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.      

THE ZOE STORY

Beloved,

After an early breakfast, the team met for devotions at 7:45am at the hotel.  It was a sweet time.  Kalei led us in worship, Stephen provided a short homily on missions, and members shared of their impressions of our first full day in Thailand.  Of note was Marvin’s challenge for us to discover the purpose for why God brought us to Thailand.  Each one of us has a purpose that is waiting to be discovered. 

Your prayers continue to sustain us.  The weather has been beautiful and resembles a good summer day in Hawaii.  Thank you for your prayers.  We forgot to mention that clearing customs when we arrived in Chiang Mai the night before was the fastest and easiest check out ever experienced by team members.  Of the 32 items of luggage with the team, the inspectors only checked a few bags and let the rest through.  Thank you.  The team is healthy and demonstrated a bond and unity that you have been praying for.  Thank you.  God is good and we are blessed.

Carol continued her orientation and reviewed the ZOE Story with us.  Some of the team members have heard this story multiple times but one never tires of the wonders and miracles that God has provided to His faithful ones.  And hearing this story in ZOE’s new Thailand facility added special meaning as to why we are here.  She expressed thankfulness for short term mission teams like ours which are made up of ordinary people doing the extraordinary.   We give thanks to God for all of it.

In the afternoon, we received more information on ZOE’s child rescue program from Greg Nakamura.  The calls to ZOE to investigate and intervene on behalf of the children at risk increase with every week.  There is promise, hope and danger with each rescue.  Please pray for these rescue teams.

One final item of ministry preparation included the packing of 1,000 goodie bags which will be distributed to the children that our team will minister to in the coming week.  The team worked very well together and according to Carol, we set a record time in completing this packing.  Thank you, again, for your prayers.   

Before leaving ZOE, we finally met all of the ZOE family – the children, the Bible students and the staff.  Little 8 year old Mimi was one of 3 of the youngsters who expressed some words of encouragement to everyone present, all 160 of us.  Her words were mature, convicting and encouraging.  We were blessed.  Then everyone gathered around our team and they laid hands on us.  The murmuring crescendo of their prayers for us filled the entire room.  And our eyes were filled with tears.

We arrived back at our hotel at 8:35pm and we could feel the weight of the travel and activities over the past several days.  A weariness had set in.  We will rest well tonight in His strong arms.  

“For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised”, Hebrews 10:36.

And we will praise Him,

Your Thailand Missions Team.       

THE BEAUTIFUL ZOE CHILDREN'S HOME

Beloved,

Following a decent night’s rest with the added impact of the time change (our bodies were awake when we should have been sleeping and vice versa), your team members were having personal devotions and breakfast starting at 7:00am this morning.  There was good chatter at the dining tables as our regional teams, who first met the day before, began to bond with one another.  Thank you for your prayers for team unity; the Lord was faithful in His response to this need.

At 9:30 sharp, the vans were loaded and began the 45 minute drive to the ZOE Children’s Home.  We had a good time of prayer in the vans during the drive.  As we traveled from busy Chiang Mai to the rural areas outside the city, the lush and beautiful green forests engulfed the highway.  When we eventually transitioned to a single lane dirt road, it was evident that the ZOE home was deep into the thick forest.  Once we were through the security gate that guarded the entrance to the home, there stood the two newly constructed buildings that connected 40,000 square feet of space.  The Lord is our great provider.

Here are some tidbits about the new ZOE home which was completed about 2 years ago.

-          - Everything built and bought was paid for up front; no debt.

-          - The floors are concrete; no shoes in the building.

-          - The living space is maintained by everyone, including the children – and it is neat and clean!

-          - Their large dining room is simple – a roof over a large slab of concrete; no walls; mats are laid out and everyone sits on the floor for the meal.  So simple; so good.

-          - Care and protection of the 81 children are a priority.  The average ratio of caregiver to child is 4:1; unmatched and unheard of anywhere.

-          - Much of the food is grown in gardens on the property; a pig farm provides some of the meat.

-          - They waste nothing.  Everything is used.  We have so much to learn.

-          - Yes, the Lord is good and provides for the needs of His children.  AMEN!

We spent the day going through an orientation with Carol, packing up the supplies for all of our elective classes and ministry outreach activities, and rehearsing our part in the outreach program.  Remember that this team was practicing together for the first time today, and heck, we were good – at least this writer thought so.  Again, thank you so much for your prayers; how could we not be good because of your faithfulness and the faithfulness of our great God.

This evening, the team was able to get in some shopping at the night bazaar.  Even Bryce and Stan lasted for at least 10 minutes of shopping.   God can do the impossible.  The team will be up at 6:00am for breakfast tomorrow morning, team devotions at 7:45 and off to ZOE at 8:30.  We are ready and eager to serve.

Thank you, beloved, for your prayers.  Thank you.  Thank you.   May the Lord bless and keep each of you always in the strength and joy of His loving arms.

Your Thailand Missions Team.       

WELCOME TO CHIANG MAI

Beloved,

It is now 12:30 am in Chiang Mai.  After a 5 hour flight (not 4 hours) from Seoul, we are finally checked in at our hotel in Chiang Mai.  It’s been a very long day for all us, but especially for our Norcal team members (Ron, Kristen, Debbie & Marvin) who have been on their feet and ‘seat’ for over 30 hours.  We will all sleep well tonight.

Upon clearing customs, we were greeted by Mike, Carol, Nancy, Jessica and the rest of the ZOE family.  It was such a sweet joy to see them and to be welcomed by them.  The weather is a little warm and muggy, and our Hawaii team members feel very much at home.  Before retiring to our rooms, we gathered for prayers of thanksgiving for all of you and for the Lord’s protective covering in today’s travels.  We are calmly anxious to meet the morning and begin the work that brought us to this beautiful country and its people.

With every note comes our heartfelt gratitude for your prayers for us.   They cause us to have great confidence in all that we will undertake, because we have a great God who hears and responds.  And just as His chosen people were encouraged by Joshua as he led them into the promise land, we also are encouraged – “Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed; for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8.

With thanksgiving for you,

Your Thailand Missions Team

ARRIVED SAFELY IN SEOUL

Greetings from Seoul in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We arrived safely about an hour ago.

After long flights from Honolulu and Los Angeles, the Holiness Mission Team is finally together in Seoul.   We rejoice in finally being able to greet and hug each other.   In about an hour, we will reboard Korean Air for Chiang Mai and complete the last 4 hour leg of our long trip.  It’s been a very long trip, but we are encouraged and energized by what the Lord has set before us.

What would a mission trip be without some excitement.  Marvin, Debbie and Kristen encountered a flight delay out of San Jose and they were rushed to the front of the long security line to join the SOCAL team minutes before we boarded.   Dr. Marvin was further delayed by security as the personnel could not identify the defibulator in his carry on bag that he is donating to ZOE.  Security was probably suspicious that no one could be that gracious and kind as Marvin was.   God is good. 

Beloved, thank you for seeing us off at the airport and for all the goodies and gifts.  But most of all, we thank you for and continue to covet your prayers.  We feel your prayers and give thanks to God that you are with us.   Thank you and Mahalo.

We will be arriving in Chiang Mai at around 11:00pm (Thailand time) and look forward to a good night’s rest.  We’ll be off to the ZOE home in the morning and are anxious to meet everyone there and begin our service.  We are reminded of His great faithfulness expressed in Lamentations 3:22-24.

And we will praise Him,

Your Thailand Missions Team