In a very short time I will be off to the airport, and before I left for a long and distant journey, I thought it worthwhile to provide my readers with a slight bit of notice as to the material I plan on writing about for the next nine months to a year while in the area of Chiang Mai, Thailand (it means “new fortified city in Thai).

First, the journey.  This evening I leave Tampa on a flight to New York City.  Then I will take a flight to Hong Kong and another flight to Bangkok before the final (shortest) leg to Chiang Mai.  I expect to arrive at my final destination in Thailand early on Friday afternoon local time.  I do not expect to be able to be online much at all en route, unless I get enough time to do so during my three hour layover in Kennedy or my three and a half hour layover in Hong King (not likely).

Next, the reason.  For the next nine months to a year (it is impossible to be more specific than that at this point), I will be teaching at the Legacy Foundation.  Most of the students are Karen refugees from border refugee camps, as the Karen are the most numerous of Thailand’s hill tribes, sharing a contentious territory between Thailand and Burma (or Myanmar, as its dictators like to call it).  I will be teaching biblical doctrines, church history, and public speaking to the students (mostly third years–those whose English is best–I think that wise), and I will also be overseeing study halls and monitoring computer labs, and probably involved in a variety of other activities that will find themselves on this blog during the upcoming months.

During this time I plan on blogging about my messages for services (providing texts here as is my custom), the classes, the students, their cultures, the lay of the land, teaching English to monks (that should be fun), the travels for visa runs or visits to the refugee camps, as well as whatever strikes my fancy.  I plan on continuing my series on music, the Sons of Korah, Satan’s House Divided, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Somaliland Updates, though I may add other series as need be.  I also plan on discussing, at least as best as I am able, some of the local events of general interest–including farming, the succession to the Thai throne, and whatever else is topical.  I may even include some book reviews (I have a couple planned so far).

As usual, I thank my readers for their comments and support, and hope that the journeys are safe and blessed despite what is going on all around us in this world.  As Abraham Lincoln himself said as he departed his hometown for a long and uncertain journey in February of 1861, just over 150 years ago:  “Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him [President Washington], I cannot succeed.  With that assistance I cannot fail.  Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.  To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell [1].”

[1] http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/farewell.htm