New Frontier - Chp 2 - Part 1

Chapter II

 

“Why did you come back?” Myka asked. As she stood at the door of the tent.

 

Mic put his hand on her back to guide her towards the corner away from the other team members. The sight of the tornado scared him but didn’t want to insight fear only that they needed to move quickly. He whispered, “The tornado changed direction. We need to get out of here.”

 

Myka kept her shock and fear buried. “What do you want me to do?”

 

“There is a break in the storm North of us. We need to get the pyloxes and ride away from camp.” Mic’s whispered turned to his authoritative voice, “Candor Team, I need your attention please.” Mic took a few steps forward he pondered on how to start his orders, “We need to head north on our pyloxes soon. Pack up any loose items back into the shipping containers. This storm is bad, but there is a break not far from here. As soon as you are done, suit up and meet us at the pyloxes.”

 

Myka and Mic left to get the pyloxes prepared for departure. They had two unloaded from their containers but still needed to unload two more. Keeping one eye on the tornado, they swiftly unloaded the pyloxes. What took a matter of minutes felt like hours.

______________________________________________________________________________

 

After Mic and Myka had left the tent Harkle blurted out, “What do you think he is doing? Aren’t we safer inside?”

 

The continued sound of thumping on the side of the tent heighten while each team member looked at each other for confirmation or rebuttal of what Harkle just said.

 

Finally, Tica spoke up, “If there is a break in the storm it might make more sense to head towards it.”

 

“I don’t think Mic is telling us everything.” Harkle continued.

 

Etheridge was starting to fume inside. She was best friends with Myka and respected her and her decisions. And if she had decided to follow what Mic had said it would be for a good reason. Etheridge struggled with Harkle’s insubordination. She didn’t want him on the team in the first place but knew that it wasn’t her decision.

 

“Team, I don’t care what you all think. Right now we need to follow orders. I have been with Mic for many missions and he has ALWAYS had the team’s best interest at heart.” Etheridge paused only to notice they were all still frozen in what she assumed was fear. “Start packing and MOVE!”

____________________________________________________________________________ 

 

As the team filed out the tent carrying some of the trunks of supplies that they could hook onto the pyloxes, Mic couldn’t see any of their expressions but knew their silence meant a lot. He could lose team members by making this bold move, but he knew staying could mean losing everyone. By now the team must have seen the tornado in the distance heading towards them. He hoped they realized the urgency in his decision, but no matter what he first needed to follow God’s direction, not his teams.

 

Mic shouted out instructions, “Myka take Etheridge and Harkle. Declan take Luz and Pence. Ch’aska take HuSiy and K’antu. I will be taking Tica and KuKuYu. Each need to help load a few supplies on each pylox.”

 

After everyone was loaded up, Mic looked out toward that ball of light. Was he the only one that saw it? What if they saw it? What if they don’t see it? Mic just shook those thoughts out of his head and pointed in the direction of the light and shouted, “Head north. I’ll take the lead. Myka you take the cola.”

____________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Lekla noticed as he got deeper in the storm that the wind tunnel was turning towards the camp and gaining speed. He let out a clicking sound that helped catapult his roncol forward. He squinted through the storm trying to see any movement of the creatures. He started to make out some dark specks getting closer with a bowl of dust following behind. His thoughts started racing, why are they so fast? They don’t seem to be on two legs like I saw them before. Maybe they are riding their own roncoles. I am surprised they decided to leave their camp. Most people would assume staying inside would be safer. As the gap between them shrunk Lekla finally realized he might not know how to communicate with them. He wanted them to follow him back to his underground cave. Would they be more scared of him? He looked quite different from them. They might be expecting that this planet is vacant. Would they be more afraid of him than the storm? Every gallop his roncol took meant the chance to save lives.

____________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Mic had his eyes fixed on the ball of light. The closer they got an outline of a figure appeared. He wasn’t quite sure what he was seeing. Something or someone was in the middle of that ball of light. Was it possible that this is an angel? Could there be an alien race on this planet? He knew that this team could see the outline of a creature by now. He might be the only one that saw the glow of light around it. He still felt the urge to draw closer to the creature. His team remained silent even with the looming danger coming behind them and the possible harmful alien race coming at them. Mic had accidentally overheard their previous discussion in the tent. He understood their fear, but how could he comfort them? What advice could he tell his team? This was not home. They couldn’t just call for help to rescue them. The rocket that had dropped them off already returned to the main spaceship and it will be out of range for communication for at least two weeks as they orbit around the planet. And the next chance for a rescue could only happen for at least 45 days.

 

They reached the creature riding towards them within minutes of their departure. Mic finally broke the silence, “It looks like we aren’t alone here. Assume he or she to be friendly. They know this place better than us. --- Maybe he or she will know where to hide from this storm. Agreed?” With that, each teammate said, “Yes, sir.”

__________________________________________________________________________ 

 

For a moment Lekla slowed his roncol down hoping that they would too. When they both reached close enough, he noticed they all had put their extra head back on. Oddly, they all had the same skin or fur. Maybe they all came from the same mother? But then why were their second heads all different. Should I try to speak to them? Do they have another language? His thoughts were only a distraction. He decided he didn’t want to waste time by confusing introductions, so he turned his roncol towards his cave motioning the creatures to follow him. He raced forward hoping they would all beat the storm. Lekla prayed, “Why did you lead me to this group, Great Ch’uya?” He had no idea what he was going to do next, but he was hopeful that the Great Ch’uya will give him answers.

New Frontier - Chapter 1 Part 2

Back at the tent the team was feeling uneasy with the storm sounds.

    “Why does he want to do the fixing by myself?” Harkle asked.

    “I agree. We are stronger than Myka. We could help.” HuSiy added.

 

    Etheridge countered. “Myka is the second in command. She needs to be by his side and know what he is facing.” Etheridge was Myka’s best friend and trusted her and the leadership of Micmash. He had brought them through some very scary research trips. “Why are you so unsure of them going out there alone? They have fixed the tent before on Antac and Tatac in worse conditions.”

 

    Harkle replied, “I just think this place is different. We have no one to get us out of here if this storm destroys everything. We always had an escape plan back in our previous expeditions. The ships weren’t far away to pick us up if we needed help.” Harkle had a tendency to challenge his leader. Sometimes it was needed when it came to mechanical issues with the machines, but he liked to argue about things that he didn’t have expertise in. He was uncomfortable with Mic’s quiet pensive way of leading. Mic would analyze the situation before he would make a move, but it always seemed too long for Harkle. Even though he saw that Mic did make good choices he often wondered if in a serious situation he wouldn’t be able to make a quick decision.

 

    “That is very true. I know we have had bad storms before but this one is worse.” Ch’aska said while drawing closer to her husband, HuSiy. They both decided to come together on this exploration. The Achik force discouraged couples traveling together. Both had been on smaller research trips with Micmash but not as a couple. She is a great botanist and he is a great builder, known for his greenhouses and efficient recyclable structures. They had pushed to be placed on this expedition together. Mic happened to have both of them and their talents, but still had reservations on having a couple on board.

 

    “I still don’t believe everything is alright in Mic’s head.” Harkle mumbled under his breath.

 

    “Calm down team. Storms happen. Everywhere. Mic and Myka know these tents like the back of their hand. Let them figure the fix out. Trust our leaders. Your fear is only because it is a new planet and we don’t know what is out there.” Tica, the medic, was trying to calm the anxiety of this exploration and it was starting to creep into their minds. This was technically a one-way trip that they signed up for. She had been trained medically that this would happen, but she never thought it would happen days into the expedition.

 

    Both Mic and Myka stared at the tornado and back at each other. They knew this could be devastating to their team if the tornado changed directions. Thankfully it seemed to be parallel to their position. For now, the worse it could do is tear apart their campsite and leave them stranded.

 

    “Mic!” Myka said. “We need to fix that covering?” She pointed at the roof where the covering was flapping in the wind.

Every step he took was heavier than the last. Mic wished he had grabbed the anti-gravity boots from off the spaceship.

 

    “Do you have your hook with you?” Mic asked.

 

    “No. I don’t.” Myka bit her lip. “Should I go back and get it?”

 

    “Possibly. Keep an eye on the tornado.”

 

    Mic glanced around trying to see if there was anything that he could use to grab the flap. It wasn’t flying too high. Jumping for it seemed possible, but would it be safe? He didn’t want to take the chance on injuries early on in their mission. “Let’s go get the hook.”

 

    “I’ll go back. I think this rope is long enough.”

 

    “Okay. Has the direction of the tornado changed?”

 

    “No. I’ll be back.”

 

    An outline sketch of Myka was the only thing he could see through the storm. The wind gusts would come and go changing directions all around him. He didn’t want to admit it, but this storm scared him. Mic was pushed to his knees either by the wind gusts or God. While down on the ground he cried out to God in prayer.

 

    “Lord, I need your help.” Mic sighed and continued in his prayer, “I know that you called me to this journey. You are the creator. Can you please give me wisdom? I need to protect my team. Not all of them are followers of you. They trust me to lead them well. I don’t want to lead them to a failed mission and -- Death! Show me a way out!”

 

    Mic kept kneeling there silently. In a still small voice Mic heard God speak to his heart, What about Antac? What about Tacta? Who was with you there? Mic responded, “You were.”

 

    A peace came over him like many times before. He opened his eyes checking on the tornado and for any sight of Myka. He saw that the tornado had changed directions slightly. He needed to make a decision fast. He inched his way back to the tent’s entrance following the rope that he was tied to. Each step kept getting heavier. What were they going to do? He glanced back at the tornado. It was turning again. His thoughts started spinning. We need to get out of here! Could we use the pyloxes? We have enough but can they withstand this storm? Mic stopped looking in all directions to see which was the safest route out of the storm. Towards the north there looked to be clear skies. Then a glimmer of light caught his attention. Was it a reflection of one of the suns? Was there something out there? The light was growing bigger and drawing closer to their camp. Follow a small voice spoke to Mic.  

 

    As Lekla settled up their roncol, he prayed to the Great Ch’uya, “Help me save these creatures from this storm.” When he heard the storm coming across the plains, he knew he couldn’t leave those unique beings out in the middle of it. Ever since he was born in the Zarken Mountains and not on the Pine Forest island he felt different from all his friends. His mother told him that he was a gift from the Great Ch’uya. His friends didn’t treat him any differently so he would go along with what they played, but at night he would stare off into the darkness above and wonder what those bright flashes of fire floating above them were. Some were big, while others moved fast and then disappeared. Everyone that lived on Pine Forest Island never ventured beyond the Zarken Mountains. And the few that did never came back. The Great Ch’uya showed him creatures and places in his dreams that look so different from his own tribe and home he always felt compelled to search for answers. As soon as they had saved up enough supplies, his family ventured out into the ch’in pacha.

 

    A few days back while riding his roncol trying to collect a missing howle a gigantic boom startled his roncol, knocking him straight to the ground. After he gained his senses, he saw this enormous object falling towards the ground. When it got close to the ground fire shot out from the end of it. He wanted to approach the contraption, but then a large door opened towards the ground and creatures with black skin and red stripes came out walking on two legs like he did. Thankfully he spied on them behind a cluster of rocks. His curiosity grew even more when the creatures popped off one head to expose another head underneath. Each creature’s under-head were all different. The tallest one had dark skin and a smooth top. Another one had lighter white skin but with curly fur on top only. Still others had redder fur top. Lekla was starting to see his dreams come true as one by one came off the contraption. He waited behind those rocks until they unloaded multiple boxes. He didn’t want to spook them, so he returned home when it got close to dark and there was no chance of them seeing him.

 

    As he rode into the storm, he could see the camp of their makeshift buildings in the distance. But what scared him more was the sand wind-tunnel heading towards them from the west. He sped up his roncol in hopes to get there before the wind-tunnel did. He cried out to the Great Ch’uya, “Help me! I need to find them Wise One!”

New Frontier - Chapter 1 part 1

 Chapter I

 

He could see the rush of wind push in the tent walls and out again. He had experienced storms before, but this one was different. He wasn’t sure if this heavy-duty tent would hold up. All he could do was hope and pray. As he glanced at his team he just smiled and nodded. He didn’t want any of them to think that their expedition was any more dangerous than it already was.

 

They were here to investigate, research, and collect data. They arrived about a week ago. Setting up camp took longer than their usual. The possibility of a storm coming soon after their arrival made them work harder. These types of tents had weathered many a bad storm back home, but this was a new planet. Astronauts before them had landed here, but they were the first team of scientists and explorers hoping to make a settlement and get data to send back home.

 

Thump Thump Thump…

 

Something came loose. Micmash tried to hide his concern. “Remember guys, we have gone through storms before. Much worse than this one. Let’s get back to work.”

 

The crew paused to listen, they nodded and then went back to their duties. Micmash knew he had a great team. They were smart and faithful. They had worked on many sites all over their home planet, from the frozen tundra to the hottest desert. They were one of a dozen teams that were sent to do tests and experiments in rough climates and terrains. All of the expeditions were only to test them before they could possibly get chosen for a new planet exploration.

 

“Let me check outside,” he said, trying to calm the crew. He knew he had to fix whatever came loose outside.

 

“Let me help you, Mic.” Myka said. She was Micmash’s second in command. Myka had experience way beyond her years. Her test scores were off the charts, but that wasn’t the reason he chose her. She had a great common sense and very calm persona especially when things got rough. She was a rule follower. That was helpful to keep him in line when he so anxiously wanted to try to do something beyond the realm of their expertise.

 

Mic and Myka grabbed the body and head gear. Even though the planet’s air quality was similar to their home planet they still were not sure what this storm was stirring up. As Myka held the door for Mic, she tapped him on the shoulder giving him the all clear. Mic skirted through the small opening of the tent door and Myka soon followed quickly closing the door behind her. They didn’t want more debris or storm sand to come into the tent. Myka grabbed the back of Mic’s suit and attached herself with a long sturdy rope. With this storm there is no way they needed to be separated. If they both got lost. At least they had each other.

 

They could barely walk against the wind. They crept around the tent trying to check all the possible weaknesses. Bursts of sand blasted at their helmets blocking their view. Mic glanced out into the storm hoping not to see what his ears were hearing. He put his hand up to block the sand. In a distance only confirmed his suspicions of how bad the storm was. A tornado.

______________________________________________________________________________ 

 

“It is siquta time, mama.” Lytal said.

 

“Yes, deary it is. So, we need to stay below for now and away from the door.” Mama grabbed her young’uns and cuddled them close.

 

“Why is daddy out in the siquta?” Clirt looked up at Mama with a worried face.

 

“He needs to check on a few of our gardens. To make sure they are safe from the wind.” Mama didn’t need to tell the kids the truth.

 

“Will he be okay?” Clirt added.

 

“Oh yes, deary!” She stroked her children’s head hoping to calm her worries down while calming them down too.

 

They had chosen to move out farther from the tribe a few months back. They wanted to learn more about where they lived. Most of the tribe always stayed in the safety of the Pine forest island. Anytime a family or a person decided to adventure out and see the rest of the world they never came back.

 

Lekla, the Father, wanted to experiment living in the ch’in pacha that was next to the Zarken Mountains. It was hard at first trying to find a source of water, but after they found large cave underground with a spring. They finally were able to grow planets and raise howles. They were close enough to the mountains that they could easily go back into the tribe and get things they needed or keep up the trade. Mama knew where they lived might not last forever. She could see Father’s spirit of adventure always pulling him into the unknown. She would go along with these adventures as long as they could keep the kids safe. They knew the ch’in pacha brought rough wind siquta so they built their home down below the surface for protection. For now, their life in the ch’in pacha had worked. They were able to grow vegetables and some fruit. The only thing that they couldn’t protect was their meat source. Usually when a siquta comes the howles would run away back to the Zarken Mountains. They tried once to bring them into the cave, but their long curved horns the males had were too big to make it down the hole into the cave. Then the female howles didn’t like to be separated from the herd. It was just easier to let them run for safety and hope they returned the next day. 

 

Mama knew that something was happening farther out across the horizon. Father came back to the cave in a huff just two days ago saying, “There are creatures here.” She tried to get him to explain, but he would only just sit and stare off repeating the phrase over and over again. She still wasn’t quite sure what to make of his ramble, but when he could see the storm approaching, he got extremely worried and decided to saddle up their roncol and head south into the storm. Of course, she was worried, but she would never show that to her children. She quietly kept it inside and prayed to Ch’uya for safety.

The Guardian

  “Why does she worry?” Henry asked Edith

“She worries because she is a mother.” 
“But we are right here watching her little ones. She doesn’t need to worry. This is our assignment.” Henry was still very confused.
“It’s more like a calling Henry.” Edith corrected him, “She doesn’t know we are here. She thinks she is the only one responsible for her children.”
“But she knows we exist. She has acknowledged us many times. Even has told her daughter to remember us when she is scared. But there she goes again…always checking on her baby.”
“It is part of her journey to learn to let go of your little ones to the Great Abba. Right now the world has put thoughts, concerns, and even lies in her head that make her second guess the gift the Great Abba has given her. She sometimes forgets to rely on the Great Spirit to give her the wisdom she needs.” Edith had a lot of wisdom and was doing her best to train up Henry in the ways of the job.
“Why can’t she stop listening to the world. I have seen her do it many times. What changed after these little ones were born.”
“There is a lot of reasons mothers second guess themselves. Advice from every place you can get like the internet to doctors to other mothers. They all slowly seep into a mother’s brain and sometimes the thoughts that scare her the most take root and grow and grow until it makes her focus and worry on that one scary thought. Turning it into an irrational fear. Not that there aren’t true fears, but unhealthy dwelling on them make on thought a poison to the mind.”
“What if we just showed ourselves then she would rest much better?” 
Edith sighed, “Henry, well that would make sense and to many of us we think it would solve the answer, but most of the time it doesn’t. Many people that see us soon rationalize it away. Remember why the rule book tells us that if we do show ourselves we should do it to children. Their minds are always open to belief and they will hold onto that vision forever.”
“That is why I can’t understand how she has easily forgotten we are here. Stephen was her guardian and appeared to her when she was young. She always recalls that story to her oldest child and still believes. Why has she forgotten that what happened to her will happen to her little ones.”
“She will! She is slowly getting to a place of rest. Remember this is a learning process for these humans. They do believe, but their relationship with the Savior is always being worked on. They are growing and part of that is continual letting go. This is just part of the process.”
“I really hope she can let go quicker next time. She looks so exhausted.”
“She is getting there. We are here to do our job. Protecting the little ones. They are precious in Great Abba’s eyes. We watch while they sleep, walk, play, and much more.”
“Then why do some little ones come to Heaven early?”
“We don’t know the answer to that. Only the Great Abba does. This mother is still learning that her little ones always belong to the Great Abba she is just their guardian here on earth that He has entrusted them to.”
Henry paused thinking about all that Edith had just revealed to him. This job was a lot of work, but he was glad he was given such a huge responsibility. Being the heavenly guardian for this little boy was a honor and privilege. He knew there would be days in the future he would be running along side him. Holding his bike while he tries his bike without training wheels. He most likely will be on top of the car watching traffic after the boy gets his first drivers license and wants to go for a spin around the town. He will even be there when he is nervous about picking up the girl he likes for their very first date. He looked forward to watching him grow up. His only hope was that while watching the little one, he can also see the mother slowly let go and grow in her relationship with the Great Abba. 
“Look she is finally falling asleep. Maybe she will continue to rest.” Henry commented.
“She will. This letting go and rest doesn’t get fixed overnight. It will take time for her to stop worrying so much. Thankfully the Great Abba is patient and loves her deeply that he knows she will get there. Just wait and see. She is an awesome mother already and the Great Abba is forming her into an extraordinary one.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I hope all mothers can trust in the Great Abba. I think it would make their motherhood journey much easier.” Henry stated.
“I do too, but we can’t help with that. That is part of her job as a follower to help show other mothers how she is learning to trust the Great Abba. That testimony will be the best witness for the Great Abba.”
“Thanks Edith for your advice and training. How many more days do I get training?”
“We have a few weeks left of training. We will have fun watching this little one change in front of our eyes together.” Henry and Edith glanced down at the precious boy sleeping then back at each other with a smile. This is the best assignment ever for a heavenly guardian. 

Between Worlds - Podcast 1

A few months back God pop an idea in my head, to start a podcast interviewing Third Culture Kids. I, of course, am a TCK and I felt like our stories sometimes get "oohed and awed" at a lot, but sometimes it is hard to build relationships that goes beyond the cool story. Many of my fellow TCKs live lives trying to fit in with the world and it becomes very difficult. I, for one, struggle with showing my true self mostly 

because I am afraid of offending someone, hurting someone's feelings or tired of being placed on a pedestal. I wanted to start this podcast to give a door for others to share their story, no matter how crazy or

uneventful it might seem to others. Also I want to learn from other TCKs by asking them these questions:

How have they learned to navigate between the worlds?

How are making friendships easy or hard?

How they battle the question "Where are you from?" 

How do they handle goodbyes? 

My cohost is Phebe Sistoso. She is a nurse midwife who does an incredible job helping mothers deliver their babies! She grew up in Korea. Her dad worked for the military and now is married to an Army man who was born in the Philippines, but moved to California around age 10. They have four kids!

I moved to Colombia, South America at age 8 and then we moved to Ecuador where I finished high school. My dad was a teacher at an international school in both places. I got the pleasure to experience a different culture after college when I moved to Bangkok, Thailand working for a missionary for two years. I married a California boy and we have a very princess daughter!

We want to interview military kids, expat kids, and 1st generation kids in the States. If you are a TCK and would like to be interviewed please let me know by email: chelseajvegter@gmail.com

Enjoy the podcast!!!

Sea Slug's Weapons

My daughter is a bug lover. Our daily walks are full of stopping and checking out everything that moves. Sometimes if a creature is caught she now has a little pet. I try hard to get her to return them back into the grass for the sake of the creature’s life. She is a curious little girl and I love it! Watching animals shows is definitely a daily routine in our household. I, with my biology background, is thrilled that she wants to learn more about God’s creation. 

Recently we were watching a video about a sea slug called a nudibranch. Their beautiful coat usually is a protection from predators since these slugs do not have any shell. What I found most interesting wasn’t their color, but how they got their stinging nematocysts (these are the same cells that jellyfish and sea anemones have). These clever slugs eat their enemies. They create a special mucus to prevent the stinging cells to fire at them. After they ingest them, the immature nematocysts are stored away. When they have matured and are needed they will shoot their stinging cells to paralyze their prey. 

While listening I was stunned by how creative this creature is. Since they don’t have a shell they need a way to protect themselves. Stealing another animal’s weapon is very clever. It made me think about how to apply that today in my life. Right now we have been face with the enemy of fear. Satan has been trying to choke us with fear. I hear the words I am fearful, scared, and worried. While under the mist of a pandemic we have stopped looking at Jesus our Savior, but have chosen to look at the waves of worry and fear that surround our feet. What if we took what satan is using to sting and paralyze us and us it against him.

We can learn a lot from these sea slugs. When we feel the words of anxiety and fear creep deep into our heart leaving us breathless we need to block them with words of scripture, like “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 and “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” 1 John 4:18a. Then in turn we need use what the enemy has used against us and throw the stinging cells back at him. As soon as the lie of the enemy sneaks into your mental space we immediately shoot right back out Jesus’ name and the enemy will flee. 

I know that we are all doing our best to understand the world around us, but there is a difference between being safe and wise versus only focusing on the negative of the story. I am not saying that what is happening with this virus isn’t devastating and horrific, but I am saying when all we read is the news and facebook posts instead of mediating and reading scripture then we are only fighting this virus with the fear the enemy is throwing at us. Yes, we need to stay informed so we can make wise choices, but isn’t God the ultimate wisest individual. Doesn’t he have better knowledge of this virus than even the CDC or White House. Shouldn’t we be asking him what we should be doing. 

Deep down I think God wants us to surrender our fears and pray. Pray for those in leadership to have Godly wisdom. Pray for families that are facing this horrible virus. Pray for those that are suffering from job loss. Pray for a miracle in the world. First and foremost the miracle we need is not a cure to this disease it is a cure of the heart of pride that is in this country. We might have the smartest individuals and scientists, but are they relying on their own strength or God’s strength to find the answers. 

We have been given the greatest opportunity to during this social fasting to be still. To wait on the Lord. To rest in his presence. I believe that being still in God’s presence is the weapon that we need to shoot back at our enemy. Right now we need to be strategic like this nudibranch. We need to use the word of God to be chemical slime to help protect us when digesting the enemy’s darts of lies and worries. Then in turn use those poisonous darts to shoot right back at satan.

When satan lies - Fear the Virus         You shout - Fear God

When satan lies - Blame others and God You shout - Blame satan

When satan lies - Worry                 You shout - Pray

When satan lies - Fear death                 You shout - Death has no hold on me!

Each day we need to treat as a battle zone over our minds and hearts. We need to be prepared that this journey isn’t an easy one, but God has given all we need to fight this war. Part of the fight we pray together even if it is over the internet. Making sure we reach out to friends even it is a text message or call to say we are thinking or praying for them. We need to read and study scripture together. We are not meant to fight is battle alone. Memorize what Jesus said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Pretty in Pink - Thai Style

The sun streaming through the window crept up from the bed base onto my sheets and light blanket swiftly warmed up my whole bedroom. When the sun reached my face it made me opened my eyes. The sweat that was dripping off of me into my bed sheets was all a confirmation that it was hot season in Thailand. Which only meant that no amount of fan or breeze could cool down my bedroom during the night. I was too cheap or too stubborn to turn on the built in air-conditioner placed right under my 13 story window, which meant that waking up sweaty was a common occurrence these days. 

I sat up alert to the day I had before me. For today was going to be epic event for this single twenty something woman. I was asked to be apart of a Thai friend’s wedding. This would be my first exposure of a true Thai cultural experience. I had never seen a Thai wedding and being not just invited, but apart of the wedding’s festivities was a huge honor. The first part of the day was the traditional Thai wedding, but the second part of the day was the western type christian wedding where I was asked to be one of the candle lighters. 

I showered and dressed in a traditional Thai skirt which was full of colorful material with various embroidered designs that wrapped around my waist a few times with a tie in front. I picked out a simple dress shirt that was cool and loose thankfully matching the skirt perfectly. I packed up my makeup, hair supplies and my second dress with dress shoes that I would need to change into for the second wedding event.  

My roommate and I headed to the bride’s house where everything was adorned with vibrant colored decorations. We all sat on the floor of the upstairs room in their open air wooden house. The bride looked extravagant with a reddish fabric embroidered with designs of gold running up and down the skirt wrapped neatly around her petite waist. Another piece of ornate fabric was draped across her chest and over her shoulder on top of another glittery type shirt. Soon we heard the sounds of chatting and singing coming down the lane they lived on. This act showed how he and his family were asking for her hand in marriage while walking down the street towards the bride’s house. The groom was also dressed with decorative fabric as pants and a long sleeve tailored coat. He joined the bride upstairs in the main room on the center mat. 

There were plates of various fruits and foods placed around the edges of the room. One plate looked like a fish that had just been recently caught and cooked, but in reality it was a perfect sculpture of a fish made out of a gelatin mixture. The designs and artistry work took my breath away.

The words the Thai officiate spoke rapidly went through one ear and out the other during most of the ceremony. Near the end the dowry which was many stacks of the Thai currency was gently placed on a plate framed with exquisite jasmine flowers that gave off a calming fragrance. The dowry was tied up into a cloth and given to the bride’s family. 

After the ceremony had finished, my roommate quietly grabbed my attention so we could gracefully head out, while taking the bride too. We were heading out to prepare for the next ceremony. Since we had the bride in the our car we were surprised to see my roommate’s SUV trimmed with a gigantic ribbon in the shape of a bow on top of the hood. Thankfully it wasn’t blocking her view while driving. From now on everyone that saw us knew we had the bride!

Our friend, the bride, wanted to do the traditional Thai ceremony with their families, but she and her future husband wanted to still have a traditional western christian wedding with their new church family. That is where my roommate and I were key. A few months back when the bride wanted to find a dress for the candle lighters, I truly thought it would be impossible to find a dress that would fit me. I had learned that past year while living in Bangkok that I had to buy from the “fat clothes” stores. Not because I was fat, but mostly because I was a head taller than most Thais and their clothes were mostly meant for petite individuals. This is why I was doubtful that we would find a dress, but to my surprise there was one dress that they found that actually fitted perfectly. As I placed it on for the wedding, I was reminded that wearing this dress was not for my beauty or show, but for honoring the bride. My dress was bright pink, almost sparkly, with a halter top. Right in the middle of my chest was a gigantic pink rose that could easily cover up my face. The bottom half of the dress had a jagged trim around my knees with pink tulle layered between the material with the same design. When I first tried it on months earlier the only thought that crossed my mind was that I was a Pink Tinker-bell. Even though I thought I looked a little over the top, this is quite normal for Thailand. They love the color pink and anything that looks “cute.” I might have felt a little awkward in it, but I still blended in with the whole wedding party and the guests. 

We had to wait for the bride for over an hour before the ceremony started, but over all the wedding went on smoothly. Thankfully I could wear a jacket during the reception. The jean jacket was mostly to help keep warm in the powerful air-conditioned room, but it nicely covered the massive rose on my chest. At the reception all guests sat around round tables where we had a spinning tray in the middle. Since I hadn’t eaten lunch I was starved by the time the food arrived. When they placed the first appetizer, which was fried pork rinds, on the spinning tray I quickly devoured about a third. Next we had another appetizer which I mistaken to be the main meal and ate a good portion. It wasn’t until the seventh dish came out did I realize I hadn’t planned my eating journey well. By the time we got to the fifteen dish I was more than full. My tight pink dress was definitely getting close to ripping at the seams. That is when they brought out the the wedding cake. Even the thought of eating another bite was sickening. In true Thai culture the bride and groom approached the wedding cake with a long sword and together they cut their first piece of cake with the traditional saber. 

That night laying in a cooler bedroom I went to sleep dreaming of pink tulle and gigantic swords. I knew that my wedding one day would probably be quite different, but my memory of this Thai wedding day would last forever.