Neener's Travel Blog

Saturday, January 25, 2014 It turns out there is no warm up phase to DTS or any fluffy topics to ease you in.  It is intense right from the get-go.  But, as LJ (one of our lovely DTS staff) said, God was ready to do this with me.  There has been immense change in my life in these past few days.  God has healed my heart in so many ways.  I'm being super vague about it right now, because I feel really inspired to write a short story about it - I feel that will explain it better.  I will say, though, that God has really shown me how much he loves me, and the love of the King of kings is a beautiful thing. As far as working in the community, this week has been incredible!  On Tuesday we did an after school program in the slum.  I was in the arts and crafts group.  We made friendship bracelets and colored the armor of God.  It was difficult, not knowing any Thai.  I didn't even know any of the rudimentary key phrases like I knew in S...

Sunday, January 19, 2014 I have officially been in Thailand for a week!  More than a week actually.  It's kind of weird to think about.  It feels like it's flown by, but also like I've been here forever. Our first week was very easy as they allowed us to settle into life in Thailand.  We did three days of personality/unity training - learning about ourselves and others, what ways to communicate best with different personality types and appreciating each other's strengths.  It's been fun getting to know each other better and getting to see right off the bat how we're likely to operate in a team (and under stress). We went to visit the community that we'll be volunteering in, running an after school program with the kids.  It's a slum community, made up largely of Cambodian refugees.  We met the woman who has started the ministry in this community, and she reminded me so much of Norma in Costa Rica.  I saw a lot of similarities between Guarari...

Blog Post 1 Monday, January 13, 2014 The Beginning I'm in Thailand!  I left on Wednesday, January 8th at 1:30pm and flew to San Francisco.  I stayed the night in a hotel, and got to Facetime with my family.  Mandie (our dog) was very confused by my face and voice, but lack of physical presence.  I left the next morning at 11:00 for Tokyo, and then went from Tokyo to Bangkok.  The time change became very confusing for my mind and body.  I arrived at around midnight on Saturday. We live in sort of a middle class village.  The houses are absolutely beautiful, and are much nicer accommodations than we all were expecting.  Our classroom is about a five minute walk, near the entrance of our village. We have 12 girls on our DTS - no boys!  All of us are used to hanging out with mostly guys, so we were a bit apprehensive about it to begin with, but we all get along great already.  It's been a lot of fun getting to know each other in the...

For the past month I have been getting asked the same questions over and over.  And over.  Andoverandoverandover.  I always try to answer them as nicely and truthfully as possible.  And believe me, the hundredth time I got asked these questions, I had to try really hard. So here is an outlet for all my sarcasm.  And the whole truth.  Because honestly, I dumbed it down for most people. 1) Are you ready? What is that supposed to mean?  Mentally?  Physically?  Emotionally?  Spiritually?  Because no.  No to all the things.  I'm not ready.  How am I supposed to prepare for such an experience?  It's going to be different from anything I've ever done, so how could I possibly prepare?  And physically ready is also a no.  I will likely not pack until the day before I leave.  So just assume that I am not ready in any way. 2) How many people are going to be on your DTS? (and other specific questions abo...

On Friday, November 29, 2013 I was officially accepted to the CARM DTS in Bangkok, Thailand!  I saw the email and said, "Huh."  A little underwhelming of a response, I know.  But I had just been so stressed out for so long, being unable to make plans for my trip and frustration had been building.  So seeing my acceptance was more of an exasperated "Finally!", than a "Yay, I get to go!".  Of course, the news started to sink in throughout the day and I began to get excited about going to Thailand for five months.  At least I was excited when I wasn't looking at the overload of information and extensive lists of things to do, sending me into full on panic attacks. Then I had to figure out how and where and when to apply for my visa.  We conveniently have a Thai Consulate right in Edmonton, so the how and where was very simple.  The when on the other hand - not so much.  My work schedule, which includes three respite families and Famoso, is d...

Ark International emailed today saying that my complete application, references and all, had been received today.  They're sending it off to the leadership team today and will be speaking to me within the next few days about their response.  They said they've already been praying for me.  Which is very touching.  We could all use a little more prayer in our lives, I think. So I guess I'll know for sure in a couple days whether I'll be heading to Thailand in January or not!  I've been talking about it for so long like I'm definitely going; I'm a little nervous to hear back.  Right now I'm just praying for the wisdom of the leadership team in their selection of DTS students and their response to me.  It's all in God's hands from here.

I finally sent in my application yesterday!  Filling that thing out was quite the process.  Besides all the expected personal information, there was the infamous Question 12... Questions about my past, personal life, and my faith. 12. Questions Please prayerfully answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper:   (a) Please describe your conversion experience and your present relationship with God (no more than one page). (b) Describe your childhood and growing up years. (c) How would you describe the relationships within your family? (d) Does your family know of your desire to do a DTS/apply for a DTS? Are they supportive of your desire to do this school? (e) What areas of your character are you presently seeking God to further develop and improve? (f) What do you perceive are your greatest strengths and your greatest vulnerabilities? (g) Have you ever served cross culturally? When and where? Please share how this experience ...