(from Ken Ochieng in Garissa, Kenya)
Great revival has broken loose in wajir (second biggest town after garissa in north eastern kenya). Many young somali youth have recieved christ in the recent past weeks. They had to be taken far away to be baptised ( to muslims, baptism is very significant to confirm salvation). I was there sometime last year doing feasibility study to alert the church the door that the lord has opened. This interesting story is also accompanied by persecution. Missionaries were ordered to get out of wajir and the local believers are being looked for so they can behead them--the situation is not good even though the government is trying to calm it.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Update from Ken Ochieng in Garissa Kenya
Hi Pastor Scott!
Greetings my friend. Hope you are experiencing G and family.od's power in your ministry
We wanted to show God's love to people in this region by way of providing relief food. As you might be aware, we have had drought and famine here for quite sometime and many livestock have died.Many locals who were rich are suddenly poor because they have lost their cattles, carmels, donkeys, goats. We wrote a proposal and God worked a miracle that an agency has accepted our propossal--this means that in the next two days or so, we will have >1500 bags of maize (90kgs each), >1500 bags of rice (50 kgs each), >1500 bags of beans (90 kgs each), and 1600 litres of cooking oil. Jaco (missionary we work with) and I met with government leaders to plan for the distribution.
Out target groups are the women and the children who are extremely poor.
We always discourage relief food because it is not a long term solution--but now we have to intervene because the situation is disperate
As a long term solution, the agency has approved our proposal of 30 small water pumps for irrigation (they call them money maker pumps). We will liase with agricultural officers here to make sure that the people are actively involved in farming. I will offer my self as a plant pathologist to help with disease and pest control. Pray for the exercise of distribution asking the lord that this foodstuffs and pumps will reach only those that are in great need. Blessings
Greetings my friend. Hope you are experiencing G and family.od's power in your ministry
We wanted to show God's love to people in this region by way of providing relief food. As you might be aware, we have had drought and famine here for quite sometime and many livestock have died.Many locals who were rich are suddenly poor because they have lost their cattles, carmels, donkeys, goats. We wrote a proposal and God worked a miracle that an agency has accepted our propossal--this means that in the next two days or so, we will have >1500 bags of maize (90kgs each), >1500 bags of rice (50 kgs each), >1500 bags of beans (90 kgs each), and 1600 litres of cooking oil. Jaco (missionary we work with) and I met with government leaders to plan for the distribution.
Out target groups are the women and the children who are extremely poor.
We always discourage relief food because it is not a long term solution--but now we have to intervene because the situation is disperate
As a long term solution, the agency has approved our proposal of 30 small water pumps for irrigation (they call them money maker pumps). We will liase with agricultural officers here to make sure that the people are actively involved in farming. I will offer my self as a plant pathologist to help with disease and pest control. Pray for the exercise of distribution asking the lord that this foodstuffs and pumps will reach only those that are in great need. Blessings
Monday, March 20, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Bruce's Blog
What a fantastic week. People’s lives changed, salvation, water baptisms, Holy Spirit baptisms, prophecies, healings, teaching, preaching, sharing, giving, meeting new friends, growing, traveling, eating, digging, stringing, praying, singing, meeting, greeting, bandaging, sweating, playing (with children), but not a lot of sleeping. Sleep is optional.
What can I say?
Saturday we rounded up our trip with a tour of a large tangerine farm (the owner built the hotel we were staying in.) Our tour guide is the Hotel manager. We were kind of expecting to trudge around in muddy orchard but we had a nice duck/truck that drove us to various viewpoints. It was in a huge valley, incredibly meticulously landscaped, a beautiful place.
In the afternoon we had a 3 hour service and pig roast to dedicate the church in the Akha hilltribe we built last year. Laurie did the main preaching but several others also spoke, the ribbon cutting was supposed to be Laurie and Bruce but we had Tom the Lahu pastor who lives with and is the pastor of the Akha tribe, and one old person and one young person who help last year. We all put our hands on the scissors and cut it – that was cool. There were dances and songs, and talks, and prayers, and laying on of hands. Since this building was built (the first for Grace Church) they have built 5 other hilltribe churches. Timothy and Fong have also built an orphanage (they call it a children’s center) that can handle up to 40 children. And this year our team started the 7th church building and the largest.
The needs here are great, Breaking into the kingdom of the snake is very difficult. The gospel has been here for 190 years but not a lot to show. The Tribal people who are ethnically not Thai and not Buddhist have responded to the gospel. For the Thai’s what has started in the mountains will sweep down the valleys and spread. Hilltribe people learn ‘the way’ and English from the missionaries and the Thai government teaches them the Thai language. These second class citizens become first class pastors, teachers, and reaching the lost in Thailand. This along with orphanages (Thais don’t adopt and pretty much only Christian organizations take care of them.), God is doing powerful things here.
We also come across children who have fallen between the cracks of Thai society; parents have ‘green cards’ to work legally in Thailand but their children are illegal and so cannot go to school. Grace church is trying to work out a way to help these students with a school to allow them to get a complete education. (They get none now.) On the other hand, the orphanage is for the poorest children in the worst situations of abuse, poverty, lack of education. For now Timothy has limited the numbers to about 20 because he just doesn’t have the funding for more, but he also needs to establish the children’s center with the basics like a refrigerator, a Clothes washing machine; then teachers, cooks, groundskeepers, transportation. The dining hall still needs to be built and the list goes on.
There is also a bible training center (maybe some day a college) in the church with young and old, pastors and lay, who want to learn more of God.
Sunday, we attended church at Grace church in Fang (population 400,000) several spoke but Pastor David from Singapore preached in English and translated himself to Chinese and Fong translated to Thai. “cross over to the other side to where God is working and he has a plan for us.” Was the topic Mark 6:45 and 53 on. And acts 16:9 and 2 chron 16:9, “if you do the ridiculous he will do the impossible.”
We caravanned to Chiang Mai. Tonight (Sunday and tomorrow) we are at the www.raminglodge.com (1200 baht per room which is about $30). It is midnight and the youth and Angie are out shopping, the rest of us have wisely put our heads on pillows. We’ve invited and Timothy and his family have come along for couple days of relaxation.
We will be flying back to Bangkok on Tuesday morning and besides some shopping and maybe Thai massage, we hope to also attend English classes in Bangkok. And leave for home on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Bruce and Laurie will travel on to the south for R&R see http://www.heimbig.wsu.edu/schedule/
What can I say?
Saturday we rounded up our trip with a tour of a large tangerine farm (the owner built the hotel we were staying in.) Our tour guide is the Hotel manager. We were kind of expecting to trudge around in muddy orchard but we had a nice duck/truck that drove us to various viewpoints. It was in a huge valley, incredibly meticulously landscaped, a beautiful place.
In the afternoon we had a 3 hour service and pig roast to dedicate the church in the Akha hilltribe we built last year. Laurie did the main preaching but several others also spoke, the ribbon cutting was supposed to be Laurie and Bruce but we had Tom the Lahu pastor who lives with and is the pastor of the Akha tribe, and one old person and one young person who help last year. We all put our hands on the scissors and cut it – that was cool. There were dances and songs, and talks, and prayers, and laying on of hands. Since this building was built (the first for Grace Church) they have built 5 other hilltribe churches. Timothy and Fong have also built an orphanage (they call it a children’s center) that can handle up to 40 children. And this year our team started the 7th church building and the largest.
The needs here are great, Breaking into the kingdom of the snake is very difficult. The gospel has been here for 190 years but not a lot to show. The Tribal people who are ethnically not Thai and not Buddhist have responded to the gospel. For the Thai’s what has started in the mountains will sweep down the valleys and spread. Hilltribe people learn ‘the way’ and English from the missionaries and the Thai government teaches them the Thai language. These second class citizens become first class pastors, teachers, and reaching the lost in Thailand. This along with orphanages (Thais don’t adopt and pretty much only Christian organizations take care of them.), God is doing powerful things here.
We also come across children who have fallen between the cracks of Thai society; parents have ‘green cards’ to work legally in Thailand but their children are illegal and so cannot go to school. Grace church is trying to work out a way to help these students with a school to allow them to get a complete education. (They get none now.) On the other hand, the orphanage is for the poorest children in the worst situations of abuse, poverty, lack of education. For now Timothy has limited the numbers to about 20 because he just doesn’t have the funding for more, but he also needs to establish the children’s center with the basics like a refrigerator, a Clothes washing machine; then teachers, cooks, groundskeepers, transportation. The dining hall still needs to be built and the list goes on.
There is also a bible training center (maybe some day a college) in the church with young and old, pastors and lay, who want to learn more of God.
Sunday, we attended church at Grace church in Fang (population 400,000) several spoke but Pastor David from Singapore preached in English and translated himself to Chinese and Fong translated to Thai. “cross over to the other side to where God is working and he has a plan for us.” Was the topic Mark 6:45 and 53 on. And acts 16:9 and 2 chron 16:9, “if you do the ridiculous he will do the impossible.”
We caravanned to Chiang Mai. Tonight (Sunday and tomorrow) we are at the www.raminglodge.com (1200 baht per room which is about $30). It is midnight and the youth and Angie are out shopping, the rest of us have wisely put our heads on pillows. We’ve invited and Timothy and his family have come along for couple days of relaxation.
We will be flying back to Bangkok on Tuesday morning and besides some shopping and maybe Thai massage, we hope to also attend English classes in Bangkok. And leave for home on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Bruce and Laurie will travel on to the south for R&R see http://www.heimbig.wsu.edu/schedule/
Michael “The Dirt Destroyer” Largent’s Blog
(Typed by Mark Reynolds and influenced by The Dirt Destroyer)
(NOTE: sometimes in this blog Michael Largent will be referred to as The Dirt Destroyer.)
The Dirt Destroyer has been crying all night making mud over his wife Audry. The whole group loves him like 3 year old children in a sand box with kitty poop. The Dirt Destroyer gave his first sermon ever in a lahu Village. No one knew what to expect from the one and only Dirt Destroyer, as he approached the stage people cheered him on in excitement. (note: the Singaporeans were more joyful of The Dirt Destroyer speaking then the Americans) From my stand point Michael gave an excellent sermon, he looked like he has been preaching all his life instead of farming. The next big event for the Dirt Destroyer was when the akha Village wanted to give us presents to show us their love for the group. Michael happened to be the lucky winner of the woman’s hat made by the hands of the village tribe. The hat was decorated with beads and other thingy ma jigs. As Michael put on the hat he found out that it was 2 sizes too small, (just like the Grinch's heart). Michael forced on the hat and everybody laughed (he seemed so proud and happy of him self). When he entered the crowd again Laurie confiscated the hat from The Dirt Destroyer and he begun to cry AGAIN!!! The DD only cries and whines about everything - first it was Audry, Then the hat, the sun, the dirt, his toe hairs, the bug in his soup, the baptism of his camera, the losing of the race against Tyler, then pulling of hamstring, yada, yada, and etc…
(NOTE: sometimes in this blog Michael Largent will be referred to as The Dirt Destroyer.)
The Dirt Destroyer has been crying all night making mud over his wife Audry. The whole group loves him like 3 year old children in a sand box with kitty poop. The Dirt Destroyer gave his first sermon ever in a lahu Village. No one knew what to expect from the one and only Dirt Destroyer, as he approached the stage people cheered him on in excitement. (note: the Singaporeans were more joyful of The Dirt Destroyer speaking then the Americans) From my stand point Michael gave an excellent sermon, he looked like he has been preaching all his life instead of farming. The next big event for the Dirt Destroyer was when the akha Village wanted to give us presents to show us their love for the group. Michael happened to be the lucky winner of the woman’s hat made by the hands of the village tribe. The hat was decorated with beads and other thingy ma jigs. As Michael put on the hat he found out that it was 2 sizes too small, (just like the Grinch's heart). Michael forced on the hat and everybody laughed (he seemed so proud and happy of him self). When he entered the crowd again Laurie confiscated the hat from The Dirt Destroyer and he begun to cry AGAIN!!! The DD only cries and whines about everything - first it was Audry, Then the hat, the sun, the dirt, his toe hairs, the bug in his soup, the baptism of his camera, the losing of the race against Tyler, then pulling of hamstring, yada, yada, and etc…
From Scott F.
Tuesday
We went to the school and taught the older kids about 13 they were willing to learn the songs we thought them “in times like this, head shoulders knees and toes, and Jesus loves me.” In the last class we went to we wrote up on the weight board Jesus loves me like we did en every other class but the kids wrote it down in there note books and then we song that song together. In almost all the classes we asked if they had any questions and I kept getting asked if I was single it was pretty funny. What else was funny is that people laughed when Michael said he was a farmer people laughed at him. We don’t know why but the only thing we could think of is that farmers are normally poor.
Michael says that I am the babe magnet of Thailand. (Inside joke)
After the school we went to the building project and got 10 post holes dug and the posts were just set in them.
Wednesday
I went out to the building project with Ryan, Ty, Michael, Bruce, and Lorry went out the building project we dug the holes for the posts. By the end of the of the day we had all the holes dug and part of the barb wire strung.
Thursday
I went out the building project today with Abby, Ty, Bruce, Michael, and Jan. We got all the fence posts put up and the entire fence finished.
After we finished we guys decided to go for a walk. We ended up going through someone’s rice paddy and then finding the road, when we kept by some crematorium then we walked a little further this is where Bruce, Jan And Tyler had a foot race and Ty won Bruce was about 4 yards behind and Jan dropped his water bottle and stopped to pick it up and lost by about 20 seconds and this was only a 30 yard race.
Friday
I went out to the building project we dug then took the dirt out of the holes and dug some more. The holes were for the foundation.
We went to the school and taught the older kids about 13 they were willing to learn the songs we thought them “in times like this, head shoulders knees and toes, and Jesus loves me.” In the last class we went to we wrote up on the weight board Jesus loves me like we did en every other class but the kids wrote it down in there note books and then we song that song together. In almost all the classes we asked if they had any questions and I kept getting asked if I was single it was pretty funny. What else was funny is that people laughed when Michael said he was a farmer people laughed at him. We don’t know why but the only thing we could think of is that farmers are normally poor.
Michael says that I am the babe magnet of Thailand. (Inside joke)
After the school we went to the building project and got 10 post holes dug and the posts were just set in them.
Wednesday
I went out to the building project with Ryan, Ty, Michael, Bruce, and Lorry went out the building project we dug the holes for the posts. By the end of the of the day we had all the holes dug and part of the barb wire strung.
Thursday
I went out the building project today with Abby, Ty, Bruce, Michael, and Jan. We got all the fence posts put up and the entire fence finished.
After we finished we guys decided to go for a walk. We ended up going through someone’s rice paddy and then finding the road, when we kept by some crematorium then we walked a little further this is where Bruce, Jan And Tyler had a foot race and Ty won Bruce was about 4 yards behind and Jan dropped his water bottle and stopped to pick it up and lost by about 20 seconds and this was only a 30 yard race.
Friday
I went out to the building project we dug then took the dirt out of the holes and dug some more. The holes were for the foundation.
By Abby
So I got to hang out with the kids from the orphanage for a few days. They are very special. I can tell that they need love, but there are just not enough people to give them attention. I also really liked going to the hill tribe where the guy received his hearing after we prayed and we also prayed for a little boy who I have faith will be healed if I continue to pray for him. One other highlight for me has been spending time with Bekah, KC, and Rosie, and Bruce. They cut my hair! Also I like being with Tyler and my Daddy.
There’s a lot of other great things and this trip has been very good for me. I’ve begun to consider a longer mission trip here sometime except Pastor Timothy wants me to get married first so it could be awhile. Anyways I love you mom and Hannah and everyone else.
There’s a lot of other great things and this trip has been very good for me. I’ve begun to consider a longer mission trip here sometime except Pastor Timothy wants me to get married first so it could be awhile. Anyways I love you mom and Hannah and everyone else.
Mark’s Blog:
WOW, this trip has impacted my life so much! Through this whole trip I have developed increasingly more then I ever expected. This trip has prepared the group and me for a spiritual battle that waits all of us when we return home. Personally I' am excited to return home not just for the comfort and food but to teach and share my experiences with everyone, Christian and non Christian.
The word that I have been telling my self on this trip everyday is persevering! This one word is all I need to keep my self going when the talks become long; digging while the dirt is hard and the sun is hot; eating to be polite while the food is dirty and gross.
I feel each place of Thailand is teaching/training me for new things. While in Bangkok dong and josh took us to go share our faith on campus. I learned from this experience a lot on how little we really need to prepare to share our faith, it just takes boldness. In Myanmar it was just great encouragement and a spiritual shock on how age really does not matter. In the Mountain tribes the faith people have was amazing. They had enough faith to believe in prayer healing, you really don’t see much of that in America. In the high school it showed me how compatible I really can be with kids younger to me and how I can minister to them. To keep things short I well end here as well as not going into any detail in the teachings/training thingy ma jigs above.
See you all on Wednesday and please pray for a safe trip for us, Thailand has been great and fun.
The word that I have been telling my self on this trip everyday is persevering! This one word is all I need to keep my self going when the talks become long; digging while the dirt is hard and the sun is hot; eating to be polite while the food is dirty and gross.
I feel each place of Thailand is teaching/training me for new things. While in Bangkok dong and josh took us to go share our faith on campus. I learned from this experience a lot on how little we really need to prepare to share our faith, it just takes boldness. In Myanmar it was just great encouragement and a spiritual shock on how age really does not matter. In the Mountain tribes the faith people have was amazing. They had enough faith to believe in prayer healing, you really don’t see much of that in America. In the high school it showed me how compatible I really can be with kids younger to me and how I can minister to them. To keep things short I well end here as well as not going into any detail in the teachings/training thingy ma jigs above.
See you all on Wednesday and please pray for a safe trip for us, Thailand has been great and fun.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Friday
We split into 3 groups. The builders dug holes for the big posts that hold up the building, then they took a break, then water, then dig, break, water, dig, break, water. They got several 3 foot by 3 foot by 4 foot holes dug. Jan and Michael dug like moles.
A youth team (Ryan, KC, Abby, Beka, and Rosie) and Bruce went to a mostly Christian Lahu hill tribe and did several songs and skits. Rosie preached a description of each skit. Thum translated to Thai and Tom to Lahu. We had people come up for prayer for: knees, hearing, stomach problems. One older man let us know he couldn’t hear in one ear—it was obvious he couldn’t when we spoke to him. When we finished he had a big smile. As he was walking away he let our Thai translators know he could hear. It seemed obvious because he was able to understand them.
Angie and Laurie stayed in Fang and taught at Timothy’s leadership training at his church. Laurie taught the mountain model while Angie taught on cells. It was well received with the students taking lots of notes. David, the Singapore pastor, and Timothy were very interested in both topics. Two people received the baptism in Holy Spirit.
We had a late lunch and traveled to the Queen’s school where we all meet up with the entire Singapore team. They did a terrific large group ice breaker, but, even though we counted off ‘fair’ groups, we had some pesky HIGHLY competitive Americans who kind of threw off the game. For the last couple rounds the Americans were thrown out of the game. One of the Singapore team preached an encouraging message. We donated 5,000 Baht to the Christians in the school to pay for transportation to summer church camp in Chiang Mai for 52 students, that also was to help pay for a guitar.
In the evening we went to an Akha hilltribe and Michael preached a great sermon. Between Michael and the rest of the team I think Dan could take months off now. We prayed for healing for several people and for the pastor and his wife.
- Bruce
A youth team (Ryan, KC, Abby, Beka, and Rosie) and Bruce went to a mostly Christian Lahu hill tribe and did several songs and skits. Rosie preached a description of each skit. Thum translated to Thai and Tom to Lahu. We had people come up for prayer for: knees, hearing, stomach problems. One older man let us know he couldn’t hear in one ear—it was obvious he couldn’t when we spoke to him. When we finished he had a big smile. As he was walking away he let our Thai translators know he could hear. It seemed obvious because he was able to understand them.
Angie and Laurie stayed in Fang and taught at Timothy’s leadership training at his church. Laurie taught the mountain model while Angie taught on cells. It was well received with the students taking lots of notes. David, the Singapore pastor, and Timothy were very interested in both topics. Two people received the baptism in Holy Spirit.
We had a late lunch and traveled to the Queen’s school where we all meet up with the entire Singapore team. They did a terrific large group ice breaker, but, even though we counted off ‘fair’ groups, we had some pesky HIGHLY competitive Americans who kind of threw off the game. For the last couple rounds the Americans were thrown out of the game. One of the Singapore team preached an encouraging message. We donated 5,000 Baht to the Christians in the school to pay for transportation to summer church camp in Chiang Mai for 52 students, that also was to help pay for a guitar.
In the evening we went to an Akha hilltribe and Michael preached a great sermon. Between Michael and the rest of the team I think Dan could take months off now. We prayed for healing for several people and for the pastor and his wife.
- Bruce
Thursday, March 16, 2006
from mark
When we came back to the school after lunch we decided to stay in a group and did 4 more classes each about 45 minutes long. The classes ranged from 3rd to 4th grade all of which had the same English level, none. We did the exact same songs and dances and skits for all four classes. This is when the day became hard, the group started to get annoyed with each other and the songs. After noticing that our group was dieing we got together and decided to persevere and end with a bang. As we were leaving the school, the children flooded us with enough high fives to leave a pain in the hand. We took are final picture and left to go meet up with the old folks at the church.
Amazing
Laurie and Angie got to give 2 hilltribe women new 'Christian' names. What a responsibility - on the spot! "name now" said Fong (Timothy’s wife)... Ruth and Martha. Tribal people (lahu) said Root and Marta.
Laurie also commanded 2 dogs (one a few seconds later than the first) to stop barking (they were interrupting prayer) and each time they stopped instantly. EVERYONE LOOKED at her.
Laurie also commanded 2 dogs (one a few seconds later than the first) to stop barking (they were interrupting prayer) and each time they stopped instantly. EVERYONE LOOKED at her.
Myanmar Trip - Jan & Mark
Jan Busboom: On Wednesday, March 15, Mark Reynolds and Jan Busboom from the PFC Thai team traveled with Alan, Matthew and Vincent from the Singapore team by van to Mai Sae (about a 2.25 h drive) Pastor P. met us at the Wang Thong Hotel (Very nice) and we walked across the border into the Union of Myanmar. The border crossing was reasonably uneventful:
1. Made 1 copy of passport (It cost only 15 Baht for all 5 passports)
2. Go to Thai immigration point and they just ask check your passport and ask if you are just going for the day
3. Continue to Myanmar check point. You have cross from the left side to the right side of the street in no man’s land. At Myanmar immigration you go into an office and you can pay them U.S. $5 or 250 Thai Baht. They keep your passport. We continued into Myanmar.
In no man’s land and as soon as you cross into Myanmar there will be many people there to sell you things or offer you services (like telling you that you need to cross the street in no man’s land. In Myanmar we took a songthaew (taxi truck) that Pastor P. had hired for 400 baht for the day. We first went to the church and orphanage (which is officially a free boarding house for children without parents or parents who cannot support them). The older children were in school, but there were 20 younger children who sang several powerful praise songs and then prayed powerfully for us. At least one professor was weeping. It’s an awesome sight to see 20 two through five year olds with their hands raised to heaven singing and praying with all that is within them.
Then each of the visitors spoke a word of encouragement to them, Mark taught them a couple of fun kid’s songs and the Singaporeans taught them “I Love You Jesus Deep Down in My Heart”. Then we passed out small gifts like bubbles, candy, face paint and stickers. The children love the gifts but they are very thankful just to have you there. They love to shake hands with you and give great hugs. They are indeed beautiful. Pastor P. then gave us a tour of the facility. They have 44 orphans. They have an elevated pig pen that they feed leftover food and a little corn. They provide much of the protein the kids consume.
We then traveled to the Bible school that was closed down last spring. Pastor P. believes he will get government approval to reopen in June. He had 40 graduates of the school who have all gone on to plant churches and the government now believes him that his school is devoted to ministry and is not a potential political enemy. He will welcome visitors to help teach at the school and to conduct training for pastors in Myanmar.
We ate lunch at a Burmese restaurant, drove to the Buddhist temple overlooking the city and then visited the “long neck” village that has received Christ. Then we crossed back over the border.
At Myanmar Immigration they gave us back our stamped passports. At Thai immigration we had to fill out arrival cards.
On the road back to Fang at a check point they stopped us and they checked all of our bags and checked the Singaporeans passports but not the US passports. It was obvious Mark and I were not illegal immigrants from China.
1. Made 1 copy of passport (It cost only 15 Baht for all 5 passports)
2. Go to Thai immigration point and they just ask check your passport and ask if you are just going for the day
3. Continue to Myanmar check point. You have cross from the left side to the right side of the street in no man’s land. At Myanmar immigration you go into an office and you can pay them U.S. $5 or 250 Thai Baht. They keep your passport. We continued into Myanmar.
In no man’s land and as soon as you cross into Myanmar there will be many people there to sell you things or offer you services (like telling you that you need to cross the street in no man’s land. In Myanmar we took a songthaew (taxi truck) that Pastor P. had hired for 400 baht for the day. We first went to the church and orphanage (which is officially a free boarding house for children without parents or parents who cannot support them). The older children were in school, but there were 20 younger children who sang several powerful praise songs and then prayed powerfully for us. At least one professor was weeping. It’s an awesome sight to see 20 two through five year olds with their hands raised to heaven singing and praying with all that is within them.
Then each of the visitors spoke a word of encouragement to them, Mark taught them a couple of fun kid’s songs and the Singaporeans taught them “I Love You Jesus Deep Down in My Heart”. Then we passed out small gifts like bubbles, candy, face paint and stickers. The children love the gifts but they are very thankful just to have you there. They love to shake hands with you and give great hugs. They are indeed beautiful. Pastor P. then gave us a tour of the facility. They have 44 orphans. They have an elevated pig pen that they feed leftover food and a little corn. They provide much of the protein the kids consume.
We then traveled to the Bible school that was closed down last spring. Pastor P. believes he will get government approval to reopen in June. He had 40 graduates of the school who have all gone on to plant churches and the government now believes him that his school is devoted to ministry and is not a potential political enemy. He will welcome visitors to help teach at the school and to conduct training for pastors in Myanmar.
We ate lunch at a Burmese restaurant, drove to the Buddhist temple overlooking the city and then visited the “long neck” village that has received Christ. Then we crossed back over the border.
At Myanmar Immigration they gave us back our stamped passports. At Thai immigration we had to fill out arrival cards.
On the road back to Fang at a check point they stopped us and they checked all of our bags and checked the Singaporeans passports but not the US passports. It was obvious Mark and I were not illegal immigrants from China.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
A Quick Update
Pastor Timothy has been keeping us pretty busy. We’ll update with more details in a couple days.
Our team and the Sigapore team have gone to Queen’s school a couple times (sometimes together sometimes separately.) They’ve also been to Lawho tribe and Angie led one girl to the Lord.
More students were saved (than when we went) when the Singapore team taught at the Queen’s school. I think that generated some competition. The Singapore team is ½ adults and half pre-teen youths.
Adults and youth have been working on the church building project. So far we have built a fence around the property (nearly done.) More soil has been brought in and leveled. Today, Thursday, is the official ground breaking.
More later.
Our team and the Sigapore team have gone to Queen’s school a couple times (sometimes together sometimes separately.) They’ve also been to Lawho tribe and Angie led one girl to the Lord.
More students were saved (than when we went) when the Singapore team taught at the Queen’s school. I think that generated some competition. The Singapore team is ½ adults and half pre-teen youths.
Adults and youth have been working on the church building project. So far we have built a fence around the property (nearly done.) More soil has been brought in and leveled. Today, Thursday, is the official ground breaking.
More later.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Monday Part 1
Mark: hey everyone I’ am doing fine, I leave for Myanmar (however you spell that country) on Wednesday, please pray for me and e-mail me to tell me how Pullman is doing…. Eppp Random_talk@hotmail.com
Ryan S: Hello, I’ am doing well and please E-mail me
Mark: “The ordinary can be extraordinary” These are the words that Laurie gave during devotionals. God gave Laurie these words to encourage the team, in the way that we are just ordinary American people but yet Northern Thai’s don’t see Americans often so we get instant popularity and respect. With our new founded popularity and respect it allows prime opportunities for us to do/be extraordinary in Thailand. Before I start telling about our adventures of the day Michael wants me to tell Audrey that he loves her and he is doing well. We started the day off at 8am with breakfast, there was a tiny issue with eggs this morning, as the Thai waiters did not expect some team members to order the Thai breakfast and only offered eggs. Luckily Bruce stood up for those who wanted the Thai soup and everyone ended happy. After breakfast Laurie did devotionals and Communion and the day began. The team was split into two groups the first group went to visit the boarding school (which was the youth PLUS Jan), and the church builders (which was the old people).
Visiting the Boarding School
We arrived at the boarding school a little early so this gave the youth some time to go to the bathroom and take a quick look at the landscaping and surroundings of the school (As a side note Ryan and Jan decided that their campus was more beautiful then PHS’s or Logos). The boarding schools campus was quite breath taking when you first arrive as the campus for built on a hill with amazing scenery of the surrounding jungles, mountains and rice fields. The campuses landscape was quite unique in my eyes for the flower beds seemed to resemble a waterfall covered by green grass and beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs. As we got are self organized the boarding school staff showed us what rooms we will be teaching/attending with eh Thai students. We decided that it would be best to split into two groups of four with the exception of the Thai interpreter (Thumb, Timothy’s youth pastor) and his wife. For the first classes Mark, Abby, Scott, and Rosie went on to go visit the younger kids, and Ryan, Bekah, Jan, and Kc went on to the older kids. The younger kids were about the age of 2nd graders and were very excited to see us. As we entered their Class rooms it seemed like a prison, made completely of concrete, with a chained link fence as the upper half of the wall to allow the air to blow through the class room. The kids faces lit up with joy and excitement as we introduced our selves, There was about 25-32 kids per class room and we went to two classes. We usually began the class by singing a song with a dance that follows along, we would go through each song first as an example and the seconded time they would do it with us. We Taught the kids how to play duck duck goose (in Thai it was be be de) they had a blast with the game and all the kids were screaming and shouting for each other, some were confused and would run 9 feet and then sit in a random spot before being tagged by others. We also taught them how to say hello and thank you in English (by the way they were incredibly fast learners) we also taught them how to do high fives (they loved doing high fives they found it to be a fun way to greet us, I also taught some of them how to pound after a high five as well). We continued class by teaching them the names of body parts such as face, eyes, shoulders, nose, knees, and toes. After they learned the names we would sing the head shoulders knees and toes knees and toes song.(They absolutely loved this song, and many of they would laugh super hard when we would do it super fast and Mark would on purposely just do random parts of the body as he was going to fast for him self). We usually ended with teaching them patty cake, and once again they had a blast with this game. As headed towards the door we would wave and give high fives to the children and they would try to spout out all the English words as possible, so you would be hearing thank you hello goodbye head shoulders, and etc as you left. The older kids group was a lot more calmer as they actually had to teach English to two classes to the 14-16 year olds. The teacher of the first class knew how to speak some English so he a lot of the times interpreted for them. During half the time they allowed the Thai teens to ask questions (which were mostly about America and some we kind of absurd). Every one even the teachers were fascinated with the fact that Jan was a Professor (actually almost everyone in Thailand is fascinated about Jan being a Professor). Ryan also seemed to have been growing a fan club for the girls quickly stared at Ryan a giggled toward him during class. Lunch time finally came and we all met up again, with about 30 kids surrounding us, which all of them wanted to give high fives. At lunch we left the school to go eat at a restaurant. …the rest of the story tomorrow.
Ryan S: Hello, I’ am doing well and please E-mail me
Mark: “The ordinary can be extraordinary” These are the words that Laurie gave during devotionals. God gave Laurie these words to encourage the team, in the way that we are just ordinary American people but yet Northern Thai’s don’t see Americans often so we get instant popularity and respect. With our new founded popularity and respect it allows prime opportunities for us to do/be extraordinary in Thailand. Before I start telling about our adventures of the day Michael wants me to tell Audrey that he loves her and he is doing well. We started the day off at 8am with breakfast, there was a tiny issue with eggs this morning, as the Thai waiters did not expect some team members to order the Thai breakfast and only offered eggs. Luckily Bruce stood up for those who wanted the Thai soup and everyone ended happy. After breakfast Laurie did devotionals and Communion and the day began. The team was split into two groups the first group went to visit the boarding school (which was the youth PLUS Jan), and the church builders (which was the old people).
Visiting the Boarding School
We arrived at the boarding school a little early so this gave the youth some time to go to the bathroom and take a quick look at the landscaping and surroundings of the school (As a side note Ryan and Jan decided that their campus was more beautiful then PHS’s or Logos). The boarding schools campus was quite breath taking when you first arrive as the campus for built on a hill with amazing scenery of the surrounding jungles, mountains and rice fields. The campuses landscape was quite unique in my eyes for the flower beds seemed to resemble a waterfall covered by green grass and beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs. As we got are self organized the boarding school staff showed us what rooms we will be teaching/attending with eh Thai students. We decided that it would be best to split into two groups of four with the exception of the Thai interpreter (Thumb, Timothy’s youth pastor) and his wife. For the first classes Mark, Abby, Scott, and Rosie went on to go visit the younger kids, and Ryan, Bekah, Jan, and Kc went on to the older kids. The younger kids were about the age of 2nd graders and were very excited to see us. As we entered their Class rooms it seemed like a prison, made completely of concrete, with a chained link fence as the upper half of the wall to allow the air to blow through the class room. The kids faces lit up with joy and excitement as we introduced our selves, There was about 25-32 kids per class room and we went to two classes. We usually began the class by singing a song with a dance that follows along, we would go through each song first as an example and the seconded time they would do it with us. We Taught the kids how to play duck duck goose (in Thai it was be be de) they had a blast with the game and all the kids were screaming and shouting for each other, some were confused and would run 9 feet and then sit in a random spot before being tagged by others. We also taught them how to say hello and thank you in English (by the way they were incredibly fast learners) we also taught them how to do high fives (they loved doing high fives they found it to be a fun way to greet us, I also taught some of them how to pound after a high five as well). We continued class by teaching them the names of body parts such as face, eyes, shoulders, nose, knees, and toes. After they learned the names we would sing the head shoulders knees and toes knees and toes song.(They absolutely loved this song, and many of they would laugh super hard when we would do it super fast and Mark would on purposely just do random parts of the body as he was going to fast for him self). We usually ended with teaching them patty cake, and once again they had a blast with this game. As headed towards the door we would wave and give high fives to the children and they would try to spout out all the English words as possible, so you would be hearing thank you hello goodbye head shoulders, and etc as you left. The older kids group was a lot more calmer as they actually had to teach English to two classes to the 14-16 year olds. The teacher of the first class knew how to speak some English so he a lot of the times interpreted for them. During half the time they allowed the Thai teens to ask questions (which were mostly about America and some we kind of absurd). Every one even the teachers were fascinated with the fact that Jan was a Professor (actually almost everyone in Thailand is fascinated about Jan being a Professor). Ryan also seemed to have been growing a fan club for the girls quickly stared at Ryan a giggled toward him during class. Lunch time finally came and we all met up again, with about 30 kids surrounding us, which all of them wanted to give high fives. At lunch we left the school to go eat at a restaurant. …the rest of the story tomorrow.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Sunday - Pictures
Bruce: Today was a very busy day. We traveled together today. We started our day at 8 am for breakfast with devotions and communion then on to Pastor Timothy’s church in Fang. It was a terrific service and Dr. Jan Busboom spoke. The message was well received. After lunch we went to the Queen’s school for poor children. This boarding school is one of the places we visited at Christmas with youth 2 years ago. After our skits, 2 years ago, several Christian students came and begged that someone would come regularly to pastor them, it took a few weeks to organize but Pastor Timothy (or his youth leader Thumb) now go and have church service with them every Sunday afternoon. The students want a church building on campus, and Timothy has now arranged that a church can be built IF there is a full time missionary there to teach English.
Mark and Abby spoke to the group of about 40 Christians and several non-Christians (high school mostly). This is the largest gathering of Christians I’ve seen in my 4 visits to Thailand. Mark and Abby did a fantastic job and several accepted Christ for the first time and several more, about 12, rededicated their lives. There also were about 6 students who were supposed to be baptized after the service and Timothy’s wife Fong explained what it meant to be baptized, I think she thought more would respond positively but instead when they heard what baptism was about then 3 of the students decided not to get baptized.
We wrapped up the worship service and drove about 2 miles on a VERY rough road to a reservoir that I thought was partially filled up but in fact the lake was covered with huge sections of floating plants supporting small trees. We found a good spot for the baptism and one of the Thai youths went in to clear away the scum. Then Timothy and KC went in to do the baptism, they were both pretty wobbly since the bottom of the lake was large stone.
Michael decided to get a good spot to video tape and jumped to one of the ‘islands’, without realizing that it wouldn’t support him until it was too late. He was quickly up to his knees, he turned and headed for the bank, but it was too late. Now he was over his waist and about to nosedive his only choice was to support himself with his hands, unfortunately he had his DV camera in one hand and it got baptized, we are now laying on hands that it be revived but it isn’t looking good. Michael on the other hand merely got a wet body and slightly bruised ego.
At any rate 3 people were baptized by Timothy with KC’s help.
Next it was off to the children’s center (Timothy’s orphanage) which is just getting started with about 15 kids. It is about 10 miles in the country and property adjoins Timothy’s house. When the school term ends this week he will be getting about another 20 students.
It was here that we learned that we could either build a kitchen and dining room or start building the church. This will be the second Grace church as Timothy will continue to meet in town as well. This church will be much bigger and more expensive to build than the hill tribe church we built last year. Even though we won’t be able to finish the project we decided to start it. We plan to get the land leveled and the foundation poured and the large concrete posts in place that will form the structure of the building. We also will be building a concrete post fence around the property. At 65’ by 30 feet of sanctuary this may be the largest church in the Fang area and will mostly be attended by the hilltribe people (I don’t recall which one) who work in the tangerine groves in the area. They currently have no church building and no pastor.
Next (about 6pm) we traveled to the Akha hilltribe where Dana, Mandy, Dan, Patty, Bruce and Laurie built a church building last year. The youth ALSO visited this tribe at Christmas 2 years ago. It was VERY exciting to Bruce and Laurie to see these people again and they recognized us and greeted us all very warmly. The tribe has a full time pastor (Tom, who is Lahu). Laurie introduced us and thanked them for their hospitality. Michael spoke and thanked them for being some of the people who so positively affected his son James who was part of the youth team 2 years ago. Tyler preached about the need to reach out to others (this tribe is all Christian). Timothy also preached to us in English and in Thai to the tribe. As we concluded they served us a wonderful spread of fresh roasted peanuts, squash, tea, some sort of spicy pickled herb, and awesome bananas (now the youth know what Laurie and I were raving about)
Next Saturday, they will slaughter a pig and we will dedicate the church. We were back at the hotel, had dinner and our summary session and in bed by 11 pm and everyone was told to be ready for breakfast at 8 am.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Travel Mercies
(from Laurie) “Travel mercies” was the operative phrase for the day. We had to get our 700 pounds of books as well as the team to the Bangkok airport for a 2 hour flight to Fang. The wonderful people at the Good News Bible Center in Bangkok facilitated the whole thing. They arranged for transportation to the airport for books, bodies, and bags. Bruce and Michael went 2 hours ahead of the team with the books because it was determined that it would be 15 times cheaper to air freight the books than to bring them with us on the plane and pay the over weight limit charges. Because they packaged in boxes rather than in luggage like we had originally planned, we were charged a cheaper book rate for them. (Thank you, Janice Busboom!) Unlike how things usually work in Thailand, all transportation arrived on time and we got checked in without difficulties. Our only bad moment was checking out of the hotel. Bruce had pre-paid 60% of the bill on check-in, but they tried to charge us the full amount when Jan went to pay. When I kept saying “no” and shaking my head, then looking for the phone number of people who had helped us check in, they backed down and actually gave us a better price than originally intended.
Pastor Timothy and his wife Fang were waiting for us at the Chiang Rai airport with 2 vans, a pickup for the books, and his pickup. We stopped briefly at the world’s largest gong on the way to Fang. It was big. Our next stop was at the Lihu hill tribe village where I gave medicine to the mother for her little boy’s ears. Pastor Nathan from New York City brought a team there after we built our church and built a church for this village. It was exciting for the team to meet the people of the village. For most of them it was their first experience with people living such a modest life—content with their simple bamboo huts.
Since we built the first hilltribe church building (Akah tribe) for pastor Timothy, he has had teams build 5 more churches in just over 12 months.
We’re staying at the Tangerine Villa again this year, beautiful and very clean, but as Angie says the beds give a new definition for firm. (Imagine a very slightly padded board.) But the place is clean!
We had a wonderful Thai dinner--Pastor Timothy did the ordering and we had a feast. We ended the day with “debriefing”—talking about what most impacted us. The person who leads the morning devotions leads the debriefing. We each have a day to lead. Already, these times have been powerful. The Lord is working through the youth as well as through the adults.
The Lord is honoring our prayers. Travel with a group of 13 is going much more smoothly than expected. The youth have great attitudes. They’ve been willing to pitch in and help where ever needed, and we haven’t heard a word of complaint despite long days and HEAT and HUMIDITY. Thank goodness Fang is less humid than Bangkok and it cools down to the 70’s at night. We’re all doing well now.
Pastor Timothy and his wife Fang were waiting for us at the Chiang Rai airport with 2 vans, a pickup for the books, and his pickup. We stopped briefly at the world’s largest gong on the way to Fang. It was big. Our next stop was at the Lihu hill tribe village where I gave medicine to the mother for her little boy’s ears. Pastor Nathan from New York City brought a team there after we built our church and built a church for this village. It was exciting for the team to meet the people of the village. For most of them it was their first experience with people living such a modest life—content with their simple bamboo huts.
Since we built the first hilltribe church building (Akah tribe) for pastor Timothy, he has had teams build 5 more churches in just over 12 months.
We’re staying at the Tangerine Villa again this year, beautiful and very clean, but as Angie says the beds give a new definition for firm. (Imagine a very slightly padded board.) But the place is clean!
We had a wonderful Thai dinner--Pastor Timothy did the ordering and we had a feast. We ended the day with “debriefing”—talking about what most impacted us. The person who leads the morning devotions leads the debriefing. We each have a day to lead. Already, these times have been powerful. The Lord is working through the youth as well as through the adults.
The Lord is honoring our prayers. Travel with a group of 13 is going much more smoothly than expected. The youth have great attitudes. They’ve been willing to pitch in and help where ever needed, and we haven’t heard a word of complaint despite long days and HEAT and HUMIDITY. Thank goodness Fang is less humid than Bangkok and it cools down to the 70’s at night. We’re all doing well now.
Personal Messages
Scott: today we went to a high school and 12 people got saved. Lots of things are going on but I am having fun and I think most of us are having fun too. Staying healthy and eating really good food all the time. HI mom and dad love you lots.
Kc: hey today was a great day!! Lots of things have been going on and my eyes have been opened it has been great! It has been cool to see the Christians here in Thailand and their love for the Lord…
Abby: hey everyone I am having fun and I miss you all
Tyler: Mom and Dad I love you and miss you
Bekah: Mom I miss you a lot and love you a ton. Give Lucy a kiss for me
Rosie: Hello everyone Thailand is amazing, it is so different, I love it. It’s been so good to see the work God is doing here. Love you all!
Ryan: Having a good time. Glued to the video camera as usual but I am getting a lot of good footage. Love you Evie, family and friends.
Mark: I was told that less than one percent of Thailand is Christian, well after seeing the faith and love people have for Jesus, especially the kids and hill tribes, that is soon going to change, GOD is working in Thailand, and the percent is soon to change to 2 % then 5% then 17% and yada…. Love Ya all Toot Toot Moot
Kc: hey today was a great day!! Lots of things have been going on and my eyes have been opened it has been great! It has been cool to see the Christians here in Thailand and their love for the Lord…
Abby: hey everyone I am having fun and I miss you all
Tyler: Mom and Dad I love you and miss you
Bekah: Mom I miss you a lot and love you a ton. Give Lucy a kiss for me
Rosie: Hello everyone Thailand is amazing, it is so different, I love it. It’s been so good to see the work God is doing here. Love you all!
Ryan: Having a good time. Glued to the video camera as usual but I am getting a lot of good footage. Love you Evie, family and friends.
Mark: I was told that less than one percent of Thailand is Christian, well after seeing the faith and love people have for Jesus, especially the kids and hill tribes, that is soon going to change, GOD is working in Thailand, and the percent is soon to change to 2 % then 5% then 17% and yada…. Love Ya all Toot Toot Moot
News from Angie
Here we are! I was looking out the open doorway of the hill tribe church that a team built last February at a red setting sun thinking, "I am actually in Thailand!" You'd think I have that figured out by now, it is not this HOT and HUMID in the northwest! Just looking out over the hillsides with such varied foliage, banana palms, tall pampas grasses, teak and 60 foot tall bamboo trees in the twilight maybe the mood is right for me to realize or acclimate to being in a totally different culture. There is a real transition to be made just arriving here (Day 6 since departure but only our first day in the countryside)to coming alongside rather than feeling totally like an outsider. We are called "farong", foreigner. We joined with this hill tribe, the akha, for evening worship. I wish I had the time to describe it here. I am at the building project and Sam-long, just arrived, the building “foreman" just arrived so I've got to go! Computers are wonderful!!. Lots of technology here.
Thank you for your prayers. God's grace has been obvious.
The youth went to the High School to "teach English". They will show scripture and parallel it with their language and explain. After the last team was here, the kids asked Pastor Timothy to start a church there for them. More later, I am missing the description of the new church!
God bless, Angie Feuerstein for the team
Pray: Encounter planned for Tue or Wed, Pray against spiritual attack. Need wisdom, boldness, to have the words of Christ, Good stories to explai
Thank you for your prayers. God's grace has been obvious.
The youth went to the High School to "teach English". They will show scripture and parallel it with their language and explain. After the last team was here, the kids asked Pastor Timothy to start a church there for them. More later, I am missing the description of the new church!
God bless, Angie Feuerstein for the team
Pray: Encounter planned for Tue or Wed, Pray against spiritual attack. Need wisdom, boldness, to have the words of Christ, Good stories to explai
Friday, March 10, 2006
Arrival in Bangkok
We arrived in good condition. Everyone is well. It is hot here. Took the grand of bangkok tour. It is 5:00pm and youth are now going to university for evangelism and bring people from college to this evenings chuch service at 6 where we adults will re-join them.
Everyone is doing well. The heat is more of problem for some than others, but now everyone knows to drink LOTS of water.
I'll try to upload some pictures in the next day or so.
thanks for the comments.
Bruce
Everyone is doing well. The heat is more of problem for some than others, but now everyone knows to drink LOTS of water.
I'll try to upload some pictures in the next day or so.
thanks for the comments.
Bruce
Monday, March 06, 2006
Team Thailand 2006
We are working hard on the final details of our trip. Everyone is very excited. Our primary project will be either completing an Orphanage in Fang, Thailand (actually about 15 Miles out of town) or helping Pastor Timothy Tang build the foursquare church building in Fang. Maybe both. We'll be working with another youth team from Singapore. We'll also be running 1 or more encounters for the Thais and the Singapore team, and hopefully with at least one Hill Tribe. We'll be update this blog while we are in Thailand
Youth will be doing skits (pantomime) for each of our encounter topics to help make things more visual. Youth are also prepared with 3 songs that have hand motions, and have prepared their personal testimony and brief sermon.
We are working hard on the final details of our trip. Everyone is very excited. Our primary project will be either completing an Orphanage in Fang, Thailand (actually about 15 Miles out of town) or helping Pastor Timothy Tang build the foursquare church building in Fang. Maybe both. We'll be working with another youth team from Singapore. We'll also be running 1 or more encounters for the Thais and the Singapore team, and hopefully with at least one Hill Tribe. We'll be update this blog while we are in Thailand
Youth will be doing skits (pantomime) for each of our encounter topics to help make things more visual. Youth are also prepared with 3 songs that have hand motions, and have prepared their personal testimony and brief sermon.
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