Learning Thai

So, we've been to a few of these dance performances with Claire on-stage. Sunday was Eliza's first time. She was a little nervous before hand but got up front, did a great job and said she wasn't nervous at all (she had so much fun being Mary at Christmas, that we thought that might be the case :) ).

Up bright and early - all fancy and ready to go.

How the rest of us passed the time waiting for Eliza to come onstage- eating and reading.

Although our table seated about 8 grownups, the hungry little lap sitters ate most of the food.

If I was the judge, I'd say this group earned first prize. They hula-hooped non-stop through two dances- pretty impressive! Hula hooping is kind of a fad in Thailand right now, so it was a big hit with the crowd.

Eliza gets ready to do her thing. Isnt' her little partner cute!? (his name is Eye, she tells me).

I got a kick out of this group. Right before I took this picture, the second boy licked the back of the first boys neck. Look at that face! :)

Eliza's classmate, Gii. Eliza and Daddy call her "handkerchief girl" because she always has one in her dress pocket. :) You can see her teachers added make-up- what I put on is never enough!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The day after mom and dad left, the Rosedale Business Group arrived! On Sunday they came over for team worship, along with Dan's visiting sister and niece (Rosie and Sarah). Since we had a large group and a busy day planned, we decided to recruit some help with supper. Tom had the great idea of hiring one of our neighborhood's many mobile food carts to come to our house to make food! The vendor seemed a bit dubious at first but was willing to give it a try and it seemed to work out great! We bought a pre-arranged number of chickens and fish from her and then she made other dishes to order that evening. It was so fun to have a food cart in our driveway and we're thinking this could work out great for other big parties!

Jet-lagged Paul Kurtz tries on one of Silas's favorite hats from Laos.

Food cart. As you can imagine, we got some curious stares from our neighbors!

Guy talk I guess. :)

Colleen and Nixson practiced the Nicaraguan dance that they will be performing at International Day this week at Nixson's university. Fun! Of course the girls had to try on Colleen's big rainbow dress!

It was a great night of worshipping again (Tom commented on how often we have totally unique groups of people who meet to worship that will never meet again as a group. :) ). It was so fun to meet Rosie and Sarah- they were lovely guests- Dan has such a nice family! (I wish I had a picture of them!).

Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 02:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Grandpa and Grandma, You are missed!!! The first day after you left we prayed for your trip and talked about you a lot. At lunch, Silas said, out of the blue, "Grandma loves you!!" :) (as in Grandma loves me- he still has problems with pronouns :)). Later, looking at a book with an airplane he said, "Grandpa, Grandma go in airplane. I want to go in airplane too!" We can't wait to go on an airplane to see you again someday!!

I took these pictures during one last cuddle time, the night they left....

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tom is traveling this week along with Pon and the Rosedale Business Group (Paul, Jason, and Ellis). The RBG members are here to meet with the lawyer Joe and the newly formed foundation board, and to discuss the future of our BRAND NEW foundation! One possibility is to fund the foundation through helping to export green coffee from Northern Thailand. Tom and the group are going to Laos today to visit someone who is exporting coffee to learn from him and then going on to Chiang Rai later in the week to connect with others who may be working with the coffee exporting. They will return next Saturday. Pray that they are protected in their travels, that they learn a lot, have smooth communication, and that great relationships are built. Thank you God, for the amazing opportunities that you are opening up in our team's and the business group's work here!

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Praise God! We got word that the foundation Tan Bun Kun was approved....much, much sooner than expected! We were told it would take many months to get government approval, so this was a big surprise, even for our lawyer, Joe Thanarat who has done this process with other foundations. It was the first foundation approved in the new year! Joe says it’s because of our prayers and God's work and we completely agree! Now we, and the visiting business group need to brainstorm effective ways to make use of our new opportunities....through funding with coffee exporting and ministering through teaching English. It looks like our familymight be able to immediately get a work permit and visas through the foundation and we've started that process. It would be an amazing answer to four years of prayers! Please join us in praying!

P.S. Tan Bun Kun is pronounced sun "tan" "boon" "coon" :) For those wondering.

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our monthly celebration meeting was held at Wana and Utai's house, and mom and dad were able to experience worship with Thai believers. What an encouragement to all of us! It was good to spend time with Pon again (visiting from Laos on a school break) and to meet his new friend Lan (second from left) who has interest in learning more about Jesus because of his interactions with Pon (praise God!!).

Many exciting things have been happening in the church- especially opportunities for new Bible studies with not-yet believers. It is so encouraging to keep being reminded that God is working among our friends and that the new believers are reaching out to their friends! His Spirit is so powerful and moving in so many ways which we can't see on the surface!! So grateful for glimpses of it!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One fun adventure we had with mom and dad, was a canal boat tour. We've been wanting to do this for ages, so it seemed like a great activity to do while they were here. We took the big tourist boat down the Chao Phraya (the large river which goes through the downtown) and then hired a longtail boat to take us down some canals in Thonburi. Within minutes, it was hard to believe we were still in Bangkok as we began to see life that looked a lot more like the country side- slow paced and river based. There were vendors rowing their noodle "stands" along in boats, tiny general stores out over the water and many, many tiny dilapidated homes on the water as well as a few big shiny mansions. We saw people on their front steps taking baths or washing their dogs. We saw a boat full of monks, many older people lounging on their porches, and lots of people making their living on the river. We had some rice soup with fish along the way and enjoyed a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Thais living along the canals...as well as a fast and fun longtail boat ride (with the occasional spray of water!).

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A year ago I was meeting regularly with Pon and Piak. We enjoyed getting together at a coffee shop in Bangkok for Bible study, prayer, and incredibly strong coffee. Since then both of them have moved away to study and we have all missed our weekly meetings. For a long time we’ve talked about how we could continue learning and growing together even though we are living in three different places. We’ve been able to talk on the phone and occasionally visit each other, but it’s been difficult to establish a regular routine. Then earlier this week we finally all connected on Skype for the first time. We couldn’t drink coffee together, but other than that it felt remarkably natural and all three of us were blessed and encouraged by the hour that we spent talking, praying, and studying the Bible. One change we may have to make is in the way we pray. Typically we all three pray out loud at once – that doesn’t work so well on Skype!

I’m hoping that we can continue to do this on a regular basis. None of our internet connections are great, so I’m sure that there will be some frustrations along the way, but I’m looking forward to having more regular contact again.

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We got the game Sorry from Gail and Del for Christmas and it's been put to good use this week! It's been one of the girls' favorite things to do with Grandpa and Grandma.

Other highlights for the girls:

Claire taking a walk with them and getting ice cream

playing dollhouse

reading Hans Brinker and Ralph and The Motorcycle

playing flashlight hide and seek in the dark house and getting pizza while us parents went to a meeting

going to the park- swinging

text messaging

Both girls are pretty sad about saying good-bye today. Claire cried during prayers last night and was not very happy to leave for school this morning, their last day here. It's been a precious time for us all and we will miss it...but I think we all feel very grateful and happy for the time too and have great new memories!

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One treat this week was an evening eating out (literally- out on the sidewalk) with Ulai and Seri. They always like to take our parents out for a meal when they visit. It was a cool, pleasant night and we ate sooo much grilled pork and sticky rice and papaya salad, etc. We discovered that the more we ate, the more food they brought. Wow, it was good. They took good care of us like always...

Waiting for a taxi with Lung Seri

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Look who got spoiled with grandparent attention while his sisters were in school this week...

Exercising with Grandpa- a new morning routine.

Had countless books read to him- favorites: Curious George and "The Little Engine that Could."

Grandpa spent lots of time playing trucks and train to his delight. He was always saying, "Come, Grandpa, come, come, train tracks!"

He also enjoyed stroller ride walks around the neighborhood, marching, riding bike in the street and the dirt of the front yard.
We are happy for all the new grandparent memories he's collecting!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Tuesday, day four, we had some lukewarm eggs and rice soup at the hotel and then headed out into another foggy/rainy/misty day to a mountain flower garden established by the Princess Mother (mother of the current king). We really enjoyed our time there- the flowers were just gorgeous loaded with rain and although we couldn't see views off the mountain because of the dense fog, the gardens were stunning enough to make up for it...

misty


twisty vines

purple orchids/pretty mom

posed by a Thai lady who wanted her picture

"Grandpa, come! Look at that!"

sweet girl

baby pyramid

Heading back to Chiang Mai. Grandma read "Hans Brinker" to Claire to pass the time during the long drive.

We made a pit stop along the for peacocks and pie....

showing off

pie in Thailand- a very rare treat!!

bamboo swinging bridge

river gazing

driving back

The next day, we got to spend one more long, relaxing day swimming and playing on the playground at the Juniper Tree and then took the train back to Bangkok that night. Good to be home!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Monday morning, we all hopped into our rented van and made our way to Chiang Rai for two days of adventure in the mountains. On the way, we stopped by a hot springs...

We got to soak our feet a bit. Sadly, we had a camera incident here as well :( . Hot springs + camera immersion= not good for camera. The springs were HOT....one was boiling even!...

The kids and I cooked quail eggs in the boiling springs and ate them with soy sauce.

Then we made our way up the steep and winding road to the top of Doi Chang mountain...with beautiful views along the way.

It got pretty chilly the higher we went- and windy and misty too. When we put Silas's sweatshirt on, he said, "I got a cozy!" We like Grandpa and Silas's matching wild hair. :)

The coffee we drank on top of the coffee growing mountain was pretty amazing- pretty looking too!

Checking out the bags of coffee stored in the warehouse.

A tree loaded with coffee cherries.

Silas was delighted to be out of the van, running and running in the cold rain and puddles.

Grandpa and Claire looking at coffee trees up close.

It was a really amazing day- we loved the "refreshing" weather and the amazing views of the mountains as well as learning about coffee growing and processing. After we made it sloooowwlly down off the mountain (so foggy!), we drove through the town of Chiang Rai, and found a hotel to stay overnight. Tomorrow, mountain number two: Doi Tung!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Sunday we got an early start with breakfast at the Juniper Tree and then took the van an hour away to mountains near Chiang Mai.

Feeding elephants is fun but you also want to avoid those slimy trunks. Eliza got grabbed by the jacket by a baby elephant and she wasn't too impressed.

Ox cart rides are bumpy!

Claire befriended this friendly attack monkey.

An adventurous elephant through mountains and rivers!

After a big Thai buffet lunch, we did some very calm river rafting.

Sunday night we had a big American meal at a local restaurant thanks to George and Mindy! Thanks guys! Eliza ate a record amount of pizza!

C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, we had an amazing trip! I think I'll just post a few pictures from each day to help us remember all our fun activities and time together. Silas had been excited for weeks and talking daily (multiple times a day actually) about riding and sleeping on the "chew-wain" (train). We hoped it would live up to his expectations and it seemed too. He was thrilled with everything from the sound of the train whistle to handing up our tickets to get punched. He was on high alert all evening- noting each time the train stopped or whistled or bumped. It was pretty fun to watch. We had adjoining rooms on the train, so got to hang out with Tom's parents and Claire even slept in Grandma's bunk.

So happy to finally be on the train!

Silas has a snuggle with Grandma and checks out her pictures. This poor camera later took an accidental dip in a hot springs and isn't quite the same now.

Silas points out white Thai cows to Grandpa from the train window. We had beautiful views of the rice fields in the morning too.

Monks disembarking from our purple train.

Chiang Mai was definitely cooler than BKK but we swam anyway. It was pretty icy- Eliza's lips were blue!

Warming up with Gramps.

Our first day was really relaxing- swimming, napping and enjoying the grass, trees, and flowers at the Juniper Tree. In the evening we spent a few hours at the night market in downtown Chiang Mai and wrapped up the night with McDonald's ice cream and a tuk tuk ride "home".

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 08:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think you can tell how we all feel about being together again...

We are headed to Chiang Mai for the next six days. Pics of train rides and elephant rides when we get back!
-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For some reason, we never feel very adventurous on New Years Eve. Taking little children into the crowds in Bangkok has zero appeal, so we usually do a low key night. This year we went to visit our landlord and his wife (plus sons and their girlfriends) and traded our annual New Years gifts. This was our gift this year....

Want an omlette or egg salad or deviled eggs? Come to our house!

The kids had some fried chicken wings and Chinese noodles that Ulai made and then we all settled down to watch The Love Bug (1968). It brought back great childhood memories for Tom and I and the kids loved seeing it for the first time. It was so funny how worked up they got about the outcome of the races. :) Silas kept saying "They fixed the wheel" with a great southern accent..."whale". :)

Tom and I had some pizza and then watched 2011 arrive standing on our upstairs balcony with the neighborhood all lit up with fireworks. Many of our neighbors were having loud parties with karaoke and shooting off (surprisingly dramatic) fireworks. We could see some bigger shows in the distance. Lots of lanterns went floating overhead. (sometime we want to do those but we are scared of burning down our neighbors houses).

On New Years day we slept in, watched the ball drop in Time's Square on CNN and then Dan came over for lunch. The kids swarmed all over him and he patiently listened to them read.

Eliza helped make the applesauce.

Tom and I had fun making latkes for lunch- our new New Year's tradition (and by tradition, I mean we made them one other time- I think around New Years). :) And scrambled eggs of course- because did you see how many eggs we have to eat??

Happy New Year!

-C

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I learned an important lesson the other day. Tom asked me what I wanted for lunch and I said "something different." I got noodles with this at the bottom of the broth.

Chicken foot + coagulated blood. Do you like how I ran straight for the camera? Feet and blood are two things I can do without in or near my food. Lesson learned- order food more specifically next time.

A few other random activities from a quiet week at home. Tom did some teaching and we enjoyed some holiday and family time while most of our team and friends traveled outside of Bangkok for the New Year.

I finally got our family wall of photos all updated. I love seeing your happy faces on my wall!

Silas gave himself some facial hair- the problem with scented markers.

Miss Eliza opened a school in the driveway.

And something else we've been thinking and talking about constantly!.....

A visit from these two!!! Four days to go! (the picture is from their last visit here).

-Candice

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)