Katie

Katie Blatchford spent 6 weeks teaching English at Khao Phanom Benja High School. However, during the 5th week, her high school was engaged in mid term testing of students. This left Katie with very little to do. Thus, she and a fellow foreign teacher, Carly, went over to a local elementary school to volunteer their services in teaching English. Katie said that the children were adorable, very attentive, and lots of fun. After 3 days of teaching, they had to return to the high school. But before leaving the elementary school, Katie was able to give the students (mostly poor) school supplies and Christian literature. During her stay in Khao Phanom, Katie made friends with Ajohn Net and used meal times to talk with other teachers. She also made friends with Carrot, a 12th grader, who wanted to learn to speak English well. Katie had the opportunity to explain the gospel using an evangecube with him. Carrot even came to church one Sunday afternoon to meet with Katie. At church she and others had the chance to tell Carrot that being a Christian is not just for "westerners". He thought that if you were Thai, then you were expected to be a Buddhist. And if you were a westerner that automatically made you a Christian. Katie & the Thai Christians at church explained that becoming a Christian was an opportunity open to each and every Thai person that believed in Jesus Christ. Through her experience in Khao Phanom this summer, Katie said that she learned to depend more on God even when she didn’t understand the reasons why different things happened. Katie worked hard, made many friends and will be greatly missed.