Last Sunday, we invited the members of Pradumri UMC to come for a housewarming party at our home. In the past, we have done many Leadership Training workshops and classes at our home. Usually, the leaders of Pradumri UMC would come and we would have about 25 people at our house for class and for potluck (yes, even Thai Christians love potluck). At our previous home, we would not have nearly enough room and the house was very hot because it had no trees around it.
So we expected the same 20-25 people that came to workshops in the past to come to visit our new home. Well, we were surprised when up pulled 5 vehicles, and then another, and then another..... and then more.
We had over 60 Pradumri friends at our house! The first group to arrive divided in two. One group sat on our front lawn and started a worship service there. We had many neighbors stop to listen and watch and we were happy for the opportunity to witness to them. The second group came into the house to help set up everything. This new house has a large kitchen and we were planning on leaving the food in there, buffet style, and everyone could grab a plate and help themselves. We then learned that in Thai culture that was not how it is done, so they helped to move everything out into the dining room and to set up places where people sit in small clusters to eat together. After the final group arrived, about an hour and a half later (everything happens in its own time here), we had dinner together. Then we had a brief worship time inside the house and they prayed for us and our family. We were very touched by the love of our Thai spiritual family. Our hearts were truly warmed.
Above are two pictures of worshipping outside on the front lawn.
