FBC Missions

We packed our vans with people and a truck with our luggage and made our way to Chiang Mai. It was a beautiful drive through the country side and over the mountains. We stopped at the Chiang Rai Hot springs where we stretched out legs, soaked our feet and had lunch. We also had a little time to shop for some locally made crafts.

Then on our way to Chiang Mai to the Galare Guest House. After dinner we had a chance to visit the huge Night Market where you can purchase just about anything, but speciallizing in things a tourist would like. It’s hard to get accustomed to the required bartering at the market place. When Onesimo wanted a better price for a few t-shirts, the shop owner says, “for a good friend, I give you my very best price”. These people make friends pretty fast!

Tuesday morning, Pastor Sayan, (who had accompanied us from the Home of blessing) wahted to show us some of the creatures of Thailand so he took us to the Elephant Camp. It was an great day where we took an elephant ride and then a demonstration of the amazing skills of these animals. We were awed by their strength and agility as they moved logs and kicked soccer balls.

Tuesday afternoon we went to the Beulah Church to help them with their afternoon program. Some of the team helped with childrens art work, others worked with some adults with their English skills. But it was expecially sweet to bring everyone together and sings songs led by our fearless music leader Dave. He has a special way of connecting with his audience whether they understand English or not.

It was a long day so we headed back to the hotel for dinner and some shut eye. Tomorrow we’ll be helping Dr. Jim teach at the Barefoot doctors.

Please pray for our team;

-that we continue to have eyes for others

- That we have a renewed stength to finish our time with as much energy as we started

- that our team continue to be exhibit grace to those we encounter

- that all we say and do bring glory to God.

Thank you for being our partners in our ministry.

Elizabeth - for the Thailand team.

Hi Everyone,

First let me say, we are here at the Home of Blessing (HOB), having arrived safe and sound after 36 hours of travel. Needless to say, it’s been a busy and exciting time so far - meeting new people, visiting with old friends, and settling into a routine here at the HOB.

Since we’ve been so busy it would be hard to catch you up with all the details, so instead I’ll hightlight some of our favorites memories so far;

• The sweet sound of all the girls praying out loud during our morning worship times.
• Helping with the dinner preparation with Siriporn and others; chopping fruits and vegetables, some of which were completely unknown to us.
• Being able to learn the girls names.
• The beauty of the country.
• Visiting the high school job fair where they students demonstrated practical skills that will help them get jobs, including traditional fruit carving and dance, cooking and needlework.
• Sticky rice and mangoes for breakfast
• Bibles tucked away on the corner of the stairs and railing of the dormatory.
• Learning to be a better person just by being with the girls.
• the laughter and giggles everywhere.
• Teaching English in the high school using Christain songs.
• Playing soccer and volleyball for the sheer joy of playing and not for competition
• Lunch of shrimp plucked from the waters just moments before we ate them.
• Christian at the high school having their own time to worship.
• A skit during devotions to demonstrate that when you accept the Son you will receive everything of value - we have some very good actors on our team!!
• Watching Thai high schoolers do the Hokey-Pokey.
• Onesimo teaching English to the Thai students.
• being able to provide needed dental care to many of the girls.
• That God is so good, He made 1 hour last for 120 minutes.

So that brings us to Friday. Today we’ll be going in all different directions; some of us will work with the medical clinic, some will continue in the dental clinic, and still others will visit the primary school to teach English. And this evening is the big event; we start Esther Camp 3 where we’ll be talking about Mary and Martha, as well as doing a bunch of fun things.

There are so many different stories to be told - each girl’s love of God and sweet spirit has touched us in a special way.

I’ll try to catch you up with more later today, and hopefully be able to include a few photos. For now, we thank you for being our faithful supporters. Thank you for being a part of the ministry here in Thailand. Would you continue to keep us in your prayers, especially for:

• continued good health as we are all still struggling to adjust our internal clocks.
• that our presence here will be a shining witness that we have a good and faithful God who loves us.
• That our medical and dental clinics can provide what is necessary to help those who come and that through this care, the unbelievers we meet may come to know and accept our Lord.
• That our time in the schools may also touch lives that they may also come to know Him.
• For a successful Esther Camp. That the things go smoothly, the girls have fun and continue to grow in Christ through the lessons taught.
• For those who will be leading the devotions and teachings at the Camp, that they be conduits for the girls to hear what it is that God wants for them to know.
• For continued unity as a team and that all we do and say brings glory to God.

For the Thailand Team,

Elizabeth

Hi,

Well the day is here and we’re excited. Our bags are packed with crafts, clothes, medicines, dental supplies, candy, toys, and so much more. I hope the airplane is ready for all our gear.

Today FBC will commission us to go out to the mission field. It’s pretty special and powerful to know that the whole congregation is supporting us in prayer. Thank you for being our faithful prayer partners as we reach out to so many people in Thailand.

We fly out this afternoon, meeting out friend Onisemo Perez of Mexico at the Seattle airport. What a blessing to have him along.

We have a long layover in Seattle, then a very, very long flight to Taiwan, then Bangkok, then Chiang Rai. Please pray for a safe, calm and restful flight.

I hope you will check back for more udates. I don’t know when I’ll have access to the internet, but rest assured that I will, and hopefully have photos and stories to share.

Blessing to you all,

Elizabeth, for the whole Thailand team.