I have so many things to share! I may need to split this into several updates for the sake of *post length* . Maybe I'll just mince some words.

A couple of days ago I made a new friend. We had a really in depth conversation about Judaism and Christianity.

He was the first practicing Jew I've ever met! I was so excited when he told me he was a Jew, because --I know the Jewish history according to the Old Testament, and feel a kinship toward them.

He was a very pleasant, intelligent man, and I hope to see him again, however, I was discouraged by his faith. While he is a practicing Jew and knows the Hebrew Bible (Talmud? Is that correct?) it seemed to me his beliefs were very universalist. I am saddened by this, mostly because Jews are people I have associated with a very deep faith and belief in the same God I serve.

This has become somewhat of a theme. Many people I speak with have had a similar mindset.

We spoke at length about the Messiah and who he thought the Messiah was (not Jesus, what a heart-wrenching sadness) and about the New Testament. He said that when he read the New Testament he was very very impressed, yet sad, because he had always heard about how Christians were hypocritical (he had never met a Christian) yet when he read the New Testament he saw what Christianity was supposed to be. And he said he felt sad because -- we are family, but our faiths took two separate paths.

Yesterday I met a Thai couple who spoke fluent English. We talked a bit and I told them I am a Christian and they asked me about that, so I was sharing the Gospel. I asked if they were Buddhist, and they said Yes. Then a little bit later he said, "I go to church!" and she said, "I studied at a monastery with the sisters for a little while!" (they were nodding as though what I was telling them was familiar) and I said, "but you are Buddhists?" and they both said, "Yes" at the same time.

I'm praying for these three.

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I attended a worship/prayer time yesterday evening. It was good. I felt welcome and want to go back.

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Today I will play my first frisbee game since breaking my leg! You have no idea how excited I am.

Gotta run (slowly, hehe), more later.
LOVE,
Amber