After two really wonderful days on the Island of Ko Samet, it was time to say goodbye to Thailand and to come back to Canada. We avoided all the protests in Bangkok and other areas of Thailand and left before the airports had their issues.
I think that the temperature in Seattle this morning was a huge shock for us all. We went from 38 degrees and humid to a clammy 7 degrees. Not Fun!
I guess this will be my last post. I just wanted to write that everyone made it home safely and that we are all so eager to share our experiences with you. Thank you for you prayers.
Rhea for the team.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wrapping up???
Today the team heads to Ko Samet for debriefing. I must admit that at first I thought that two days of debriefing was excessive, but having been through two intense weeks, I am thinking that it will definitely help process the immensity of what we have seen here.
Yesterday we went to the Abundant Life Home and heard the stories of the home and the nannies and the children who live there. All of the children (except Apilak) are HIV positive and on a variety of medications to strengthen their immune system. One young boy Apilak is one of the miracle children who have come to the home. He was born HIV positive, but later tested negative. He was thrilled to have someone his own age to play with (all the other boys in the home are older). He and Claire spent the better part of the morning kissing, hugging and playing with bulldozers.
The children in both the boys home and the girls home make beautiful crafts to sell to help raise money for their home. The nannies help them with homework and crafts and have turned an orphanage into a completely loving home. Our team was impressed with their handiwork and purchased a lot of their work.
In the afternoon the team picked up garbage outside of TLC and did a couple of general cleaning kind of jobs. We "taught" an English lesson then wrapped up the evening with KFC- Pastor Craig says that the KFC is to help us prepare for re-entry to Canadian culture:).
I have been impressed at how God has brought this team of people together. Each has different gifts and everyone has been used according to their gifts. I know that some of us have discovered gifts we didn't know we had.
We have two nights in Ko Samet, a night in Bangkok, a night in Seattle and we are home. This trip has passed quickly, yet everyday has seemed like a week.
Rhea for the team
Yesterday we went to the Abundant Life Home and heard the stories of the home and the nannies and the children who live there. All of the children (except Apilak) are HIV positive and on a variety of medications to strengthen their immune system. One young boy Apilak is one of the miracle children who have come to the home. He was born HIV positive, but later tested negative. He was thrilled to have someone his own age to play with (all the other boys in the home are older). He and Claire spent the better part of the morning kissing, hugging and playing with bulldozers.
The children in both the boys home and the girls home make beautiful crafts to sell to help raise money for their home. The nannies help them with homework and crafts and have turned an orphanage into a completely loving home. Our team was impressed with their handiwork and purchased a lot of their work.
In the afternoon the team picked up garbage outside of TLC and did a couple of general cleaning kind of jobs. We "taught" an English lesson then wrapped up the evening with KFC- Pastor Craig says that the KFC is to help us prepare for re-entry to Canadian culture:).
I have been impressed at how God has brought this team of people together. Each has different gifts and everyone has been used according to their gifts. I know that some of us have discovered gifts we didn't know we had.
We have two nights in Ko Samet, a night in Bangkok, a night in Seattle and we are home. This trip has passed quickly, yet everyday has seemed like a week.
Rhea for the team
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
More stories shared
This morning the Team sat with Dave Sinclair-Peters and learned more about the history and vision of Team 2000. It was exciting to see what has grown from the vision the T2K and MBMSI had only 10 years ago.
We are all in good health. I have never heard of a group of this many people travelling for this long without any sort of gastrointestinal upset. Keep praying that we remain healthy. Our health has really been a blessing.
Today we are cleaning up at the church and doing all the odd jobs that are always put off for the bigger jobs. Tomorrow we will go to the Abundant Life Home to hear about what is going on there and to lend our hands to fixing some bicycles and other odd jobs.
As team leader, I have been amazed at the team unity we have had and the peace that everyone has had in being flexible. Pray that we would remain united in our purpose here, that we would continue to have patience and grace with each other and that we would be courageous in sharing the gospel with others.
Last night during team debrief, a young boy came to us selling horseshoe crabs. For 2oBaht (60 cents) Buddhists can purchase a crab and set it free to make merit- essentially to absolve themselves from their sins and to purchase a better place in the afterlife. Our group shared a meal with the boy and Louise Sinclair-Peters chared the gospel with him. He says that he will come out to church on Sunday. He already knows about the church because of the hiphop breakdancers.
We are so excited about what we see happening here in Thailand. Thank you for your prayers and $upport.
Rhea for the team
We are all in good health. I have never heard of a group of this many people travelling for this long without any sort of gastrointestinal upset. Keep praying that we remain healthy. Our health has really been a blessing.
Today we are cleaning up at the church and doing all the odd jobs that are always put off for the bigger jobs. Tomorrow we will go to the Abundant Life Home to hear about what is going on there and to lend our hands to fixing some bicycles and other odd jobs.
As team leader, I have been amazed at the team unity we have had and the peace that everyone has had in being flexible. Pray that we would remain united in our purpose here, that we would continue to have patience and grace with each other and that we would be courageous in sharing the gospel with others.
Last night during team debrief, a young boy came to us selling horseshoe crabs. For 2oBaht (60 cents) Buddhists can purchase a crab and set it free to make merit- essentially to absolve themselves from their sins and to purchase a better place in the afterlife. Our group shared a meal with the boy and Louise Sinclair-Peters chared the gospel with him. He says that he will come out to church on Sunday. He already knows about the church because of the hiphop breakdancers.
We are so excited about what we see happening here in Thailand. Thank you for your prayers and $upport.
Rhea for the team
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A most amazing praising kind of day!
I think that I can speak for the entire team when I say that yesterday's baptisms will be a day that none of us will ever forget.
12 new believers in the emerging church in Chachoengsao (there are a # of spellings of the town's name) were baptised in the local river. It was humbling to see these people who already have so little say, "I give it all up, I am willing to face persecution to follow Jesus." Because of the public space where the baptisms occur, there is no hiding out either. Their neighbors, coworkers and employers know that they have decided to put aside Buddhism and follow Christ. It was a convicting moment for quite a few of us. How many of us would publicly decalre our faith in front of our bosses, neighbors and coworkers knowing that there would most likely be negative consequences? How many of us would raise our hands in worship at the side of the main road into our neighborhood? Yikes, that's a tough set of questions.
Quite a few non believers came out to see the baptisms. Some came because their friends asked them. Some came to see the Farangs (foreigners) and some came because they knew there would be a free meal. Whatever the case EVERYONE heard the gospel. Pi Naat (Westwood contributed to her bible schooling) preached the gospel hard... TWICE, just incase people didn't get it the first time.
One man stepped forward to dedicate his life to Christ. SO Exciting!
We arrived back in Bang Saen last night. We have pretty comfy rooms and the team was happy to get a great night's sleep. We are off this morning to do laundry, rest or whatever. This afternoon we are teaching Sunday School and participating in the evening service.
As a team we have been blessed by good health, high spirits and gentle words to each other. Please pray that this continues and that we can continue to share the gospel with Thais. Pray that we will have servant hearts and that we will look for areas we can serve the long term missionaries and the Thais.
Rhea- for the team
12 new believers in the emerging church in Chachoengsao (there are a # of spellings of the town's name) were baptised in the local river. It was humbling to see these people who already have so little say, "I give it all up, I am willing to face persecution to follow Jesus." Because of the public space where the baptisms occur, there is no hiding out either. Their neighbors, coworkers and employers know that they have decided to put aside Buddhism and follow Christ. It was a convicting moment for quite a few of us. How many of us would publicly decalre our faith in front of our bosses, neighbors and coworkers knowing that there would most likely be negative consequences? How many of us would raise our hands in worship at the side of the main road into our neighborhood? Yikes, that's a tough set of questions.
Quite a few non believers came out to see the baptisms. Some came because their friends asked them. Some came to see the Farangs (foreigners) and some came because they knew there would be a free meal. Whatever the case EVERYONE heard the gospel. Pi Naat (Westwood contributed to her bible schooling) preached the gospel hard... TWICE, just incase people didn't get it the first time.
One man stepped forward to dedicate his life to Christ. SO Exciting!
We arrived back in Bang Saen last night. We have pretty comfy rooms and the team was happy to get a great night's sleep. We are off this morning to do laundry, rest or whatever. This afternoon we are teaching Sunday School and participating in the evening service.
As a team we have been blessed by good health, high spirits and gentle words to each other. Please pray that this continues and that we can continue to share the gospel with Thais. Pray that we will have servant hearts and that we will look for areas we can serve the long term missionaries and the Thais.
Rhea- for the team
Friday, August 22, 2008
Today is Baptism Day!
So much has happened since my last post just a few days ago. Jessi has rejoined us (yipeeee), we have had copious amounts of rice as we have shared the gospel with Thais, we have sweat more than we thought possible and we have above all witnessed God working in the hearts of Thais and our team members. In all, it is at times overwhelming.
Today, everyone has gone off to see the baptisms. Claire overheated this morning so we have stayed behind to see if we can cool her off. We are hoping to head out later. I am so excited to share with you the stories we hear. Don't worry though, Craig is recording everything... perhaps it is an excuse to avoid the heavy work or water ballons...
Our projects are wrapping up well. I realised that in the previous post I put the wrong Thai name to the projects. It is hard to learn 30 new names and in a different language it is really hard. The families we are helping are so overwhelmed to be loved in such a tangible way. There have been many happy tears over the last few days.
Continue to pray with us for health and safety, for stamina and courage. Pray that the Thai church in Thailand will rise up and courageously tell all Thais that Jesus loves them and by following him they can experience life.
Rhea for the team
P.S. We are still collecting donations to finish off the projects we have done.
Today, everyone has gone off to see the baptisms. Claire overheated this morning so we have stayed behind to see if we can cool her off. We are hoping to head out later. I am so excited to share with you the stories we hear. Don't worry though, Craig is recording everything... perhaps it is an excuse to avoid the heavy work or water ballons...
Our projects are wrapping up well. I realised that in the previous post I put the wrong Thai name to the projects. It is hard to learn 30 new names and in a different language it is really hard. The families we are helping are so overwhelmed to be loved in such a tangible way. There have been many happy tears over the last few days.
Continue to pray with us for health and safety, for stamina and courage. Pray that the Thai church in Thailand will rise up and courageously tell all Thais that Jesus loves them and by following him they can experience life.
Rhea for the team
P.S. We are still collecting donations to finish off the projects we have done.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A challenge for us and a challenge for YOU!
Our team is sweating it out in the Rice Paddies of central Thailand. When we arrived we thought we would be helping with a wiring project at the church building. Our plans have changed as we have looked at the needs of the church members.
We came with a budget and a plan for the church wiring. With our new projects, we have a new budget and are asking you to support these projects.
Our first project is to bless "grandma" and "grandpa" new believers in Chachoernsao. Grandpa is an amputee who is unable to work. Grandma is unable to work as well. They take care of their daughter-in-law's children while she works for a local missionary family. Their house in the slum looks like something out of a world vision commercial-- except everyone radiates joy and peace. Our project at their house is to raise the walkway to their bathroom. Right now, because the rains have flooded the area, Grandpa has to crawl through effluent to use the facilities. This Saturday someone from our team will have the honour of carrying both Grandma and Grandpa to the river to be baptised. Yesterday we sat and prayed with Grandma and Grandpa and they said, "We are so blessed to be loved by God."
Our second project is to enlarge a balcony outside one of the new believer's (Mae) homes. She hosts the kids' clubs and her balcony is too small and weak for the number of kids who come. Our plans are to double the size of the balcony and to clear the weeds and grasses from around it. Snakes and poisonous centipedes flee to the balcony when it rains and we are looking to make a safe place for kids to learn about Jesus. Mae will be baptised Saturday as well.
Our third project is to help another family of new believers. We are fixing the roof at Guy and Gao's home and strengthening the floor. Right now, people have to crawl into their house so they don't break the floor. Guy and Gao thank you for contributing to this project. They too will be baptised on Saturday.
These new believers love God and are sharing their lives with others everyday. We would like to do these projects to show the new believers God's love in a really tangible way and to share our love with them. As a team, we have prayed and in an act of faith committed to the additional costs of these projects. We are asking you to consider your contribution to these projects. Perhaps instead of a Starbuck's, you could have a water instead today; or instead of going to movie you could rent one. If our whole church did that just once this week and gave to this project we would have the money to complete these projects.
Last night we had the first of four community meals. Louise Sinclair Peters and I optimistically hoped for 60 people (including our team). We had 70 people show up to hear us share testimonies, sing, and play games. We ordered in food for the team later! Pray that our other meals will be as successful and many others would hear the gospel.
Thank you for your prayers and support. I encourage you to give to our projects.
Rhea- for the team
We came with a budget and a plan for the church wiring. With our new projects, we have a new budget and are asking you to support these projects.
Our first project is to bless "grandma" and "grandpa" new believers in Chachoernsao. Grandpa is an amputee who is unable to work. Grandma is unable to work as well. They take care of their daughter-in-law's children while she works for a local missionary family. Their house in the slum looks like something out of a world vision commercial-- except everyone radiates joy and peace. Our project at their house is to raise the walkway to their bathroom. Right now, because the rains have flooded the area, Grandpa has to crawl through effluent to use the facilities. This Saturday someone from our team will have the honour of carrying both Grandma and Grandpa to the river to be baptised. Yesterday we sat and prayed with Grandma and Grandpa and they said, "We are so blessed to be loved by God."
Our second project is to enlarge a balcony outside one of the new believer's (Mae) homes. She hosts the kids' clubs and her balcony is too small and weak for the number of kids who come. Our plans are to double the size of the balcony and to clear the weeds and grasses from around it. Snakes and poisonous centipedes flee to the balcony when it rains and we are looking to make a safe place for kids to learn about Jesus. Mae will be baptised Saturday as well.
Our third project is to help another family of new believers. We are fixing the roof at Guy and Gao's home and strengthening the floor. Right now, people have to crawl into their house so they don't break the floor. Guy and Gao thank you for contributing to this project. They too will be baptised on Saturday.
These new believers love God and are sharing their lives with others everyday. We would like to do these projects to show the new believers God's love in a really tangible way and to share our love with them. As a team, we have prayed and in an act of faith committed to the additional costs of these projects. We are asking you to consider your contribution to these projects. Perhaps instead of a Starbuck's, you could have a water instead today; or instead of going to movie you could rent one. If our whole church did that just once this week and gave to this project we would have the money to complete these projects.
Last night we had the first of four community meals. Louise Sinclair Peters and I optimistically hoped for 60 people (including our team). We had 70 people show up to hear us share testimonies, sing, and play games. We ordered in food for the team later! Pray that our other meals will be as successful and many others would hear the gospel.
Thank you for your prayers and support. I encourage you to give to our projects.
Rhea- for the team
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Real day ONE!
Gord, Chris and Craig arrived in Bang Saen around 3 yesterday afternoon. By 4, they were participating in The Life Center's Sunday Worship Service. Rumour has it that one of "the guys" may have fallen asleep during the Thai sermon.
It was an action packed evening for us all. A worship service, fellowship dinner, breakdancing and the ubiquitous elephant walking through the parking lot, although this one had a flashing red light on its butt. Carmen had a great chance to share with a guy named "King Kong" (yes, I am for real) and everyone had a chance to eat some real Thai food.
Today we head to Chachoernsao for orientation and prep. The rainy season has been really wet so the rest of the team has headed to the market to find gumboots and I am sending out e-mails and updating the blog. I am doubtful that size 13 gumboots exist in Thailand, so Greg may be working with plastic bags or buckets n his feet.
Our accommodations in Chachoernsao are "Rustic Thai." That means a room with bunkbeds. The window screens were the advertised feature. We have purchased mosquitoe coils.
Greg and I have been amazed at the growth of the Thai church since our 2005 visit. God is truly moving through Thailand and the Thais are listening and obeying.
Our praise and prayer requests
John and Shannon Bell from Nasko have joined us for the week in Chachoernsao. Their extra hands and willing hearts will help with the loads of work to do.
Jessi Dildy as she had to withdraw from the team at the last minute due to an accute health issue. Pray for peace and comfort for Jessi and that her insurance claim for airline tickets etc. will go smoothly.
Safety as we head into a very poor, partially flooded slum.
The people are eager to host us and hear the gospel. Pray that we will have courage to boldly share and that our translators will be able to communicate for and with us.
Thank you friends and family.
Rhea for the team
Dale, Marlene, Greg, Claire, Carmen, Craig, Gord, Chris, John, Shannon, Shelby & Joelle.
It was an action packed evening for us all. A worship service, fellowship dinner, breakdancing and the ubiquitous elephant walking through the parking lot, although this one had a flashing red light on its butt. Carmen had a great chance to share with a guy named "King Kong" (yes, I am for real) and everyone had a chance to eat some real Thai food.
Today we head to Chachoernsao for orientation and prep. The rainy season has been really wet so the rest of the team has headed to the market to find gumboots and I am sending out e-mails and updating the blog. I am doubtful that size 13 gumboots exist in Thailand, so Greg may be working with plastic bags or buckets n his feet.
Our accommodations in Chachoernsao are "Rustic Thai." That means a room with bunkbeds. The window screens were the advertised feature. We have purchased mosquitoe coils.
Greg and I have been amazed at the growth of the Thai church since our 2005 visit. God is truly moving through Thailand and the Thais are listening and obeying.
Our praise and prayer requests
John and Shannon Bell from Nasko have joined us for the week in Chachoernsao. Their extra hands and willing hearts will help with the loads of work to do.
Jessi Dildy as she had to withdraw from the team at the last minute due to an accute health issue. Pray for peace and comfort for Jessi and that her insurance claim for airline tickets etc. will go smoothly.
Safety as we head into a very poor, partially flooded slum.
The people are eager to host us and hear the gospel. Pray that we will have courage to boldly share and that our translators will be able to communicate for and with us.
Thank you friends and family.
Rhea for the team
Dale, Marlene, Greg, Claire, Carmen, Craig, Gord, Chris, John, Shannon, Shelby & Joelle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)