Chiangmai Smog

It's March and a thick smog is over the city of chiangmai - thanks to the farmers burning fields in order to grow a special mushroom (allegedly) or to clear land. Strangely, it has cooled down the weather...cause not even the sun penetrates!
Along with choking smog, there's been a fair bit of gloom over the last two weeks. In last sunday's service, pastor Jonathan mentioned in one of his wandering sermons that in the Christian life we go through periods of spiritual rest (the equivalent of sipping coconuts on the beach in phuket) and sometimes periods where we have to buckle up and fight.
I think I'm definitely in the latter stage sadly. Oh I miss the days where it was all about resting in God! I've been having dreams like the one where people are doing rituals to call up Satan to come and kill me, which was pretty disturbing. Some things in life have been pretty unsettling too and on top of that, I have a fever and I need to recover before Friday's flight out!
This has been a rather depressing post, but on the other hand, even in movie plots, there's always a down time with many obstacles before the big breakthrough/climax. It probably means the enemy is not happy with what I am going to work on next, which is kind of encouraging!

Bangkok Riots to come?

I post this on, it's an email I received from the Chiangmai Prayer Network.
Dear Praying of Chiang mai and Thailand,
On February 26, 2010, the Supreme Court ordered to seize 46 billion baht from 76 billion in frozen assets belonging to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family.
What’s next?
Pro-Thaksin protesters (Red-shirt) announced to hold a three-day Mass Rally (March 12-14, 2010, staring this Friday. The highlight will be on Sunday at Sanam Luang, Bangkok.
1. To demand a House dissolution and a snap election
2. To destabilize the government and proclaim their support for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra
2. The red shirts claimed that it is mobilizing at least a million supporters nationwide to join the mass rally March 14 aiming at bringing down the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.
3. To cause a paralysis to Bangkok traffic and have also targeted to attack key government installations located in the capital. This will likely cause huge inconveniences and tempers might flare up to trigger riots.
4. With Maoist tactics of the "forest surrounding the town", protesters from the provinces will move from their home towns to the capital by farm and pickup trucks, plus buses to put pressure on the government.
5. Nobody knows how long the demonstration will last and how serious the situation will be - but the government is prepared for a worst-case scenario of violence and riots.
6. The red shirts did not rule out the possibility of copying the yellow-shirt group's tactics, including seizing government offices as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport, the source said.
7. The bottom line was to stir a chaotic situation until the government loses control.
The Cabinet on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 approved the enforcement of the internal security law on March 11-to-23 in the face of the red-shirt rally.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. The Lord to bring peace into the situation and that there will be no violence, injuries or loss of life. (Isaiah 60:18)
2. The Lord to give wisdom and strategies to the government how to solve problems (Psalm 20:7)
3. The Lord to protect innocent citizens (Psalm 10:12-14)
4. The Lord to supernaturally expose to the government authorities secrets plans to hurt the country. (Mark 4:22)
5. The Prince of Peace to confuse the evil plots of those who are obsessed with inflicting fear, confusion and violence. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in bringing the Light of the Gospel of Christ to those who are being held prisoner in darkness. (Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:13)
6. Laborers to be sent out into the communities and to preach the Gospel. Pray for them to see and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for them to become zealous witnesses for His glory. (Psalm 9:37,38)
7. The Kingdom of God to come in power, bringing a tremendous harvest of souls as the Thai put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Matthew 6:10)
Thank you for your continual prayer for the Nation of Thailand.
Blessings,
Bless Chiang Mai Prayer Network

The cost of living

I was just thinking about how so many people may be thinking of moving into missions here, but are concerned about being able to afford living overseas. 'If only they realised how cheap it is' I thought, and then decided to blog about it. I still get a warm glow every time I pay for a meal and it comes to under $1.
So here's some of the costs of living in Chiangmai, Thailand. I put it in US dollars and I know the currencies fluctuate, but you'll get the idea.

Rent per month- $122
Average Thai meal- $0.92
Average Western meal - $7.65
Language Class per hour- $6.12
A full bike tank of petrol- $9
A hair cut - $4.50
A basket of fruit & veges from the market- $2.45
An hour's massage - $3.67
Can of coke - $0.43
A T-shirt - $3
To go to the movies - $4
Check-up at the doctors - $4.50
To get your house cleaned - $9
To get your bike washed - $1
To catch public transport around town one way - $0.60
Electricity bill last month - $12
Randomly watching an elephant walk down a main street in town - priceless


Oh yeah, these prices make me happy.