Saturday night, we had to say goodbye to Chiang Mai, and take a 12 hour train ride down to Bangkok. It has been crazy ever since then, but God has taken such good care of us. It was crazy hauling so much stuff on the train, when most people just have an overnight bag. In fact, John had to jump on the moving train to grab our last bag; the train was already leaving! We were so grateful to have a lady named Pook meet us at the train station at 10 am Sunday morning. We were handed over from ATI to a new placement company called High Value. She is our new go-to person as far as the job is concerned. She bought us some breakfast and took us to a hotel room right by the school that I interviewed at the next day.
On Monday morning, I (Dana) had to do a teaching demo for 5th grade at St. Francis Xavier School in Nantaburi, a Northern suburb of Bangkok. Apparently it went well, because the school hired me immediately after and told me to start the very next day. As we were chatting with the head of the academic office, it somehow came up that I spoke French, and that’s when they decided to have me teach High School instead, and take on some French classes as well!! So I am now an 11th and 12th grade English teacher, and a 10th and 12th grade French teacher!
This opened up the 5th grade position, so John was asked to demo the next day, and he also was offered the position. He will be teaching 5th grade full time! So God truly provided for us, especially since the school does not usually like to hire couples. I especially wanted to teach high school, and John wanted the younger kids! It is a very good school for this area. It is air-conditioned (which is the absolute best part), offers free lunches for the teachers, and has not only a paid October break, but also a paid break at Christmas, something that we would not get if we were teaching at a public school!
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we were allowed to observe the classes we would be teaching, and start planning for next week, our first full week of teaching. On Wednesday, we went to visit a few apartments next to the school with one of the administrators. We had looked at about 3, and weren’t thrilled with any of them, but as we walked out of the last building, a man walked up to us and asked if we were looking for an apartment. He took us upstairs to this beautiful, brand-new apartment; new furniture, new A/C unit, new tiles on the floor, and he was asking the same price as the other apartments! We accepted on the spot, and moved our stuff in that afternoon. He said that when he saw us, he knew that we were the right people. So another God moment! It is about 2 blocks from the school, and another 2 blocks from a big market.
Finally, Wednesday night, we got in a van for another overnight trip, this time to Lao to get our work visas. It was pretty amazing crossing the border. In many ways, it is very similar to Thailand, except that Thailand has the British influence, and Lao was a French colony. So as you cross the border, there are signs telling you to cross and drive on the right side of the road (instead of on the left like in Thailand), and the road signs are all identical to the ones you find in France. And the best difference: the baguettes sold along the side of the road!!! So good! Of course, you know you’re still in Asia when you order a baguette sandwich, and it comes back with tofu, red pork, papaya salad, and spicy chili sauce inside! J
Now we’re back in Bangkok, settling into our apartment. Please pray that we will be able to find a good church soon. And also for me: I’m feeling really sick today, and I need to get better to teach on Monday. Love you all!
John and Dana
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