TEACHING AND LEARNING

Beloved,

It’s Saturday.  Your team was up early again with breakfast and devotions starting at 6:00am.  It was especially good to see our young members up at the crack of dawn.  Well, at least they looked like they were awake.  Our vans arrived promptly at 7:00am and we were off to ZOE for our first day of truly serving the children and students.

We prayed in the vans enroute to ZOE.  It was a sweet time of praying and sharing.  Mink, as usual, was there to greet us and escorted us to our meeting room.  ZOE has very strict policies regarding security, and visitors are not allowed to wander around the premises without an escort.  So far, the team has incurred only one violation of this policy when our team leader was found wandering around alone.  He claimed a senior moment.  

Today, it was all about teaching the younger children (3-12 yrs) and the teens (13-18).  Early in our training, each team member was asked to submit ideas on what they could teach to encourage the children, students and staff at ZOE.  These are some of the classes that were taught today.  All of the team members assisted in one or more of the classes.

Kazoo Band:  Marvin had the kids ‘kazoo’ing’ in parts and harmony.   We not quite sure how he did that.   They will perform for everyone when we gather for a family day at ZOE next Saturday.  Can’t wait to hear them.

Building A Bird Cage:  Riley and Stan helped the kids construct and paint a bird cage that had either a feeder or chimes built into it.  We were able to keep most of the paint on the newspaper……most.

Lanyard Weaving:  Kristen, our youngest ambassador, had the kids weave a vase out of a plastic bottle and lanyard.  She taught 2 classes on her own.  Way to go, Kristen!

Computer Class:  Debbie had her 2 classes writing programs which they can use for basic practical applications.  She was amazed at the talent and aptitude of the kids.  We were all amazed with what Debbie taught them.

Karate:  Kerry’s 2 classes were packed with enthusiastic martial artists.  The kids were wide eyed and blown away with Kerry’s power when, in one demonstration, he kicked Stan half way across the room into a tumble.  For real!!  Stan got up and was still breathing.

Hula:  Alli, Brooke and Isa had their kids all decked up in leis and hula dresses.  They will also perform next Saturday and bring Hawaii to Thailand.  There is just nothing like a hula!

Pizza Making:  Lauren and Bryce led the pizza class which reminded all of us that there are no ovens here.  So how do they cook a pizza?  On a grill fired with charcoal.  For real!  And what kind of toppings do they like?  Hot, spicy ones.  Not only was the pizza hot, but it was HOT !!

Photography Class:  Ron had his class all over the beautiful ZOE property snapping over a 100 pictures each.  They selected and printed the top 5 pictures.  But as good as Ron and his students are, we don’t think that any picture can properly portray the beauty of His creation and this ZOE campus. 

So your team taught the ZOE kids well and all of the kids had a great time.  So what did we learn?  First, the children showed their teachers and helpers appreciation for what was done for them.  They are just thankful for all that they have and receive.  They automatically helped in cleaning up.   And lastly, what they learned or made, especially the pizza, they gladly shared it with others.  Hey, they’re kids and have fun and an inexhaustible supply of energy.  But they showed a special love of others, especially to this team from America.  We learned about God’s love through these children and were blessed today.

After lunch, Lauren did a special and much needed class on internet safety with some of the ZOE staff.  After we all eventually returned to the hotel, most of the team went out for a well deserved treat and some pampering - a massage.   And they were still walking straight when they got out of there.

At 6:00pm, we were on the road again.  The destination was Chiang Mai University which was about a 30 minute drive from the hotel.  This time, it was to meet up with the Bible students and hand out tracts with the Good News of Jesus.  Our group was split in half.  Half of the team went into the university campus while the other half walked through the myriad of shops adjacent to the university.  It was quite an experience.  Unlike most other countries, the majority of the people took a tract.  But what is extraordinary is that many did take some time to glance through it.  This was very encouraging.  By 8:00pm, we met our vans and were on our way back to the hotel.

 

Thank you for your prayers, Beloved.  We asked that you pray for unity, and your team is together.  We are traveling together, breaking bread together, ministering together and having fun together.  We share a joy that only comes from above.  We are well, we are safe and the weather continues to be so good.  Thank you.   

Tomorrow is another normal day.  We will have breakfast and check out of our hotel at 6:00am.  And then we’ll be on our way to a hill tribe village (about 4 hours away) with the Bible students.  We look forward to another “God Moment” in the hills.  And you are with us.

“He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”                 2 Corinthians 5:5.

And we will praise Him,

Your Thailand Missions Team.