elephants, bamboo rafts, ox-cart rides and orchids

Riding elephants through the jungles of northern Thailand is high on the priority list for visitor's to Thailand. After a full week of ministry, the MK2MK group got to visit an elephant farm on their first day off. It was a day of fun uniquely Thai experiences. There are several different elephant camps, but we chose Maetang for their group.

The day started out with an elephant show, where they displayed their cleverness by playing soccer, bowing,  playing musical instruments, and other skills but most impressive is always  their paintings.

When they are finished, their paintings are available to buy. Their artwork is seriously better than mine.

I don't usually go on these touristy trips, but Marisa and I decided it would be a fun summertime activity for the kids and I knew it would be a enjoyable time with my grand-kids.  Also with 60 teenagers along to help... why not?  It was definitely a very fun day for them. Summer kept calling it her field trip. 

Bamboo rafts took us down the river for the next 40 minutes.  That was the most peaceful part of the day for me.

I gotta say that our raft crew was a pretty amazing group; especially with this guy, Jon, on board.

Ox-cart rides were next on the program for us.

They were not a smooth ride at all- in fact some shocks would have helped a lot. 

Nathan was so memorized by each of the rides that he sat unusually still.  It seems that he enjoyed the day the most, possibly because it was all so new to him. 

The elephant ride through the forest and through the river was our final activity. Collin and Hayley loved every minute.

And there goes our fearless leaders of this big tribe.

Our last stop was at the orchid farm.  So many colors and so many varieties of orchids are grown here. 

It was such a fun day for the grand-kids and our visiting MK group.  A day for all of them to experience the truly "Amazing Thailand"!

MK orphanage ministry

During their summer here in Chiang Mai, the MK group is spending Tuesday afternoons and all day on Saturday's at Asia's Hope orphanage.  They do a day camp with the children on Saturday's.  Last week, was our first day and we opened with some singing all together.

Plenty of games were played throughout the day. It took awhile for the foreign kids and the Thai children to warm up together- but it wasn't long before they were  laughing and enjoying the games, relationships, and new friends.

Grandma Donna is drawn to the babies, just like grandma Judy.

This orphanage has ALOT of kids, so we divided up into four teams at four different places. 

 Each team had about 50 kids with 15 from the MK group. 

They had a story and craft for each group.

I noticed these shelves in one of the kitchens.  Guess it must take a lot of vegetables to feed all those kids.

On Tuesdays, the children are in school, so they will do work projects around the homes, while they wait for the children to get home.  This week they worked on completing a wall around the home for better protection of the children.

It involved mixing cement and putting in the posts this week.

Tutu treated us to authentic Thai ice cream sandwiches which was home made coconut ice cream in between pieces of bread. Very refreshing for all of us.

They will meet with the children at this group of orphanages on 4 different Saturdays, and 6 different Tuesdays throughout the summer.  It's our prayers that both the children and the teens will learn from each other during these times together, love on each other and grow from the opportunities in spending time with each other.

Meet "Pebbles"

Our newest mall had a "Musical Pet Festival" this weekend.  They had all kinds of animals doing all kinds of things.  Summer held a fox, there were goats dressed in clothes, dogs played musical instruments, and on and on.  We just stopped there for a snack to cool down, but decided to have a look at the pets.  One small request turned into a plea and before I knew it I was walking out of the mall with a new pet bunny. Summer even promised me that she would never EVER disobey me again, if I bought a bunny.   Ha ha!

Bethany had numerous bunnies growing up and I knew they are one of the easiest pets to have. I love the joy that pets can bring to kids and the  responsibility that it teaches them.  So far Pebbles is at our house while he's adjusting to all the attention.  All four grand-kids are crazy about him, and I'm actually enjoying him myself so far. Summer told me on the way home that her heart was beating so fast because she was so excited.  Then Collin said that getting a bunny is better than getting an iPod! Summer will hold him for hours on end.  Let's see in another month, if the newness wears off- or if they keep saying as Nathan says, "I just love Pebbles so much! "

fresh bami noodles for dinner tonight

I love finding authentic foods made fresh in someone's home.  Yesterday, while driving our MK2MK group between three different orphanages out of town, I spotted this guy hanging out two large racks of bami noodles in front of his home.  The next trip that we passed by, my Thai friend stopped to buy some. He took down a rack of noodles and came back with a packaged bag.

 She bought a lot for the orphans, but I only needed this one 30 cent bag.

Today I bought some fresh asparagus, mushroom, baby corn, onion, green pepper and stir- fried them into my fresh bami noodles. The best flavor was from frying them in the coconut oil that Marisa has introduced me to.  Very easy, fresh and delicious...my kind of dinner. 

Ya-hooo!!!! They are finally here!!!!!

After almost a year of planning, the MK2MK group is finally here. They have come from 39 different countries all around the world. It's amazing to me how their arrivals were orchestrated so well  within a few hours of each other from so many places. The group consists of 36 high-school children of missionaries, 16 MK college age interns, and 6 adult staff. What a celebration it was when everyone arrived in Chiang Mai that first night!

So far they have had two days of training and orientation to Thailand, and have spent three days on their campuses.  They are divided up into 4 teams of 15, working closely with our local Thai CCC staff on several different campuses. Jon has been going non-stop working on the logistics of hosting this group.

They are a lively group and already experienced at living in another culture.  What I have noticed most about them is that they are more adaptable, teachable, and "go with the flow" type of kids.  We have planned a variety of ministry opportunities for them- but their main focus will be to make friendships with college students where we already have ministries and help us gain new contacts from interested students. Our Thai staff will take great care of them and appreciate the boost they give to our ministry on each campus.

Tomorrow they spend the day doing a camp at a large orphanage. In fact since there are so many of them, they will divide up into four different kid's homes for their crafts, stories, games, etc.  I loaded up today on snacks to last their first few visits.

Please pray that these MK's will continue to adjust to all the differences in Thailand, build some lasting friendships, and that everyplace they go- the Thai people will be blessed by their coming.

Good Morning Mr. Lizard

God made the wild animals according to their kinds... 

and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds.

 Genesis 1:25

Looked out my dining room window this morn and saw this colorful guy, reminding me of God's creativeness. We have a  lot  of different breeds of  lizards, all around the outside and inside of our house- but these are the prettiest to me with their blue crested heads.

I guess I was dreamin'

I took Home Economics I & II in high school and made myself some outfits. One was bright purple and bright green with big flowers.  I can still see it.  I also learned sewing through the 4-H club that I was in while growing up.  I have always enjoyed using my Singer machine for mending and making table cloths, curtains, and ....you know things with straight seams.  

I have also admired my friends like Diane B., and Mona R. who sew beautiful costumes and Easter dresses for their granddaughters.  I wanted to be that kind of grandma.

The last time that I was in the USA to visit my newest grand-babies, I had some extra time.  Jen really enjoys sewing too, so we decided to go get a simple pattern, some cute fabric and I would show her how to read a pattern and sew some outfits for little Ruby Kay. It was fun choosing the pattern and fabric.  We got to her house and since it was such an easy pattern, I thought we'd whip up that dress in one day.

We got busy with other things and it was not as quick and easy as I thought, so I decided to bring it back to Thailand- finish it up and then mail it back to Ruby Kay.  So much for teaching Jen how to follow a pattern.

That's when the problem started.  I got out my machine here and was going to finish up this "very simple" pattern. If it was so easy, why was I having a hard time figuring it out. I personally felt like the pattern did not explain the collar very well.  It turned into one of those projects that I started so I HAD to finish it.   Finally my friend Lei who was visiting from the Philippines (and likes to sew) explained it to me and helped me understand.

It is finished and on it's way across the ocean to Ruby Kay and I am sure she will share it with Ellanora. I want to be that Grandma that sews darling dresses for her little girls, but I don't think it is one of my strengths. In-fact, through this little project I think that I discovered  "sewing from patterns is not my cup of tea".  We all have different strengths and gifting-- and I'm pretty sure this is not one of mine.  Although, I still have a secret ambition to try again in the future, be more patient, make some things, and most of all enjoy it.

So to my litttle Ruby Kay and Ellanora--- I hope you know your Nina loves you very much and made this little dress just for you and learned something about herself through it.  Please don't let any professionals see the inside of it and I can't wait to see a picture of you wearing it.  Sew, I guess I was dreamin and it did not happen the way I hoped!

Lori is fully funded and ready to go!!

We are so thrilled that Lori has now finished her time of ministry partner development, has a team behind her, and has started ministry.  She forwarded to us, this letter from her supervisor after her time of support raising.  Here is some  edited portions from the letter:

It is with great delight that I announce that Lori Christian is fully funded and ready to report to her assignment at SFA! (She is currently on the Ozark Lakes Summer Project)

It has been a pleasure to support coach Lori. Lori was responsible and a go-getter and was a joy to work with. She has had a challenging support raising situation in that SO many of her family members are on staff or currently raising support, but she has been very diligent and persistent to go for it with people. This gives me great hope that she will have that same drive and boldness in sharing her faith with women at SFA! Her new campus team at SFA, will truly have an awesome staff girl who is committed to the mission and loves college women. I am looking forward to seeing all that God does through her. She is a woman with a passion for the gospel and helping women fall more in love with Jesus. 

From what I hear she has jumped right in on project and has been an asset to that summer project team and the girls she is meeting with. 

God has shown Himself faithful once again in her life.  We are so excited for all the opportunities that she has ahead of her this summer in Branson and next school year in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Two down- two to go!  Please pray for the Allens and Seilers as they continue to develop their teams too. It is amazing for us as parents to watch God work and provide for them! 

a new home and new believer

A few months ago we shared with you about a new home that we built for a friend of ours.   Since then Krissana and Tong have moved into their home and Sunday we had a dedication service for the new home.

Pai, one of our TCCC staff who coordinated the students volunteering their labor to build the home, brought a truck load of students and church members for the dedication. We sang together, prayed for the home, and celebrated with some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies and fresh fruit.

I had shared in the first post about Tong being a Buddhist and not knowing very much about Jesus. Throughout his time of working with the team, he became more interested.  I was so touched by a message that Pai shared with him here during our time with them, about how he could know Christ personally. After Pai shared with him, Tong prayed to invite Christ into his life. It was the best part of the day and made all of the work on the home so worth it.  Krissana could hardly contain her joy.

Tong is on the far left here, clapping along as we sang songs of worship to God. 

The house is not totally finished, but they moved into it as soon as the four walls were up.  We would still like to use some teams to help paint the inside and outside. 

It was a day full of rejoicing for this new "first" home for both Na and Tong that is totally a gift from God through Christian's who gave and free labor from these students.  The angels were rejoicing too- for this new believer.  Thank you Pai for sharing God's plan with Tong.  Please pray that Tong will learn more about how to trust God with his life and grow in his new relationship. 

mk2mk- Thailand- 2014

We are still going strong on our Trainer's Training for NST- but tomorrow is our last day.  We've learned a lot and seen God do so so much this week.  More on that later.

We are also gearing up for summer projects coming from other countries.  Chiang Mai is a favorite location for mission trips, and we are helping with a few different ones.  The main one is Cru's MK2MK project that will be here June and July.  They arrive in just 4 more days and we are finishing up plans for their 8 weeks of ministry here.

I recently read a REALLY good article that I think anyone going on a mission trip should read.  It is called The Good Missionary.  I could write my own article of the things that we like and don't like from groups that come over here.  When a group comes with their own agenda of what they want to do and  accomplish it becomes like a sort of "Mission Tourism"- making it more work for the people hosting the group than what they receive from them.  The reason I feel this article is so good, is because it was written by an orphan that shares what his experiences were from people who came to his orphanage.  It is written from a true insider. If you take the time to read it, I think you will understand better some of the do's and don'ts of short term missions trips.

Needless to say there is a lot of work in hosting around 100 high school and college age kids and setting up ministry for them.  Jon has been working really hard to set up their housing at our TCCC center, their food arrangements, campus assignments, etc.  One advantage to our groups is that they will work right along side our own TCCC staff, who will take care of them. With the recent coup- there was a short hiccup in their planning - but it did not stop them.  Our prayer is that their time here would be life changing for them and also the college students, orphans, church members, villagers, and every one they meet- everywhere they go. Their main focus will be joining our teams on campus and creating a new excitement and new contacts of students wanting to learn more about Jesus. This week on campus, I was talking to some college students about this group coming, and they got so excited to meet them and make some new American friends. It reminded me of the boost these teams give to our campus ministries.  Thanks for praying for them and for the Foltz's and  us, too.

Back to the Basics

When we were first challenged to move our family in 1986 from the Philippines to Thailand, the reason was to open up a Great Commission Training Center in Thailand.  It took us about 6 years to complete that task (including training a Thai to direct it) and the GCTC  has been training Thai's for staff with Campus Crusade ever since then for the past 26 years.

The training has gone through a lot of changes over the years. It is now called New Staff Training (NST) and this year has  moved from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai. This week Mike and I were invited to help with the training of the new trainers.  Lei and Leah are here this week from the Philippines, training our staff and Mike is helping with the Thai translation and daily training.  For me, it's been like going back to the basics again.

Lei and Leah were there with us in the R.P. when I brought baby Marisa home from the hospital.  

Actually I have sort of felt like this week is a "Boot Camp" for me.  Our days are long; we leave the house early and get home late.  Classes are at the TCCC center from 8:00 to 12:00, and then we are on campus from 12:00 to 4:30. After campus we return to the center again to debrief about the ministry on campus that day and eat dinner together.  With the heat right now- campus can be very very hot and by the time I get home- there is not much left in me.

Training in the mornings with 14 of us.

We have 4 days down and 5 to go.  I am not use to such long days and feeling a bit exhausted already - but it is a good exhaustion.  It has been so fun to meet students on the campuses and go back to the basics of ministry and sharing the "Four Spiritual Laws" booklet with them.  I love some of the questions and comments in just three days, such as....
"You mean that I can pray to God and he will really answer 'my' prayers????"  or
"I have never heard anything about Jesus- who is He?" or
"I want to go to a church. Do you know where this is one for me?" or
"Foreigners can be Christians too?"

Honestly, I think that I am enjoying spending time with our TCCC staff more than anything.  To come along side them and experience what they do day in and day out has impressed me so much concerning their hearts and passion for students.  My first two days, my partner was Yokie at Payap University. Those ice coffees are a welcome refreshment and "pick-me-up"  in the middle of an afternoon with soaring temperatures.

This Wed and Thur., I have been with Poy at Techno University.  She is using her iPad to share  the "Four Laws" with students here. The picture at the top of the page is Poy sharing with seven students who were all very interested, in one group this afternoon.

I'm learning a lot about ministry here once again... and there is more that I want to share later.... but for now I'm exhausted and need to get to bed for another full day again tomorrow.