White Christmas in Bangkok?

I woke up this morning to the coldest temperature I can remember in Bangkok for the past two years: a cool 19 degrees C (or 66 degrees F). This is quite the milestone for me because last night was the first time I opened my windows and did not have my air conditioner operating since I moved here. In fact, I didn't have my air conditioner on all day yesterday either at the office or at home since we only reached a high of 26 degrees C.

I have to laugh because this cool spell is having quite an effect on the Thai nationals. While the foreigners love it, the guards at my residence are sporting coats and the kids come to school bundled in sweaters. Students were overheard saying they were hoping for a white Christmas =) All we need is for the temperature to drop another 19 degrees C and for precipitation, a bit of a stretch since it is our dry season. Then again, I heard it snowed in Egypt only 5 days ago -- something that hasn't happened for over 100 years -- so I guess anything is possible!

After a little research, I learned the lowest temperature recorded for Bangkok occurred in January 1955 with a low of 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). With Bangkok having average consistent year round temperatures from mid-20 lows to mid-30 highs, I guess it is natural for the weather to become the topic of conversation when it ventures outside the norm. Still, we have a bit of a way to go before we experience a white Christmas.

Karaoke Christmas

The Leaman family and I decided to spend Christmas at the same mountain resort we visited last year. It was another wonderfully relaxing opportunity to get out of the city to take in fresh air, some quiet and cooler temperatures.

Christmas Eve turned out to be quite festive, Thai style, in an outdoor common area of the resort. Our Thai friends and neighbors at the resort invited us to dinner presenting us with a number of favorite Thai dishes. I don't think our hosts thought much about the fact that it was Christmas Eve because it's a Buddhist country, but it was sure nice to get together.

The dinner was fantastic and I took an immediate liking to a new dish I've never had before called Khai Jeow Cha-Om, made of stripped Acacia tree leaves, baked in an egg mixture and topped with a typical spicy Thai fish sauce. Of course the neighborhood dogs and cats also attended, remaining under the table looking for anything that might 'just happen' to fall to the ground.

So what did I end up doing on Christmas Eve with our Thai neighbors after dinner? Karaoke. For those of you who know me, know that I am not exactly a big fan of karaoke (choosing a song then singing to prerecorded background accompaniment) but the Thais love it so it's usually available wherever we go.

Strangely enough, this evening of singing on stage turned out to be quite meaningful. One of the workers at the resort owns and operates a karaoke system (complete with computerized selection of hundreds of songs, stage, lights, microphones, etc) and was able to provide us with a fairly wide selection of carols and Christmas songs. It was great to be able to enjoy Christmas in the tropics, even in this non-traditional karaoke-way.

We ended our evening walking back to the house we were renting, observing the stars we don't get to see in the city. Dean pointed out a familiar galaxy which, according to science, is one of over 170 billion in the universe. What a great reminder how the wise men were directed to Christ via the night sky thousands of years ago -- maybe even seeing some of the same stars we see today?

At one point during the evening it hit me how unique this Christmas Eve turned out. I'm sure I'll remember this one for a long time to come.

All From a Question

Little did I know a friendship would form when I first met and talked with this young 17 year old refugee (center) who happened to be sitting next to me in church one Sunday morning in early 2012. I will not forget the Spirit motivating me to ask my neighbor whether he needed help understanding the English Bible he held in his hands - the Bible he just received from the church after being baptized that morning.

I learned Wasim was a refugee from Sri Lanka. At the time Wasim's English was pretty-much non-existent so we did a lot of hand gestures and kept to simple words and phrases. Needless to say, he did not know how to read or understand his English Bible.

It is now going on two years after our first meeting and we continue to meet after church service most every Sunday. During our times together I have learned of his plight from Sri Lanka and the resultant difficulties that so many refugees encounter. My main goal at the time was to teach him enough English so we could eventually converse about the Bible and discuss other matters of faith. I figured knowing English would also help him on a daily basis (being the language Thais divert to when someone doesn't speak their language) and may one day help him land a job since English translators are always in demand.

I can't go into detail, but Wasim's family story of escaping Sri Lanka and being imprisoned in a detention center upon arrival in Thailand is heart-wrenching. Let's just say the things so many of us take for granted - such as religious freedom, living in relative peace and enjoying daily provisions - are simply not available to a vast majority of people worldwide. Nothing like being friends with someone living this scenario to better understand their struggles and lack of privileges.

By God's grace I have been able to support Wasim by enrolling him in private English classes during the week and then meeting with him on Sundays. Turns out he is a bright and motivated student. How great it is that we can now converse effortlessly in English. And now that he has a solid understanding of the language, I've encouraged him to share his knowledge by holding weekly ESL classes in his neighborhood, reading and (when necessary) translating Bible stories as part of the lesson. Not only can this reinforce Wasim's ability to communicate in English but he is learning how to teach others which can prepare him for when he is allowed to work in this country. (Refugees cannot attend public school or hold a job until they become recognized landed immigrants, which is so incredibly difficult especially on young people who are in a holding-pattern for years and have their lives in front of them!)

This Christmas season I was able to visit Wasim and the neighborhood children he teaches, bringing with me friends from church. We visited these wonderful kids and parents, handing out stockings, playing word games, then sharing a meal with them and also the true meaning of Christmas. Wasim told me that most children only know of Christmas as a time to wear a red hat (imitating Santa) and share cake. I remember this was the case when I visited the villages in Borneo years back. What a wonderful opportunity to share with them the real hope-filled life-changing meaning of Christmas!

It continues to be my prayer this ESL ministry spreads into other areas of the refugee community as others learn from Wasim. Not only could this provide opportunity for many to learn English but also the tenants of the Christian faith, preparing them to come to a saving knowledge of God while lovingly serving others along the way!