Preparation for childcare at OMF conference

CU this is the Nakhon Sawan Christian Union (equivalent) it was wonderful to see lots of old faces from before as well as lots of new ones. It was great to see students lead all of the activities : ) including the Bible studies.

Old friends - it was lovely to have dinner with Leanne(left), and Caroline(middle) last Saturday night. Leanne was an associate when I was here as an assocaite she has just returned as a long term missionary. Caroline was a good friend when I was at language school last time, she had just arrived a few weeks before me. Was lovely to catch up.

"Big Clean" last Saturday the students came together to give the youth house a 'big clean'., to get rid of all the cob webs that had forned in the summer holidays.

ENGLISH TEACHING

Why did you decide to study at this University?

Tonight I went with Noon to do a survey. I was very supprised at the answer to this question 'Why did you choose this university?' If it was back home I would expect an answer like it has a good reputation, a good course, it's close to my home, my friends go here etc etc. But this Thai student reponded with 'because it is the University of King Naresuan (a well loved King of the past) his spirit is here, and he is like a Father to me, looking after me'!!

As the conversation continued, she showed an interest in finding out more about the God of the Bible, but like many Thai people believes that all religions are good, that you can follow many religions, that you can be Buddhist and Christian. We talked with her for a long time, we hope to see her again.

Activities at NU Youth House

On Saturday evening a group of students met together to give out leaflet/tracts, to let students know that the youth house exsists and what happens there.

Tuesday - fellowship group - trip to market

Wednesday - Prayer Meeting

Thursday - English lessons

Friday - Sports

Saturday - 'big clean', English lesson

Sunday - Church, Cell group

Monday - Day Off - yeah : )

In between I prepare for English lessons, prepare for childcare programme at conference, day to day running of youth house, and other bits and bobs for example tonight I will go to the university with Noon to carry out some surveys, with the hope of finding students who want to study English and or the Bible.

NOON

This is Noon. Noon is a Thai graduate who is taking part in the T2S (train 2 serve) programme, a student leader apprenticeship programme (I did this programme when I was with the student ministry team last year) At the moment there are no staff here. Julia will come back from home assignment next month, and a family who are finishing first year language study will also join the team next month. Meanwhile, I am at Naresuan University (NU) on the outskirts of Phitsanulok in Central Thailand. So meanwhile I am keeping her company and helping out with whatever I can help with.

RAIN

The weather forecast was correct it is raining in central Thailand. I have left beautiful northern irish weather for hot humid rainy weather in Thailand. It’s funny how quickly you begin to look forward to rain (as temp drops quite a bit!)– something I rarely do in my home land!!

BIBLE COLLEGE
Just to clarify that I have actually been at Belfast Bible College for the last year, and had some friends!!!

PRAYER FOR NU

This is the latest prayer info from the Central Thailand Student Ministry (CTSM) prayer new sheet for Nareseun Uni - P'lok where I'm at at the moment.

NARESUAN UNIVERSITY YOUTH HOUSE
There is much change at the NU Youth House too! Noon, a Thai graduate teacher
and an American couple, Jesse and Kristen Kroll, with their daughter Trinia, join Julia as
staff. (I am here for the next month until Julia arives back from home assignement) Please pray for a rapid forming of their new team, showing Christ-likeness with one
another, the students and unbelievers. There will be a Freshy Party on 2nd July to
introduce the Youth House, particularly to first year students. Please pray that many will
come and want to find out more. Training in prayer and fasting, discipleship and evangelism takes place throughout the term. Please pray for God’s word to equip students to be active in sharing their faith. Please pray for the students and staff to have a passionate burden to befriend and witness boldly to those who do not yet knowJesus, taking every opportunity to share the
gospel. May the university authorities grant permission for activities on campus. In the neighbourhood around the Youth House are many interested children, please pray that the team from the UK, alongside the students, will help to show them God’s love. Phitsanulok is served by several different Christian organisations and well-established churches. Please pray that there will be clear understanding and good co-operation between all those who seek to minister to students, build them up and send them out. Finally, please ask God to call those in their final term of study before work experience to consider offering themselves as a living sacrifice to T2S, CTSM or the local church.

BACK AT THE YOUTH HOUSE
The youth house has moved down the road, but the same kinds of things happen there, students hang out – eat together, play games etc. study God’s word. There is a new addition, a girl’s hostel – which is a great opportunity for Caroline to have a real impact on the girls there.
The pictures are of a discipleship class for the Christian students – some are old faces, continuing to grow in faith, and some are old faces – have come to faith since I left – Praise God : )
In the pictures Johnny is teaching ‘Bible Overview’ a pictorial method of helping the students grasp the continual story of the Bible.

Whats’s been happening so far…..

Answers to prayer
- Taxi to mission home
Had forgotten just how scary travel in Th can be!!! But I was very thankful that my taxi driver knew the area where I wanted to go really well, so not only did we get there with no problem but he also knew a way to skip a lot of the very heavy traffic, as it was the first day back for all the colleges in Bangkok so it was busy, busy, busy!
- Language
I remember a lot more than I thought I would – had lots of conversation with the taxi driver!!

I am in Nakhon Sawan at the moment where I worked and lived for nine months before, in many ways I feel as if I’ve never been away. On the way back from Bangkok I was able to spend a few hours in the mission home, resting, and catching up with many familiar faces which was lovely : )

I am spending a few days in Nakhon Sawan, adapting to Thai culture, helping a new short term worker find her way about, helping with the McClean kids a little. I brought some coloured icing with me, so I think a baking session is in order this afternoon!!

On Friday I will head up to Mono, Phitsanulok to the Youth House there. What I will be doing there is becoming a little clearer. I will be helping Noon the new Thai worker with things happening at the Youth House, preparing literature giving out literature, English teaching etc. I will also be helping to set up a house for a family from America who are joining the team next month. I will also be helping with preparation for childcare at the OMF conference 26th-29th June.

More prayer requests
- I’ve got a horrible cold not helped by air-conditioning on the plane, not helping sleep!! Especially with jet lag, and it’s very, very, very hot!!!!

- Dear – I met Dear when I was here the last time. She came along to the evangelistic Bible Study I ran, she then disappeared for a while, and when she came back we realised that she had got involved in a cult, I hope she will come to a Bible study with me on Thursday night.