Rev Val Bock update - lunch, hairdressers and dancing

The longer I live in Sai Mai, the more I like it. Once you are off the main road it is as if you are in a country village. Last week I went for lunch at a little Thai place "hanging" over a canal, with typical Thai canal houses along the edge. There were even big fishing nets hanging over the water. The streets were winding, and tree lined, and at times you could see no houses at all - and this only 10 minutes walk from "home". It is the rainy season at the moment, and the weather is really quite nice - a bit hot at times, but nothing unbearable.

I went to the hairdresser during the week. I was given a book of hair styles to look at, and choose. Then I had a shampoo and head massage, a great cut; the hairdresser faithfully following the style I chose. Then a blow dry and set - all for $5!

Church on Sunday lasted for 2 1/4 hours. The pastor said he would just be preaching for 1/2 hour, but it was 50 minutes. We were laughing about it after the service. One of the elders said "how can the people be fed spiritually in just 20 minutes?" There is always a time for personal testimony, and people do not hesitate to jump up and share what God has done for them during the week - last Sunday, the sharing went on for well over half an hour.

It is the "mother" church's anniversary next month, and a group of young girls from Sai Mai are practicing a "liturgical" dance for the occasion. I watched them both on Saturday and Sunday - they are so graceful, and incorporate those beautiful Thai hand movements into the dance. I look forward to seeing them at the Anniversary celebrations.