Love In a Distant Land: Rachel Marie Series Book One by Smith David B

Author:Smith, David B. [Smith, David B.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Big Umbrella Resources
Published: 2016-02-08T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“You’ve outdone yourself, Marilyn.” Rachel Marie tried to simply will a dose of her old enthusiasm back to life. The administrator’s wife had slipped away early from school to spend most of the afternoon cooking, and her table groaned under the weight of tasty recipes.

“Yes, sir!” Pastor Mike wolfed down a second helping of her corn and mashed potatoes. “But this is a lot like back home.”

“Our pineapple in Thailand is very famous,” Khemkaeng observed as he passed the serving plate over to the visitor. “Sahparot.”

“It really is. I can’t stop eating this stuff.” He speared another slice of the juicy tropical fruit, ripened to a rich yellow, and took a healthy bite.

John had invited a few teachers to come over to the house for a supper and brainstorming session. “And, of course, you ought to come,” he said to Rachel Marie earlier that morning. “Since Pastor Mike hails from your home church and you’re friends and all.”

It was inspiring to sit with her children each morning as the warm-hearted pastor from California shared funny DVD clips and then poignant character-building tales with the middle school students. It was always policy at BCS that the Week of Spiritual Focus was the single event each calendar year where translating into Thai was allowed.

“Many students are still struggling with their English,” Khemkaeng had suggested during a recent faculty meeting. “Which is good. As they seek for words and listen to teachers, this is how they improve their skills. However, with such an important event as these five presentations, it is best to let them relax and simply hear the Christian message in Thai. It is more comfortable for them.”

Malinee, a fifth-grade teacher from Ubon, in one of Thailand’s eastern provinces, spoke acceptable English and had been drafted to translate Pastor Mike’s talks for the assembly periods where 6C was attending. She was a quiet but friendly woman who listened attentively to his anecdotes and Bible references and then smoothly changed the words into Thai, matching the speaker’s gestures and inflections. Every now and then Rachel Marie was able to link an English word with its Thai counterpart, and she noticed her kids nodding with interest as they absorbed the clever presentations.

“Okay, folks.” John drew the group’s attention as they finished nibbling on cookies. “We just want to give Mike any possible ideas for tomorrow. It’s an important concluding day for all of us, and, Pastor Mike, you know we’re all praying for you. We want the Holy Spirit to really anoint you in the morning and give you the right words.”

“Thanks, guys.” He leaned forward, catching Rachel Marie’s eye and smiling.

“You’ve been great all week.” Marilyn, just coming back from the kitchen, nodded appreciatively. “My second-grade kids absolutely love your talks, Mike. I hear them commenting during lunch and recess.”

The discussion went on around her, but Rachel Marie’s mind was in unhappy turmoil. It had been a treat to see her home pastor again after more than two months of living in this alien world.

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