Wow, April is coming to a close, and I realized it has been over a month since I last updated my blog. Our team recently came back from a visa run to Cambodia, where things went far more smoothly than the last time we renewed. We were in and out of Cambodia in an hour, and because we left early in the morning were able to be back to Chonburi in time for a full day of ministry. On the drive home however, I started thinking about all the things I should catch my incredible supporters (you) up on.
So, the day after my last blog post, I was sleeping over in AngSila, the fishing village where 2 of my team mates live, to film a video clip for MBMSI, and unfortunately had a little accident, where the ceiling fan and my head became well acquainted. It resulted in a quick trip to the hospital, some of my hair shaved and eighteen stitches. Don't worry too much though, it's healing very well, my hairs growing back in quickly, and after two days of rest I was ready to be back to ministry.
On the my first day back up and around my team, and our good friend Uh-Oh traveled into Bangkok where we met a team from Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, that we were going to help host in their time here. With them we traveled to the Khumu villages in Northern Thailand. We ran kids programs, and traveled around the area, praying for the churches and for the Laotian church, which was just across the Mekong River. We lived in Bamboo huts, and it was incredible. For a long time the Khumu people have had no rights, they have been a people in slavery, not belonging to any nation, not being allowed to own land, and being mistreated. While we were in the North, an MBMSI foundation that has been in the making for years was finally passed, and through that foundation the Khumu people finally are able to own land. They are officially a people. In our time there I was reflecting on 1 Peter 2:9+ 10 and it became so much more impactful for me. As I saw a people group go from being nobody in the government's eyes, to having freedom, I understood in a new way the freedom that God has given us in relationship with him. God has made us a people through Jesus, we have received mercy.
After a week in the North, the MEI team came with us back to Bang Saen, where we ran a kids club at our churchs: TLC and AngSila Friendship Centre. It was cool to see a bunch of new kids come out, as well as some that had attended our English classes throughout the year. We had a great time, and had the oppertunity to share about Jesus, to many children. Please pray for all the children that heard about Jesus in these two weeks and were connected to the church. Pray that they will come back, and we will be able to introduce them to a relationship with Jesus.
At the end of the week MEI flew home, we said our goodbyes, and packed our bags again. We were off to Phanat Nicom, the province next to Chonburi (where I live), to help out Ajaan (Pastor) Somchai and his wife P' Aun with their church plant and English centre. I have to be honest, before we left I was pretty wiped out. I was dreading another week away from home jam packed full of ministry. But, in our team's time in Phanat Nicom, God met me. It was an incredible week of mutual encouragement. We spent our days from morning until evening teaching English, and building bridges to the church, and after that we spent a lot of time with Ajaan Somchai and P' Aun hearing their story, and how God called them to this incredibly difficult city. The church there has grown slowly. There is a lot of people that are set against the church, but they have been faithful and God is using them to touch lives. I was so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of what they were doing, and God gave me a deep burden to pray for the city, as well as direction about how to pray, as he showed me the darkness and religious confusion go deep. Despite our busyness I was refreshed in my personal devotional times, and in our times of fellowship. I came back feeling rested, despite a hectic week. Please pray for Ajaan Somchai and P' Aun, pray that they will continue to have perseverance in Phanat Nicom, pray that God will touch lives through them, pray that people will see the truth and turn to him!
When we came back there was a youth camp going on at TLC, a three day lock in, where everybody had a great time; from playing volleyball with water balloons to learning about spiritual gifts. Our team was not incredibly involved in the weekend, but it was exciting to be around the church, and connect with some of the youth. On the last night of the camp, they shared the gospel, and all of the students who were not already Christians except for 2 accepted Christ! How amazing! One of the boys that accepted Christ was one of my youth English students. It's been so exciting to see this young man- Taay- go from shyly attending class to someone who knows Jesus, and is excited to spend all his free time at the church, connecting to what is going on here. Pray that his relationship with Jesus will deepen, and he will connect with the boys his age at the church.
The following week our team spent prepping for an intense three week English class we were going to teach to raise money for the Pastor of the church- Ajaan Buratat, who's wife recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Ajaan Buratat is an incredible leader in the church, and we were hoping to bless him, by raising enough money through this English course to purchase his family a car, as currently they only have a motorcycle for their family of 4. Unfortunately when this week arrived, and it was time to start the English class we only had one student register. As a team we were incredibly disappointed, because we put a lot of work into this class, but more importantly because we were not able to give our friend and Pastor any money, as we had hoped. But, God is the ultimate provider, and so we are trusting him to provide for Ajaan Buratat.
After a week of intense prep, we were ready for something lighter. That came with the arrival of Song Kraan. I've never seen anything quite like it in my life. It was five days of a national water fight, where the streets are packed. It seems like everyone has a truck, with the back full of people and garbage cans full of ice cold water all throwing it at each other (see picture to the right). And to top it all off, everybody is dressed in brightly coloured flowered shirts. It was a great opportunity to finish our prep, and also spend time with our friends, who all had the time of work (it's Thai New Years, so everything shuts down). As we threw water on everyone we saw, we also got to connect with the people around us! The holiday also began with a ceremony to bless the elders in the community, and we were able to walk around AngSila and pray for all the elders in the village, including two ladies in a Chinese temple! (The picture to the left is a, b ceremony to bless some of the elders at TLC.)
Well, as soon as Song Kraan ended I had some very special guests fly in...my family. For the last week, well still going about ministry, I was blessed so much to get to show my Mom and Dad and sister exactly what it is I do. I was so encouraged, and reminded what a gift it is to have a family like mine, who love Jesus, and are excited right along with me about what God is doing in Thailand.
I just want to finish with one fairly urgent prayer request. Yesterday, after I said good bye to my family, I went and rejoined my room mate and team mate Fauna. She had just gotten off the phone with her family, and had found out some rather hard news about her Father's health. Then this morning she got news from home that her Dad was in the hospital. Please pray for Fauna as she processes this. Pray for wisdom for her as she decides how to move forward. Pray for peace and for comfort for her, as she is far away from her family in this time. Pray for our team, that we will be able to come around her and support her, and we will know how to be an encouragement to her.
As always, thank you so much for your prayers, support and encouragement. I am so deeply grateful. May God bless you all.