~Ya that's right we went into a tiger cage~

      A lot has happened since our last posting. We have been very busy. Our good friends Annie and Tom got married and the wedding was beautiful. Hil and I worked very hard helping to prepare for it. We are now experts at bow tying, arch decorating, flower ball making and bead and straw stringing.

Interns at the wedding

     We have completed three full weeks of Thai class and are amazed with how much we have learned. Our speaking is greatly improving and we are often shocked about what we can understand when others are speaking. We have one one week and then we move on to Thai two. Yesterday in class the students from Thai three came into our class and we had to interview them in Thai and report back what we learned about them. It was amazing that we were able to find out so much about a person using only Thai. We are much more confident speaking Thai in our safe classroom environment than in "the real world," but we are trying to use it more often.

      On Friday, we went to the Tiger Kingdom with our new friends Lisa, Angie and Nit. We actually went in a cage with two large tigers and sat with them and were able to touch and pet them. I will be honest... it was terrifying, but such a cool experience. Soot Yawt! (means "so cool" in Thai)  The tigers have been raised in captivity and have plenty to eat so they do not have any need to hunt. It was a once in a life time experience and we are glad we did it, but I don't see us doing it again. :) That evening we went out to dinner for Mark and Oan's birthday with a big group of church members and even some of our students joined us. it was a great time of food, fun and fellowship. Following dinner we went to karaoke and has a blast singing our hearts out.

TIGER!

        After a fun, but long and exhausting week we decided that today would be a relaxing day of reflection and study. Hil, Mark and I drove out to a lake and spent about four hours sitting in a bamboo hut reading, studying and writing. We had a great time with each other and had some well needed r&r time.

lake time

        Mark is preaching for the first time at church in the morning. We are looking forward to see how God speaks through him to present the topic of love. Keep him in your prayers tonight, I am sure he will do great.

       Love you all and thank you for your continued prayers and support.

-Amanda