Merry Christmas!!! or in Thai --(สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาสและปีใหม่)!!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from the blazing hot and sunny country of Thailand... I think it would be safe to say that the weather most of you are experiencing is quite the opposite! It doesn't seem like Christmas at all.. Not just because of the weather, but also because this is such a Buddhist country, they don't celebrate it at all -- except for the few people who got sucked into American traditions and don't know why they do what they are doing... But most of all, it doesn't seem like it because I don't have all of my loved ones around to share it with... I don't regret coming here at all, but I admit it is super hard to think about everyone back home and everything that I am missing out on. But.. I am keeping in mind that God has called me to this place and that my sacrifice of giving up a half a year of my life away from my loved ones will never even compare to the sacrifice he has made for all of us... Keeping God's perspective is key for keeping my attitude positive.. if not, I would not have the strength to endure all that I am experiencing here in Thailand.
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I wanted to add a quick little update of what I have been doing for the past couple weeks... I don't have enough time to go into details, but I have been keeping a daily journal and I will elaborate more at a later date or I will just save my stories for when I return home!! Anyhow.. We have spent the past weeks in a few different villages... Now when I say villages... it is probably similar to what you are thinking... I can't wait to show all of you these pictures.. They are rather primitive...they aren't straw huts, but we are sleeping on the floor in mosquito nets, surrounded by tons and tons of ants..everywhere. It's crazy, I never thought that I would become accustomed to the feeling of having things crawling on me and not be bothered by it. I'm really not complaining though, I think of everything as being an experience, a memory, and a purposeful reason to sacrifice my physical comfort for a higher purpose. I mean things could definitely be worse, but we are roughing it for sure. I have just finally mastered the art of cold bucket showers and "squattie potties" (the Asian toilets which are just pretty much a porcelain hole in the ground that you have to flush with buckets of water). These things are not the most pleasant to use, but God has a way of humbling all of us, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill what He has called me to do!
We have been ministering to the schools in the local villages by teaching them English.. There were about 400 kids at each school and we split them into 4 groups... This was my first experience at teaching, but I really enjoyed it!!! There were a lot of kids in my class, but they behaved and listened really well - I was really impressed with their teachability and their disciplined behavior. It is sooo funny .. we get treated like celebrities here in Thailand.. everyone mobs you for pictures, autographs, and they want to touch our white skin and blonde hair.. and they get really shy when you talk to them, but they love it! It kind of bothers me though, because they treat us as if we are of higher worth than they are and that is definitely not true.. I got really attached to the kids in my group and it was really hard to say goodbye.. I loved them and they really showed me love in return.. They would love to just be around me or have me talk to them (even though they couldn't understand what I was telling them) I received a lot of gifts from these kids, which really melted my heart because they don't have much to begin with - yet they are so quick to give.. They really love saying my name - they draw it out like "Jess-a-kaaaaaaaa".. haha. It was so apparent that God has been opening doors for us this entire time. The headmasters of the school were so open to us coming in and not only teaching English, but sharing the gospel message to the kids and they thanked us for it, truly an act of God opening up the minds of these leaders!
We have also been able to minister to local people in the villages. In the first village, everyone was able to freely come and listen and participate -- we had a wonderful turnout and a lot of people who requested prayers and wanted to know more about Jesus!! The second village was a little more disappointing - The headmaster of the village would not allow for us to have a program for the people of the village and said that the people were not allowed to join us. A few brave souls showed up anyhow.. a man came and asked for prayer to heal his shoulder and we prayed and prayed until he could take his shoulder and move in in complete circles, he said that the pain was gone! The next evening, many more people showed up to listen. A few of the Thai women gave their testimonies and I also volunteered to share mine. The Holy Spirit must have been speaking through me because there were some young girls there who were in tears as I was telling my story and they wanted prayer afterwards... We took time to pray for everyone who was courageous and came, regardless of what the headmaster said. It was sad though, because at one point while we were praying, a mother from the village (obviously upset) came up and demanded that her daughters should leave right away. The heaviness of the Buddhist religion is so strong here, but I think God is definitely doing amazing things and he is breaking the soil for big things to come! I am so hopeful and expectant of this! He is so capable and powerful... I will never cease to be amazed by Him!
Well I better end this now, my internet time is about up..
Again.. I hope you all enjoy your Christmas and New Years!!! May God bless each and every one of you and may you be filled with the peace and joy that only He can give to you!

Love,
Jessica