Learning Thai

Last night was our team's annual Christmas party for our Thai (and Chinese) friends. It's always fun to see many of our friends in one place, and to give our friends an idea of the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Our girls, excited and all ready for the party. They were in their element all night- playing with the other kids, eating untold numbers of cookies, and joining in the singing and skit. Parties are always good for lots of sugar and staying up late!

We had thirty or so people here at the party

Eliza and new friend, Pin

Silas and his buddy Tiger.

Evidence of pizza consumed.

The ladies of our team all contributed some baked things.

We sang Christmas songs in English, Thai and Spanish. The Reachers and the girls sang for us too (Away in a Manger. As soon as the girls were done singing, Silas hopped up, sat in the same spot and started belting out "little Jesus, asleep on the hay."- he got a big laugh for his showing off. :) ) Colleen taught us "The Twelve Day of Christmas" and we broke down into groups to sing it. Fun!

My friend Ju read the Christmas story in Thai.

The angel appears to Mary.

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill to men."

Mr. Dan aka (a stern and foreboding) King Herod.

We did the gift exchange Thai style- each gift got a number, then each person drew a number and Por handed out gifts according to matching numbers. And also in Thai style, no one opened their gift in front of the group (when you give a gift in Thailand, the recipient doesn't open it in front of you so no one's feelings are hurt if they don't like the gift).

It was a really fun night and although we missed our old friends Piak, Pon and Tukdaa who have all moved away, we had a really good time with many new friends and our new Reachers.
Our family is soooo excited about this last week before Christmas! Lots of love to all the Rhodeses getting together for Christmas this weekend. Love you all so much!! (branches in Morocco and Israel too!!).

-Candice