KCS THAILAND - CAMBODIA MISSION TRIP 2008

The Team is Home in Canada!

2008-04-05T23:38:00.000-07:00

All the white farong are home, the other team members are continuing God's work where they are planted.
We are thankful for the safety that God provided for us during our trip, and the fact that our lives have been impacted by what we have seen and done to God's glory!Front row - Rachael, Sam, Karli, Jamie
Middle row - Matt, Jason, Anna, Kalaya, Nan, Katelyn, Karen, Yar, Maile, Sopa, and Matt's mom
Back row - Jas, Antoinette, Francina, Hilary, Lisa, Jon N, Jon D

Saturday - Korea

2008-04-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

We are spending a half day in Korea in a hotel. Nice to be able to sleep laying down for a few hours, a good lunch in the stomach, and a refreshing shower. We are now ready for the next 10 plus hour flight, six hours in Seattle, and then home.

Thursday evening Benz prepared an amazing BBQ for us and then we shared three hours of praise and worship with them. What an experience. I think that one of the things that touched me the most that evening, was to hear the Thai girls, through our interpreters, share about their experience with us as a team, and the impact that it made on their lives. It is such a worthwhile opportunity to be able to have Thai young students be part of our team for the entire time that we ministered in Cambodia and Thailand. Absolutely amazing!!

Our last day at the church property was great. We worked around the property for the morning till about noon, then packed and cleaned the rooms, had some lunch, and headed for the airport in Phuket. The flight to Bangkok was smooth. All went well, even our seven hours there in the airport.

(I think that the students know all of these airports inside out and backwards)

Thanks to all for sharing our journey, and especially for all the prayer that was offered up for our team.

See you soon!!

"WHAT IS LOVE?"

Just ask one of us and we would love to respond to that question. It has become our theme.

Thursday- April 3

2008-04-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning we went to the prison which is a few minute walk from the church where we were staying. There are 47 women in the prison and 370 men.

There were about 30 women who were present when we came. They are allowed to sign up for English teaching. The church has just started this ministry and has only been there once before. We walked up to the prison doors, entered a secure hall, were locked in, then unlocked and moved into the prison, then through another locked area, into a small area with a concrete floor and overhead covering. The women were all dressed in light blue tops and long, dark blue skits. We have no pictures of going there, as it was not allowed.

Jamie lead the two hour program.

We did an ice breaker, sort of like, rock, paper, scissor, - but it was called lady, gorilla, hunter. You stand back to back, count to three, turn around, and act out your chosen person. The gorilla pounds on his chest and does the gorilla call, the lady holds her hands by her face and says, "ohhhh", and the hunter pulls out his gun and shoots it. I think we were all surprised in that we were playing guns in a prison! We played the game till we had a winner.

Then we did a skit for them. Jon N and Jas did their Prodigal Son skit, Sam shared her testimony, and then we talked about it with the women. We then did some English teaching about emotions, with pictures that we first acted out and then they acted out. "How are you?" - "I am tired - scared - happy- etc."

We sang a fun song - Singing in the Rain - with the actions - with the women, and they are so like the kids we teach, so happy and loving the fun.

We then did our "What is Love?" skit, talked about it.

Jason then shared his testimony and we talked about that.

We then did our "Jesus" skit, about Jesus taking about our sins and sorrows, dying, and rising again. Once again we shared with them.

We than sang "Light of the World" for them in English" and had a chance to get into small groups and pray for them. Most of them wanted prayer for their families and their children.

It was quite the experience and an amazing ministry - after all, they are a captive audience.

Yesterday some of the orphans came to the church in the morning, and we went on a boat ride in Phang Nga Bay, and had the chance to experience the wonders of God's creation in this part of the world. After sharing lunch, we headed for a Wat and walked around there. This Wat is know for all the monkeys that are running loose. It was "an experience" and I found out that I do not like monkeys, due to the surprise factor of them surrounding you, and as Karen found out - wanting to steal from you!

We then went with the orphans for an elephant ride and elephant show. Just to see the faces of the kids experiencing all these new and exciting things was amazing (yes - even our kids)

We then returned home in the pouring rain, but by the time we got home, all were dry. This is definitely the "drip - dry" country.

Today, we are doing physical work on the two properties. We are washing all the windows, in and out, cleaning the window sills, removing all the screens, washing them, and cleaning the orphans homes - so I guess we would call it "Spring Cleaning"

Also on the orphan site we are leveling an area of grass and moving the excess material into a low section next to one of the homes, so that when it rains - especially in the rainy season - they will not have pooling of water in that area.

On the church site, we cleaned up all the excess lumber, metal, and odds and ends, around the kitchen eating area. We moved a lot of lumber to a burning pile.

We also purchased two dump trucks of gravel to put around the lower area of the English Center, so Peter put on Killex, we bought rice bag material to lay down first, and then we will spread the gravel.

Lots of projects in incredible hot weather.

The students are great and we are working fantastic as a team.

Continue to pray for us on our last few days, and as we prepare to travel home, and then do travel home.

Thanks once again for the comments and emails you have been sending. It has been great to receive "Love" from home!

Monday am

2008-03-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

Today we are moving from the church site in Klok Kloi to the church in Phang Nga town. We will be staying overnight there two nights, Monday and Tuesday nights. Tuesday we will be doing evangelism for the entire day, and then on Wednesday, spend the day with the orphans from the MMF orphanage.

Some of the faces we have fallen in love with!

2008-03-30T21:04:00.001-07:00

Checking out the fish farm at the Muslim village - Nan, Yar, Sopa and some of us!

2008-03-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Some of our Thai hosts at the church - Matt - one of our translators, Yui - one of the ones to set up our itinerary, Benz - the pastor

2008-03-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Muslim School - purse making (Kalaya helping)

2008-03-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Lompinee School - Grades 1 - 6

2008-03-30T20:48:00.003-07:00

Lompinee School - Grades 1-6, 36 students

2008-03-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Yes - not all of us, but many of us. More to come!

2008-03-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

My time is up on the computer for tonight. Not all the students are in the pictures, due to the fact that everyday some stayed back at the church English school to teach.

I hope to send more pictures if time permits!

I hope you enjoy some of the images of our trip.

So is it worth it? Just look at the smiles!!

2008-03-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

Our luggage and us leaving Cambodia

2008-03-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

pictures - Karli and Jas, Antoinette

2008-03-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

pictures - Hilary and the Thai's ready to eat soup, Lisa, Sopa

2008-03-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

pictures - Karli, Sam and Yar teaching

2008-03-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

pictures - Jon D and Jon N

2008-03-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

pictures - Kalaya and Karen, Francina

2008-03-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

pictures- Jason, Karli

2008-03-30T06:38:00.001-07:00

pictures- Rachael, Katelyn, Anna

2008-03-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Jas and Hilary are Back!

2008-03-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

This morning we headed down to Phuket to retrieve Jas from the hospital. Three vehicles, and 21 of us! By the time my vehicle arrived, all were waiting downstairs in the hospital, big smiles on all faces. It is so good to have the entire team of 23 back together again.

Jas is doing great. He still has some medications to take, but besides that he is his own, joyful, fun loving, caring young man. (It was great to have Hilary back too - a bit selfish maybe.)

The bills was paid and off we went.

Tomorrow at 7 am we are being picked up and will be going on a ferry over to Koh Phi Phi Island. We will be able to do some snorkling before we get there, in the same bay where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Then on to Koh Phi Phi to have a look around and see how the rebuilding after the Tsunami is going. Then back on the ferry and back here.

I am looking forward to tomorrow - especially as it is Katelyn's birthday tomorrow!

We are doing well and thanks so much for all your prayers over the past few days especially. Thanks for your comments and emails. They are encouraging to each of us. Thanks!!!!!

Jas Update

2008-03-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

It is Friday noon and I just talked to Hilary in the Phuket Hospital.
All is going fine.
They are continuing to take blood test every few hours to moniter Jas' blood to making sure that it is clotting properly. They are also looking to see if and how the poison in Jas' blood is.
Hilary says that they will be keeping Jas in the hospital overnight, as they want to moniter him for a 24 hour time period for sure. Hilary and Jas slept a few hours last night, Hilary on a mat by Jas' bed.
Tonight the boys will "bond" once again and tomorrow we will be going to pick them both up from the hospital and continue on our trip.
Thanks for all the prayers that you have lifted up for Jas' recovery. God has been gracious to us, and continues to be with us minute by minute, day by day.
We head down south and hope to be able to travel to Koh Phi Phi on Sunday to have a look at this island and see the affects of the Tsunami of a few years ago.
Today is our last afternoon on school teaching, and next week we move on to other activities.
Will update when I can.

Jas and the Snake

2008-03-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight at about 7:30, our team was going over the three skits that we are going to be doing at the Buddhist school and Tuesday at our Evangelism day. Jon N and Jas were doing their skit and at one point, one of the balls that is in the skit, went over the side of the patio area, Jas jumped off, onto the grass and was bitten by a snake. We took him immediately to the hospital which was less than 10 minutes from here. We drove up, he was put onto a wheelchair, and we were seen in less than a minute. They did a blood test right away, gave him a pain killer, gave him antibiotics and made the decision to take him to the newest and best hospital in Phuket.

Jas is in great spirits, joking about having a shovel brought to the hospital so that he can continue working while he is laid up. He does have pain in his left foot, but it does not go up past his knee. I phoned Jas' mom and Jas spoke to her also. We have called the insurance agency, and that is all in order too. They ordered an ambulance to take Jas to Phuket, about one and a half hours from here. Hilary is going with Jas and will stay with him until he is released. Jamie, Yui, and Benz are also driving down to Phuket with them to make sure that all is in order. They are fantastic to have around and do our translating.

Please pray for Jas and that he will have a quick recovery. The snake is thought to be poisonous, but of a mild strain. As we know more, we will let you all know.

Tomorrow the rest of the team and myself will go back to the Buddhist school to teach for our second day. There are 36 students there, from grade 1 to grade 6. It is their summer holiday but they all came back for these two days. It was a great day, we sang Sunday School songs with them, talked about God, in the school that is a stone's throw from a Buddhist Wat (temple).

Please also pray that we will be an impact on these students in the Lompinee School.

How to read this

2008-03-26T05:26:00.001-07:00

You will have to read and view the images in reverse order. Two hours later - and I hope this gives you a glimps of what we have seen and done.

More Slum Life

2008-03-26T05:16:00.000-07:00

POI PET SLUM LIFE

2008-03-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Cambodia - Mat School

2008-03-26T04:41:00.001-07:00

Pictures of Cambodia

2008-03-26T04:30:00.001-07:00

Assembling the backpacks at MMF Happy Home with help from the orphans

Wednesday Evening

2008-03-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello from Thailand

The computer I am working on is slow and we will see if it all works.

Our trip from Cambodia to Thailand went very well. Crossed the border around 7 am, waited for our luggage to be pushed across the border in the push carts, loaded up and off we went.

Arrived in Phuket round 7, had dinner, and then orientation with our hosts. We are staying on the church property right next door to the MMF orphanage that our 2006 team worked on. The orphanage property is totally developed, all is finished and they have 7 children from the age of 6 months to 9 years old. The fence that we paid for is up, enclosing the entire property and keep all the young ones safe and sound, and not letting the "escape".

The church property has two guest homes on it, Hilary and I and the boys are sharing one (two separate rooms), a communal home with an outdoor kitchen where we eat our meals, and the new English center. The team here worked very hard and completed the two dorm rooms down stairs where the 12 girls are housed, and an English teaching center. They just finished it Monday, the paint is just dry. We thank them for their efforts to make our stay so comfortable. The upstairs of the English center is not complete. It still needs doors, windows, electricity, plumbing, painting, etc.

The team here is beginning to practice preparing coffees and smoothies for their coffee house, English Center, once it is complete. They make us a variety of drinks once we get home, we pay a small fee, we are refreshed, they practice, and we are all happy!

Here in Thailand all the kids have just begun their two months of summer holidays. The church is running English school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, from 1 to 3:30. They have about 16 students who are coming. They started Tuesday - and we got to experience their joy at this beginning.

Four of our students stayed back from teaching at the Muslim school the past two day, and Hilary stayed here the entire first day, and this afternoon. While they are on the church property in the morning they have been helping cleaning up around it, cutting the grass, weed eating, breaking up the concrete that was spilled around the cement mixer during use, then rebuilding the wheels underneath it, and placing it in a proper spot. They shoveled the left over concrete pieces into a low spot on the property, moved lumber, and did general clean up. They have a list for us, and we are moving through it much faster than they anticipated, thanks to your fabulous, hardworking children, with Hilary's guidance, and Peter's direction. Peter is a man from Switzerland how has been volunteering here for the past year, helping with construction duties.

We went to the Muslim school yesterday and taught the grade 1, 2, and 3 classes. It was their last day of school before summer holidays. We had a great day, lots of smiles, hugs, excitement during the singing, skits, teaching activities, and crafts. The smiles are worth the work by the end of the day, and the hugs and kisses help!

Today we taught grade 4, 5, and 6, a repeat of yesterday. About 2/3 of them remembered me from 2 years ago, and the teachers who were there then too, were excited to see our team. I know that we blessed them and they have already booked us for a future trip.

Last night we went into Klok Kloy for noodle soup for supper, and tonight we had sticky rice, chicken, and green papaya salad. Amazing!

As I sit here, Hilary and 7 of our team went to Peter's home. He runs a Bible study once a week. Tonight our kids are going there to hang out with the kids, do some crafts with them, teach them English through conversing with them, and having a great time continuing to help the ministries here.

We are having devotions each night, sharing, some singing, and we now are preparing skits for school on Thursday and Friday, as well as preparing for Tuesday's evangelism day. The school we are going to tomorrow and Friday, is a Buddhist school. We are allowed to talk about God there, so we will sing a few Sunday School songs, and do three of our skits. It is a new school that this ministry has just begun working with. I am looking forwards to seeing the differences or sameness of the two schools.

We are all doing well, all healthy and happy, and dealing with the heat better each day. Yesterday we had an hour or so of rain, and today a few minutes. The humidity is high, and it is sticky outside. It is so beautiful here with the green grass, coconut trees, bushes, and flowers, paved roads, and not a lot of garbage around. Quite a difference from Cambodia.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we are just over half way our trip.

PS - Just to let you know that the count of homes destroyed in the rain storm in Cambodia is now 147. CHO ministry is going to try to help them buy building roofs for them, and they will be responsible for the rest. Please pray for this work.

Sunday Evening

2008-03-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

Great day!
Worshipped with Victory Life
Ate
Prepared for teaching in Thailand next week
Packed
Out for "pizza" for our Easter dinner
Trying a bit of emailing - 18 on 6 computers
Off to bed
Crossing the border at 7 am
Fly to Phuket at about 3 pm
Arrive about 5 in Phang Nga
Settle in
Start 4 days of teaching

OK
Only had 2 minutes to do this
Keep us in your prayers

Blog next time!

March 22 - Saturday

2008-03-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

I had to stop and figure out what day it was, on my fingers figure out what the date is. Time just goes on. In a way it seems like we have been here only a few days, and in another way it feels like weeks. A quick update on what has happened since Wednesday afternoon.

We were blessed to be able to go to CHO's center and listen to Chomno tell us more about his ministry. A few new items I learned.
In the storm the other night, once they went into the villages, they found out that about 90 homes had been destroyed by the storm. A storm like this comes only a few times during a year, so we observed some of the worst. Rainy season is of course very different, tons of rain, but not with the strong and severe wind. We are thankful that some of our money will bless these families and help restore their homes.

We also found out that CHO supports approximately 3,000 in public school. After they have been at the Mat school, they help some of these students continue on with their education, now that they and their family find it important. (The Mat school works!!) It costs $30 to send a student to school for an entire school year, books, and uniform. An amazing ministry.

Chomno shared his own personal story with us about his life as a young boy of 14, when the war broke out in Cambodia. I will let your children share that story with you, or if I find myself with extra time on my hands, I will try sharing his story. Needless to say, he saw it all, being drive out of the city, further and further into the forest, away from family, kept as a prisioner unless he wanted to join the military effort, escape, life in the refuge camps, his decision to become a Christian rather than a monk, his adoption of his oldest child as a single young man, to where he is today. WOWOWOWOWOWO!! Just not enough words to describe how blessed we are and how many others have lived and are living such sad lives.

We shared a meal with the team from England and CHO staff, they sang, we sang, they danced, we were taught Cambodian dancing, and had great fellowship.

Thursday arrived, devotions led by Jas and Anna, and then off to the preschool in the slums - Kaball Spein (head - bridge) the place at the head of the river by the bridge. This is where many of the poorest of the poor in Poi Pet live. Brandon, a MMF staff, who is in charge of this ministry, walked half our team into the project in the morning, the other half in the afternoon. The people live in huts on top of the dump. I think not even the pictures we took can describe the poverty of those living there. Tons of small children, coming out, saying hi, waving, parents, either hiding in their homes, or watching us with wondering eyes.

The preschool has been running for about 4 years. Brandon went to the families in the slums, gave them information on the preschool (ages 5 - 8), they could apply, they interviewed, and 120 children were choosen. 60 go in the morning, 60 in the afternoon. Two teachers who make 60 baht per day ($2.00) and 4 teacher's aides making 40 baht per day. They all live in the slum and all have become a Christian, the last two weeks ago. Samba, the Cambodian staff member over the preschool, meets with them after their school day, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, and teaches them English and about Jesus for an hour. He became a Christian by being taught by a Christian English teacher. (anyone want to teach English and minister at the same time?)

These children look about 3 - 5 years old, very small in structure, due to being malnurished. They provide them with soy milk, vitamins, and bananas each day.

The children are quite rough, due to having to fit to exist. I don't think we really want to know all that goes on in the home in the slums further that what we were told, about the drugs, alchohol, gambling, traffiking, all types of abuse, etc. Very sad. These children are so luckly to be able to go to preschool. Once they get to go to school, these little ones are usually the top of the class acedemically, a great start and boost for them.

In the evening, we went back to the MMF orphanage and ate with all the children. They usually only eat together once a week. This week - 3 times - so special! Lots of playing, lots of hugs. There are still a good number of these children who need sponsorship. I think some of your children are eyeing these young ones, ages 4 - 14. I know Hilary would pack one along in his bag if he could.

Lida and Pang left back home Friday morning, lots of tears, and an incredible friendship formed! We sure miss them!

Today, we are at the orphanage for the day. We hung out, ate lunch with them at 10:30, the kids went down for their naps at noon, we took the opportunity to swim in the "pool" and once they wake up, we will tell them a Bible story, do some singing (some of the girls are practicing together for this) the Thai girls will sing for us, the children will sing in Khmer, very multicultural. They we will do some teaching, crafts, share supper, and then back home.

Tomorrow we will fellowship with another ministry in town, under Victory Life. Afternoon, pack up, prepare lessons for our teaching in Thailand and Monday morning, leave at 7 am, bus back to Bangkok, fly to Phukett, and then on to Phang Nga.

We meet a team from MEI from Abbotsford here, chatted with them and watch them play volleyball and soccer (Jas too) with the Khmer. Today we met another team that traveled here from Thailand where they are working with a ministry close to Bangkok. Neat to see what others are doing and how so many have a passion for helping others, and being involved in "MISSIONS".

We are all well, a few down for a brief time after struggling with the heat, but up on their feet quickly again and part of the team. Drink water, water, water, that is what they hear all the time.

Thanks for the messages we receive. Keep us in your prayers. Had to believe it is Easter Weekend here. Happy Easter to all!!

March 19th - Wednesday afternoon

2008-03-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

Since our last blog -much has happened once again.

Yesterday we went to our second Mat school in the afternoon. Two group of student were there. There were 18 children dressed in cotton pj - the kind with pants and shirt tops. These 18 are orphanges and live together with two gals in a home. It was a concrete building, empty other than a few double beds. Another group of students from another Mat school were there also, and we began our 5th Mat school experience - about 60 kids.

Our kids are doing such a great job, loving each of these young Cambodian children, sharing knowledge, smiles, hugs, high 5's, and just enjoying one another. After about 2 hours the thunder started in the background and the sky became grey. We decided not to do our craft, but head home before the rain. Once it rains, the road are impossible to be on, just a muddy, wet, oozing mess.

We arrived home as the first drops hit, and the sky opened. I don't know if we have every seen such rain. The roads were rivers. We did jump puddles and went out to eat, then team meeting, and then Pang held a Bible study in his room. About 8 pm the power in all of Poi Pet went out, and once it was back, the power went on and off for a few hours. We did find our flashlight, found out that all were well, and most of us headed to bed early.

This morning, off to devotions and Lisa shared her testimony for devotions. She did a remarkable job. During devotions Chomno shared with us that 15 homes in the area where they have built five schools, were distroyed during the night when the storm hit. Some of the money that we are leaving for the CHO ministry is going to this need that we were able to witness.

Off for breakfast, and then off to the Safe Haven property, about 30 minutes out of town on some of the worst roads there are.

Safe Haven is 15 acreas of flat land. At the moment they have a shed where they have their brick making machine, one building underconstruction, one building with the foundation laid, and nursery area where they are mixing up soil and the husks of rice, filling plastic planting bags, and growing mango and coconut trees. These trees are to give to poor families for food and to give to the Mat school areas for food.

A third of our team worked mixing the soil and filling the bags. The structure that they had built to provide shade to these seedlings has collasped, so they are in the process of rebuilding it. Money that we have left behind for the CHO ministry is going to this immediate need.

(CHO has 20 Mat schools with about 500 children. These children can not and do not go to school due to severe poverty. Many of these children are left behind with relatives, or just alone, and their parents head off to Thailand to work. Other of these children live in rural settings. There mothers are baby making machines, and the fathers usually gamble. There are people who come to the poorest areas, put up a bamboo structure, and then place a pool table or two there. The men start gambling in the mid day, start drinking later on, and that is life. Often the kids are sent off to meet their quota of money for the day and are not allowed home until then, or there is #%$^#%#*& to pay. The men who put up the structures take a cut of what is gambled and also a fee every time they rack up. There are bound in a type of slavery. So these children have no hope. CHO is there to give these children an education so that maybe they can have a way out!)

So some of these plants go to the Mat schools.

They have dug out a pond where they are raising fish. They raise them to give to the poor for food or give them to the people to place in ponds so that they will be able to produce fish for food.

CHO has also started putting in the footings for their pig farm. They want to build two barns and start with 20 - 50 pigs. Once they have piglets, they will give a pair to poor families. Once they have their own piglets, the mom and dad pig go back to CHO and they can start raising their own pigs for food and income.

You know the saying, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he will eat for a life time." We are seeing this with our own eyes.

This morning we made bricks, just over a hundred in two hours. Boy did the kids work. Usually the workers make about 140 in a day. They were so thankful for our efforts and many smiles were exchanged. We were hot and tired, but felt great!!!!

We headed back to town and later this afternoon we are going to the CHO building where Chomno is going to share about his ministry and tell his story to us. Then we will share a meal with them.

Other ministries that they have are as follows. They have a building that they use to house HIV patients. These people come for very poor areas, are housed while they start their medication, then they are sent home, transportation provided, given the medications to take along, then are picked up for regular check ups, once again transportation provided. Right now they are ministering to 2000 individuals, once again the poorest of the poor.

They also have a place in Poi Pet where they teach young girls to sew. Once they have the skill, they are provided with micro loans to purchase sewing machines, and then they go off with a skill to make a living. They repay the CHO micro loans.

They have another place in Poi Pet where they teach young men auto mechanics. They acquire the skills, are provided with mico loans, and off they go, able to provide for themselves and their families.

They have 200 micro loans out at the present time and only 2 are not being paid back at this time.

This morning I had a chance to talk to Mr. Reatrey, Chomno's second in command, and asked about the ministry and his involvement. He is 31 years old, has a wife, and two young sons, 2 and 2 months old. Once Chomno decided to start his ministry, he called Mr. Reatrey who had been a student of Chomno. They started 6 years ago with nothing. Got a motorcycle to travel around on, then an office for the two of them. They prayed for their needs and money started to come in. Tearfund in England was one of his first supporters. The group from England are with Tearfund. (I asked their team if they knew eachother before they came here for their four month period. None did. It is kind of like YWAM. These young people come during their "GAP" year, the year between high school and further education.)

Maybe I seem a bit disjointed, but I and the team are learning so much, experiencing so much, that there is so much to tell, the thoughts just keep pouring in, and to think we have only been here for three days. I am so amazed at what God is doing.

When you think that the Cambodian government is open to people coming here are proclaiming God's name and doing His work - I am amazed. As we were told, the only hope for these people is GOD.

Tomorrow we continue with our work with MMF. David, who over sees the orphanage with 32 children, has been with us each day of the Mat school. Tomorrow we go into the slums to do preschool for two days with 120 children each day. He has told us we haven't seen the poor yet! We will be sharing meals for Thursday and Friday evening with the Big Girl home at the orphanage. Saturday we will spend the entire day at the orphanage, and stay tuned to what we will be doing, as we don't know yet.

Chomno did tell us this morning that the children at the Mat schools that we have been at are so excited and thankful for their backpacks.

THANKS KELOWNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH US IN THIS PROJECT HERE. SO MANY KIDS THANK YOU.

It is too bad that I do not have pictures for you, but maybe soon - we will see how it all works out.

Well, it is time to sign off and head to the CHO building.

We are all well - a few colds (but then that started already in Canada) the occasional bit of - my stomach feels a bit strange, but nothing that has stopped us from fulling living, giving, smiling, and enjoying.

Please continue with your prayers, not only for our team of 12 KCS students, 4 Thai girls, 2 Cambodian partners - Lida and Pang, Hilary and myself, but also for MMF's ministry and David - and CHO and Chomno.

Hopefully more to come soon!

Second Day at Mat Schools!

2008-03-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! (only have a few minutes - so just an overview)

Yesterday we began our day at 7:20 am with devotions with Cambodian Hope Organization. There were about 40 of us, sharing in a devotion on Psalm Sunday - led by the England team.

The off! They wanted us to do 4 Mat schools in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, but after some discussion, we did 2 and 1.

At the first Mat school there were about 60 kids, and then the little brothers and sisters, the parents, etc. probably 100! The number of beaming faces was amazing. I think most of us felt as if we put in a full day by the time 10:30 arrived.

Then off the the second Mat school, about 40 kids plus the extras, one hour later, off we were again.

A quick lunch - even some managed a quick shower (boy do we get dirty - and well - boy do we sweat!)

Mat school number 3 - 60 kids and extras and we were there for two and a half hours. Much better as we had time to teach and sing, tell a Bible story, do our two dramas, and hand out the backpacks.

(At the first two schools we did hand out backpacks but did not get to enjoy the faces of the kids as much, due to the time.)

Last night, out for dinner, sharing time, Pang shared about his ministry in Cambodia, and off to bed.

Today, after devotions, off to Mat school number one for two and a half hours, and this afternoon, off to Mat school number two.

Amazing to see these schools and I hope to explain them more later. Boy are we blessed. This is a country of severe poverty and no hope. Their only hope is GOD and they are so open to it. Amazing to see the willingness to listen and learn.

Hope to blog soon. The kids (meaning your sons and daughters) are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poi Pet, Cambodia

2008-03-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon - 2:30pm

We are here, happy, healthy, and even rested.

Our trip went well.

After 7 hours of killing time in Seattle, we settled in for our 12 hour flight to Seoul, Korea. Most of us did not sleep - much excitment in the air - and a multitude of movies to watch. Food was great, excitement was high, and all was smooth sailing or should I say flying. We had about 2 hours in the Seoul airport and then boarded our next 5 hour plus flight to Bangkok. We were tried now - so many of us, with the help of some gravol, tried to get some shut eye.

We arrived in Bangkok on time, 12:02 am Saturday morning, March 15th.

All the luggage came through and away we went, looking for our name, or my name, or KCS, or something to indicate that we were being picked up and taken to the Avana Hotel. It was arranged that someone from YWAM would pick us up.

So out we walk, scout the crowd, and low and behold a sign saying YWCA Avana Hotel. That was it. We were happy to see him and he us. On we went, Hilary and I to get money from the ATM machines, and the kids with our luggage standing ready to go.

When we returned, one of the kids said, "The sign says YWCA and there is a group from Seattle that we met, and I think this man is for them."

OPPS! -So off we went to find the YWCA group and let then know we highjacked their ride.
Off we went again to walk the line, looking for the YWAM sign. None to be found. So sad!

We asked the Avana fellow if he could provide a ride to the hotel for us too. No problem and at an even cheaper price - so all was good.

We arrive and went up the the Avana Hotel counter to check in. NO reservation!. OK - a deep breathe and a look through the entire list. No names. So we called our contact in Phang Nga who had booked for us and she spoke to the hotel manager. Yes, there was a reservation for March 17th. Oh - and today is March 15th. OK - please give us some rooms and we will crash. Sorry - no room in the inn! Sound familiar? Another deep breathe, some more talking on the phone, and we were given two deluxe suites. Not bad!

So we went, girls in one suite, the guys and Hilary and I in the other suite, and off to sleep we went.

7:30 the alarm went, down for breakfast, met up with the four Thai girls, Kalaya, Yar, Sopa, and Phon. Sadudee, one of the girls who traveled with our team 2 years ago had brought them down from Chiang Rai to us. Hugs all around!

The vans arrived early and by 9:30 all 18 of us were on the road to Poi Pet. The vans were brand new and the trip was smooth.

We got to the Thailand side of the border, unloaded out bags into a pull cart, went through the Thai border, through the Cambodian border with our EVISAs (thanks so much Ken and Barb for doing all the work in getting them on line for us - it worked great and saved us money too!).

David, with MMF meet us and we all piled into the truck, and off the our hotel.

We all have a beautiful, clean room with warm water and a mini fridge. WOW! Deluxe!!!!

We unpacked. Then we met Lida and her husband Pang, who came from Phenom Pen. They are the ones who purchased all the backpacks and supplies for us. Now we were a team of 20.
The 20 of us and David - 21 - went over the one of the casinos for supper.

By 9 pm we were all in bed and slept soundly.

(A side story. Hilary was talking to the lady who is with the team and her son lives in Calgary, is marrying a gal from Victoria, in Kelowna this summer. She had never heard of Kelowna, and here we all were! small world)

This morning, up at 7:30 - went next door for noodle soup for breakfast, then off the CHO church at 9am.

We listened to praise and worship, a team from England who also arrive yesterday, but are staying for 4 months working with CHO, sang two songs for them, which was the only English we understood completely. The pastor preached on love, being translated by a fellow who was translating for the first time. I am sure much was lost in translation, but it was great to worship together.

Off we went at 11:30, back to the restaurant and had fried noodles with beef for lunch.

Then we loaded into David's truck and rented 2 motorcycle taxis (with a large metal cart attached to it) and off we went to MMF orphanage. We had a look around the orphanage.
They have 4 homes for the kids, a small girl home, a big girl home, a small boy home, and a big boy home. Then there is a staff home. There are 32 kids there - 28 orphanges, ages 4 - 14. The other 4 children are the children of the couples who are house parents.

We then went into the main building where Lida had brought all the backpacks and supplies. We began opening the boxes and bags, and began assembling all the backpacks. The team is still doing this at the moment. Over 500 backpacks is a lot to stuff and assemble.

Hilary and I were off to purchase the airline tickets for our flight for next week, but will have to do it tomorrow, when the girl who does this is working.

So while the guys are off for a bit, I took this opportunity to fill you in on what has happened to date.

Tonight, supper with Chomno, who has returned from his trip to the United States.

Tomorrow, we will meet with the CHO and MMF staff for devotions at 7:20, then breakfast and then we will do MAT school teaching in the morning for 60 kids. Then in the afternoon we will be spending time with 18 children that live in a CHO home. Their parents work in Thailand and do not care for their children while they are gone. Will tell you more after the day happens.

I do notice that the computer tries to change the spelling of some of my words, so please excuse me if I do not go back and edit what I write. I am sure that you will be able to figure out what I am saying. This will the same for all postings.

Please continue to pray for us and our ministry which begins tomorrow.

Please especially pray for David and Chomno as they host us.

THANK YOU!

2008-03-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

As a team we want to thank all of you helped us prepare for our trip.

Thanks to the many who donated money for the students.

Thanks to those who generously donated towards the projects we will be participating in while in Poi Pet and Phang Nga. We can go, but with no extra money, we can not do. So thanks to those who are helping us in that way.

Thanks to the parents for entrusting their children into Hilary and my care. We are looking forward to many memorable experiences.

Please keep us in your prayers daily.

Backpacks!

2008-02-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

The KCS Elementary campus raised money for us to provide backpacks to hundreds of children in Poi Pet, Cambodia.

Many children go to Mat School - a school that is brought to them, where they live, done on a green mat - with no books, no supplies.

We will provide them with backpacks full of school supplies.
Can't wait for the smiles!

Puppet Making in the Works!

2008-02-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Fabricland donated all this felt material

- over 20 meters

- and a bag full of buttons,

so that we can make puppets with over 250 children during our ESL teaching days. Thank you!

The Team - ready to leave soon!

2008-02-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

In the picture are 14 of us minus one (Jon D)
- but once we get to Bangkok, we will have four young Thai gals joining our team for the entire trip!
They are:
Kalaya Keereekamsuk - grade 11
Yar Sae-war - grade 11
Sopa Sae-yang - grade 10
Phonsawan Neungsawan - grade 10

So How are the Plans Shaping Up?

2008-01-12T11:31:00.000-08:00

March 13
6:00 AM Leave Kelowna
Fly – 1hr 15m
7:15 – 2:05 Seattle
Fly – 11h 45m

March 14
5:50 – 8:10 PM Korea
Fly – 6h
8:10 – 12:10
Arrive in Bangkok 12:10 PM

March 15
Stay at Avana Hotel
Meet up with our four Thai team members
LEAVE FOR POI PET on minin van - 3-5 hour trip

March 16 POI PET
Church and day of rest

March 17 POI PET
CHO Mat school teaching

March 18 POI PET
CHO Mat school teaching

March 19 POI PET
CHO Construction on their Safe Haven property
Making bricks and building a fence

March 20 POI PET
MMF Teach preschool to 120 children in the slums

March 21 POI PET Good Friday
MMF Work at the orphanage

March 22 POI PET
MMF Work at the orphanage

March 23 POI PET
Easter Sunday
Church and day of rest

March 24 LEAVE FOR BANGKOK
Bangkok to Phuket

March 25 PHANG NGA
English Camp - Lom pi nee
9:00-3:00
Grade 1-6 - 40 students

March 26 PHANG NGA
English Camp - Lom pi nee
9:00-3:00
Grade 1-6 - 40 students

March 27 PHANG NGA
English Camp - Nairai (Muslim School)
9:00-3:00
Grade 1-3 - 60 students

March 28 PHANG NGA
English Camp - Nairai
9:00-3:00
Grade 4-6 - 60 students

March 29 To KATA
Team Building

March 30 KATA
Koh Phi Phi
Team meetings and debriefing

March 31 RETURN TO PHANG NGA

April 1 PHANG NGA
9:30-11:30 Evangelism Women Prisoners
1:30-3:00 Pray with kids in Phang Nga Hospital
4:00-6:00 Evangelism Srinakarin Park
7:00-8:00 English club at Church

April 2 PHANG NGA
Day with orphans from Baan Santisuk Orphanage
6:00 Worship Night

April 3 PHANG NGA
Work at Baan Santisuk orphanage with Leng

April 4 PHANG NGA
Work on CMC Building
Evening Fly to Bangkok

April 5
1:30 AM Leave Bangkok
Fly – 5 h 20 m
8:50 AM–6:25 PM Korea
Fly – 9h 40 m
12:05 – 5:00 Seattle
Fly – 1h
6:00 pm Arrive Kelowna

Planning Continues

2008-01-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

March 13th sees us leaving the Kelowna Internation Airport at 6 AM to begin our trip to Thailand and Cambodia. We return Saturday, April 5.

We are blessed to be able to minister with Chomno In in Poi Pet, Cambodia.
Please check out his web site www.cambodianhope.org

We will be travelling to Poi Pet on Saturday, March 15 and serving there until Monday, March 24th. We hope to be involved with teaching with their Mat School, doing devotions with their staff, making bricks, one brick at a time in the one machine, for the ten buildings they wish to contruct, help build a fence around their Safe Haven property, and what ever else God has in store for us.

We then will be travelling to Phang Nga, southwestern Thailand to work with member of Phang Nga Church, teaching English and doing Evangelism. We also will be helping with the construction of a English School / Coffee House, where Muslim individuals can come to a safe place to learn more about God.

We also will be working with Baan Santisuk Orphange www.mmfthailand.org

We are very excited about what is being organized. Please continue to pray for us, and that the money needed to purchase the items needed will come in.

Poi Pet, Cambodia
A new brick making machine $7.200.00
Backpacks full of school supplies for the mat school children $ 5.00 each
Materials for building the fence $ ?
Materials for making the bricks $ ?

Phang Nga, Thailand
Windows and doors $2,000
Tiles $1,500
Furniture, pump, electric, painting, etc. $4,500

If you can help us, please make your chech payable to
Kelowna Christian School
2870 Benvoulin Road
Kelowna, B.C. V1W 2E3
Phone: (250) 861-3238
Fax: (250) 861-4844

Taxable receipts are available.

Thailand - Here We Come!

2007-09-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Team is Ready!

2007-09-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

The KCS Thailand - Cambodia Mission Team is in the planning stages of our trip.

Thank you for joining with us as we begin this journey together.

Please pray for all of us as we prepare our hearts and selves to be used by God during our trip in March.

Please pray for the leaders as they continue to work on developing the mission trip. Pray also for those organizations and individuals that will be part of our trip as we serve them to the glory of God.