AFC Bangkok 2006

English camp was so much fun! Our team was excited about a weekend out of the city and the chance to appreciate the gorgeous scenery of the country of Thailand. The private land on Cha'am beach was purchased by this church many years ago, and now there are condos being built on both sides. Once we get pictures up, you'll know why because it is BEAUTIFUL! We had almost 30 of our students join us for the weekend as well as members from the church here who wanted to get away for the weekend. Another group from AFC was able to join us and help keep the conversations, games, and the fun atmosphere going. AFCO was an important part of our weekend, and they will be leaving Bangkok Monday morning to travel to Malaysia. We'll miss their smiles!

Watching the sunrise on Sunday morning was a highlight of the weekend for me (even though it happened at 5:15ish-- early birds got the worm on this one for sure) We also played some traditional games, learned songs, and played in the water together! Thai Christians cooked each of the meals for us, and although it was a little bit different from traditional "camp food" (squid was involved in two of the meals) it was wonderful especially eating Thai barbecue on Saturday night-- Moo ga ta. 

Monkey Mountain was a unique experience to say the least. Some of our new Thai friends had never even gone to the top of this place to see the temple where the monkeys have now taken over. We rode cable cars to the top of this "mountain", and once we were at the top, there were no cages or fences or anything of that sort, but there were monkeys. There were monkeys EVERYWHERE! They were holding their babies, climbing, and running around. We had to be careful not to bring food because the do attack and grab for food. Our group and the Aggies part of AFCO made it safely up and down-- no monkey business there!

It feels like coming home to return to Somprasong 4 Church of Christ in Bangkok, and we are eagerly awaiting our first week of lessons. The next two days will consist of practicing our lessons, smoothing out last minute details, and a little more site seeing before we get started. To help us understand a little more about the Buddhist background that most of our students and most of the Thai people come from we are going to see the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha-- a major source of national pride to the country of Thailand as well as one of the most sacred symbols in the Buddhist religion.

Well I know it's been awhile since we've had a new post, but it's because this past weekend we've been at Cha-Am doing our English camp.  We left Bangkok Friday evening on a bus with our students.  Once we got to Cha-Am we had a late night snack with everyone and then went straight to bed.  At 7 AM the next morning we all woke up and began the days activities.  Breakfast was delayed so we took the opportunity to teach our students "The Greatest Commands."  When breakfast was finally ready, we ate with our students and then began into the first lesson of the day.  One of the other teams that is here in Bangkok working was in charge of our first lesson.  They played some games and then it was time for crafts and lunch.  Then it was time for our lesson.  We taught them how to square dance and then we had them plan skits.  At this camp, we gave every single group the movie "Finding Nemo" and then we gave each group a different genre; everything from action, to musical, to chick flick.  Later on that evening, they would have to perform those skits for us during the talent show.  After our activity we had some free time.  That night, we ate Mu Grata for dinner which is Thai B.B.Q.  Then later that evening we had a campfire devotional and 4 people gave their testimonies for the students.  Then we had our talent show.  I was incredible. 

Today we woke up and Kelly preached at the camp.  Afterwards we took a group picture and began cleaning up the camp site to leave.  Then the group left to go to Monkey Mountain.  I opted to go back with one of the church deacons to help with setting up some computer stuff.  Every single year, we as a mission team try to give something to the church that they can use.  Last year, we gave them a ping pong table and they loved it.  This year, the church recently got ADSL but they hadn't had a way to connect the entire building, so we provided them with a wireless access point that I had to help configure it.  So I came back to Bangkok with P' Top and we got an access point and configured it.  Now the church has a way to access wireless ADSL from anywhere in the complex.  After church services, our team went out to eat with Kelly D and now we're back for the evening.  We start teaching this week and I can hardly wait.  It's going to be awesome.  I should have a chance to post some pictures from this past weekend soon.  Stay posted for more.

In Him,

Tong

Today was the last day of the funeral for my uncle.  We went to the temple and witnessed the cremation ceremony.  It was quite an experience for the team.  They have done a great job and I'm proud to be blessed with the honor of serving with such a team of fine individuals that are tough, flexible and optimistic.  Afterwards, we met the AFCO group outside the King's Palace and we did a prayer walk around the palace complex.  During it, we prayed for the future of Thailand (with elections coming up, they are unsure of who is going to be ruling their country), our students, English camp, etc.  It was an amazing feeling to walk beside P' Bao and listen to him pray in Thai and for me to pray in English with him.  Afterwards, he brought forth a lesson for us and I translated into English.  Now we're back at the church where some are getting ready to go to Cha-Am to set up for English camp this weekend.  There won't be any blog updates this weekend due to English Camp at Cha-Am, but I'll have plenty to write afterwards.  That's all for now.

In Him,

Tong

Here are a few more pictures from the trip so far.

Last night we went to Na Sao's house.  It was amazing.  P'Bao did the lesson and I translated it into English for our team.  Afterwards we had a great time of fellowship with Na Sao's family over an amazing meal.  Then we came back and crashed for the night.  I had a meeting with P'Rung yesterday about our schedule and what not, so I'll pass all that information on today to the team.  A lot of today will be informationals for our team as well as going through the English lessons.

In Him,

Tong

AFCO arrived at the church building this morning at 3 AM.  It was great to see a lot of familiar faces and to get to talk to old friends.  Today for the most part is an off day for us since AFCO is here.  I wanted to give everyone a chance to mingle with friends.  Also today we'll be going to cell group at Na Saow's house.  It should be quite a humbling experience for the team.  That's all for now I guess, but I'll update more later.

In Him,

Tong 

Well today so far we got up and had equipping time this morning and then went and ate breakfast.  Afterwards, we finished up on English lessons and took them to the print shop to be bound for our students.  Next we took the team to the Big C, which is like a Wal-Mart on steriods.  Lacey needed to buy something black to wear for the funeral and then a few people bought groceries, snacks and other things we needed.  We walked back to the church and now we're getting ready to leave for the funeral.  This is an opportunity for the team to experience a Thai Buddhist funeral.  Please be praying for the team so that we may somehow be lights at this funeral so that maybe some how the people at the fueral may come to know Christ by us being there.  That's all for now. 

 In Him,

Tong

Hello everyone!

We are finally here and recovered for the most part from the jet lag of a 20 hour plus plane flight. We were welcomed by the Thai Christians here (who seem to smile without ceasing) and have been acquainting ourselves with the church and the small part of Bangkok that will become our home for the weeks to come. Saturday night was the first night we got to meet our English students at a small orientation. We have about 40 students right now, but we are assured by past experience that the numbers will grow a little as our popularity spreads and our students bring their friends! Our lessons will actually begin next Wednesday, but before that we have English Camp on May 26, 27, and 28 on Cha-am Beach away from the city life. I am looking forward to getting to have fun with our students and the Christians we have met here so far! So a highlight of the past few days has definitely been getting to worship with the church family here. The service on Sunday was all in Thai, and a lady from the church translated into English for the five of us as well as the three other interns here from Tennessee-- you just have to remember to put the headphones on! Hearing familiar songs in Thai was delightful, and it's good to know that God can understand all languages!

Thank you for your support and prayers as our first week in Bangkok is underway, and it is exciting to be a part of God's work here in this city.

Love to all! 

Katie 

Well church this morning was amazing.  Amos and I got to see a lot of people we haven't gotten to see in a year and the girls got to meet a lot of the Thai Christians here.  After service this morning we had English speaking bible class and then lunch.  I love Sundays here because it's such a great time of fellowship.  It truely reminds me of the Acts 2 church.  Now we're workng on English lessons.  Also, Amos and I have been asked to preach tonight so we're currently working on a dual sermon.  This ought to be interesting.  That's all for now.