Thankful in Thailand
Praise Report:
Fully Funded!! Together as a squad we have been learning to see ourselves as a church on the move! The Squad came together on May 17th to help Elyssa and I become funded in 8.5 hours (from 1:30pm-10pm)! Thanks to Family, Friends, and the Squad for this gigantic step forward. It is one of my top highlights of being here in Thailand. It was the combination of enthusiasm, celebration, and teamwork amongst the squad. God moves in awesome and unexpected ways!!
Thailand:
Overall, Thailand has been packed with so many awesome moments. They range from big to small and include two separate ministry sites. We are now in our final week of ministry and I would like to give you a recap in pictures of all the ministry opportunities:
1.Ministry with Share The Love (STL)
Share the Love Foundation is located in Phangnga, Thailand close to Phuket. We stayed with them a total of 5-7 days. We helped them hold an English Camp, Bible Knowledge Program, visited with locals, Beach Cleanup, Sunday school, and landscaping. In such a short time we work as if we had known each other for years. It was bitter sweet when we parted but both STL and our teams left refreshed.
2.Beauty of Thailand
Thailand is so beautiful!! These photos display the backdrop of mountains alongside the major roads, beachs, sunsets, parks and busy city life. There is beauty to be noticed anywhere you go. Also, I love that Asia so far has been so warm and humid. No one can escape it!
3.20 Hour Travel day from Phuket to Chaing Mai
This was a long bus ride but it was so comfortable! The company was called Green Bus and had great costumer service. We also took at least 4-5 different rests that included some tasty Thai food. Always spicy, so it keeps you n your toes unless you say, “Mai Ped”. This means not spicy please. This section has a view from our rest stop.
4.God sent me a Shih-tzu to Cuddle!
Feeling homesick and missing my pups I began looking through old photos of them. Back in South Africa I had been asking God to send me a Shih-tzu and I never met one until now!! Upon arriving at the bus station, one vender had a tiny puppy sitting on her desk and of course we became instant friends. I don’t know how one could reject a moment with this adorable face!
5.Arrived at Zion Hostel!
Finally we arrived at our hostel to rest. Team 5 Multiplied was already there and helped us get settled and moved into our rooms. The hostel itself has been a part of our ministry. Adventures in Missions decided to team up with its original owners to give it new image and gain momentum. The leadership team has been had at work employing Thai staff, training, and rebuilding to help it successfully run. Below is my view from our window. I see this billboard everyday!
6.Ministry in Chiang Mai
Ministry here has so many moving parts:
– One opportunity is working with Bella Goose the Café below our hostel. Zion used to be both a Café and Hostel but with the new vision Aim decided to add another partner. Bella Goose is in the 1st phase of their reconstruction and we got to help with sanding, staining, glossing and moving their chairs. The examples of Zion and Bella Goose are Missions as business. The only paid employees are the Thai people on staff.
-Another component is called Ask the Lord (ATL). This is where you pray into what opportunities the Lord may have for you in or beyond you ministry. As a squad some have done monk chats, playing at Café’s, sharing a dance at the park, prayer walks, learning new form of worship, and praying for specific things God lays on our hearts. For me ATL has looked like ministering to the tourist/expat population, prayer, and one on ones within the squad, new ways of worship and possibly monk chats!!
-The final week of Thailand is Parent Vision Trip (PVT). This is where some parents of the World Racers come out to celebrate and share the experience here in Thailand! Today is the first day for those racers and for those whose parents aren’t able to come, we will continue ministry! Pray with us that God will continue to open our eyes to more opportunities here and help us to finish this month strong!!
