Learning Thai

The English Program's Grand Show was the first program that Clarie's been involved with at her new school. Claire was given the job of being one of the mc's and introduced a song and play. It was a very long show (four hours or so- we didn't make it quite all the way to the end!) and Claire had to sit up front for about three hours! She was patient throughout and did a great job with her part. She looked so grown up! It was one of those days that just makes you proud as a parent. Here's a peek for you too (and you don't even have to sit through Snow White and Alice and Wonderland! :) :) )......

The school sent home this traditional Thai outfit for her to wear and a hair salon was responsible for the major beehive. :)

Admiring stares. Eliza was pretty impressed with her big sister.

The head of the school.

There were many dance numbers like this one to pop songs.

Claire and her m.c. partner, Mongol.

We are excited for Tom's return tomorrow! He'll take the overnight train back tonight.
-Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Please pray for safety for Tom as he travels by train to Laos to get his visa renewed and spend a few days with our friend/brother Pon. He'll be gone Friday night to Tuesday morning. Tomorrow is a big day for Abby as well! She's going to be in a big show that the English program at her school is putting on. She seems confident, so let's hope stage fright doesn't strike when she gets up in front of the crowd of parents. :) Tom is very sorry to be missing it! (he planned his trip around the date and then they rescheduled it). Thanks for your prayers!
-Candice

P.S. It's true what Tom said a few posts ago about everyone in Thippawan knowing what's happening in our lives! I was walking around the neighborhood this morning with the kids and was stopped by several strangers and a neighbor who asked how Claire is liking Assumption and how much it costs. :)

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week Thailand was shocked by the discovery of over 2,000 aborted fetuses hidden at a Bangkok temple. Abortion is illegal in Thailand (except for several narrow exceptions) and this news has reopened the debate about whether that is the best policy.
Everyone already knew that many women choose to have illegal abortions at underground clinics around the country, but the discovery of this many dead babies in one place has been very unsettling. One woman is in custody and has confessed to both performing some of the abortions and receiving money to transport the remains to the temple. Apparently there are two possible explanations for why the fetuses were taken to the temple – and probably both are true. The first is that this is a way of making merit for the dead baby. It is widely accepted in Thai Buddhist belief that abortion is killing and that killing is sin. In fact, my friend and English student was surprised to hear that abortion is legal in America! This same friend said that he once talked to an abortion provider who said that he knew his actions were wrong, so to compensate for that he used most of his proceeds to make merit for the infant. A second, more sinister reason for storing the remains at the temple is that many people believe that babies have especially powerful spirits which can be used for personal gain or power. A person who knows the right “magic” can perform rituals that form some kind of contract with the spirit.
This whole story really highlights the importance that “saving face” has in this culture. I’ve read several newspaper articles recently which have contained interviews with women who have chosen illegal abortions. For many of them, fear of shaming their parents was the driving factor. University students also face a lot of pressure since pregnancy is grounds for expulsion.
Most people in Thailand apparently support the ban on abortion. Even the modifications that are being proposed are very minor – a panel which would consider every request and only grant permission in dire circumstances of poverty, mental illness, etc. Yet, at the same time, thousands of illegal abortions are taking place and as long as there’s not a public breach of the policy (as in this case) it is tolerated. In America the law is different, but the end result is depressingly similar – babies are being killed.

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanksgiving is, of course, a very ordinary day in Thailand. The girls had school, Tom taught, I had lunch with a friend. Tonight, us Americans (Dan, Colleen) on the team gathered to celebrate at a hotel in downtown Bangkok. (Nixson and Efrain stayed home recovering from Efrain's nights in the hospital). It was a welcome change from cooking the dinner ourselves and washing every dish in the house! It was a beautiful buffet and in addition to turkey and mashed potatoes, we had sushi and lobster. As always, we miss our families during the holidays but thank God so much for the family of God here and our wonderful team family. He is so good to us and we are thankful for all of his provisions for us this year...most recently the answered prayer of a school for Claire.

Tom shows off his turkey leg. He requested dark meat and they carved him an entire leg. :)

Eliza with one of the turkey ice sculptures.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Masts!

Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here is a prayer request sent out by our director, Dan...

"A prayer request for Efrain.

Efrain was diagnosed with appendicitis this afternoon and underwent surgery at a local hospital at 3:00 pm. The surgery lasted about an hour and after that, he was about 2 hours in recovery. He is now resting at the hospital and will be there for another two days. The surgery apparently went well. Nixson attended him all day and is staying in the hospital this evening.

Please pray for a safe recovery for Efrain and that he will soon be able to resume his studies. "

Tom and Silas and I are off to visit Efrain at the hospital. We are so thankful that he went to the hospital in time (he is one to avoid the hospital whenever possible!) and that he is doing okay. Please pray for his quick recovery!

Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday was Loy Krathong day here in Thailand – an annual festival to express gratitude for the nation’s water, to apologize for polluting it, to ask for forgiveness of past sins, and to make wishes for a good future. (It’s also the occasion for lots of singing, dancing, fireworks, and beauty pageants.) The main event is the floating of the khratongs – small floats decorated with flowers, candles, and incense.

Last evening the kids and I (Candice was meeting a friend from the States) walked down to our local park to take in the festivities. They enjoyed riding some rides and watching some of the performances. Silas especially liked all of the candles. There were also kids setting off very loud firecrackers and shooting off bottle rockets. I felt fortunate to escape unharmed!

Here are some pictures, but be warned that I have not yet mastered the feat of taking good photographs of candle-lit objects floating on the water at night.

A turtle comes to check out the krathong. They were also selling the eco-friendly bread krathongs which were immediately attacked by swarms of fish and turtles.

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We learned early on that news about us circulates pretty freely around our neighborhood. But sometimes I'm still surprised by how much other people know about us. Earlier this week my motorcycle's kick-starting mechanism was giving me trouble and one of the local motorcycle taxi drivers noticed me struggling to start it. The next day it gave out completely and for the past two days I've been walking when I'd normally drive. Today my landlord and another motorcycle taxi driver passed Eliza and I on the way home from her school. They stopped and asked about the motorcycle. Apparently news of my predicament had spread. So the driver came to our house and then driving his motorcycle while bracing his foot against my back footrest, he pushed me a kilometer or so to the repair shop. Likely he'll know before I do when the repairs are finished and how much it cost!

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are happy to announce that the foundation now has a headquarters! Welcome to the office of Tan Bun Kun, just a few streets away from our house, right here in Thippawan. We spent the early part of last week furnishing and cleaning it and getting it ready according to the foundation lawyer's specifications. On Tuesday, two government officials came for an inspection. Tom and Joe, the lawyer, and Ju, one of our board members showed them around and answered questions about the purpose of the foundation. We are waiting to hear back from the local government about whether the license is approved and we receive status as a foundation. Please pray for favor with the government and God's blessing on the foundation and on the Rosedale Business Group as they make decisions.

For now, this space will be used for meetings of the board, some English teaching in the near future, and possibly some church meetings. The Reach team arriving in December will be living in the top floor. We are thankful for the extra space and excited to have an official home for the foundation. The business group is planning a visit in January to continue their work here. Thanks for your prayers!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Claire likes pad thai more than Tom. Tom likes curry more than Candice. Candice likes chicken/rice/broth more than Tom and the kids. Eliza wants Thai macaroni when Claire wants stir-fried veggies. However, one food we can always agree on is sushi. Every single one of us loves sushi, even Silas! Most of you know that Eliza is not the best eater in our family and she gobbles sushi right down and saves the best bright orange fish eggs for last. Tom likes his with lots of wasabi. I've eaten Japanese food (including sushi) the last three out of four times I've eaten out with Thai friends. This was Friday night dinner at our house...

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here are the promised pictures of Abby in uniform and of her new school. She is making many adjustments from lugging a huge backpack, to making new friends, doing lots of homework (and delving into division!), and finding her way around a school of 4,000 students. She has adapted so well and we are proud of her! We are really impressed by the friendliness of the other kids- Claire's favorite new friend is named Mai. Thanks again for all your prayers for her!

Claire and her giant turtle-shell of a backpack.

Front of the school- Assumption College of Samut Prakan...and a picture of the queen.

The building where the English Program classrooms are located. She has a different teacher for each subject...English, Math, Science, Thai social studies, computer, art, Thai language, Career, Chinese, Ethics, PE, social studies (in English), Health, and Music.

Abby at school.

The kids practicing for sports day (like a field day) which is next week. Abby is running a race!

-Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the last month, we've been really blessed with some exciting visitors from faraway places!

First, we got a lovely visit from former intern Anita Troyer! It was so fun to spend time with her, catching up on life and it felt so very normal to have her here again! Anita also took family pictures for us. Thank you!! Check them out at L'Amour Foto.

Colleen also got a visit from her mom and dad!! We were blessed to have them hang out with us and Silas loved being teased by Co's dad.

Piak came to spend some time after the beach retreat and made friends with Silas again. We hadn't seen him since his move to Ubon to attend university. It was really exciting to see how much Piak has grown in his faith and now has a passion for sharing Jesus with others!!

Yesterday, a group arrived from Bangladesh. The three of them are RMM's team in Bangladesh. Dan has been coaching and mentoring them since he moved from Bangladesh to Thailand. It was very encouraging to meet our team mates from Bangladesh since we have heard so much about them for years. They are in Thailand for about 2 weeks of retreat and planning and praying with Dan as well as learning about our mission here in Thailand.

Enjoyed worshiping, praying, and having communion together.

The kid's practiced footwashing.

Asia Team!

We are looking forward to spending more time with them today and will also be preparing the foundation office for inspection tomorrow. More on that soon!

-Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Colleen and I have been putting our heads together to plan a little fall party for the kiddos for awhile. It's our first time celebrating "fall" (since we don't really have fall! :)) in Thailand, so the kids really enjoyed the novelty of dressing up and having a party (with the required ton of candy/sugar). A few pics of the festivities. (Efrain, Nixson, and Mark and Sarah and Heidi joined us too)....

Miss Pippi Longstocking (one of Claire's favorite books).

Eliza chose to be Jane from Mary Poppins....

Mr. Man (already without his glasses!). He was not a fan of dressing up......

Evidence: hiding with Lewis under the tree to avoid pants and glasses.

Finally, with pants AND glasses.

Clearly, Tom and I carefully coordinated our costumes. The Princess and the.....

Panda! Of course!

Welcome to the party...at Colleens house. Yes, we got a little carried away with paper chains.

Eliza crafts a paper pumpkin.

Check out this cute little kitty! (Heidi)

Heidi's mom and dad (Mark and Sarah) came as "Thailand's political conflict"- red shirt/yellow shirt. :)

Silas hangs out with one of his favorite people- Clown Co.

And getting chased by another favorite person, Nixson.

Games: donut on a string game, beanbag toss, pumpkin craft, a Colleen-designed treasure hunt, and slime play...

Playing with goo.

The kids seemed to have a great time and consumed way more candy than their normal limit, so we'll consider that a success. :)

-Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)