Pastor PiNiPon

It’s amazing how small the world of Adventism is.  It seems that you can talk with anyone and find out that your cousin is married to their best friend, or your first grade teacher is now married to their son.  The list is endless, but we can always make a connection, somehow or someway.  Some people find this as a negative, but I find it quite interesting.  I feel blessed to part of a closely-knit church family! 

Being in another country doesn’t hinder this quality of Adventism.  Leah and I made plans ahead of time to stay near the Adventist Church of Chiang Mai.

Their Pastor, NiPiPon, picked us up from the bus terminal and carried pleasant conversation all the way to the church.It was Saturday, so even though Leah and I were exhausted from the endless and frightening bus ride, we made our best effort to go to Church. It was a beautiful little church.  The whole ceremony was lead by the youth of the church.  I had never seen anything like it before!  It was amazing.  Even one of the youth gave the sermon.  I was truly impressed by the leadership of the youth of that little church. 

Anyways, back to the small world of Adventism, Leah and I enjoyed a lovely potluck of Pad-Thai and steamed Pumpkin (which was amazing!).  As we ate, we discussed with the Pastor.  He mentioned the builder of the church, and Leah knew him!  I know this probably isn’t a big deal to people, but it was to me.  It really shocked me.  We were across the world from home and were still able to make connections with Church!  Wow, I still can’t believe it.  I feel so special to be part of this church! 

Pastor NiPiPon was really nice to us.  He offered us his house for the entire week. He told us he was leaving for Phuket, which is an island of paradise in southern Thailand, and that we were welcome to take over his entire house for the week!  He was so nice and kind, I was shocked at his offer though.  Who would just offer complete strangers to stay in their house for a week while they are gone?  I was amazed at this man.  He was such a tiny little man, but had such a big heart.  God truly blessed us that week, and this was only the beginning of it.