First, let us talk about the 10th; our last day of official works in Northern Thailand. As a team we split up again. The Taylor’s were working with local pastors and adults at the Thai Christian Fellowship in the morning (their theme was Biblical examples of counselor character and how they should behave). The Taylor’s, for the first time, were able to divide the class into four groups. The Burmese and Thai style of learning is very instructor intensive; while we like interaction in American education. The groups were very successful and they actually communicated openly about their thoughts and questions.
The rest of the team (Jim, Larry, Renda, Lois, Min and Kyu Kyu) were at Love and Care School working with the upper grade students. They were helping the students with fluoride treatments, English as a second language, and puppet skit creation and judging. (The two winning teams would present their skit to the Hway Kay Loke Orphanage later in the evening.) At noon we all ate at the Thai Christian Fellowship. Jim and Larry stayed at TCF and introduced the pastors and adults to Community Health Evangelism CHE. Jim and Larry reported that group discussion was very good and they felt very successful with their presentation. After lunch the Taylor’s moved over to the Love and Care School and helped the team with the rest of the afternoon (more fluoride treatments and taking photos).
The highlight of the day was going to Hway Kay Loke for the evening. It was supper time and a hundred+ children were ready to eat. They sang and prayed. They lined up with their bowls. They received their portions with respect. They went to eat at, we are sure, their usual locations. Then someone said, “Seconds.” Many of the children ran to the server station for the meat, which the team had purchased, for this special meal. The extra pot of rice was also popular with the boys who dove in with bowl or hands to receive an additional portion. Praise God for our supporters who enabled us to provide this special meal. But the biggest treat of the evening was still ahead. The teens from Love and Care School presented a “Traditional Karen Dance” in full/beautiful red and white costume. We will have photographs and video at the celebration dinner. One team member stated an American saying, not to be derogatory, “They really cleaned up well.” After the dance the two winning teams, from Love and Care, presented their puppet skits. Each team had written and directed their health informational skits. The little children laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment in their own language. It was a great night. The team returned to the DK Hotel for our final night in Mae Sot. We had our final Mae Sot meals at the Canadian owned local restaurant in the evening and our final breakfast at the local New Zealand owned restaurant on the following morning. (How’s that for a run-on sentence.)
We left Mae Sot with a little fearfulness about our trip home and if would arrive home on time. Would we have cancelled flights or what? It is an eight hour drive back to Bangkok. We debriefed on several themes. What was the best experience, the most unexpected, the least favorite thing, most inspirational, etc, etc? It would be unfair for the writer to characterize individual responses. However, the team would say, without any doubt or argument, “This was a wonderful and productive trip.” Let us count the ways:
1. We were able to experience, not all, but many of the ministry locations that Somchai has developed over his 30 years in Thailand. He is very worthy of our support!
2. We were able to meet young pastors who will be the backbone of the mission in years to come.
3. We were able to see the wonderful kindness/gentleness of people trapped in Refugee camps who have Christ and each other for strength.
4. We were able to teach new ideas and concepts, like CHE, to their willing/listening ears and hearts.
5. We were able to impact hundreds of children with new health ideas and lessons. We also let them know that Jesus is Lord of their life through skits and fun filled interaction. The children were able to know that because all we did was in the name of Jesus.
6. We were able to share the pain of Min and Kyu Kyu when they left relatives in two different camps. Min and Kyu Kyu were able to bring to life the real problem of the Karen and Burmese people.
7. We were able to more fully understand the difficulty of Urban Missions. Most of us said, “It was the hardest part of the trip.”
8. We were able to feel the emptiness of Buddhist idols. The opulence of the shrines of Buddha and the surrounding poverty.
9. We were able to know, as a team, that this mission is one that we would want to return to with a larger group.
10. We know any larger group should be divided to spend more days at one location with a continuity of lessons. Some ideas were: Medical, English Education, Bible Study, Counseling, Health Education, the possibilities are endless.
11. We know that Somchai would welcome individuals who could commit to longer periods of time for specific jobs. (We met a woman at our last breakfast in Mae Sot who was from Detroit who volunteers at Hway Kay Loke – we had no idea she was even there.)
12. We were able to recognize and appreciate, at a much more sensitive level, our families, our church and our Savior. We thank you – family, church, and Lord.
We are in Bangkok. We know our flight is cancelled. We know that our “fearless leader and world traveler” Jim Boyle is doing all he can to get us home in a timely manner. He just told us we are flying to Los Angeles, skipping Tokyo, and then a “Red-eye” to Dulles – but Helen Boyle is the official spokesperson for the reality of our return. Listen to her.
There are untold stories that we did not have time to write. If you have any questions about anything on our trip, please do not hesitate to ask any team members. If we left you hanging; wanting to know more, come to the Celebration Dinner on March 14th. We love you and hope to see you within the next 48 hours. (Have the snow plowed please.) --- The Thailand Team
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Dear Family & Friends,
. . . . Their travel home has been delayed due to the weather so please keep them in your prayers as they re-route and arrive at Dulles Airport on Saturday morning at 6:24AM.
They will actually begin their journey home at 3:30PM (Thailand Time) Friday afternoon (3:30AM Friday our time). They will fly directly to Los Angeles and then on to Dulles. A special thank you to Dennis Curran and Alex Lozada for waking up in the wee hours to meet them.
Blessings, Helen Boyle
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