In November, Amy and I had the privilege of helping to lead a team of 20+ volunteers who were coming to help out with FBR and some satellite ministries for a month. The group was made up mostly of 18-22 year old students attending a Bible college in Washington, along with two of their leaders.
(Travlin in Style)
We started off in Chiang Mai and were able to take a trip that lasted almost 2 weeks along the Thai-Burma border to various locations. First stop was Mae La Refugee Camp near Mae Sot, where the students helped out at a Bible college for refugee students. They put on chapel programs, did manual labor, taught some classes, visited a children’s home, and built relationships with the students and local children.
(Refugee kids at a camp)
I personally spent a lot of my time with the refugee kids. I think my best memory is sneaking away with a few of the little ones on the first day and teaching gymnastics in a small field. We did handstands, backbends, cartwheels, forward rolls, etc and we all finished the lesson covered in dirt and picking dead grass out of each other’s hair.
(The Bible school we visited)
The next stop was Bueng Klung, where we met the infamous “Mad Dog.” His real name is actually Elyah, and he was the first FBR Ranger! He is a medic with FBR and has a really important place at the table.
Meeting Mad Dog was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. He is absolutely, ridiculously, hilarious. His nickname actually comes from the fact that he LOVES to eat dog (just remember people, jungle living…it happens…and I won’t confirm or deny having tried dog myself…).
(Mad dog- proof ;))
In Bueng Klung we did some construction projects, moved a lot of rocks, cooked an AMAZING Thanksgiving dinner (village style), played soccer in the rain with a plethora of Karen boys, and enjoyed our post-work baths in the river (don’t feel bad, it felt so good and we got to swing from vines)!
(Eliyah is actually a great cook- helping us with Thanksgiving dinner here)
(One of the group leaders bbq'ed this chicken over a fire for us. Bamboo has many uses…)
(Tried to scare Mad Dog before the meal by hiding in a large pot on the table…I know…typical..)
The next part of the trip was amazing (maybe not the universal opinion). We walked over the mountains 3-5 hours in the hot sun to go visit a remote village where Elyah runs a medical clinic. Myself, and a few of the FBR staff, tried to run most of the way and it was such a fun challenge! Exhausted we arrived in Leh Ton Ku (not before half the team got lost and almost accidentally walked across the Burma border though! Woosh… close call).
The founder of FBR’s father had come to this village decades before to witness to the people, who are mostly Animists. In recent years, the first of the villagers finally accepted Christ and we were able to meet him. We had a church gathering, where the team shared skits and songs and fellowshipped with 20-30 villagers who are now Christians. It was really cool to be in such a remote place, where it is difficult to even drive, and be able to encourage this small body of believers.
(Beautiful People :))
One nice little surprise was that nearby where we were staying was the most amazing waterfall! It must have been limestone or something, because several of us climbed up the face of the waterfall all the way to the top and sat in the mouth. Such a cool experience!
(Karen Ranger girls that showed us how to climb the waterfall. They are crazy hardcore)
The whole trip was pretty amazing and the group was super fun to help lead. They were all so encouraging, flexible, and engaged in the ministry. Plus, the fellowship was pretty great as well. I really wish we could have spent more time with them, but Amy and I had to leave the group early to head to Malaysia to apply for our new Thai visa.
(Walking across the Friendship Bridge from Mae Sot, Thailand into Burma to renew my Thai visa a few more days before heading to Malaysia for a more permanent solution!)
Work with FBR so far has been really fun because my days are always a bit unpredictable. There tend to be a really cool variety of opportunities and its cool to see God working in the midst of it all!!
(*Photos compliements of the lovely, Amy Duncan)
