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