TRIP DATES:  June 16 - June 30

FRIDAY, JUNE 30:

Team Thailand has arrived home safe and sound.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27:

Mark and Geneva write:

Yesterday teaching the teachers about how to do VBS went very well (26th). We didn't finish so we are at it today. Yesterday I gave them an over view of VBS and painted a big picture of it. Erin, Cate & Rachel, and Christina gave the Bible stories to them and how they could get the children involved in the story. Our craft person, Geneva, showed them how to do a few crafts.  All of them did a great job. Today we finished off with Nathan's story and then did a few games that they haven't heard of.  We finished off of dramatizing Mallory's story (everyone acted very well) and they loved it.  Rolien who is the head of the school and her helpers were very excited. They hope we come back next year. Everyone keeps giving me their business cards or addresses and want us to come back to help them. It is amazing what God has allowed us to do and how everyone has done real well.

MONDAY, JUNE 26:

Mark and Geneva write:

We are in at Patong Beach tonight (Monday) We are working at the Asian Center teaching the teachers to do VBS. We will be doing some of it with kids on Wednesday before we head back to Bangkok. The time has gone by so fast, and is going faster. Thursday the intrepeter we had at the building site will be meeting us to show us around Bangkok, and Preecha, the pastor we have been working with is taking us to his church to see it. We hope everyone at home is well, keep praying for us- these last few days of our trip continue to be fruitful with the people here. We will see you soon-

The Thailand Team

FRIDAY, JUNE 23:

Mark and Geneva write:

We are all doing well! Sawadee ka!

Things went well today.  We went to the Burmese school and played with the kids. It is really hot.  Tomorrow we go back to laying brick and pouring concrete, then Sunday it is off to the Elephants.  We are bringing home lots of pictures for everyone to see. It is really hot and humid, after a day without rain, we actually are looking foward to the rain again--- Take care, and we will see you soon ( at least it will seem soon to us)---Geneva and all the Thai team

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21:

Mark and Geneva wrote:

We are having a great time! Everyone is working physically very hard. I don't think they knew it was going to be such hard work but no one is complaining and we are having fun. The team has really gelled. They are encouraging each other, especially Rachel, and really enjoy each others company - just like family.

Nathan has been very helpful and has been the third head "mother (father) hen" behind Geneva and me - keeping track of how much they are drinking and making sure no one is working too hard. Kai is one of our interpreters and she shared that she was worried about all these young girls doing such hard work when we first got here. Well last night during my debrief time she made a comment how hard the girls work lifting big bricks, buckets of concrete and building walls. She said that we work so hard and focus on what is needed and having so much fun at it! She can't believe it but thanks God for us. She also told us the builder, (the person in charge at the site) said that we are getting things done so fast that we are pushing him also.

Everyone is reflecting God's glory (Matt 5:16 - Max Lucado It's Not About Me). For a leader, it is so wonderful but it makes you cry to see how He works. It is such an awesome experience. God has worked mightily bringing everyone together.

There have been very few times where it hasn't rained. I have never seen anyone pour concrete in the rain till here (or stack brick). Now we know what monsoon season means. Mallory was the one who wouldn't eat anything that didn't look right. She is actually trying different dishes. The whole group is doing well to get out of their comfort zone.

We have teamed up with Dave, who hasn't been to this part of Thailand, and young man, Brice, just out of high school who eventually wants to arrange mission trips. The group accepted them into the group very quickly. Brice, at debriefing, said he was impressed how he was welcomed into the group.

The "community center" was just a perimeter foundation (just where the walls are-no floor), about 2 feet high in some place. Now they are approaching the second level of the housing. Just awesome! The community center will eventually have computer classrooms, an English teaching room, a church section, and a place where missionaries can stay short term. We are going to help out at the Burmese Christian school on Friday. We were supposed to do VBS there, but that has changed. I don't think they knew we were coming. God will lead.

The resort is very beautiful and the service is great. We are the only ones in the resort but the group is getting to know the help and building relationships with them. It will be hard to show where we stayed on our 'mission trip'.  We certainly haven't roughed it at all here.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20:

SATURDAY, JUNE 17:

Team Member, Mallory writes:

SATURDAY, JUNE 17:

Team Thailand has arrived safely in Bangkok.  After a turbulent flight to Tokyo (11 hours) they are at their hotel and looking forward to a good rest.