Loving the Thai People

Since I've been in Thailand, God has given me just an overwhelming love for the people here. The more I am around Thai people, the more I want to be around them. And I thought I might just share just a few reasons why I love the Thai people, and perhaps even give you a love for them as well.

Their smell: I know, many of you are like, "Really, Faith? You're such a creeper." But the truth is Thai's smell really good. Most Thai's love to smell good and keep clean because it's just so hot here. Interestingly enough, it is the commonly held belief here in Thailand that foreigners smell "weird." So, for the first time in my life, I've embraced the Thai remedy for always smelling good- baby powder. They have a full aisle of this stuff in their stores. And in all different brands and smells. I love it! But watch out for the ones with menthol- those burn!

Their smiles: When the people smile here, they really smile! Teeth (or lack of) and all! I love that :) When Thai's smile, it warms my heart. And I can't help but smile in return :)

Their laughter: I love to have a good laugh, and Thai's have big laughs. It always seems like there's something to laugh about with them, even when there's a language barrier. But it's helped me be able to laugh at myself and to find the day to day humorous moments.

Their beauty: The Thai people think Westerners are beautiful because of our white skin (And in fact there are a ton of "whitening" products for skin here. I actually have to be careful I don't buy them, so that when I come back you aren't blinded by my neon-ness. And I already know what you are thinking- could I possibly get any whiter? Yes, the impossible is possible). So after being told that I'm beautiful, I have had to tell so many Thai's that I think they are the beautiful ones. I love their smiling eyes, beautiful grins, caramel skin, and most of all, their kind hearts. They are beautiful to me.

I am daily finding more things to love about these amazing people and the land they love.
Pray with me for the Thai's and for the God that wants them to know Him.
Prayer Requests:
1. For the smell- that they wouldn't smell my "foreign-ish-ness" but the scent of Jesus on me and want His presence and transforming power in their lives (2 Corinthians 2:15- being the sweet aroma of Christ to the world)
2. For their smiles- that when they smile, it would be with the joy of knowing the Creator that calls them by name (Isaiah 43:7)
3. For their laugh- that when they laugh, it would be from knowing that they are completely loved by Jesus and nothing can separate them from that (Rom. 8:38-39)
4. For their desire to be beautiful- that they would find the God who made them and created each of them beautifully from His own image (Gen. 1:27)

Thank you for praying with me for these beautiful people!

A little boy and his daddy at one of the churches in Central Thailand.