weekend, we had our first team and Thai friends "celebration" meeting above a coffee shop in our neighborhood- this one on the theme of giving thanks to God. It was an exciting step for our team and we all enjoyed the corporate worship with Thai believers and were happy to have unbelievers/seekers join us too. A few pictures of the fellowship.....

Sharing a meal.

Giving thanks to God for his blessings.

I was so happy my friend Chaweewan could come. Here she is helping to read the children's story in Thai.

Praise God for what he is doing!!

Then to wrap up our busy weekend, tonight we attended a party at another home owned by our landlords. They are in the process of "blessing" the brand new house. Early this morning nine monks came to perform a chanting ceremony and then our landlords served food to friends at the house all day. Another learning experience!
-Candice