My Thai Tales

2008-08-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

CAMP

This weekend all the hard work payed off as 150 or so students from central Thailand and Bangkok joined for an evangelistic camp. There were games, songs, lots of yummy food, lot's and lot's of fun - Bible studies and clear presentations of the Gospel, many want to find out more : )

2008-08-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Food at the market

2008-08-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Dear

I have mentioned 'Dear' before.

I got to know Dear when I was last here, she has been influenced by false teachings. I have been able to make contact with her again this time. She wants to go to camp this weekend.

Pray for her, as she hears again what the Bible really says.

2008-08-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

2008-08-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

Market life from a songtel (public transport)

2008-08-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Open Air Evangelism with students at the Night Market

2008-08-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Students prepare evangelistic Bible studies for camp

2008-08-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

Cool Cafe

An relaxed evagelistic event that students can invite their friends along too. This week there have been various evangelistic events with the aim of onviting friends along, as a taster of what camp will be like.

2008-08-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

What are yarn bugs?

Some have been wondering what yarn bugs are! Wonder no more!!

Why have I spent the last few days making yarn bugs? I also hear you ask - well next week is evangelistic camp and one of the activities is workshops, so this is the workshop I am preparing - there is also a penguin and a kitty kat!! : )

Hope you like them!! I've had lots of fun making them!! The penguin is especially cute with his ear muffs!!!

2008-08-03T23:28:00.000-07:00

I thank God for a wonderful weeks holiday - I was very priveleged to watch the sun set both in the north of Thailand and in Bangkok .

2008-07-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

Me and some students posing!!

2008-07-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

TEAM PREP

Next week a team will arrive from the UK. They will be befriending students, teaching them English, and inviting them to the evangelistic camp. So I've been helping with some of the preparation for that this week. Making posters, cards, manuals etc etc....

PRAY for this team as they travel, arrive adjust, and help the Thai students reach out to their friends.

2008-07-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

YOUTH HOUSE ON THE ROAD

2008-07-13T03:21:00.000-07:00

IRISH/ENGLISH LESSON
There's a statement for you!!! Last week - which I thought would be my last week teaching English here in P'lok - (but it is not going to be my last week!) so I decided to have an English lesoon about where I am from ie Northern Ireland, so I talked a bit about St Patrick (and included a bit of the Gospel at that point) had a quiz (they were suprised to learn that Titanic was built in Belfast!!) and made banoffee (well a bit of an adaptation!!!) There were some positive conversations afterwards about the Gospel bit that I included.

PRAY for these students as they think a bit about the truths of the Bible - quite a lot of them had the opportunity to study the Bible on Saturday.

So I will be teaching them for the last time this week, but also pray that they would still come along, that they would get to know the Christian students here.

2008-07-03T08:29:00.001-07:00

'OPEN HOUSE' @ P'lok - Mono

2008-07-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

Evangelistic Skit an 'OPEN HOUSE' Nakhon Sawan

2008-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

SPAGHETTI PARTY

teaching some Thai students how to make spaghetti - well kind of spaghetti I bought macaroni noodles by mistake - whoops!!!

2008-07-02T08:11:00.001-07:00

Me and the peacock

Last week I was involved in looking after the 0-3 year olds at OMF conference - this was the masterpiece that we created!! : )

2008-07-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

STUDENT BAPTISMS

These are baptisms that became Christians after hearing the Gospel at Nakhon Sawan Youth House.

2008-06-20T02:34:00.000-07:00

Preparation for childcare at OMF conference

2008-06-20T02:30:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-20T02:24:00.000-07:00

"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.

2008-06-20T02:20:00.000-07:00

ENGLISH TEACHING

2008-06-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-10T02:23:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-10T02:16:00.001-07:00

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.

2008-06-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

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!!

2008-06-10T02:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-06-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-05-28T12:57:00.001-07:00

Rain Rain Rain
Heading back to Thailand Sunday 1st - guess what the weather forecast is for Thailand - rain rain rain !!!!

2007-07-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Peat Fires and Soda Farls

2007-07-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

Ulster vs Scotland!!

I was a little suprised the other week when I went to visit the village where I grew up to see a Scottish flag, an Ulster flag, and

the Union jack!! Apparently there had been some Ulster Scots celebration. Anway it made me laugh as I think a lot about where I should be in September Ulster (btw for those who are not NI - Ulster refers to NI and 3 other northern counties), or Scotland. As I seek God's will may I know his guidance, reassurance and peace.

2007-07-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

The last few days my Mum and Dad took me away to the lakes of Co.Fermanagh - v v beautiful, as I’m sure you can see.
I loved smelling roses again as I walked through a rose garden/
I loved tasting wild raspberries that we found.And I just generally loved spending time in God’s beautiful creation.

2007-07-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Co incidence or not?! I’ll let you decide

I am back in Northern Ireland one week now. Emotions change day my day minute by minute, I’m glad to see family and friends but I miss folk back in Thailand too, and I miss what I got up to there. Sometimes I struggle living at home, being in N.Irish culture which I haven’t been part of for a long period of time for eight years.

Today I arranged to meet my mum for lunch at one of my fav coffee shops. She wasn’t outside so I went inside I couldn’t see her but I saw someone who looked awfully like a girl I had went to school with, but thought no it can’t be her. She’s in Aberdeen Scotland. Maybe she’ home visiting for a few days? So I went over and sure enough it was her. So got talking and she’s going to be at Belfast Bible College in September!! After leaving school she went to Aberdeen to study I was supposed to go there too but at the last minute decided it was a little bit too far and ended up in Dundee. We visited each other a few times. Meanwhile we both fell in love with the people of Asia. After graduating Julie went to Japan for a year and myself to Thailand.
What a provision someone who just lives up the road who is struggling with living at home, adapting to NI culture, have a heart for the people of Asia, want to serve God there in the future but a little bit scared.

2007-07-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Weather Report
It's cold and wet it hasn't stopped raining since I came home. So quite supprised to read in 'the week' (my source of interesting info) that Co Antrim (where I live) had the least rainfall in the UK last week only 12mm compared to 40mm in Lancashire, England!!

2007-07-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Answer to prayer
Central Thailand Ministry Fund have just received a donation - which means that will have enough money to buy Gospels, and pay for a slightly more expensive campsite : ) Continue to pray for those who will receive the Gospels and come to the evangelistic camp.

2007-06-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

URGENT PRAYER
I just received this from Thailand today - please pray. I am back in N.Ireland making the adjustment to life here. Hurting that I'm not there but I praise God that he hears our cries no matter what bit of earth we are on.

Dear All
Please can we ask you to pray urgently for:

1. A camp site for our evangelistic camp on August 3-5
We have just spent more than 5 hours driving around the local provinces looking at various sites (with kids in tow!). None were suitable. Then we decided to go and book the camp site we used last Christmas … only to discover that they have dug up the road 3km from the resort and there is no access to the resort for buses or larger vehicles in the foreseeable future.

We don’t have any options left … and we have four/five weeks to find somewhere suitable for 100 people!

2. Bibles
International Bible Society has confirmed today that they have no bibles available either to give away or for sale (they are republishing Thai bibles and have run down all their stock!) What next? What does the Lord what us to do?

A different Christian charity may possibly have some available and IBS are following that up for us. We should hear on Monday if there is a possibility of some bibles from this second source. We long for 1,500 free bibles to be able to distribute to the students of Central Thailand.

Please pray hard for the Lord’s guidance, peace and wisdom in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

With our love
Johnny and Ann (on behalf of the Central Thailand Student Ministry Team)

2007-06-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Interactive Oblongs!!
Good news here in Nakhon Sawan Nam and An’s plan to have a society within the university has been a success. The society will be called ‘interactive’. This Wednesday all the ‘freshy’ students (this name is used in Thailand also which makes me laugh) have to sign up for a society. There are only about 8-10 societies. So hopefully lots will join ‘interactive’ there will be different activities each week, sport, craft, cooking, learning about other cultures, and faiths. Some of these will have some evangelistic input some won’t but it does mean that we can be open about who we are that there is a Christian presence on campus, and that we can give out literature to invite people to come to various events at the youth house if people want to find out more. As I prepare to leave I’ve had some encouraging comments about my language progress recently. However An was a little bit confused when I told him that I was glad that there ‘oblong’ had been accepted what I meant to say was ‘chumlong’ which means society!!! So do pray for the 'interactive oblong' as the Thai guys go on campus this week.

2007-06-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Final CU Meeting

2007-06-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

Please Pray - I have been visiting one of the other youth centres in Phitsanulok. Tonight we went to the university to give out leaflets advertising events. This has been done lots in the last few years with no problems. First of all we went to the night market and we were stopped - something about rubbish. Then we went to outside the hall of residence and there was an announcement given over the loud speaker that if we didn't stop that the students i.d. cards would be taken away. So we left and prayed, please join us in prayer. Wan (a student) will go tomorrow to ask for permission.

2007-06-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

Student Ministry Staff Team

This is a pic of all the student staff in Central Thailand Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, and Lopburi

Bob, Julia, Ann, Johnny, Pueng, Kerri, Moo, Me, Caroline and Off

2007-06-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

Farewell

At the end of staff training, we went out for a nice dinner, and they gave me a nice pressie : ) some thai music and a necklace. I'm going to miss them.

2007-06-03T03:12:00.000-07:00

FOOT WASHING - this is a huge thing in Thai culture. Feet are the horribliest part of the body not to be touched, especially not by your older staff workers! This was part of a Bible Study that I lead looking at Christ's example of leadership - and Jesus's characteristic of humility.

2007-06-03T03:04:00.000-07:00

Student Training

2007-06-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

Staff Training - this time we were looking at ways to teach the Bible creatively, using the inductive Bible study method. We also had a look at the Bible overview teaching method. By the end of the three days we had a set of nine Bible studies in Thai on the Gospel of Mark to use for university students, as there is very little Bible Study material available for this group in Thai.

2007-06-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

A rainbow of promise - I've never actually seen a rainbow in Thailand before. Not sure why? On Sunday there was a real thunder plump of rain, followed by blue sky and a rainbow. Over the last few weeks as I've been reflecting on my time here I've been reminded time and time again that God has kept all his promises to me. Also as I've been reading the BIble I've been reminded time and time again of how God has kept his promises throughout history. I'm encouraged to remember that God will continue to keep his promises to me whatever the specifics of the future might be.

2007-05-22T05:07:00.000-07:00

The feeding of the 5,000!! well not quite but almost!!

There hasn't been anny students at the Youth House for a few months now as it has been school holidays. Last week I planned to make spaghetti for myself and one other person, so have a little tiny bit of meat and one packet of spaghetti and one jar of sauce for 3 people. As I'm busy in the kitchen I have a look outside and see that a few more students have arrived. Aah when you make food in Thailand your expected to make it for everyone. What shall I do? - a loaf of bread and a bit of garlic to the rescue! In the end spaghetti for two stretched to nine people!!

2007-05-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

The McClean kids - Matthew (5), Bethan (3), and Josh (1)

2007-05-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Breakdown in Bangkok

On the way back from the island yesterday we had arranged to meet a student in the centre of Bangkok, as we got near to where we had arranged to meet her we realised that the engine was getting really hot!! We were so close but steam was starting to come out so we managed to pull in off the main road. So we left the car to cool off and went and had dinner. When we returned the engine had cooled down and we filled it with water. We started the journey back to where we planned to stay the night. When we were on the road and able to go fast it was grand but as soon as we had to slow down in the traffic jams the engine started heating up. So we had to pull over again. This time we called the Shell recovery service and they came and towed us back to where we were staying. The car is getting fixed so my return to Nakhon Sawan is delayed a little bit but thats ok I get to up date my blog in an air con environment!!

2007-05-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

Hot or not so hot
Yesterday on the drive back from holidays we stopped by the side of the road and ordered some food. The stall holder was in a bit of a dilema. We were obviously foreigners, but we could speak Thai, so when I said in Thai "phet nitnooy" (a little bit spicy) she didn't know whether to make it foreigner not spicy or Thai not spicy. The old lady in the back said "They speak Thai, so they behave like Thais" so I got my lunch Thai spicy levels which was very delicous. It made me think though how important learning language is, I can never look Thai!! but I can try to behave like a Thai!

2007-05-08T23:39:00.000-07:00

What it looked like when it wasn't raining!!!

2007-05-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

JOKE OF THE WEEK!!!

What do you get if an Aussie girl takes an Irish girl on holidays to a beautiful tropical island?

Rain!!

No it's not rainy season yet it rained for a whole week while we were on Koh Chang. I actually didn't mind it made me feel at home, and I love hearing the crashing waves as I fall asleep and wake again, and there were great electrical storms which we don' t get in Ireland!!

2007-05-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

Driving in the rain

No I'm not back in Ireland yet!! I am still in Thailand. The rainy season has come one month early and it has come with avengance!! And yes I do have a liscence and I am insured to drive here in Thailand, just to assure anyone who might be concerned about that!! Driving in Thailand is certainly not boring!! Flying umbrellas, plastic etc etc. I Also have learnt something that will perhaps make me less frustrated when I drive my motorbike. When I am driving my motorbike and am about to come on to a main road waiting for the trtaffic to clear, cars often flash there lights, inside I'm thinking of course I'm not going to pull out I'm not a total idiot. But I've learnt that this is what you do when you are driving a car in Thailand - otherwise the car/motorbike will pull out right in front of you even though this appears in my mind to a completely crazy thing to do. Just a different way of looking at things!!!

2007-04-29T00:16:00.000-07:00

Off and Pueng

Lopburi

Staff Workers - Off has just finished T2S

2007-04-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Bob

Nakhon Sawan

T2S (Trained to Serve, slave? sunbathe?) worker

Just graduated from Pitsanulok

2007-04-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to the student ministry team: -

First Julia based in Pitsanulok

2007-04-29T00:04:00.000-07:00

Student Retreat - This last week I have been with the student ministry team enjoying God's beautiful creation, reflecting in his word, and having lots of fun and getting to know one another better. Facts that my team members have learnt about me!! I'm a little forgetful, I like hot showers, and I get cold very easily, I really like banana boating, and I especially sing a lot when I'm near the sea!!!!

2007-04-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where cashew nuts come from? This is a cashew nut tree. Cashew nuts are expensive because they have to be removed and there is some kind of chemical which makes it dangerous, so processing is very expensive. Just one of the things I continue to learn in Thailand whre tropical fruits and nuts come from!!

2007-04-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hiding
Sorry I don't have any exciting pictures or stories to tell. Last week was Thai New Year when everyone goes a bit mad and throws water and puts powder on everyones face. Last year I joined in the celebrations and it was fun but this year I have decided to hide. I have been hiding in the Bangkok mission home, I have also been helping a little bit, writing up research and filling in application forms for Bible College. Being in Bangkok I've got to go to English Church the last few weeks which has been fantastic.
Now I'm off to the beach for a retreat with the student staff. Then I will go on holidays. So probably no more posts for a few weeks and then the cunt down begins, I will be back in NI on the 27th of June. Look forward to catching up with lots of you then : )

2007-04-05T04:17:00.000-07:00

Answered prayer - Thank you for your prayers. Before we left for Cambodia I posted these prayer requests (light blue) Here are the ways in which God has answered these prayers.

This is my first time to take anyone else on a mission trip I am seen as the leader - as I'm the oldest!! and they also say the most beautiful - ha ha
I had to take on the role of leader much more than I expected. I was very thankful that the week before going to Thailand I had been at a training week focusing on mentoring and discipleship. I often thought back to Christs example of leadership.

Pray for our adjustments to Cambodian culture this will be the girls first experience of living in another country, I'm told that when Thai's go to another country they really miss their food (so i've some mama noodles packed - like pot noodles - don't think it's something I will miss but i'm told the girls will!) I'm personally looking forward to having bread for breakfast : )
I did indeed enjoy the french baguettes for breakfast. The girls struggled with culture shock much more than any of us expected. Please continue to pray for Paa and Leeh as they adjust back to life in Thailand and reflect on how they reacted.

Language - they speak Thai fulently I speak English fluently (well i used too - I'm going through a real phase of forgetting English words at the moment, it's no that I can think of the Thai I can't think of anything!!) That this wouldn't cause unecessary stress and strain - especially when we are tired.
It was difficult for the girls at times being exposed to English so much. I was thankful that they were able to spend some time with Thai missionaries this of course was a little bit more stressful for me- but it was fine.

Faith- Cambodia isn't very far away, but it still costs money to travel and live there. Supprisingly food costs more in Cambodia than Thailand. The money we need to a westerner doesn't seem like very much but for a Thai student it's a lot of money. May they be amazed at God's provision.
Praise God he provided all we needed and a little bit more. Food does indeed cost more in Cambodia despite the fact that the average Cambodian earns a lot less, it is difficult for the majority of Cambodians to survive. I think this also really challenged the girls although they don’t have lots by Thai standards to the average Cambodian they are very rich, they have been able to study at university, and they are very thankful for this.

And above all that God will be glorified. That we all would be stretched and challenged : )
We most certainly were stretched and challenged. At times I wondered if we would actually break, but in God’s mercy when we put our focus back on him this did not happen! : )

2007-04-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

2007-04-02T03:20:00.000-07:00

MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN!! I spent my 26th Birthday in Cambodia. As in Thailand, Birthdays are a time when you give, not receive. So I made a Birthday cake. Sounds like an easy task – but remember I’m in Cambodia were ovens are not widely available. So can one not bake a cake – no one can – but one must use a ‘black box’ the name says it all really. It is a black box made of some kind of metal, it is quite light, and you place it over the gas stove. Very important to have a gas stove as the electricity often goes off, and we were staying in the capital city!! (but that’s a story for another day!!!)
So who was this master piece of a cake for? For most of the time we were in Cambodia we lived at a hostel for factory girls, half Christian half not. So when they came back from work we had a party – lots of silly balloon games, cake, snacks, and noodles. It is common in this culture to give a present on your Birthday so I gave them a key ring which I then used to tell the story of my life. The girls (Paa and Lee) did a skit about how there can be more to life than eating, sleeping and working. Life is hard for these girls there isn’t much more to life than eating, sleeping, and working, it is my prayer that these girls can know God’s peace in the hardship of life in Cambodia.
So does the black box work – looking at the picture – you might have your doubts I most certainly have!! But it worked – Praise God and it was actually quite yummy, but that’s maybe because I’m quite chocolate deprived at the moment so anything with a chocolate flavour tastes good!!! :)

2007-03-06T01:24:00.000-08:00

Getting Ready for Mission Trip to Cambodia

Let me introduce you to Paa and Lee (the two girls in the cooking picture)

Paa and Lee are about to graduate from uni this year. In under two weeks 17th March the three of us will go to Cambodia. Spending time with and working with missionaries in Cambodia. This is the first time for the girls to be involved in missions overseas, so very exciting. Our programme hasn't been finalised as yet but will potentially include - teaching Thai (i might opt out of this!!) Helping with Sunday school, and Youth Programmes.

So making preparations - 1 getting our hair cut - as we're trying to save money one of the students is doing it for free

2 making cookies that the girls will take to the market and sell

Pray

- This is my first time to take anyone else on a mission trip I am seen as the leader - as I'm the oldest!! and they also say the most beautiful - ha ha

- Pray for our adjustments to Cambodian culture this will be the girls first experience of living in another country, I'm told that when Thai's go to another country they really miss their food (so i've some mama noodles packed - like pot noodles - don't think it's something I will miss but i'm told the girls will!) I'm personally looking forward to having bread for breakfast : )

- Language - they speak Thai fulently I speak English fluently (well i used too - I'm going through a real phase of forgetting English words at the moment, it's no that I can think of the Thai I can't think of anything!!) That this wouldn't cause unecessary stress and strain - especially when we are tired

- Faith- Cambodia isn't very far away, but it still costs money to travel and live there. Supprisingly food costs more in Cambodia than Thailand. The money we need to a westerner doesn't seem like very much but for a Thai student it's a lot of money. May they be amazed at God's provision.

- And above all that God will be glorified. That we all would be stretched and challenged : )

2007-02-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

: )
Preview to the puppet show
Click to the right
and it should work!!!
Can't believe I've got this to work!!!!

2007-02-23T01:07:00.000-08:00

Discipleship - as part of my student leader training I have been reading two books 'Disciples are born not made' and 'Master plan of discipleship' I then wrote a report, here it is : -

“You have not done anything until you have changed the lives of men” (Disciples are born not made) There are many ways in which the world would have us change the lives of men. Jesus says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19,20) How are we to change men’s lives we let them follow us as the result they will follow Christ - this is discipleship, following men who follow Christ.

The Gospels show us the example of Jesus how he selected his followers and how he discipled them and as a result started to evangelise the world. As we seek to follow his command of evangelising the world we must study and apply his example so that in turn our disciples will follow Jesus.

Selection - How will we put this plan into action – How will we recruit, select disciples? What did Jesus do? He saw men and he went to them and said “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18) Who were these men? They were doctors, tax collectors, fishermen from Galilee. Their background didn’t matter only their willingness to follow. How many should we disciple? He chose only 12 and he concentrated especially on three. If Jesus being perfect without the distractions of man discipled twelve and concentrated on three, then surely we should aim to disciple no more.

Now that he had chosen a small group he stayed with them – Association.
He told the new recruits “Come and follow me” He needed to be with them in order for them to follow. When one of the disciples asked Jesus where he was staying he replied “come and you will see” (John 1:39) The disciples were going to see where he lived, where he ate, where he went because they were going to do all of these things with him. He let them get to know him fully by integrating them fully into his life. His whole life and ministry involves the disciples. He spent time with them, he gave his life totally to them. He let them into his life so that they could follow him. Jesus let them watch, he let them observe his life. This means that our lives have to be Christ centred that we need to be following Christ so that they can follow us and as a result follow Christ.

The Cost - Jesus put the spiritual needs of others before his physical needs. It costs to become involved in the lives of others. Association costs - it involves giving our time, our energy, our privacy our money/processions, goals and ambitions. Our lives become our disciple’s lives as they follow us. It seems a lot to give, it is a lot but Christ gave everything for us, it is not ours to give. All of these belong to God. Jesus taught about the cost of following him and the importance of counting the cost we must also ensure that we and our disciples have counted the cost.

If I a man is going to follow as well as realising the cost he must also know who he is following. We need to be involved in this process that the potential disciple is familiar with scriptures and what it says about the plan of salvation. If the man does not have conviction and perspective then he is unlikely to continue to follow.

Role of the Holy Spirit - Before Jesus left us on earth he gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22) When Jesus left us he did not leave us alone to make disciples of all men. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help. We must let the Holy Spirit work in our lives as well as in the lives of those we disciple. Remembering it is not our work but God’s work. The Spirit of God desires for Christ to made known in all the world as the Spirit lives in us this purpose will be fulfilled through us.

Christ showed them how to live - They must see Christ at the centre of our lives centred on prayer, Bible study, evangelism, and fellowship. We must not just tell the disciple how it is done but we must show them. We must befriend them we must invite them into every part of our lives. We learn things much more effectively through example.
Jesus often prayed in the presence of his followers. He also taught his disciples to pray.
Jesus often used scripture in his conversation. This requires reading, studying and learning scripture in order to follow this example. As we are integrated and involved in a fellowship of believers we must encourage our disciples to become involved. Following the example of our leader we must befriend sinners we must not separate ourselves from worldly people. We need to become friends with non Christians. A friend is more likely to listen than an acquaintance. If we are not involved in evangelism then our disciple is unlikely to be involved in evangelism. As they follow our lives they will see how we are involved in evangelism. “Jesus was so much the Master in His teaching that he did not let His method obscure His lesson. He let His truth call attention to itself, and not the presentation…He was the method” (the master plan of evangelism p 78) He demonstrated his method through living his life.

Assigning work - By showing the disciples his life he showed them how to do his work. He didn’t need to tell them to bring their friends and family to follow they just did, how did they know this was what Jesus wanted? They were following his example. He let them get involved in practical ways, getting food, arranging accommodation. They didn’t do much but they were constantly reminded of the vision by observing their Master. After some time of observation “Calling the twelve to him, he sent them out two by two” (Mark 6:7) He gives them only a few instructions about practical matters he does not mention what he wants them to do, he doesn’t have to because they have been following him. They know what Jesus wants them to do, he doesn’t need to spell it out. We don’t need to tell our disciples what to do it should be obvious from our lives and therefore their relationship with God. We can however point them in the right direction, so that they make these decisions for themselves.

Reporting - It would seem that not that long after sending them out “The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.” (Mark 6:56) When the disciples made mistakes he corrected them telling them what they needed to do. We must also keep an eye on our disciples reviewing their work, advising them where necessary, in doing so encouraging them so that they do not get defeated. We must keep on discipling until our followers are mature, this may be a long process.

Reproduction. The result of selecting the right people those who have conviction and perspective will be reproduction. There is a huge difference between addition and multiplication. Evangelism by itself results in addition, discipleship results in multiplication. The result of following the command “go and make disciples” will be reproduction. If we follow the example of Jesus on earth his method of evangelism we will follow him, which involves training others. They will then be trained to disciple others and so the world will be evangelised. Are we reproducing? Are those who we led to Christ discipling others? If the answer is yes then we are following the Master’s plan of Evangelism as explained in the Gospels.

2007-02-22T04:34:00.000-08:00

Chineese New Year!!

No I'm not in China!!

Yes I am still in Nakhon Sawan!!

But it's got a huge Chineese population so it has the biggest Chineese New Year celebration in Thailand!!

2007-02-22T04:01:00.000-08:00

End of Term - The students are doing exams at the moment and then they will be off for a long summer. During the summer break I will be writing up my modules, (writing about some of the things I have learnt and done this term) leading a mission team of Thai students to Cambodia, going on holiday, and doing some futher training. SO this was the last CU meeting of term. The girls to my left and right will graduate this term.

2007-02-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

Ralph and Rosaline - The story of the puppets
Meet Ralph, male puppet with green shirt and Rosaline, girl puppet, and Granda (took a lot of time to think of that name!!) Last week was very exciting for me as I have had the idea of using puppets in Thailand for a very long time!! This is the rather amazing story of how it has all come about. Almost four years ago aah!!!! I went to Italy on a short term trip, for evanagelism they used puppets. When I was in Thailand last time I thought I think this type of evangelism would work here not only with kids but also with teenagers and students. So when I realised I had to organise an evangelistic event in October - straight away I thought puppets!!! But number one I had no puppets number two I have never used a puppet in my life before!!! And then I got sick!!! One night when I was sick I very randomly asked another associate if he knew of anyone who had used puppets before in Thailand. He looked at me a bit strangely and said Why? I explained. His reply was "I've got a bag of puppets under my bed" My response was "What!!??Why?!" He had been at a Church a few months before he was walking out of the building with the pastor and they noticed that someone had thrown the puppets on the rubbish heap. The pastor was very annoyed so Steve offered to take the puppets. So problem number one solved I now had puppets. After more conversation regarding using puppets found out that he had attended a puppet course. Problem number 2 solved - I invited him to come and train two Thai students and myself. Result - a puppet show and two Thai students who hopefully will use the puppets themselves as a method of evangelism : )

2007-02-15T00:50:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day

Yesterday was the day that much work had gone into. Preparing for the puppet show for a few weeks now, training the students practice practice practice. I also bought all the decorations for the hall decorated the hall etc and I unexpectedly also ended up calling the ceildh dances!!! - going to uni in Scotland was useful after all!!! It was a really good night the three Christian students were a great help, and brought lots of there non Christian friends along to hear the Gospel, praise GOd : )

2007-02-07T01:54:00.000-08:00

Expect the unexpected

Thought I would share with you one of my recent 'expect the unexpected' moments!! A few weeks ago one of the senior missionaries in the town asked if I would go into the private university in the city for and teach for a few hours. Since we don't have any connections with this university and we would like to I said - "Sure what do I need to preapare" "Nothing" came the reply, she explained that they were in their final year about to graduate and had never spoken to a foreigner before, and just wanted to ask some questions. So off I went just me!! Arrived started chatting to the teacher and she asked "So what have you prepared?" My train off thoughts were - aaaaaaah - what!!! - ok don't panic - she's not actually the teacher in charge so maybe she doesn't know what is going on, but aaaaaaah!!! So then met the teacher in charge so I said "So the students will ask me some questions" "Hmm no" came the dreaded response" There English isn't very good you'll need to teach them a lesson" AAAAAAAHHHHH !!!!!WHAT!!!! Frantically looking around the room no blackboard no nothing, and I had absolutely nothing with me. So I thought ok no point in panicking - just introduce yourself and see where that goes, so I somehow miracously managed to entertain them for an hour!!!

2007-02-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti Party

2007-02-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

Valentines Activities

Getting ready for evangelistic events. For a long time now I have been want ing to use puppets here in Thailand as a form of evangelism - and now I'm getting the chance to train Thai students to do just that : )

2007-01-27T06:08:00.000-08:00

Making Rain
Not something that I’m familiar with coming from the green Isle of Ireland. But that’s exactly what happened on Monday – the King made rain!!!! Yes I am being serious. When it rained on Monday I was a little supprised as it’s supposed to be cool season followed by hot season, and then rainy season, so it shouldn’t really rain until end of Aprill/May. So apparently we are in a state of drought which I find a bit strange as we had a very rainy long “rainy season”. . So on Monday lots of planes flew over our province and caused it to rain. Strange but true!! For more technical details or if you think I’m absolutely mad then have a look at the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4358535.stm if they say it in the BBC news it must be correct!!!!! PS my Thai friend who is watching me write this article is very amused that the BBC is reporting this about Thailand. Because in Thai news they only report what is happening in Thailand, and only a little bit about other countries.

2007-01-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

“A change is as good as a holiday” don’t know where this saying/theory came from but I decided to put it to the test this last week. Swapping students for eight under fives!! I had a fun week playing in the sand pit, blowing lots of bubbles painting the fence with water and reading my favourite story “The hungry caterpillar” lots of times!!! Maybe that was what my year in the nursery was all about training for this event!! So is “a change as good as a holiday” By the end of the week I was absolutely wrecked physically and mentally but yes in a strange way I did feel a little refreshed after a child free weekend!! : ) But not quite a week by the sea – side even though I did get a bit wet when someone knocked over the water cooler!!

2007-01-08T04:22:00.000-08:00

Mae Hong Song in pictures - I managed to get hold of someone who is computer literate and who was able to help me get connected here in Bangkok.

2007-01-08T04:18:00.000-08:00

Happy 21st Birthday Nam - to celebrate his Birthday we had a DVD and Korean BBQ on the roof!!

2007-01-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year
I spent the New Year in Chiang Mai stopping on my return journey from up north Mae Hong Song – which is very close to the border with Burma. I was supposed to be getting a train early in the morning back to Nakhon Sawan but it was delayed for 4 and a half hours. The most shocking thing I think as I reflect on this that I was really not that concerned or surprised when I was told this!! It’s Thailand generally nothing happens on time!!!

I am away this week in Bangkok, somehow managed to get myself signed up for taking care of the children at a conference 8 under 3’s so they say that ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ so I shall report back at the end of the week if this is indeed true or not. As I am in Bangkok I am having problems using my own computer but due to my technical in capabilities am unable to use it so you’ll have to wait a while to get the pics from my visit up north.

So had a really lovely few days with Beth, Faye and Lilli, who where all at language school in Lopburi with me. Had a great time catching up and drinking coffee. It was really, really cold at night.! I had a proper duvet and my jumper on and a hot water bottle it was bliss. In the evenings I got all my layers on and snuggled up in front of the TV and was introduced to Greys Anatomy. I also really enjoyed the quietness and stillness and beauty of Mae Hong Song. One morning I went for a walk with my jumper and scarf – the simple pleasures. I also really enjoyed some ‘farnag’ ‘foreign food’ a great high light was having an oil and vinegar dressing on my salad in normal Thailand it’s a bit like salad cream which I don’t particularly like!! So all and all a very very enjoyable trip : )

2006-12-25T21:51:00.000-08:00

Cold Season has arrived at long last : ) The temperature at night falls to about 19.C a few weeks ago it was still 30+ at night so 19 feels very cold indeed, so I had to go and do some shopping. As I only had one jumper.
I am also on my way up north tonight where it is even colder!!

2006-12-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

And Christmas Day I spent Christmas day in Uthai Thani (about 45 mins from here) with the Trelogan family who I spent time with when I was sick. Claudia was also there she is from Switzerland so we had cheese fondue which was really really nice: ) I also had a big Christmas dinner the night before but for forgot to take some pictures!!!

2006-12-25T21:25:00.001-08:00

Christmas celebration number 2 - Sunday in Church from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon!!! Thankfully I did not go carol singing which started at six in the evening and finshed at five in the morning.

2006-12-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

2006-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas Celebration number 1 - On Saturday all the central Thailand student ministry team met up to have a time of fellowship singing playing games and eating of course a "fusion" or "confusion" buffet!!

2006-12-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

Christian Union (CU) Carol Service at Youth House

2006-12-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Party at the Youth House

2006-12-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Church Christmas Youth Party

2006-12-21T21:57:00.001-08:00

Christmas in Thailand
Lots of opportunities to share the Gospel. I went to another town in Nakhon Sawan province yeseterday. The Church there is well respected in the community and was asked to organise lead a day of activities in a primary school. A group of us went taught a little English, but most importantly we were able to share the real meaning of Christmas with about 200 kids and teachers. They then entertained us with some Thai dancing.
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2006-12-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

Christmas Evangelistic Fun Camp
We had lots of fun eating, playing games, and most imporatntly sharing the real meaning of Christmas - which was new for many of these students!!

2006-12-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Dear
I met Dear this week she has been studying the Bible for a year. On Sunday she went to Church for the first time : )

2006-12-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

Party in the Park
Last Saturday we had a Party in the Park. We had a hunt the worker type thing only two groups found me!! We played lots of games. We had a Korean BBQ you put meat on top and veg and noodles in the soupy bit very delicous. There were about 60 people there mainly non Christians. The foreigners are a group from New Zealand who have come to help for this month.

2006-12-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Bible Study
We started off with 1 for English and 10 for Bible study. We had one group study in English Thai and the other in Chinese. They had never heard of Jesus before. The first time they held a Bible!!

2006-12-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

Nakhon Sawan - last week I went up a hill of course there was a temple at the top and this is the view. Nakhon Sawan has the same population as Belfast apparently, but it's much more compact!! It's got a really large Chineese population.

2006-12-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

Afternoon Tea in Malaysia - this was a really nice treat when I went to get my visa : )

2006-11-13T03:44:00.002-08:00

He gives and takes away….One set of students have been taken away but thank God for a new set. One of the teenagers from Church brought ten or so non Christian school friends to the Youth House last week. We had lots

2006-11-13T03:44:00.000-08:00

Good bye Sukothai

Today I went back to Sukothai to hand in my work permit, and to say good-bye, as I left in a bit of a a rush. It was sad as I watched them all bow to Buddha this morning. Thousands and thousands of students still need to hear the Gospel.

2006-11-10T04:43:00.000-08:00

Train to Serve (T2S)
This is the new training scheme that I am part of. Last week we went away for a week of training. Firstly let me introduce you to everyone in the picture. Starting at the front and who you know!!
Front left Hannah (from England working alongside me for 3 months) Caroline (England just finished first year language helping the Thai couple behind for the next few months.
Thai Couple behind me Buk (female) a (male) student workers at youth house in Lopburi.
In the middle Ann and Johnny Mclean (team leaders work in Nakhon Sawan) with their three kids Joshua (baby) Matthew and Bethan (never a dull moment with these three!!!

The other Thai guy Off – student worker in Pitsanuloke with his wife Pueng (means Bee)
At the very back Steve – the guy who worked in Sukothai at the boys hostel and who’s parents I stayed with when I was sick.

2006-11-10T04:28:00.000-08:00

Where?
Where is this beach. To me it looks like a beach in Ireland, maybe I have been away to long and forget what such a beach looks like!!! It’s actually a beach in Koh Samui, on an overcast day. I think I was the only person happy that the weather was overcast, rainy and waves in the sea!! : )

2006-11-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear, and baby bear go to on hols…
This picture reminds me of the three bears it is very unrepresentative as I’m actually the tallest. We spent ten very refreshing days in Koh Samui.