The wai ( traditional Thai greeting) may seem insignificant to those who've not lived in Thailand, but for those of us who have, it's rather important. For Thai, it's not simply a greeting, but also a sign of respect to elders and those of higher social status. It's used as an act of appreciation when receiving a gift. It's also used when saying goodbye. Thai children grow up learning the grace of this action; they don't ever question when or how to perform it. For me, it's been slightly stressful.

I know that it sounds stupid that I've often stressed out about my wai. Do I wai too often? Are my hands too far up, or not far enough? Do my elbows stick out too much? I've frequently chastised myself for waing to students in spur of the moment greetings. On many occasions I've neglected to wai my elders. They've always graciously overlooked my mistakes, but it's embarrassing and frustrating to me. I can assure you that it didn't help my frustration, when one of the Thai ministers at our church mentioned that foreigners always mess up the wai.

I tried harder.
Made many more mistakes.
Felt ridiculous practicing in front of the mirror. (Really, I did!)

On my way to church a few weeks ago I passed by one of the elders. Teaching supplies and my Bible weighed down my arms, but still I greeted him. I raised my hands and carefully placed them to my lips, the tips of my thumbs on my chin. I inclined my head slightly. I smiled and waited.

He beamed.
Actually told me, "Wai suwai," ( beautiful wai)
And returned my greeting with a delightful wai of his own.


For those of you who have never lived in Thailand this simple encounter may seem ridiculously uneventful, but it sent me floating through the rest of my day.

I'm being held hostage by the rain.

Yes, it seems that the rainy seasons has FINALLY arrived. We've waited and waited for the rain to come, but this past week the floodgates have opened. Yesterday at GrapeJam, we all arrived soaked to the bone, and we left....well, really late. Kristin and I couldn't close up the Grapevine at 11 as usually because we felt cruel to send students out in the storm. So we waited and waited and waited. After several games of spoons, and some crazy pillow tossing match, the rain still hadn't stopped. I suppose we finally locked the doors at ummm...3 o'clock. Campus ministry is fun!

Cooking Right with Mic and Jen

After our summer interns left I inherited their responsibilities with Cafe English on Wednesday nights. So far I've really enjoyed it. Last week my team mate Jen and I made an instructional cooking video. We baked a one egg cake and mixed our very own creamy frosting. (Note: Jen is not known for her cooking ability, and me...well, have you ever eaten anything I've made?) The video turned out wonderfully, and the students enjoyed taking notes, copying the recipe, and laughing at our attempts. We must have taught well, the student's cake turned out perfectly. (Ours had long since been thrown in the trash.) Oh well, even if we can't bake, we can speak English.

Tonight's theme: The Coffee House

I'm already feeling more competent and confident.

Chocolate seems to win them over pretty well.


I have developed a small following at the SC building on campus. Each Monday afternoon, the Grapevine has Fun on Campus (F.O.C. for short). We play games and hand out Free Brownies to any students at either the SC building or the SI building. Even though most of the students speak decent English, they hesitate to begin conversation with a native English speaker. A few weeks ago I started taking the tray along with me to meet students, and initiate some friendships. They're still shy, but last Monday, as soon as I picked up the pan and started to walk around, a loud cheer arose from a group three tables away. They'd been waiting for at least 30 minutes for me to get up. Maybe in a few more weeks they'll actually come to our table, but until then, I don't mind the cheering crowds.

Last weekend my team and I drove to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand to gather with other missionaries from all over Asia. We spent a good deal of time "bonding" as a team, evaluating our personal goals, and enjoying the fellowship of other Christians.
The weekend provided many opportunities to "feel at home." We played Putt-Putt, spoke in English the entire time, and ate at several "Farang" (Westerner) restaurants. It encouraged me to know that my body has adapted well to Thai dishes; my first experience with sickness came the morning after we dined at a charming Italian restaurant. Perhaps Tom Yum, and Khao Pat settle in the missionary stomach better than lasagna.

Looks like the Back to School fever has run it's course in Thailand and the epidemic may soon end. At the Grapevine, an end to the beginning will soothe our spirits. The last few weeks have challenged us physically and emotionally as we have re-opened for the school year. All our kick-off events have reconnected us with last years students, and the exchange students have already introduced us to many new faces. Now, as the students settle in to their daily routine, we can settle into ours. Fun on Campus (F.O.C.) and Market on Mondays, Grape Jam (Music and Food) on Tuesdays, Cafe English on Wednesdays, Met Angoon (Bible Study) on Thursday, and Orphanage and Frunch (lunch on campus) on Friday. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we build relationships with these students and show Christ's love to them throughout this school year.

Write me a note or two or TEN!


Sitti Apartments
attn: Michal Ruth Penwell 2201
98 Moo 18
Khlong 1
Khlong Luang
Pathum Thani 12120
THAILAND

michalruth@brokengrasp.com

I would love to hear from you.

And I want to talk to you, too.
Please send your information to me via email
if you haven't been receiving my email or snail mail updates.

I realized last night as I lugged my baggage toward the exit of the airport,
that Hello is a beautiful word in any language. For the past few days I've been
numb to feelings. This numbness came partly because I'd said goodbye so much.
Goodbye has drained me of emotion.

Yet, walking past a swarm of weary travelers into the excited mass of
greeters at the Bangkok airport, I did begin to feel again. I sympathezied with
Anne of Green Gables who, ". . .felt broken down and green and provincial and
only ten years old." But regardless of what emotions churned inside of me, I
felt. I felt the beginning of green spring, and the broken pieces being
restored. I remembered the dreams of my innocent childhood. For the first time
in a long time, my old dream has become new again.

Behold, He turns all things new. I praise God for His continual redemption.

Somethings you might want to pray for:

That I'll drink plenty of water and not get dehydrated. (Thanks, Mom)

I'll adjust relatively easy to culture and time zone. So far so good, slept
through the night last night and woke up at 6:30 like a morning person!

That I won't get run over on my bike. I like the little bike bell too much to
have it destroyed.

Of course, that my life brings honor to God. I've learned a lot about trusting
His timing and enjoying this journey. I want this high and wide and deep
overwhelming love to spill out onto every person that I meet.

Now, here's a little snippet from a song compliments of the "Go Away, Michal
Ruth," song collection.

"Hello, Hello. I don't know why you say goodbye, I say Hello."

Only a month left until I head home for Michigan. I feel like I'll have adequate time to say goodbye here in Knoxville, but my days in Vestaburg are short. But Northern Friends, take heart! You can still see me before I leave. Stop by my house any time on May 20th, and enjoy the fun and fellowship of the Penwell household.





Every other day is off limits unless you happen to be my little sister,


or my big brother


or my daddy


or my mum.

I have a plane ticket! I feel like Charlie Bucket singing "I've got a Golden Ticket!" My eyes twinkle like gold, because a ticket to Thailand outweighs a trip to the Chocolate Factory. After a few months of difficult language study and culture shock, I suppose I'll hum a different tune. As for now I'll whistle my way home on May 13th, and 10 days later (May 23!) I'll sing on over to BKK.
Get out of bed and dance with me, Friends! I'm going to Thailand.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not opposed to chocolate. In fact, I'll sing the praises of anyone who decides that's a nice going away present.

At the annual Gatlinburg Retreat I met up with my team leaders, Greg and Allison for the afternoon. All six of our 2006 exchange students attended the retreat, and we met for prayer and introductions. In June, we'll graft these students into the Grapevine's ministry for the new semester. We appreciate all the prayers you can send our way as we share Christ's love with the Thai.

" and on the vine were three branches.
As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and it's clusters ripened into grapes."
- Genesis 40:10