Living in a foreign culture, it is easy to be critical of the things that are not as "good" as they are “back home”.  But missionaries are incarnational witness of the Gospel and need to focus on the good and noble and praiseworthy aspects of their host culture, not only for the sake of keeping their sanity but also for the sake of honoring God and the people they have come to serve.  The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (1Thessalonians 5:18 ESV).  So in the spirit of giving thanks, I’d like to give (in no particular order) ten reasons why living in Thailand is great.

1. It is usually cheaper and tastier to eat out than to buy food and make it yourself
2. A variety and quantity of delicious fruit that baffles the mind
3. I never have to deal with scraping ice off of my windshield or shoveling snow
4. No need to schedule an appointment to see someone.  Just show up at their house and yell their name through the front gate.
5. Even when customer service people don’t care, they are still so polite and give you a big smile
6. Dim Sum is available at every corner 7-11 store
7. Eternal summer
8. Great affordable health care is available (in select locations)
9. Elephants show up in your neighborhood unexpectedly.  This is a big hit with kids.
10. Sharing Christ in the public schools is permitted.  Sometimes even welcomed!