Learning Thai

Last Friday I was invited to attend a Christmas celebration at the Thai school where I volunteer a few hours each week. This was the first time they've had a big Christmas program and it was an interesting cultural experience. They read an explanation of Christmas that they'd found online, but later equated it with the Western New Year. (These two holidays are often lumped together here.)

Earlier the students had participated in handwriting and card-making contests and the winners were given prizes. But the main event of the day was a "Santa and Santy" competition. Several pairs of boys and girls from each classroom dressed up in all manner of Santa and Santy (Mrs. Santa Claus?) costumes, danced, and practiced their laughs. There were also several musical performances that had nothing to do with Christmas. They asked me to lead a couple of easy English games and I also helped hand out the prizes. It was bizarre seeing so many Thai kids dressed up in these costumes - but they seemed to be having a good time and I was glad for the chance to continue my relationship with the school.

One of the more unorthodox Santa costumes.

Several of the students from my 9th grade English class.
We had a great time celebrating Christmas over the weekend with our team and family (more blogs to come). But today it's back to business as usual and both girls went to school. We're all looking forward to the 4 day New Years weekend coming up.

-Tom

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Joy to the World, the Lord Has Come!
Blessings at Christmas from our family to your family!
Tom, Candice, Claire, Eliza, and Silas

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A little mock salute from Claire in her Friday, "scout" uniform.

Will you pray with us about a decision we are trying to make right now? If you have any word from the Lord, please share it with us!

Claire and Tom and I are all discussing and praying about what we should do for Claire's schooling next year. We have two options: remain at Assumption for another year or do a year of homeschool with some supplementary classes in the neighborhood (ie: piano).

While she's enjoyed many aspects of attending Assumption, the social aspect has been difficult for her and has taken a toll on her. She comes home some days really happy, having had a good day, but many days, she comes home seeming weighed down by the sad parts of her day. Sometimes the kids make fun of her right in front of her because they think she doesn't understand what they are saying in Thai. She feels alone and like she is at the bottom of the pecking order. Other days, like today, she got applause from her class and lots of positive comments about how well she sang a Thai song (she had to the Thai anthem alone in class as a test- brave girl!). It feels like a roller coaster at times. She really enjoys the academic aspect of school and we are really proud of how she's excelling in some subjects and keeping her "head above water" in her Thai classes.

As you can imagine, there are many pros and cons to each choice. Tom reminds me there is no wrong answer, that either choice will have it's positives. Please pray we make the wisest choice so that Claire can have social interaction and be involved in the culture but also be able to study in a good environment that is not too stressful for her.

Thank you so much!!

Posted by T and C at 07:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This week was the annual big Christmas party that our team has given for the last four years. This year, we switched up the location, from our house to the university where Nixon attends, so that the university students could do more of the planning of the party. It was fun (and much more relaxing for us!) to take a taxi to the party with Lung Seri and to enjoy food and friends. We had a big pizza party (plus KFC and lots of desserts) and then watched The Nativity dubbed in Thai. It was a really good night of socializing, exchanging gifts and being reminded of the meaning behind all of this celebrating. Seri seemed very interested the movie and several times asked Tom questions about the story. Praying that God uses this night to share more of Himself with our friends and that they get interested and excited to learn more!
A few pictures of our night at KBU....

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I wanted to introduce you to some girls I've been teaching English this year at the foundation office. They have been a fun class. I feel like I've learned a lot from them about Thailand and the kinds of things they are into and the problems they face. Most of them are graduating high school this year and are taking tests to get into university right now. I'm thankful for the chance I had to teach them and become friends with them!

From right: Si, Mermaid, Wan, MaMae, Nally, and Pup

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Today Eliza and Silas' kindergarten held a Fathers' Day ceremony and I was invited to participate as a representative father from Eliza's classroom. (Thai Fathers' Day is held on the King's birthday - December 5. But since that's a national holiday and there will be no school, they celebrated early.)

When they invited me to come they asked if I would wear a pink shirt. I told them I didn't have one, so they offered to buy one for me. I couldn't have hoped for a pinker one! Pink is worn as a symbol of wishing for good health for the King.

The first part of the ceremony consisted of giving food to monks from a nearby temple. Many parents participated with their kids as a way of making merit in honor of the King. They brought bags of rice, flowers, canned food, etc. and went down the line offering something to each monk.

One of the youngest students practicing waiing while the monks chant.

The kid with the iPad was popular!

While the other students continued giving food to the monks, we visited Eliza's classroom.

This is her seatmate and friend, Beam.

After the monks and most of the parents left I joined 13 other pink-clad fathers upstairs for the rest of the ceremony. We took turns sitting in these chairs as our children brought in flower garlands and cards and paid their respects. The students also sang a couple of songs in honor of the King and then we took a lot of pictures. You'll notice that my shirt was by far the brightest pink. Apparently all the other men already owned shirts in more subdued shades, so they didn't need to get theirs from the school.

Since this was my normal teaching morning I took the camera along to class and got a couple shots of my students from the two oldest classes. I've taught most of these kids for three years now and while I certainly wouldn't want to do it full-time, I do enjoy working with them.

-Tom

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