Looks Like We Made It

Day 14 - Last day of the missions trip

With us facing an 8 hour drive back to Bangkok, we're all tired and excited. All our luggage is packed in the car and we're currently enjoying breakfast of rice congee, known as "chok" โจ๊ก at our guest house in Mae Salid. Please pray for our safety in our travels, especially for those who will be heading back to Vancouver tonight and also for those that have extra travel plans for afterwards.

Give thanks to God that we were able to visit the Refugee Camp at Mae La. We were able to fulfill an integral part of this missions trip to really see and feel first hand the experiences of the people in these camps. We hope to be able to bring back all that we've seen and heard on these trips to you, and that we may all gain understanding to their lives and their needs. Please keep the Karen people in your prayers, and all their ministries as well.

Once again pray for our safe return.

Day 14 - Singapore/Thailand Missions Team 2011

Phra Yesu Rak Khun.

Tired But Happy - Northern Thailand

Give thanks to the Lord that we were able to travel safely for eight hours up to Mae Sot. From there, we traveled further north into Mae Salid, which is close to the Salween river and we were able to have a glimpse across the river into the forests of Myanmar.

Salween River. Myanmar is on the opposing bank.

In Mae Sot, we bought some gifts from the local stores/supermarkets and we have given them to the local boarding schools, primary and secondary schools for the children. We have prayed for them and shared with them our testimonies. We have also visited the villages to pray for the families and to meet them face-to-face to personally learn about their struggles and their needs. Its been difficult with the unstable weather in these regions with bright sunny breaks amidst monsoon downpours, but we've been trucking on and keeping our heads held high for the glory of the Lord.

Team members crossing a river to enter the villages

Pray for our team's health as we face these changes in weather, and pray for our continual strength to glorify God in these lands. Pray for our communication with the students and families, that the message can be effectively carried across. Pray for the people that they may have hope for the future, and that their lives can be changed. Pray for the village leaders and schools so that they can raise up a new generation in the villages to continue to carry on God's work.

Child waving from the local villages

There have been some glitches along the way (we just encountered a couple power outages this evening), but by God's power we are ready to move onwards. Its been a blessing to have wireless in the area so that we can continue to keep you updated on our progress.

Phra Yesu Rak Khun.

PS. Go Canucks Go! We will be trying to stay updated on Game 7 over here. Take the Stanley Cup home!

All Together in Thailand

Give thanks to God for all our members finally making it to join us on our mission trip. Our last member of the team, Rosetta, after a delayed flight and some connections later has joined us at last from Vancouver. We have all arrived in Bangkok and will be joining in some local Thai church services tomorrow to really get a flavour of the Thai Christian life. Bishop Stephen and Nona will be preaching at two separate churches, please keep them in your prayers.

In addition, please continue to pray for our team members' health as some of us are still recovering from coughs and colds that have traveled greatly with us from Vancouver and Singapore.

Also we'd like to ask you to pray for the local children's and family ministries that we have visited and that the workers and volunteers may be enriched by your strength and be able to keep on the good work.

That's all for now. Photos will be updated soon.

Phra Yesu Rak Khun.

Goodbye Singapore

After a short three days in Singapore (though it may have seemed like more due to exhaustion), we are getting packed and about to leave again for Thailand. We have an early flight tomorrow morning and we are all excited, but anxious to arrive in Bangkok.

Overcoming the language and cultural barriers, maneuvering our tight schedules and managing the health and wellness of the team members are some things that we ask to be kept in your prayers.

Aside from our team's personal requests, we also ask that you pray for the Diocese of Singapore and all their wonderful ministries.

Team members listening attentively to the ministries that the Diocese of Singapore provide

 During our short trip, we were able to visit some of their children's ministries, their missions ministries and their psychiatric disabilities ministries. We also had a lovely tour of St. Andrew's Cathedral, an Anglican church located in the heart of downtown Singapore acting as a hub of activity to many of the Singaporean Diocese's ministries. Below is a picture with our team and some local pastors, and also a picture of our team with the St. Andrew's Cathedral as a backdrop.

Our team with Pastor James and Pastor Derek

Our team inspired to look many directions for new visions and insight

 
It is a lovely and majestic building, and our stay in Singapore has been very pleasant but the road ahead is more treacherous, though there are many rewards to be had at the end.

Please keep all our health and safety in your prayers and we will try to update you whenever possible.

Phra Yesu Rak Khun.

(PS. For all those that might be wondering, Phra Yesu Rak Khun is Thai, meaning Jesus loves you.)

Arrived Safely in Singapore

After team members flew for more than twenty hours with a short stop in Shanghai, we have arrived in the wonderful city of Singapore. Bishop Stephen will be arriving shortly, and we have already met up with our fellow member, Marilyn.

We're about to go try some local cuisine and see some cathedrals in the city.


Keep posted for photos and more updates.

Phra Yesu Rak Khun.

Away We Go - Singapore/Thailand Missions Trip 2011

On June 5th, 2011, the GSC Singapore/Thailand 2011 Missions Team is about to embark on a journey across the ocean to Singapore and Thailand to share God's word and to experience God's vision in our own personal lives.

First, let us introduce you to our team members. This is our photo from one of our training meetings.

 (from left to right: Team Leader: Nona Leung Team members: Rosetta Li, Clemmie Chung, Marilyn Jacobson, Bishop Stephen Leung, Anna Hung, Jenny Au, Grace Leung, Arthur Li and Yvonne Wai)

It was a warm Sunday as we departed from Good Shepherd Church, a wonderful Vancouver summer day to send us off into the arms of the sweltering heat in Southeast Asia. With the generosity of fellow parishioners, we were whisked off to the airport after morning service and we're excited and ready to go.

Unloading our luggage!

Excited and ready to go! (Marilyn, Rosetta and Bishop Stephen have already embarked)

As the final minutes count down before we board, we will try to keep you updated on what we see, and what we do.

Phra Yesu Rak Khun!