Derek & Anlee Fekkes: Stories from Bangkok (part 1)

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been safe and sound back in Korea for a week now. It's amazing how fast time passes. How rich we are! So abundantly rich in the Lord! Both of us have been made with a desire to travel and oh, how He has enabled us to do so. We are testifying to His answering of a prayer. We challenge you guys to pray for the things that you "don't think are good enough" or "don't have a place in prayer time." He is generous with His children! We have both been prayerful about traveling and our Lord has met us in a huge way! So, we wanted to share some of the memorable moments of our journey to Bangkok with you. I (Anlee) kept a journal daily, even hourly, of our journey so that we can remember the journey that the Lord sent us on. We didn't go on a mission, but we found a great lesson on our trip. We learned how to love each other, how to be servants to each other, how to vacation WITH the Lord and not without Him, how to be generous and giving and how to take in the beauty of God's creation. We really enjoyed our trip and have come back renewed for the rest of our year here in Korea. Forgive me for being long-winded ahead of time. Here's how all of the fun began...

Leaving Korea snowing

And we're off. We didn't sleep last night, anticipating our trip. We finished our packing early, ate some hamburgers for dinner and are now waiting to board the plane. This trip is a blessing. We are thankful to Christ for this opportunity to travel together. We pray for YOUR glory and not our own. Next stop, Guangzhou, China. We've been told to expect harsh treatment there, but we will hope for the best.

We're also hoping for some edible food on the flight to there. Next, we have a 3 hour layover and then another flight to Bangkok. Looking out at the runway here at Incheon International, we see snow plows busy at work clearing the mornings snowfall.

We are already beginning our vacation with McDonald's breakfast. AND we treat ourselves to an extra hashbrown! We're reading some good books. Strobell's Cast for Creator, Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, Luther's Large Catechism and a commentary on the Pentateuch.

We are delayed one hour! Why? Because of the pesky little snowflakes that decided to fall in large quantities along with the freezing cold temperatures that have the above mentioned snowflakes forming ice sheets on the airplanes wings. New experience of the day...having our airplane "squirted" with hot water. They have to defrost the wings or we can't fly...safe feeling, eh?

We hope we make our flight...takeoff...food on the flight is my first test...I try to eat the bulgogi, but pass it on to Derek. The roll with butter is yummy. Nap time. Derek actually fell asleep on a plane! HOLY COW!

Beginning our decent into China... we have to wait in a customs line...are we really being stamped into China for a transfer flight...YEP, we are! Now we pray against any bad assumptions we may have about the airport in China. We are ushered into a foreigners only line where we had our passports scanned and our pictures taken. next, we were patted down pretty thoroughly by two women who seem to really hate their jobs. Haven't seen a smile yet in China. We stopped to get a snack, but we have no idea what currency they use in this province. We put it on the card, after much haggling with the attendants. Derek's stance is "We're on vacation...cost, eh. When else are we going to be in China?"

Our plane to Bangkok is delayed...we were hoping to make it into the city before nightfall. I'm developing a huge case of anxiety! We wait on the plane for an hour before beginning to taxi. We wait on the tarmac in line for another hour. Finally, departure! Goodbye China!

Derek has taken Tylenol PM. His head is lolling. Trying to get comfortable on a discount plane make for Asian body-types is not easy. We are hungry, tired, and in need of air and exercise. Really looking forward to some Thai food upon arrival.

...my favorite sunset is one when you're flying high in the sky...we watch the sun set over China.

We've made it!

Landing in Bangkok...nighttime...I have anxiety! Made it through customs. Our bags made it, too. Unlike America, we do not have to recheck our bags to get in the country. Exchanged money. Korean Won to Thai Baht...oh how far we are from America. With combined fears of people who have traveled to Thailand zooming through my head, I can't even decide which form of transportation to take to our guest house. Derek takes over...going to trust in the Lord.

Ummm...Pad Thai for 1$!

After an hour of clutching Derek's arm on the bus to our guest house, we make it. We check in to New Siem II - the perfect guest house for us. Pool, outdoor restaurant, PCbong, 15+ foreigners above the age of 50! We settle into our room. I FEEL SAFE! Okay, now I can think about my stomach. Let's eat! 2 chicken pad Thai's, please, with a blackberry yogurt smoothie for about 4$. Derek was so happy to order Pad Thai in Thailand!