I spent two weeks in Kanchunaburi, Thailand with some awesome guys. I worked harder, sweat more, bled more, and was more sore than I’ve been this whole trip. And I loved it. We worked with a YWAM couple Arun and Pang who are amazing servents of God.
Arun became a Christian and met Pang while in school in Bangkok. They were leading guys and girls groups for YWAM when Arun went to visit his mom and brother in their new home in Kanchunaburi. When Arun found out that his family had not heard the gospel, and no one had ever shared the gospel in their village, he decided to move there.
Since that time Arun and Pang have started three churches in the area, plus a home felloship that meets on Saturdays. The support that Arun and Pang raise is enough for two people, but they share it with nine. Arun has taken on projects in the area to help families be able to provide for themselves. One of these projects is a “Goat Bank”. With the goat bank, Arun will lend out about 20 goats for 2 years. At the end of this time, the family that borrows the goats can keep half of what they raise. In two years 20 goats can multiply up to 200! The family then can take the goats and continue to reproduce and sell the goats to city markets for good prices.
Arun and Pang are active in helping the community. I’ve never seen a community work together like this one does. If one person builds a house, everyone who can help does.
Here are some of the projects we did during our stay:
-Helped with the goats (see Andrews video with the deworming)
-Helped with community projects such as mowing grass at the local school, clearing the sides of the road, and participating in a planting project to help maintain the jungle.
-Built a bridge.
-Helped build a fence across the front property line.
-Mixed and poured concrete floors.
-We also made home visits to neighbors and each got to share a message at various church services.
I am so thankful for the time that I got to spend with the guys and with Arun and Bang. I feel revitalized to finish these last three months strong. God is doing great things, and is getting ready to do more.
The beautiful Kanchunaburi landscape.
The bridge on the River Kwai.
Momma and baby goat.
Eric preaching.
Sawing really really big logs.
