It looks like God, again, had a better plan for us to learn the language. A friend of our roommate just lost her job and has been desiring to attend massage school nearby. Figuring that we needed to learn Thai with a native speaker, she needed a place to live & little income, we needed help keeping the place spic & span this seemed like a great opportunity and least costly all around. For $30/mo we have a private language tutor/chore helper!
Her name is Tam and even though she hasn't had any formal teaching experience, she is very dedicated. Wade (our roommate), Nok & her sister, Lori, Tam at Nok's house under construction.
Our savings: $270/month + unknown amount at marketplace as she is charged a lesser price for being a "local" Her savings: $180/month + a better future we pray!
As mentioned before, we have seen the great need to learn the Thai culture, most necessary when it comes to the not so notable business practices and ethics. We have found, in the four months we've been here, there is much to know, especially if we are to be involved with any area of business- construction or otherwise. We are definitely not interested in re-inventing the wheel and have just begun to appreciate the great resources available in this area.
One of those resources the Lord seems to have prepared for both of us is a great opportunity to learn Thai business practices, mold our business skills, interact with experienced businessmen and network with "the original missionaries of Thailand" all at once while gaining an advanced degree.
Today, Lori just started her foundation classes at Payap University's for the International Masters in Business Administration program (IMBA)! After she finishes the eight week courses, we both will begin the one and a half year weekend program together in mid-August!
There is no way we could have worked it out better. We have the time to attend, as ministry is usually during the week these classes are on the weekends; it is one of the most inexpensive programs at $3000/yr; it's taught in English by professors flown in from several Bangkok universities; it is a very well respected & internationally accredited university from its inception in the late 1800's; the teacher-student ratio is very small from 1:5 to 1:12; and students come from all around the world to attend. Now we feel very fortunate that English is our first language!
After a great Easter message we decided to checkout the water-fight ourselves. We were a little surprised to say the least.
What we found:
People riding in the back of trucks with ice-water drenching fellow travelers and those along the sides of the road have no mercy either!
Water sprinkler lined bridge. Not so good for those like us on a scooter.
We took up station with our buckets on a street corner (using a water fountain as our source) to douse those driving by.
We found another good location to surprise the scooter crowd. Up the mote a bit we found a fun group using a community barrel to splash those not-so-lucky passer-byers. The whole event was out of this world, all the locals love Songkran and are more than ready to join in and splash anyone within splashing distance, young and old alike. And the crazy thing is that this festival continues for 6 days! If you don't want to get wet, you just don't leave your house!
Imagine a place where you aren't safe driving anywhere... well, that is not safe driving without getting splashed (or literally dunked by buckets of water). We found out on our first trip out of town, three days before the official holiday began.
We was driving to the store for groceries, when some neighbor kids were awaiting with buckets of cold water to drench any person brave enough to go outside. We were those brave, or rather naive neighbors.
Here is a vid of Lori getting revenge after returning from her first outing.
While picking up a muffin order for the church brunch, we stumbled onto this heinous trash lining each street-post along a main boulevard. Don't bother visiting the website.
Rather than just shaking our heads, as was tempting to do, we followed the leading to do something about it. In a couple hours and without any hassle, we took care of the problem!
We figured if we are going to continue advising the GNC, we'd better see what is happening, in person. We were pleasantly surprised to see the progress. They have been keeping accurate financial accounting records, minutes from each meeting, including attendance, key verses, and have spent offerings very wisely.
We wish we could share how we had to go about meeting them, but will have to share in person. Nonetheless, after hiking in the hills for twenty minutes, we arrived at a small bamboo bungalow with thirty eight children eagerly awaiting our arrival. Even the parents of many of the children were eagerly awaiting the meeting, with many peering through the front door or side windows. There must be few foreigners who visit, as we are humbled, feeling like celebrities in such a hungry village.
The leaders began with melodies of worship in Karen & English. It was a blessing to see each child really put their heart into the singing. I think they especially like the songs where they can act out the motions. See video.
Lori followed up with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, then had the kids draw pictures from what they remember of the story. In the message, when Lori spoke of the people having to bow down to the "golden image" the kids drew what resembled Buddhist Temples. When it came to choosing the best drawing, we let the kids decide by cheering. They were so excited, I don't think adults have ever asked them to make lots of noise! I don't know who had the biggest smile on their face!
We concluded the evening by distributing toothbrushes to each child. The leaders pointed out that many hadn't ever used one nor had ever been taught. So, Lori was volunteered to explain and "demonstrate". She told them to sing their favorite song in their head and don't stop brushing till the song is over! Out came the guitar and we were singing "God is so Good"... again... and again. The kids thought it was so funny how the guitarist decided to sing the chorus a few extra times and make Lori keep brushing! We think we got the point across!
Next time we hope to visit the other class which operates concurrently in another section of the camp.
Our first attempt at Thai language lessons didn't turn out quite as expected. We found what appeared to be a good school, Christian folk running it, lessons at a good price, caring teacher and an interesting Canadian classmate who claimed to know everything about everything. But, after receiving our invoice, the price was twice as much as what all us classmates agreed to.
After trying for several hours to resolve this price discrepancy, we found out this "last minute change" is typical in Thai business. In fact, we met a westerner telling a story about him asking a Thai to sign a development contract. As the Thai was signing it, he said, "Now we can start negotiations". It is all about the bottom dollar- first, last, and always.
Another story, again in the construction industry, further highlights the problem of business ethics. When building a house, the contractor asks for 50% payment upfront for "supply and initial labor". Seems reasonable. But, the first day on the job, the contractor commonly asks for more money to buy material. When inquiring about the first payment the contractor says that was used to pay off his debts from the last job. Lawsuits aren't much of an option. Apparently, in order for businesses to recoup debts it is sometimes common to hold hostage or kill a debtors family member.
Needless to say, the lack of ethics has been the most difficult adjustment for us. Many more stories like this have highlighted the need for us to study Thai culture more closely, especially as it relates to business.
