Mexican tonight

Tonight the teachers asked me to join them for a trip to Chiang Mai and Mexican food. I should have taken my camera- had no idea it would be so eventful. First I locked my keys in the room and had to get back in. I was amazed at how well the door lock worked...but not well enough :)

Then into the back of the truck for the trip to town. Nathan drove with the still-on-crutches Elainea in front. Ben, Erika and I rode in the back. Beautiful night. Nathan parked where I was told there was a Mexican restaurant with generous portions and good Margueritas. One problem- the place was gone, cars parked on what used to be the concrete floor. So off we went looking for another. Found a nice one along the river with a host (turned out to be owner) who was obviously American. He was from New Orleans. His Dad was there helping out tonight- he had been in Burma for a while but ran out of money, apparently. We all had specials (4 of us had special burritos and Erika a quesadilla). Everything was really good, and even better with Singhas all around (local brew). Nathan spied some sweet tea and had to have a glass. Not like Grandma's, he said, but it was a touch of home.

Then it was on to Macro, a sort of Sam's Club that is 75% food. Picked up a few things- like grapes, dates and dried apricots, a few tools to do a little maintenance here at the farm, and a flashlight to help out with the bike ride between the farm and the school when the moon starts waning. Back home, I Skype Shelby (who is %*&@ years old today) and update the blog. Maybe I can get to sleep before 3AM tonight...my body still refuses to get on schedule here.

Gloria told me that they have been arranging therapy for Leon in Chiang Mai. He will have it for 2 weeks, at least (I hope longer). He kinda jumped back into work, and left off therapy. I have encouraged him to get back to it, and so has Gloria, so we are pleased.

Tomorrow I will sit in on Homiletics and teach Doctrines and Pastoral Care. Actually we should give that class another name, because these are not pastors, and may never be. It is more of an advanced leadership class (servant leadership). We will cover some of the specific problems and temptations that servants and leaders in local churches are faced with. Those issues are much the same here in Asia as anywhere else. On Friday night, I plan to present some material on the early history of the Church. One thing they do not have over here is a background in Western history. So the environment during the development of the early Church is quite foreign to them. but I feel strongly that the Bible must be understood in its context. That is a problem even in the West, but moreso here. A tall order, for sure, but at least I can give an introduction.