Blog Number Sip (10)

 (told you I could and would count to ten!!!)

This one is just a short update.

We are starting to have regular meetings with our DRIME leaders who have been officially chosen. Basically this is what’s happening. Kung is DRIME Thailand’s Base Director. And she will oversee the campus DRIME team and the city DRIME team. (official names yet to be determined) Por and Kong are Chapter Leaders of our campus team and we are meeting with them and P’Kung (part of that team) on a regular basis for training in the DRIME ministry and passing on the DRIME knowledge. P’Por, P’Kong and P’Kung will work together as the campus team and two others (yet to be officially chosen) will work together with P’Kung to be the city team. We have two people in mind who we think (with our human thoughts) that they would be a PERFECT FIT for the DRIME ministry. But there are a few obstacles before they can officially be leaders and we can start training them. Pray that those obstacles disappear and those situations work themselves out so we can complete our leadership team and start training the city leaders as well! Does that make sense?

This week P’Matt and P’Nid took us around Bangkok one evening after work! It was fun hanging out with them. Getting SUBWAY! and seeing more of Bangkok. We got to ride a tuktuk for the first time since being here! Yay! I was so excited haha!

As promised - a picture of a tuktuk

There is a team from the TCCC in Chiangmai here at the office for training this week! P’Poi came to church on Sunday and I wasn’t expecting to see her! I’m so excited to see friends from Chiangmai: Poi, Arm and Yokie (aka “cool person”) again! Haha. So great! Miss them! I hope I get to see them lots at the office and in the evenings when they have free time!

Here's a couple pictures from one of our leaders meetings.

Blog Number Gao (9)

This week has been refreshing. I feel like we are finally able to experience & embrace more of Thailand. It's been a  wonderful change since my transition into base planting work was harder than I anticipated.

There were a lot of really good days this week. It started on Tuesday… (Well Monday night was pretty great too… I got to skype with some friends for a looong time and it was wonderful) I was supposed to get my headboard changed in my room and they told me they would send someone up to do it at 9am. I went down and talked to the people in the office downstairs through Kung via phone (because I can’t speak Thai :P) and they told me to wait til 10:30am/11am. But the person never ended up coming and when I went down to check they told me… not today. But while I was waiting I was able to spend some time with Jesus... which was good and really makes a difference in your day! Previously, I had not been in the right frame of mind. I had been experiencing different emotions such as frustration, bitterness, loneliness and separation and I didn’t want to choose to feel this way – I wanted to feel joyful etc. However, Tuesday I felt like it was going to be a GOOD day! And it was J We had a meeting in the afternoon with our DRIME peeps. At the meeting P’Natti had the same idea for structure of DRIME Thailand that Janna and I had. Which helped confirm it for me because all I knew what that God wanted me to Trust Him. And we got to hear Ning, Jumm and Natti’s heart and what kind of involvement they desire to have in the DRIME ministry here in Thailand. Also after we came home from work we had dinner and watched a lot of episodes of Big Bang Theory… It was good because it was some much needed Janna/Samantha time. J And it was “normal” from before (the team was here) to come home from the office, eat dinner and watch some episodes of something and so I think that definitely helped my transition back into life here in Thailand and with the Base Plant work.

On Wednesday I felt SO PRODUCTIVE! Janna and I were able to finally sit down together and look at our goals and where we wanted to be at this point of the base plant, evaluate all that was left and move some of our sticky notes around of what needed to be accomplished when. We were able to finalize the roles of the DRIME Thailand Leaders, what it will look like here. AND THEN… We started planning our first leaders meeting. And it was really fun and exciting to start thinking and planning what we were going to teach them and how we were going to build into them! Especially fun because I was able to use colourful markers and paper to visually see what we were going to do with them and it made it a more fun way to plan. On Thursday we continued planning and getting ready for our FIRST OFFICIAL LEADERS MEETING the next day!

"Trouble" - I mean... our new leaders

Friday was spent in preparation for our first meeting with the campus leadership team that night. Natti was able to take us to Robinson Mall where we got all the necessary binders, pens, snacks, prizes etc. for our meeting. We came back to the office and finished off the DRIME Trivia game, printing information & putting together the campus leaders’ binders, writing/making cards and just getting everything organized. We planned what parts of the meeting each of us were leading in the taxi on the way to KU (Kasetsart University) because we were getting down to the wire to get things finished. But it all kinda fell into place and we were able to pray for the meeting in the taxi as well. When we got there the boys told us to meet them at a coffee shop – so we had our meeting in a coffee shop at KU. J 

Opening their gifts/cards

We welcomed them, gave them welcome to the DRIME Leadership team gifts, prayed for them, went through logistics, played a couple DRIME games which helped them start learning more about the history of DRIME and PTC etc. Kong is very competitive, lol it’s so sweet how he was getting into the game! We didn’t make it through all the questions but they all really seemed to enjoy it! At one point we thought we would stop but they were like – let’s do some more questions! We even got to stay longer than we had planned because it started to pour outside so we had to wait out the rain. Yay that God gave us more time with them! It was honestly such a fun meeting! These three are such a fun group! At one point, I think it was Kung who said something about how the three of them together would be “trouble”. But I see it as the good kinda trouble. haha. They like to joke and tease each other but their hearts are all in the right place, focused on God and how they can serve Him. It’s really precious to see. I think that’s kinda a requirement in DRIME (not officially tho – lol) to be the good kinda trouble. (Like I just think of putting Fred, Emily and Andrea together or any of the DRIME Vancouver leaders – the good kinda trouble right? ;) Haha) 

First official leaders mtg

Their relationship with one another is a quality that you can’t produce or teach; it’s naturally there or it’s not. So I’m excited to see how DRIME Thailand grows and God’s kingdom grows through these 3 individuals’ willing hearts and creative vision. After the meeting, when the rain lessened, P’Por offered to drive us to a taxi. When we got to the car my umbrella got stuck and wouldn’t close. A few cars were coming and it was raining so I got in and closed the door but I had to leave the umbrella half out and half in. When there was a break in traffic (we were parked, don’t worry!) Kung saved the day by closing it! And we were off! P’Por was so sweet and actually drove us all the way home! Maybe because we were willing to come out and meet him at his campus, he was more willing to go out of his way to take us home. We told him he didn’t have to, that we would take a taxi, but he wanted to. Sweetheart. Yup.

P’Kung slept over at our place because on Saturday we went to THE BEACH!!! 6 of us girls all piled into P’Natti’s truck at around 7:30am and we were off, headed to Pattaya! On the way it was raining but we were hoping and praying that that would change. We got to the place where we would be taking a boat to get to the island with the beach we were going to. It was kind of windy so we were going to go to the mall to kill time but the mall wasn’t open yet as it was only 9:30am! 

So we used the hong nam at the Hilton (it was GORGEOUS inside) and then went to 7/11 to get snacks for the beach. Everything is more expensive on the island. When we went to check about our boat, they told us it was leaving in 8 mins and the next one didn’t come for another hour! So we speed walked to the end of the pier where our boat was and got on! They had these two guys who would stand by the side of the boat and the steps and hold your hands to help you hop onto the boat when it was safe. The boat was rocking in the waves so sometimes they wouldn’t let you on right away. It made me a little bit nervous but everyone got on safe! At first we sat on the sides of the boat but someone told us we would get wet if we sat there so we moved to the middle. And we were glad we did! We still got a little wet, more like just a spray tho. If we were sitting on the sides we would have gotten soaked! I really enjoyed the boat ride, just contemplating life and enjoying the experience! Jumm started feeling seasick tho and just before we got off Natti felt the same. We all made it to the island and when we got off the boat it was even SUNNY!!! The beach that we were headed to was about 10 mins away by song tow (type of truck) or motor taxi. I was a little nervous to ride a motor taxi as I’ve never done it before but that is the mode of transportation that we ended up taking. We went 2 people on a motor bike tho which was good. I was thankful to have Ning come with me! There were a couple moments I felt we were going to fall off and a couple moments that I really enjoyed it but mostly both going up and down the steep hills made me nervous! I liked when we drove on flat land… haha. 

When we got there we put our stuff down and Janna and I walked along the beach and just enjoyed being there! The first time in 3 months that we got to go to a beach in Thailand! Praise the Lord! I’m so thankful it was so sunny and beautiful! We came back from our stroll and ate lunch and then went in the water for a bit. We talked and just enjoyed being at a beach! Twas glorious! When we got out it was just about time to leave because we wanted to catch the boat before it started to rain. 

me and my coconut drink

But first I got a coconut smoothie in a coconut shell… Because – common it has to be done! Haha. After that we packed up and took a song tow back to where we would catch the boat. We sat on the top of the boat this time. I think it was better up there lol. Ning and I had a wonderful conversation… She is so funny! Da Lohk! She made up this really catchy song about the word “okay” in thai! Hehe. “Ja Ja. Ja Ja Ja. Ja Ja. Ja Ja Ja Ja” We drove for a bit and then had dinner and cow neau ma moung for dessert. It was so tastey! I think one of the best cow neau ma moung’s I’ve had since being here! A’Roi Mak Mak ka!

So all in all we got to go the beach on an island in Thailand, we were surrounded with our friends (Ning, Kung, Natti, Jumm& Janna) we got to eat cow neau ma moung, I got to have a coconut shake in a coconut shell and I rode a motor taxi for the first time! I feel so blessed to be able to experience Thailand this way! A wonderfully glorious day!

the kids with their snakes

Sunday was Janna’s birthday! So we went to church in the morning and I helped Kung with Sunday School for the group of kids that have been coming to church since DRIME performed in their community. I taught them the English song, “My God is so big!” with the actions and stuff… It was fun! Then Kung taught them Bible while I went and ate my breakfast (from 7/11 lol – pretty much every Sunday cuz we are always in a rush lol) and I came back and listened to Kung tell the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent in the garden in Thai. Then we made a craft! We made a snake that was like a paper chain style. All the kids did a great job! And the boys made really long ones… haha! And I was still able to get to the service after helping, so great! Just missed worship unfortunately. 

karaokee

us at the bowling alley

After church and lunch Janna went looking for Looknut but unfortunately she was sick so their meeting with a lady couldn’t happen. That meant that we could go bowling earlier! So we asked around if people were free to come bowling with us and if P’Por was willing to drive. He was! So Por, Kong, Nadia, Matt, Kung, Janna and I headed off to Major to go bowling! Quite the experience! They gave us a token to put in a locker of your shoe size and the shoes come out the bottom; kinda like a vending machine! It was 10 pin bowling and really fun to hang out with friends! Janna had pulled a muscle in her back earlier in the week and one of the times that she bowled she re-injured it; which meant she couldn’t play anymore. :( Since she wasn’t able to play I gave her the present I had for her. She opened it and loved it! (It was a journal with a bunch of notes and pictures from friends) After bowling we went out for food at KFC and then Por and Kung wanted to sing Karaoke so we all went and joined them. I totally would have sung if there were English songs… But there weren’t. It was still so fun!

looking through the journal she got for her birthday - full of words from friends :)

All in all the weekend was so fun and I just feel like I’ve had more of an opportunity to experience more of Thailand! And I’m so grateful for that! Thank you for the blessings, Lord!

More Conversations!!!

I wanted to share a few more conversations from my missions trip (because I had lots! lol)

One of the days near the beginning of my trip, actually the day right after I fell down the stairs, I was able to talk with an 83 year old man named Chearn. Lindsey and I went over and I started speaking the limited Thai I knew to see if him or his family (wife and son) spoke any English. They didn’t, so Lindsey went and grabbed Kung to translate but I was surprised that we were able to talk by ourselves for a little while. When Kung came, I was able to explain the dramas and how Jesus was represented by the man in the white shirt. Chearn had a bit of knowledge about Christians however he told me how he was too busy to go to church. He had to run the family restaurant. Nevertheless we continued talking and I asked him if he had heard the testimony I had shared during the dramas. He hadn’t heard so I was able to share about all the health problems that I’d encountered since coming to Thailand and how the devil had been attacking me in that way because he didn’t want the message of Jesus to be heard. I asked him if he had any struggles in his life. He told me that he did struggle and I asked if it was alright if I prayed for him. It was very cool to pray in English and have someone translating the words into Thai. I not only prayed for his struggles but also that he would seek after truth and I hope that he finds that truth is God. I hope that you would continue to pray this prayer alongside of me. We continued to talk casually after that, he seemed like a very sweet old man with a very sweet family and I just pray that they can find hope, joy and truth in Jesus.

Another conversation I had on the first night of ministry was with an older lady named Choosri. I started talking with her and for some reason told her that the previous day was my birthday. As soon as the words left my mouth, I thought, “Why did I say that? It doesn’t matter that it was my birthday yesterday.” But she informed me it was her birthday TODAY! Throughout our conversation she told me how she was a Buddist and also how her son was in Switzerland and different things about her life. She told me she was very accepting of other religions but she was a Buddist. We had a bunch of bibles that we could give away and even though I didn’t feel the conversation was going very far; I asked her something before she left. I said, this may be random but can I give you a birthday present? Can I give you a bible so that you can read more about this Jesus who we came to share about? You can read it or you don’t have to but I just want to give it to you as a gift, would that be okay? And she said sure. She thanked me and said she had to go. But later I saw her talking with P’Natti. When I was out of the dramas she came over to me with a bag of apples. This is for your team, she said. Such a sweet lady to have my first conversation with… And even though I don’t feel like I said much or explained much to her about God; I feel like God still used me. She has a bible in her possession and it isn’t about the words that I say anyways. It’s about how God moves and works in people’s lives and hearts. We are just the people she encounters along the way. So if God can use me when I started talking about my birthday; He can use you even if you’re talking about jellybeans (yup – Lillian – jellybeans ;) hehe).

I had an unexpected conversation at a market we had performed at last year. We had just finished a drama set and I just felt like I needed to sit and pray this time. So I didn’t go out looking for any conversations or people to talk to, I stayed with the stuff and was just praying for the other conversations. Not too long after I decided this in my head, Jess came over and told me this girl she was talking to remembered me from last year. I was surprised at this! So I went over and joined their conversation and met Sprite. I was able to share with her and her friend about my struggles and how Jesus is victorious in the end (of the spiritual battle between good and evil). Nuu was our translator and he was able to share his testimony as well. From what it sounded like Joyce (the guy) had a Christian friend who had invited him to church before. He gave us his contact information so we can get him some more information about local churches. We also asked if they wanted bibles and Jess and I both wrote a verse for them in their bibles. Nuu translated the chapter into Thai characters so they could look it up. It looked like they both were really interested in reading them. They opened it while we were still there! So I pray that God uses His word to speak to these students. I’m so glad he used both Sprite remembering me and Jess bringing me over to gently nudge me to get involved in this conversation.

Another special conversation occurred in the rain, undercover but in the rain nonetheless. There were a big group of kids watching the dramas so I knelt down to start talking to one little boy. “Sawatdee ka! Khun sebai dee mai ka?” (Hello! how are you?) He smiled at me. I wanted to ask him what he thought of the dramas but I didn’t know how to say that. Jess had one of the Jesus story tracks in hand so I gave it to the little boy and his two friends but soon realized they probably were too young to be able to read it and I certainly couldn’t read Thai. Jaeng was standing nearby, and so I asked her if she could read the story of Jesus to these three children that I had tried to talk to. She did and at the end of the book it asks if they want to receive Christ into their hearts. The two boys raised their hands and so Jaeng prayed with them to ask Jesus into their hearts. So very very exciting! I just pray that they can find someone to teach them more about who they just invited into their lives. We couldn’t give them a bible to learn more because they couldn’t read it and I don’t think their parents were Christians, so just keep these boys in your prayer. They are in God’s hands - as all little children of God are.

I felt so blessed that this missions trip was filled with more children and babies than my last missions trip to Thailand. I got to hold baby Organ, and see these two boys come to Christ, perform at an elementary school, and just sit and play and read with children at a community centre library in a poorer area after we had performed a couple dramas for them… I remember looking at a book with this one little boy and then I just started counting in Thai… the boy joined me and soon he was saying numbers and I was repeating them. He seemed to enjoy teaching me new words by pointing at pictures as well as teaching me to count! God knew that we needed that and I’m so glad he sent little children our way!

So those are just a few more conversations that I had during the trip. What a wonderful trip it was! Missing my team <3 Love you guys!

Thanks everyone for the prayers sent out during when the team was here! Your support means the world and none of this is possible without God. So grateful that He is on our side and loves us so much!