Thursday October 30, 2008

Dear Family and Friends:

We have arrived in Bangkok and had a (mostly) restful night. We wanted to share with you a couple of highlights so far:

While not detained, Alex was asked by Thai Customs officials to join them for a special investigation of his luggage. The officials questioned the well digging equipment and charged an import duty of 30% (for which we had planned). As Tom enjoyed the experience Alex commented “Nothing is fun at 12:30 at night”
Jerry, Sylvia, and Jim patiently waited for Alex to be “released”.
At Bangkok Christian Guest House, we have met several missionaries doing God’s work in Thailand and Myanmar. One newlywed couple of three months, was headed back to Myanmar. We met two ladies from Virginia who were teaching English and Bible Studies to Burmese refugees in the Mae Sot area. They were on a multi-month mission

Today we gather supplies for our work in Mae Sot. Somchai Panya is on the way from Mae Sot to Bangkok to meet us.

Tomorrow we will drive the 500 kilometers to Mae Sot.

We thank God for our safe travel. We ask you to continue to pray for us as we travel north and for His wisdom and direction.

Sharing Christ,
Alex, Jerry, Sylvia, Tom and Jim

Thailand Team

After months of prayer and preparation, the Thailand Short Term Mission Team is on their way to Bangkok. They are a team of five - Alex Lozada, a pastor at Mountain Christian Church, is the team leader. He will be working with Burmese and Thai Pastors and church Leaders. Jim Boyle will be teaching how to dig and prepare a fresh water well with manual boring tools. This training will enable the pastors and others to dig wells to provide clean drinking water for their villages. Jerry and Sylvia Taylor are professional Christian counselors and will be teaching the Thai and Burmese pastors in counseling and conflict resolution. Tom Steck will be the light of God’s love to the little children at the Khwe Ka Lok Village Orphanage.

The group will arrive in Bangkok today, October 29th. After some much needed rest, they will spend some of the day on October 30th gathering necessary supplies. On Friday, they will make their way to Mae Sot Thailand which is about 300 miles north of Bangkok. Mae Sot is on the border with Burma (Myanmar) and is the home to several refugee camps that house Karen refugees from Burma.

The team will be working alongside an MCC supported Christian Missionary named Somchai Panya. He has worked in the area for a number of years. Somchai will be their guide and translator.

The team will minister in the Mae La Refugee Camp, the Khwe Ka Lok Village Orphanage and Shelter, and Noun Boa Village Bible School. I am excited to hear from them over the next 15 days and equally excited to report back to you all that can be accomplished through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Photos from the Mae La Refugee Camp


Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28: 18-20

Hello again friends and family, I just wanted to let you know that the team has arrived in Thailand - they will make their way to the hotel for some much needed sleep. Thailand is 11 hours ahead of us so as I write this it is 1:20AM - Oct. 30th. Also, I have had a few people not get the attachment in my first mail. The attachment contains a brief intro of the team and where they will be ministering. If you were unable to open it, let me know and I will send it again. Thank you,Helen