First Few Days in Thailand

Our first few days back in Thailand we spent in Hua Hin just reading, relaxing and resting A lovely place to chill out after the busy weeks that had passed.

Didn't spend too long on the beach

Vendors and rickshaw riders are common place here

Beautiful Thai food doesn't just set the wok on fire, it can feel like this in your mouth too!

We've all heard of 'The Big Apple' but have you heard of 'The Big Mango? We didn't spend long in 'The Big Mango' - Bangkok, just a short wait at the train station on the way to Chiang Mai.

We were given a warm welcome by friends, both old and new.

Don't drink the juice, I found it's bad for the hair.

Never stop learning.

For Bobby this means learning to ride a motorbike.

Our Last Few Weeks In N Ireland

The last few weeks before we left for Thailand found us doing many different things, from having our vaccinations brought to date to solicitors appointments, from arranging our flights to setting up a rental agreement. Many of our activities were things we don’t normally do on a day to day basis. It was really nice to be able to meet up with many friends for coffee or a meal, especially since it would be some time before we’d see them again.

Toward the end of May we made our way to the Thai consulate in Hull. Not the first place you’d think of for a consulate and, as it turned out, not the most obvious building. When I think of embassies or consular buildings I tend to think either of modern imposing buildings or stately old houses along leafy avenues in London. The Thai consulate in Hull is hidden away among car sales showrooms in a commercial area just outside the city. No complaint on our part though, it was easy to find and we were in and out with visa in hand in about fifteen minutes.

From getting our visas we travelled on to the NTM HQ in North Cotes for our annual mission conference. A great time to hear mission reports from around the world, to meet up with people again and to say farewell to friends and colleagues working at North Cotes.

At the end of June our church arranged a more formal farewell/commissioning service, so again it was good to see many who were able to attend that evening. If we hadn’t already realised it, events like this start to make the reality of our leaving sink in!

From then we enjoyed some special times with the family. A few days before our departure we had a lovely family day in the Glens of Antrim. The weather was kind to us and we enjoyed a picnic, walking the trails and playing with the grandchildren – those who are in N Ireland.

So we came to Tuesday the 14th and it was time for us to leave for Thailand. Again the family joined us. After checking in we enjoyed one last coffee. Times like these are what makes missionary life difficult and help us to realise how much we love and appreciate our families. Hard as it was we knew strength from the One who says He will never leave us or forsake us.

Harry & Audrey Beard who happened to be visiting N Ireland came to see us off too. We reminisced how many times we had seen each other off at some airport in Ireland or Thailand over the years; it was special to have them join with us there too.