Mmm...curry

Hey Everyone! Well, it's true - we've reached India! Pretty crazy. Day one in India is about to wrap up and let me tell you - it has been a crazy day! India is WAY different than Thailand. In Thailand, the people are so sweet and kind but in India, they are very rude and pushy. Luke and I were actually pretty tired from a short night before flying out and so our patience was tested to the max numerous times today - but we survived and things are working out one step at a time thanks to the Lord! We are in Madras, and are looking to catch a train or bus down to Madurai as soon as possible so we can be with our missionary friends there. There is so much poverty here - it's unreal. We were riding an auto-rickshaw through Madras on our way to see a fort, and drove through a slums area. It was actually very difficult to see. I've never experienced anything like that before - broke my heart. How can it not? People lying on the sides of the streets - children without clothing - men dying with leprosy: it blew me away. I pray that God would use this experience to continue to mold my heart after his - I can only imagine how much more pain He must experience when he sees his children hurting.
Anyways, the stress and testing of patience did die down later in the day and we went out for some good Indian food and chai tea. Best tea I've ever had in my life...
Luke and I definitely need prayer - 1) things work smooth going to Madurai (we're new at Indian train transport) 2) We will be safe 3) God will continue to guide us and teach us!
Okay, that's it for now - no pictures this time - sorry!
Cody

Adventures Etc.

Okay everyone...here's what's going on. Things continue amazingly on our journeys. We've been in Chiang Mai since Sunday night, and let me tell you, good times have been had. We honestly do miss the kids back in Pua, but it's been neat to have some new crazy experiences while here in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a fairly large city, like Saskatoon probably, but with many more people. The lifestyle is prety laid-back, unlike Bangkok. Us country boys have found many fun adventures not just in the city, but more so in the surrounding beautiful mountainous countryside. It is so unbelievably pretty here - with so many neat things to explore such as huge mountains, caves, waterfalls. Anyways, without further ado, a few pics to show you:
(Mom, sorry about the, well, you'll find out..)

Arnold and Me.

We rode elephants - pretty sweet. This is how it looks from the top. Tons of fun. Jealous Ms. N?

Here we are with our sweet Honda Dream 125 cc. motorcycles. These things do 85 km/h tops safely.

A breath-taking waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park. Can you find the little Cody?

This is how it looks from the highest point in all of Thailand - we drove up Doi Inthanon with the motorcycles - just different ones as you will soon see (sorry mom).

Two random guys on top of Doi Inthanon

An amazing cave east of Chiang Mai. We were the ONLY people in it. Somewhat spooky actually...but really cool.

Had to save this one for last. You can't drive these in Canada without a license. I am not licensed in Canada, but in Thailand that's okay. I'm all safe and sound - but it was a lot of fun to drive. Didn't do anything stupid mom, don't worry! Rented it for one day to go up Inthanon. Shoot...

So, as you can see, we've had some crazy experiences. God continues to grow us and walk with us. His creation is so vast and amazing! Our plans are to leave on tuesday at 2:30 (that's when our flight leaves) for Bangkok, and then bus to Chon Buri which is on the ocean. I get my Indian visa on tuesday morning - so pray that everything work smoothly! We're hoping to work with the kids at the orphanage yet. Last time we visited they were gone - so hopefully next time we can be with them actually. Anyways, thanks for all the prayers, and know that we are both keeping very safe and sound.

Cody

Some photos

Here is a picture of Pua Valley where we were living.

Some of the kids from the home.

King of Pua

My little friend Gaza

The Mouse has a glowing clickwheel

So the move from Bangkok to Pua in northern Thailand has finally come and it was a very welcomed thing. Bangkok has a lot of cool stuff to offer - but like any overcrowded city - it's busy and loud, and us country boys prefer a little peace and quiet. We took the good ol' night bus (11 hours long) to Pua yesterday morning and have spent a couple relaxing days hanging out with Luke's friends here. We got to go to the schools where he taught and also hang out with the kids at the home where they stay. It's been a very refreshing week so far! Today we worked at Kathy's Home (the name of the kids home) and installed some bathroom accessories into all the shower stalls. In the afternoon, we took a hike into the mountains to a waterfall. I guess you could say it was amazingly beautifull. Anyways, I think we will be here till Sunday and then we'll go with Mak and Narola (Luke's missionary friends) to Chiang Mai where we will be for about a week. I can't belive it's already been 9 days - time is flying by very fast.

God has been SOOOOO good this whole trip so far. He has been bringing people into our journey that have helped and blessed us tonnes already. For example, at the bus depot the other night - we were getting a little confused as we were trying to figure out where our bus was (there must have been 200 buses)... and this lady, out of nowhere, suddenly comes up to us and figures everything out for us. She had a family with her but still toured us around until we figured it out. Thanks God! Anyways, just one of the many little things God has been providing! The opportunity to hang with the kids in Pua and be ambassadors for God is another gift from God. We're loving it here!

Anyways, this place is shutting down in a few moments. I'll try and get some pictures up later this week! Basically everywhere you look is picture perfect!

God Bless!

Lukah, you're a dirge.

Sawatdee!

Hey everyone! Well, I finally arrived in Thailand and things are going amazing! Definitely a lot of adjustments - food, temperature, language - but it has been a lot of fun so far! My flights were more/less long but actually pretty good. I got to talk to some pretty neat people which made it more interesting. I don't have any pics yet because I'm at an internet cafe away from the guesthouse and I don't have my camera cable. Anyways, right now Luke and I are in Bangkok, staying at an Alliance Guesthouse. Very nice people. It's only been a couple of days but we've managed to see quite a bit already... Bangkok is a crazy crazy city - with so many people (6 million - 14 million with surrounding "suburb" areas) and so much to do. It really is a city that never sleeps. Right this moment, I'm sitting in an internet cafe on khaw shon road - a road which is pretty much a backpackers hub - with hostiles, shops, restaurants and lots of foreigners. We'll probably stay in Bangkok a couple more days - and then head up to Pua in the north. Anyways, just wanted to update you all a little bit because I'm sure you've been checking. We're going to grab some grub (which is all amazing).
Sawatdee Krap!