Our plan was to wake up by 6:30 a.m. but we were made aware, at 6:00 a.m., by loud speakers in the village that lasted for 30 minutes, that today was Election Day. Now, don’t get excited about free elections in Thailand. The elections are for the village council only. The Mayor is appointed; the Governor is appointed and the King is the Royal Family. Not so much democracy for a 6:00 a.m. wake-up call. Other than that the morning was fine. An order of scrambled eggs turns out to be an omelet with Thai spices accompanied by a “burning” feeling after the swallow.
Today was a four hour travel day back to Mae Sot. In total it was more like a three hour roller-coaster ride that makes Cedar Point feel like a kiddy ride. The hairpin turns; heights and depths of each dip with a noticeable bumpiness the whole way were a little much. Two of the team members who have never been car-sick, had their ½ gallon plastic bags ready just in case. Some of the team members have driven the whole length of the Blue Ridge/Skyline Drive; except for the lack of fall colors, the views beat anything they had ever seen.
On a more serious note, about half way back to Mae Sot the team stopped at the camp at Umpium. You will remember this is the camp were Kyu Kyu’s sister-in-law, niece and nephew are housed. They were able to meet us at the front gate and allowed to cross the road. We had taken photos of the family and stopped to give them to them. There, we encircled them and prayed for them. (As they say, “There was not a dry eye in the house.” – the team is uncertain how Min and Kyu Kyu were able to drive away after seeing their relatives go back behind the barbed wire. Pray for Min and Kyu Kyu and their family. Pray that one day they will be united with out barbed wire around them nor separating them. (We know they were able to leave because of their faith and trust in God that will one day answer their/our prayers.)
By the end of the of the four hour drive back to Mae Sot, the team had decided they would go straight to Wikalow Orphanage. The children at the orphanage now total over 180 (in 2008, our first trip, about 80 orphans lived there). Somchai told us, the persecution in Burma has increased and parents/families are sending their children across the borders to safe places. Wikalow is a safe place, but it is small, undermanned, and bursting at the seams. They need more housing and adult leaders. We hope we can make a difference in their situation as we tell their story and financial support grows for the Christian children housed there. Another new addition to the Wikalow community was armed check points on the road to the orphanage. But despite all that – the children were waiting for us to arrive. We sang songs; we photographed all of them (only 161 were willing). We will be traveling back to them later this week for games and crafts. The team commented on how obedient and cooperative the children were. It was the perfect ending after a long and tiresome day.
Tomorrow, Sunday, we will be in Mae La Refugee Camp. This camp holds over 50,000 refugees. The team will split up into three teams. Three of the team members will be preaching at three of the five Christian Churches in the camp. Min will lead and peach for one team; he needs no translator. Jerry and Larry will lead and preach for the other two teams – translators are a must – which means longer or shorter sermons. (Alex, at least we knew days ahead of time rather than minutes upon arriving at the camp.) Pray for the teams, their messages and their interactions with the people at Mae La.
By the way, it has not gone un-noticed, by the team, that you are having snow of “Epic Proportions” (as defined by the English speaking cable news networks) in the Middle Atlantic States. We have heard about some electric outages, etc. etc. For those of you who are in those areas, “We are Praying for you.” (Please have the snow removed by the time we arrive back home.) --- The Thailand Team
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thailand team 5 Feb 2010 from village UpPhang
Greetings from the mountain side
We did not write to you yesterday because it was very late and we were very tired. Our journey to the first refugee camp yesterday was three hours from Mae Sot. We have not seen, ever, the many “hair-pin” turns on mountain roads that we saw yesterday and today. (Not in
We were greeted with a lunch, Indian style on the floor, of traditional Burmese and Thai foods. As one of the team members stated, “They have pulled out all the stops and given us the best they have.” This was and is a very humbling experience. This camp had approximately 30,000 people (give or take away a 1,000 or 2,000). We also learned that this camp has Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims (any religious group) within the barbed wire. We learned that the dictatorship in
Today, the 5th, we traveled to the Nu Pho refugee camp; this camp has approximately 40,000 people. They were not behind barbed wire – this camp is really close to nothing – not even a main road. Our driver was anxious about his new van on these very rough roads (he had already damaged his van on the roads in Umpium Refugee camp). We were again greeted with a lunch with the pastors and leaders of the Christians in the camp. All the people we encountered were and are incredibly kind and happy to see us. It reminds us of the stories of Paul in the New Testament when he talked about greeting the people in Christ – it brings tears to our collective eyes.
A summary of the two days activities are almost identical:
- Jerry and Min conducted two CHE Bible Studies 1) Forgiveness 2) The Attributes of God
- Sylvia and Larry conducted two CHE Christian Living Studies 1) Jesus Teachings on Love (Love your enemies) 2) How to Pray for Others.
- Renda, Lois, Kyu Kyu, and Jim lead Youth Ministry activities (what a blast!) 1) A puppet show about Hygiene. 2) Songs with the puppets and Jesus. 3) Balloon hats. 4) Photographs with each of the children in their Balloon hats. 5) Bounce-out Dodge Ball. 6) Juggle ball groups. Etc. etc. Eventually, there were sooo many kids, all the team was involved in some way with the children’s activities. The children were so excited; so were their parents.
- Each camp day was approximately 4-5 hours of teaching and activity time. The drives back to our Guest House were 2 hours going and 2 hours coming.
Today, we also traveled to a new construction site that Somchai is building within ½ mile of the Burmese border. On the border there is a small village with many children and young people. Somchai is going to build and equip a
When we returned to UpPhang, this evening, we reflected about the two camps we visited. The first question was difficult, “What do you think about the living conditions at the camp?” Renda and Jim put our experience into perspective when they said, “The conditions are good.” Another team member stated, “Define good.” The reply, “There is no raw sewage in the streets or pathways. The children are clothed and fed. Parents are attentive to their children. The children have a school (primitive) and a residence that is neat and clean. They have a church area to worship in.” Jim and Renda have both been to the Kenyan slums and their perspective reflected their knowledge. The rest of the team only has our
It was interesting that at least two team members who walked down an alley way in Bangkok thought even the refugee camp was better than the city. (We told you Urban Ministry is difficult.) All of us agreed that we would never want to be in a place that would restrict our local travel nor allow us to work. We also recognized that the people we encountered in the last two days were happy to see American Christians. We were a breath of fresh air from a dull daily routine within a camp that does not promote hope.
But, we were with people who know, without any doubt when you hear them sing, that their hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of you may recall, at a time in Christian circles in
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thailand team 3 Feb 2010
First, we want to reflect on our activities on the 2nd of February. Urban missions or ministry is very difficult and the Coley’s are to be praised for their work here. They have been at the University for eight years. They said, “In those eight years we have baptized about eight people. We have averaged about one conversion a y
ear.” That is difficult work. The team remarked that our activity level for the first four days in Thailand was slow, by our American standards. None of us felt like we would be called to such a ministry, but a favorite Bible word did come to mind – perseverance. God has blessed the Coley’s with that gift.
We also know that neither we nor they have any idea if only one of those conversions will be the next (name you favorite Christian leader) person to bring many to Christ. Greg Coley gave us a tour of the University (ranked #2 in Thailand) and the team sat in a public place and prayed for the students, the professors, the Grapevine Christian Campus Ministry, and anything else that came to our minds. We visited the Coley’s home and met their three children (we had already seen them on Sunday) but this was in their environment and it was good.
Our job at Grapevine was to serve the university students at their Souper Tuesday event. The ladies, on the team, shopped for the ingredients of Bob Taylor’s famous “Crab-balls” with Old Bay seasoning. The men went shopping for supplies that would be sent back to the Sunday kid’s activity (another Grapevine project). The leaders needed folders and other materials to keep the children’s individual “stuff” in, so it would be protected from week to week. The afternoon was spent preparing the “crab-balls” and vegetable trays and homemade dip. We helped set-up the activity center with tables and chairs.
All individuals involved for the coming evening stopped and prayed for the influx of university students and the purpose of the evening – sharing Christ in a Buddhist world. We played games, watched very short parts of “The Passion of Christ” (subtitled in English and Thai languages). Questions were asked about a God that would willingly give up His life for the benefit of the world. No other god has ever done that! The question was answered in small groups and in Thai language so the team did not know the answers given, but God knows what He is doing with each one there and the leadership of a very difficult urban mission.
After trying, and not being very successful, in flagging down taxis at 9:45 pm to go back downtown, we were able to get two taxis that were willing to make the trip without charg
ing extra.
Next, let us tell you about today and our travel to Mae Sot. Thailand countryside is very pretty, especially as you get closer to the mountains. The rice fields are planted (the #1 export) and building seems to still be going on in Thailand. Roads are being paved and widened. Gas was 23.68 Baht a ½ liter. You can look that up and know that gas is still cheap in the U.S. We also traveled some toll roads getting out of Bangkok; the urban worl
d was left behind.
As we came closer to Mae Sot we began to encounter police and army checkpoints. Somchai said, “Most of the time they are checking for drugs or illegal’s” (like the people we will see tomorrow and the following two days). Most of you know that the refugee camps are filled, for the most part, with Christians who have fled Burma. Somchai told us today, “The dictatorship in Burma is now targeting all religious groups for destruction or retraining. Refugees are becoming greater in Thailand.” (We also learned, on our trip to the Grand Palace, that the Burmese Kings, 100’s of years ago, were always fighting with the Thai Kings and this is why any Burmese refugees are kept behind barbed-wire. They are still not trusted by the Thai people.)
Finally, we made two additional stops along the way. One was in a “Hillside Tribal” market where Somchai bought some root spices that he can only find here. The people were very friendly. The second stop was not far from Mae Sot; here was a statue/shrine of the regional spirit that watched over the area. As native people drove by they would “honk” their horns to acknowledge the presence of their protector god.
We are in a land that does not lack for many of the basics of life, but we are in a land that is stuck in idol worship and animism. Also, FYI we are at the DK Hotel where a sign in the lobby states, “No Child Sex Trade Allowed.” That’s another story. ---- The Thailand Team
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thailand team 1 Feb 2010
Well, the day began early for a couple on the team. They woke up at 4:00 a.m. and could not go back to sleep. So, they had a “hot tea party” while she read her Bible and he read more of “The Reason for God.” The team met for breakfast at8:00 a.m. Jim noted the variety of food that greeted us every morning. Renda had devotions based on Mark 8:1-10. Her theme was compassion – this evolved into a long discussion time about missions, Christianity, world religions and purpose.
We met at 10:00 a.m. to go to the Grand Palace. Believe it or not – we did not take the traditional taxi – we took a river taxi (a much cooler ride on a very hot day and about the same price). The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings established in 1782 (about the time of the founding of the United States). The Grand Palace was the Royal residence and contained the throne halls (no Royal family lives there today). When a new king is enthroned he spends the first night as ruler in the original bedchamber of the kings. This is an act of tradition showing that he is assuming his power. Also, in the complex is the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha (one of Greg Coley’s interns said, “It’s really the throne of Satan.”). The Emerald Buddha is really carved from a block of Jade sitting on a Thai throne. In 1434 the image was covered in plaster to hide its worth, but when the plaster began to fall off, many years later, it was mistaken for green emerald and the name stuck. (Now that you have that interesting fact we’ll turn to the team opinions of the Grand Palace.)
All the team was amazed at the opulence of the 
buildings. The glitters of gold and porcelain were every where. The statues were very detailed and strange (like the one that looked like a rooster (no not Renda’s rubber chicken) with the beak of an eagle and growing out of the top of the beak – an elephants trunk). There were guards in stark white uniforms; that stood at attention like the Buckingham guards. All that opulence surrounded by poverty. Thai people were admitted free to the Grand Palace, but the real kicker was many came with a gift of an egg or flowers or purchased some sacrifice to be offered on the grounds (not the same as the blood sacrifice of the Jews in the Old Testament). The team was also struck by the total pagan idol look and feeling of the grounds – while we’re sure that the Thai’s saw themselves as standing on holy ground. We talked about how today’s Christians may want to visit the Holy Land, but we know that God is every where and His Spirit is in everything, so therefore He is with us regardless of where we are. What a comforting feeling.
After a hot day in the Grand Palace (maybe Greg’s intern was right) we headed back to the hotel. We actually had difficulty finding a taxi that would take us, but our fearless leader prevailed.
We had lunch at the hotel and then four of the team decided to follow Renda’s idea about foot massages. Oh, it felt so good.
The rest of the evening was devoted to dividing up all the games, toys, and assignments for the real work of the rest of our trip. We unloaded eight bags of stuff and rearranged them into compact kits for three refugee camps, two orphanage schools and the small Bible College. More supply shopping tomorrow and “Souper Tuesday” with the Coley’s at the University. We are going to be up at 6:00 a.m. for a long day of work. It is estimated that we will not return to the hotel until 11:00 p.m. So, tomorrow night you may not have a detailed update. --- The Thailand Team
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thailand team Sunday 31 January 2010
Breakfast was served at 8:00 a.m. after a long night’s sleep (at least 8-10 hours). Lois led the morning devotions. Her theme was “Forgiveness” from three Old Testament sources.
Off to Church on the elevated train (with some adventure and misdirection); we finally arrived at an air-conditioned building that is owned by the church (they are able to say with pride). The church was started 35 years ago by six individuals who spoke English. The attraction for the community was that this church was a place to learn how to speak English. The congregation now totals a little over 100. The sermon was given by a female co-pastor; who is one of the founding six individuals. Her message was “we should not be seeds like the ones found in the pyramids that were in darkness for thousand of years. Those seeds did not bear fruit. We must plant and bear fruit today for Jesus.” After church they served lunch for the entire congregation.
The team rehearsed some of the planned children’s activities for our visit to an “inner-city slum.” However, after the rehearsal we were treated to some Swenson Ice Cream on a very hot day, a wonderful surprise. On our walks to and from the church we passed rows and rows of people selling and trading Buddha statues, necklaces, pendants, etc, etc. One of the team members commented on the similarity of this situation to that of many Old and New Testament stories about selling and keeping idols.
The team, along with members of the church, piled into taxis and traveled into the edge of the “slum.” We walked across a paved bridge and saw many people on the road and outside their houses. We met the children in a small square; we set up our learning stations. The church team goes into this “slum” every week to work with the children (so we were their support). However, we made this week special. The team made balloon hats, took the children’s pictures, printed them out and created a photo necklace for each child. The kids were excited, but several of the parents were just as excited to maybe have their first photo of their child. One of the Thai women turned out to be a great balloon hat maker. The team had ball tosses with color recognition for each age group. We spent about two hours with wonderful interaction with children and adults. (There were a few adults who seemed to be sour about the kids having fun with “these” people, but that was just a perception – we were safe and secure.) Some of the team, who went into a building by the square, remarked, “It was dark and oppressive.”
We traveled back to the hotel, by taxi, at around 6:30 p.m. No time to wash-up or relax. It was time for dinner. We traveled, by taxi again (taxis in Thailand are cheap – about 30 cents or 100 Baht), to the Cafe Laos. Jim and Min expertly selected the right combination of platters for a great meal. We had our team meeting and ended with prayer in the Cafe. Back to the hotel, by taxi of course, to a well deserved nights rest. --- The Thailand Team
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thailand team arrives in Bangkok - 30 Jan 2010
We arrived in Bangkok airport 11:30 Friday. By the time we gathered the luggage it was 2:00 am Saturday morning.
Most of the team slept about six hours before getting up for breakfast. Some only slept for about an hour. We sporadically met (sleeping in) for breakfast. The buffet was very good with all kinds of foods available – traditional and Thai.
After breakfast we met with Greg Coley (CMF missionary) to plan the next couple of days in Bangkok. Min led devotions about being “shrewd as serpent and gentle as a dove” while we are in Thailand. The group walked to the “elevated train” for a trip to the open market (Chuchuck). The market was not like “Target” according to Min, but it was filled with most anything you want to imagine. Renda came all the way to Thailand to walk away with a “rubber chicken” that makes noise – we are sure she will let everyone listen to her chicken. The market had new smells that are sensitive to most of us. Lois had Pepsi in a bag. The vendor took the glass bottle and poured the contents into a plastic bag and gave her a straw. A new experience for her.
After short naps and Renda’s foot massage, next to the hotel, we were off to dinner on the River of Kings. The Thai traditional meal was very good. The scenery along the river was filled with the opulence of the Kings buildings and the slums of Old Bangkok. The meal came complete with traditional Thai music and native dancers.
Back at the hotel we met for reflections of the day. We had a short meeting and prayer. Before bed the team is gathering the supplies we need to tomorrow. Tomorrow morning will be working at the church with the Coley’s. --- The Thailand Team
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thailand team - travel update January 28, 2010
We meet at Mountain Christian Church at 7:30 am. We load a van with eight people and another van with 16 pieces of luggage and carry-ons. After prayer with family and friends, who came to see us off, we leave at 8:00 am from the parking lot.
Dennis Curran driving and Min Thike navigating we weave through traffic on our way to Dulles International airport.
When we arrive Jim converts the money we need for Thailand into Thai Baht. We have several thousand dollars to exchange. He is told that he will take all the Thai currency that is available in the local exchange. They are giving him all the denominations that they can scrounge.
We begin to hear our flight called. We walk quickly (it was a long walk). At one point Jim begins to run to the gate to make sure we are not left behind. (Earlier Jim had teased us that we were being diverted to Africa – so we kept up.) All was well and we were not the last to board. Another passenger was being paged after we were seated and settled.
The adventure begins as we take off for a 14 hour non-stop flight to Tokyo. Some slept and some did not. Needless to say it was a long flight. Those who could not sleep watched three “B” movies.
We landed in Tokyo at 4 pm local time on Friday Jan. 29th (which is 2 am. Friday Jan. 29th in MD.) We have approx. 2 hours before we depart for Bangkok. It is an 8 hour flight. OH JOY!
--- The Thailand Team
Dennis Curran driving and Min Thike navigating we weave through traffic on our way to Dulles International airport.
When we arrive Jim converts the money we need for Thailand into Thai Baht. We have several thousand dollars to exchange. He is told that he will take all the Thai currency that is available in the local exchange. They are giving him all the denominations that they can scrounge.
We begin to hear our flight called. We walk quickly (it was a long walk). At one point Jim begins to run to the gate to make sure we are not left behind. (Earlier Jim had teased us that we were being diverted to Africa – so we kept up.) All was well and we were not the last to board. Another passenger was being paged after we were seated and settled.
The adventure begins as we take off for a 14 hour non-stop flight to Tokyo. Some slept and some did not. Needless to say it was a long flight. Those who could not sleep watched three “B” movies.
We landed in Tokyo at 4 pm local time on Friday Jan. 29th (which is 2 am. Friday Jan. 29th in MD.) We have approx. 2 hours before we depart for Bangkok. It is an 8 hour flight. OH JOY!
--- The Thailand Team
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