Day Five in Bangkok

We have been blessed to run into several friends from Ayutthaya. Many come to serve as ordinance workers twice a month. It warms our hearts that they have embraced the temple and are serving here. This photo was taken in the welcome center. It has several couches and chairs, videos on temples playing daily, showers, bottles of water, etc. Since Bangkok is a destination temple, it is well used.

Ayutthaya branch president and wife

There is so much energy among the Saints. Love abounds. I hope the enthusiasm here for the gospel and coming together never ends.

I am reminded daily of the creativity of the Thai people. These are a watermelon and a cantaloupe carved into flowers. They were on display for a class in RS to learn to do the art. (The ladies in Ayutthaya are especially skilled in flower arranging.)

Our Airbnb for the first week and a half in May was cancelled. The owner came to our hotel to apologize and give us the news that the complex had clamped down on short term rentals. Airbnb is part of her livelihood. I felt bad for her more than for us. We invited her to church. Maybe she will consider coming.

The temple from the roof of hotel

 Sunday we attended our new ward, the international English speaking ward. There are many countries represented. Most of the women in Relief Society are from the Philippines. Afterwards a potluck was held. We sat at a table with young adult men from Brazil, Pakistan, and a Thai who grew up in Argentina. I wish I had taken their picture because they were all adorable.

Potluck

Gathering for potluck after church is a monthly event for the international ward. (In Ayutthaya it is every week.) 

The members from Myanmar met in another room. Many have had to flee from their country due to the unrest. Dennis spoke to a man from Myanmar and said he heard the branch president had to flee the country. The man said, "I'm the branch president who fled."

Next door to us at the hotel, is the Russian couple who are here for a few weeks to help the Russian members. The husband is also a sealer. He does the ordinances in Russian no matter what language the participants speak. There are language cards for every language needed. I asked the sister what I should call her. She answered that her phone didn't work in Thailand. :-) We finally communicated that her name is Natal'ja. 💖

We are back in Thailand! April 2024

 We are back in Thailand! We hope to stay for 5 1/2 months and serve in the Bangkok temple. Only crazy people do adventures like this--leave home not really knowing how their plans will turn out, no mission call, only on a whim and a hope, and a few encouraging words. We will stay at this hotel for about five nights, an Airbnb for ten, and after that, who-knows-where.

Our layover in Taipei, Taiwan, included this
unique forest gate entrance.

After a very long trip, about 24 hours, we arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. We left Phoenix on Monday and lost Tuesday when we crossed the international dateline. After a big mixup with our Grab driver (equal to Uber in the states) that took an hour to resolve, it took us another hour to get to the hotel because--well, because Bangkok is one big traffic jam. I'm sure our driver was sorry he took our call. He spent so much of his afternoon taking us to the hotel.

We are staying at the FX hotel right by the temple, literally next door. We don't have the temple right out our window and 20 feet away, as we did for the open house, because we are on the east side of the building. The rooms on the east have a great view of the Asoke/Petchaburi intersection and high-rises, and are a foot or two feet larger than the ones on the north, which I appreciate. Right below us, our room's view is a junk heap, so we try not to look down. The room has no place to put anything, so we'll live out of our suitcases for five days.

Besides the temple, the Church built an "annex" next door. It has two stake centers, two mission offices, the Church administration offices, patron housing, MTC,
and a welcome center. It's an amazing building.

When we got to our rooms, I crashed for about two hours. Then we went downstairs for dinner. I had Tom Kaa with shrimp (coconut soup), and Dennis had Thai fried rice. I slept again until 7 AM. Today I've had no jet lag, but Anan claims it will catch up with us.

Here are the Temple front doors at night, a welcoming sight.

Below: Every car has a Buddha on the dash for blessing and safety. It's usually a little statue sitting on the dash, but I've not ever seen one like this. Considering how Thais drive, it's a wonder we don't see more accidents! They are taught very young how to maneuver tight traffic.

Below is a typical sight in this part of the crowded city. A beautiful tree's overgrown roots have destroyed the sidewalk, and
motorcycle taxi drivers in orange vests, waiting for customers. A makeshift porch cover is made from discarded banners.

It feels good to be back in Thailand. I will get used to living in the city again. Always noisy, always crowded. The smells are unavoidable. I love the Thai people, especially the Saints. That is why we are here.

We've talked with several family members via FaceTime. The littlest grandson stared at us on the screen straight-faced for a while and finally broke out in a smile. 

He must have recognized us. My heart warmed. I miss them all.

With FaceTime, I think this is doable.