Three Nights in Bangkok

Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith? Romans 12v3


12 hours is a long time to spend in transit awaiting a connecting flight; next time, I'll take more care to check the departure time! Still, it enabled time to follow the Cherries playing at Brentford, albeit via the internet terminals at Abu Dhabi airport. They are free though even if you do have to remain standing to use them.


The flight to Abu Dhabi was 7 hours, which mainly consisted of elbow-wrestling with the tobacco-smelling bloke in the adjacent seat, who had a tendency to find something to moan about and mainly wanted to know why he was singled out to be searched. “Do I look like a terrorist?” he asked. I looked at him, smiled politely and thought to myself: 'I'm not going to answer that'.


Another 7 hour flight later and I arrived in Bangkok, at the ultra-modern Suvarnabhumi airport. I took the downtown shuttle bus to Hua Lamphong (which is where the main Bangkok railway station is). My guesthouse isn't that far from the station but I caught a taxi as I was pretty tired by that point. Note to self: Bangkok taxi drivers may have newer and more roadworthy vehicles these days but that still doesn't mean that they now actually have a clue where they're going. He got us lost, tried the old “you want massage? You want boom-boom?” line and still wanted more than the agreed fare. Of course, I assertively declined and by now my calm demeanour was seriously being put to the test.


What is a 10 minute walk turned into a one hour sightseeing trip around Bangkok but I got here eventually (about 9.30pm) and then after checking into the guesthouse, got into an interesting conversation on post-modernism with a self-styled buddhist yogi from Germany.


You see, you can't plan this stuff – as Thailand is predominantly buddhist, it is of no surprise that people come here whilst searching and indeed in the case of this man, seemingly already found what he thought he was looking for. Who knows if I'll cross paths with him again? If so, I pray that he may see some more of our Lord Jesus Christ in me.


Today I had a long lie-in due to the lack of sleep over the last few days and then in the afternoon, I went for a walk downtown and visited the famous Khaosan Road and passed by numerous wats (temples), the largest of which is Wat Pho which is frequented by many of Bangkok's visitors and orange-clad monks - I stoppped close by and looked on as I sipped the juice of a fresh coconut. Trouble with temples is that if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all (apart from Angkor Wat in Cambodia of course) but they do give valuable insight into the religious rituals of this country. It all seemed very reverent until I spotted a monk, clad in his orange finery, sat crossed legged at the side of the road rolling himself a cigarette.


The heat, sights and sounds of this city are a complete assault on the senses, from the smell of green curry being cooked in lemon grass to the stench of diesel fumes and the annoying sound of “hello mister, you want tuk-tuk?” from the drivers of the small three-wheeled taxis for which Bangkok is famous. I was once involved in a traffic accident whilst travelling in one of these but that's another story for another day. However, here at the guest house, I have the temperature controlled at a comfortable 25 degrees.

You know, I heard an interesting message the other day during which the speaker came up with the following:


“You may be the Bible that another person has never read”.


This challenged me inasmuch as people who are searching are looking for something and that very something should be visible in us, in the way that we conduct ourselves, the things we say and the love we show for others.


One thing that is becoming more and more apparent is that stepping out in faith is exactly what it says on the tin i.e. I have little control over the direction God is taking me which means that those divine appointments are indeed divine, arranged by Him and not by me. I know my strengths and also have a good sense of self-awareness so I know that there are going to be times when I'm going to be out of my comfort zone. But then, that's what this trip is about – if I'd not wanted to step out in faith I'd have stayed at home wouldn't I?


So then, there's no need for concern about that which is in store for me and how I will be used. God is doing restorative work in Cambodia and I want to be a seasonal part of what He's doing in whatever capacity according to the gifts He's given me.


But what about the little faith I have?

Well, Jesus says that's all I need.