Troubles and other fun happenings

A very eventful week indeed.
Lots of great ministry done and bible studies started.
Unfortunately we came home on Thursday after a nice early start at the pool for a swim and breakfast, them a couple of hours running errand to find that not only did we not have electricity but that our electric meter had been removed. No electric is more uncomfortable than it at first sounds. It wasn't just that we couldn't work as we had planned as we had no internet but also no AC, no fans, no water (it works off a pump from the well)..not anything. It seemed that our landlord hadn't paid his bills for a while! It had already happened with the internet about a week after we moved in. Nick was merrily trading and all of a sudden no www. We tried resetting etc and finally went down to the local office where they told us he hadn't paid for 5 months. It was all sorted after a few hours and quite a big loss for Nick.
So as you can imagine this was the last straw. We had lunch, a very hot and sweaty one, and got a call from the landlords friend who speaks English saying she was sorting it out and it would be sorted by 6pm. Great but that was 5 hours off so we phoned some friends and decided to meet in an air conditioned coffee shop for the afternoon. It was very nice and relaxed and by the time we got home at 5.30pm the meter was all back in place. We told the landlord though that we were not staying there the 6 months now though, that he could use the deposit we paid for next months rent and we would leave after that. We figured that if he can't even pay a 1400 baht electric bill the chances of us getting 23,000 baht back is virtually nil!
We have a whole month to find somewhere though so we will take our time and make sure all is correct before we say yes.
Today we are watching the sad news reports from Bangkok and wondering if our assembly will be cancelled at the beginning of May. It hasn't affected us here in any way and hopefully it won't.
This week though is the Thai new year, Songkhran, so a few things are cancelled such as ministry Monday and Wednesday. For two reasons, some drink too much and drive so it is not safe to be out Tuesday and Wednesday, also they throw water as part of the festival, which is only OK if you are dressed in shorts and t shirt. Anyway it will be a good opportunity to catch up on some work and laze about by the pool.

Memorial and Ministry

Well it has been a very busy week. Last Tuesday which was the memorial we went on the Thai ministry for the first time. We all worked with someone who could speak Thai and they helped us to learn a few phrases so we could greet the householder and leave a leaflet. It was lovely to get to know the Thai brothers and sisters and also to see how differently it is done here. It is so laid back and easy going. Everyone goes to the same little street and stands next to each other to knock on the doors. 10.30am sharp we stopped for a drinks break for 15 minutes. Then on till 12 by which time we were very hot and sweaty and definitely ready for lunch.
The memorial was lovely and we had 76 attending which isn't bad for a group of only 22ish.
Yesterday we had the best day we have had since we got here. We went with some friends, Philip and Katy to a beach they knew near where they live towards the north of Phuket, Nai Thon beach. It was an overcast day so we were able to stay in the sea for hours. It was so clear and blue and the waves were amazingly strong but fun too. The sea was so clear that we were standing in water up to our shoulders and could see our feet down below. We ate lunch at a little restaurant right on the beach and stuffed ourselves with delicious Thai fried rice, cashew chicken and noodle soup. We did get a little too much sun though, so today we are a little burnt. We also took a couple from Mexico, Amy and Levi, that are staying here for a few weeks. They are so much fun and have some great experiences to tell so together we all had a great day, finished off at Nick's new favourite restaurant where the food is awesome and cheap and the place is spotlessly clean and best of all is only round the corner from our house.
This morning was ministry again but English this time, which can be a bit frustrating because of the type of people you meet. We are looking forward to doing some with the Burmese people here next week though.
We received our tea bags too this week from mum so can start the day off properly once more!! It is about the only thing I can't do without, a decent cup of tea. Very British, I know!