July 21,

This morning, we were up a bit earlier. Light breakfast of a yogurt each and split a large croissant-shaped roll sprinkled with raisins with our coffee/hot chocolate. Readied and out by 0900, catching the shuttle to the BTS-Sky train. We found a church – Evangelical Church of Bangkok (ECB) – to check out. They have at least two services, at 0900 and at 1100. Obviously, we are going to the 1100 one. We arrived at the closest stop to go to church,… and we are way early. So we tried to go to a mall but did not open until 1000, so we just walked and found anther mall open. It had a Watson's store which is like a pharmacy/beauty supply place. We found shampoo conditioner, but not an actual bar of soap. Now, we left this mall and just kind of meandered, finding a Food Court Mall. But this only had Korean Restaurants. This made me feel like we were in Korea, because this is the Korea Town of Bangkok… only thing missing people. The restaurants were just starting to come to life, opening up. I imagine this area to be hopping in the evening. From here we went to the street were ECB was. Just off the good sized parking area was a table set up with four or five large pitchers of Cantaloupe Water. It was green colored and very sweet- too sweet for our liking, but we found a water dispenser and were able to dilute it. 

Then the first service let out and a lady coming out with a kid came right over and starting talking to us. Her husband and their daughter also came over. They are Pakistani and have been here nine months. Nice family. They gave us an open ended invite at their house for food sometime. We took their WhatsApp number. 

Now, we went to ECB's Welcome center and had fruit, a cookie and water. We met another American couple, from Virginia. They have two kids also. He is working here for three years. They said they went to a similar church in Virginia. We told our story briefly. Then was time for service and we went to an overflow area, but were escorted from there to the main area. Big church there were like 400 chairs and when service began it was full! Excellent! So excited to God's presence so prevalently in Bangkok! We were ushered and seated in the second to front row.  

Service began with around a ten person praise team. So great to worship in a group, and it was a large group!! We recognized three of four songs, so we joined in. Then the sermon was from a young thirty-ish minister. He is starting a new series from Romans 8- Life through the Holy Spirit. But then he backtracked explaining who Jesus is and what is the life he offers. Then gave most of the message from John with Jesus stating I AM the Bread of Life. He was a great speaker. Then we finished with another song. They offered prayer at the front after service. offered a closing prayer and benediction. It was great to 'here and hear' the Word of God. 

We left and went to get lunch. We had spied a Korean place called Full Moon, and saw & got their very interesting Snow Onion Chicken, which was fried chicken bites topped with raw onion slices and a sweet onion gravy. We also had Kimchi Fried Rice, which was fried rice with toppings of kimchi, pickled radish, and fried egg. Both were unique and good. After we finished we went up to the Sky train to get back to our place. 

We changed and went to the pool. There was someone there! We joined him doing laps. He finished and left. Then two cute little girls came in their swim caps and goggles. They had a swim lesson with and without their little float boards. we clapped when they did the down and up with their boards. They said, “Thank you,” Just so adorable! It was nice to wee others using the pool finally! Finished we left them to carry on their lesson.

Later for supper, we went out. We opted for the closest, little mom and pop place to us – called A La Carte, according to Google because it started raining. We arrived at the place just when was pouring rain. Good timing! We had Pad Kra Pao and Chicken Pad Thai. Pad Kra Pao came first and was great with pork mince, basil and a sunny side up egg on rice. We were just finishing it when the Chicken Pad Thai with fresh chive shoots, beansprouts and lime wedge came out. Both were fresh, hot (as in temperature- steaming), and so, so, good. Two more people came as we were eating. The rain let up a lot. We were just finishing when it started pouring again. So we waited it out- did not take long. Jeff had paid [110 Baht ($3.03)] so we went out. Stopped at 7-eleven and got the bar of soap, dish soap and choc. chip bread for breakfast tomorrow.

Plan on talking with my mom later. What a day — Blessings of Bangkok!🙏 Greatness of God!!!