Bangkok Team Blog
Here are some updates from our team that was in Bangkok:
click here to see some of their photos
Final CACC Bangkok Team Report
Our team arrived back in Harrisburg about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday after nearly 26 hours of travel. We experienced some problems in Detroit, but the trip home was generally uneventful.
I am sorry that the pictures we sent did not get through. Our internet service in Bangkok was not the best and pictures are sometimes difficult to send anyway. We sent them everyday, but they were not received.
Our last two days at Thammasat were fruitful. We spent a lot of time with the students both days. Two new students attended Grapevine last week and came to several events. This was really exciting. College students in Thailand love Karaoke. Every Friday evening Grapevine hosts a Karaoke event. They sang for hours. It was a real blast. One of their favorite songs is, "Take Me Home Country Roads." Nothing like hearing Thai college students sing about West Virginia! Our group did several songs as well, and they still let us stay!
Saturday we went to JJ’s Market in Bangkok with several students. This is one incredible place. It’s kind of like a flea market on steroids. The market covers about three football fields and you can buy anything from hand-carved Buddhas to fried grasshoppers. There is lots of beautiful cloth, crafts, and art-work. From there, the team got to shop in the MBK discount mall downtown.
Amazingly, about ten students showed up on their own accord (and their own funds) to say goodbye to us. It was very moving. Thais show little public emotion and they do not hug, but the students wanted hugs and exchanged Facebook addresses. Andy and Jen were pleased that so many came to meet us.
Early Sunday morning we left this beautiful, warm country and headed for Hong Kong. We watched the sun rise as we traveled the eight to ten lane highways to the airport. We said goodbye to the huge billboards with pictures of the wonderful and beloved Thai King. The Bangkok airport is one of the largest, most beautiful airports in the world. We got to see a lot of it since they changed our gate right before we left. We had to go from one end of the airport, clear to the other end.
We spent Monday visiting Hong Kong which is an incredible city. This was another cultural learning experience as we visited the huge Buddha statue on a mountain overlooking the city. Millions of people crowd this ultra-modern city built around Victoria Harbor. About eight million people live here, and just to the north another ten million live in a city that has arisen only since the British returned Hong Kong to the Chinese at the turn of the century.
We left Hong Kong early Tuesday morning and arrived home at almost the same time we left on the same day. We flew over Alaska and Canada this time and saw two sunrises and sunsets crossing the International Dateline.
We are all still a bit tired, but the glow from serving God in another land will remain upon all of us for a long time. We got the opportunity to make a difference in God’s world and for that we are all grateful. We represented His Kingdom and our church family well. All of you made this trip possible through your financial and prayer support. God is moving in Thailand, and Capital Area Christian Church has some small part in His movement. That is exciting.
We hope to take a group to Thailand each year. At this point, only seven people can make this trip. It is too logistically difficult for Grapevine to handle more. Most of these folks need to be young in age so that they can quickly relate to the Thai students. Maybe God will call you to make this trip in the coming years. I am certain our church family will also start supporting another people group in another land in the coming years. So only God knows what opportunities will present themselves for us in the future.
For now, we say "Thank you God and thank you God’s people." I believe someday the Thai people will replace statues of Buddha and other gods with cross of Jesus Christ, the one true God, maker and sustainer of the universe, and Savior of our souls.
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don and CACC 2008 Bangkok Team
January 2008 CACC Bangkok Team Chronicle - Days Five and Six
The weather was beautiful yesterday in Bangkok. Humidity was low and there was a nice breeze. It is the same today. Yesterday morning we continued to do work in Grapevine. We work in the mornings until 11:00, then shower and go to lunch. After lunch we went to a local mall for a couple of hours. We ate at a Japanese Restaurant then had Swenson’s Ice Cream. (Somebody’s gotta do the dirty work!)
We practiced and set up for the evening in the late afternoon. Last night was "Open Mic" night and the annual "Traditional Foosball Tournament." Our group sang a couple of songs for open mic. Jesse also sang with Raef, and Lauren sang an old standard tune. There is one Thai student who has an excellent voice. He sang a Toby Keith song that was written about the soldiers. He explained that he appreciated American soldiers and he wanted to sing this song in honor of them! They say he can sing exactly like Frank Sinatra.
Foosball was a blast - except for the injuries. Jake hurt his foot. Actually, Melissa kicked the poor boy. He’s not walking too good today. I kicked Gail a couple of times - by accident mind you. After foosball, we just talked with the students until about 11:00. They are so responsive and enjoyable to talk with. One of our favorites, Nui, had to leave because her grandmother died last Saturday. They mourn for 50 days after someone dies.
We were all very ready for bed last night.
This morning was beautiful again. Humidity was low and there was slight breeze. After breakfast, the team finished work on Grapevine. The last job was painting the ceiling of the bathroom and cleaning up from last night.
This afternoon, we practiced for worship this evening. Gail, Don, and Jesse are helping Andy and Goy lead worship, while Jake, Melissa, Katti, and Lauren are developing their acting skills doing a skit with Michael Ruth and Jen.
After practice, the team headed for campus to pass out candy invitations to the weeks’ events. They will play all kinds of games with the students and hopefully meet some new students. We’ve had a couple new students attend evening meetings this week! Very exciting!
After, worship, we will head off to market again and hang out with students, meeting as many new students as possible.
We are learning so much about Thai culture and the work of God in the world. I know that all of us will return spiritually renewed and with a heightened sense of our place in God’s Kingdom
I hope all is well at home and that God has worked in great ways there as well. I’m sure Brent did a great job of preaching and he will do the same this week.
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don and the CACC Bangkok Team
CACC Bangkok Team Chronicles Day Four Tuesday January 14, 2008
Another beautiful day in Bangkok. The skies were blue and the humidity was much lower yesterday. We started our day with breakfast at Hawsit which is the name of the complex where we are staying. There are two restaurants, a very small store (one quarter the size of Turkey Hill), and a laundry service in Hawsit. The complex consists of two five story buildings housing students and young renters. Our room is about twice the size of a normal dorm room, each with a bath/shower combination. The showers are neat. It’s just a shower head in the middle of the bathroom wall. The entire bathroom is a shower! Lot’s of room and easy to clean!
We ate breakfast at the 25 Baht Restaurant (as the Grapevine folks call it). I don’t know if it has a name. Most meals cost about $2.00. I usually get a wonderful soup called Kow Dum Gai. (Gai means chicken) It is like chicken soup with much more flavor. Lots of fresh Cilantro and some other spices.
From breakfast we painted and cleaned Grapevine. Lauren Hamilton is putting her interior design skills to work helping Andy develop new décor for the room. Jesse brought a French Press coffee maker which is life saver in my opinion. Katti and Melissa worked together closely (and I do mean closely) painting and cleaning the bathroom. Jake, Don, Gail, and Jesse painted and cleaned.
After working all morning we had lunch at Hawsit. Then some of us went to the equivalent of a Super Wal-Mart. It is about the same in every way, except a little brighter and more nicely decorated. They have lots of American standards, like Hershey candy and Lays snacks. The students like it that we are from the Hershey area and that Gail works in Hershey. We purchased items for chili, cheese biscuits, Jello, and apple crisp for dinner. Grapevine cooks for the students every Tuesday evening before Bible study. Jesse and Melissa worked on their testimonies to present at "Life on the Vine." It was really something to see the team all in the kitchen with Raef (intern), and Goy (the first Thai intern). Jake and Jesse made some smokn’ hot chili. We toned it down a little with help from the lady who runs the restaurant next door. Thai chili powder is a lot hotter than ours. All the food was delicious.
We held a prayer time one hour before the students arrived (happens every week), then dished up the food to about twenty students. After dinner we studied hospitality through Philippians 2. Jen led a great study on how God is so hospitable through Jesus and that we are to follow Jesus example of humility and consider others more important than ourselves.
I was quietly brought to tears to see these Buddhist students willing to keep learning about Christianity and what it means to follow Christ. Melissa and Jesse gave powerful testimonies about the work of Christ in their lives. A number of the students are very near decision time for Christ. This is a huge choice for them since it would be changing in many ways, from the entire culture, and their families.
After study, we played games until 10:00, then off to bed.
In my life, I’ve been to many places in the states, and a few foreign countries. I’ve observed people with many cultural and sub-cultural differences. Yet, amidst the differences, good life and sharing Christ is about one characteristic - relationships. Loving enough to care and enter someone else’s world - whether that world is across the street or across the ocean. There is no difference. In a few short days, we have developed some wonderful relationships and been able to share Christ with our new friends.
I believe we can all do the same at home. You can have a new friendship, even if it only across the cash register, or at the dry cleaners. You can enter someone else’s world, if only for a moment, and care enough to listen ask questions. You can have a spiritual conversation talking about praying for someone, or going to church or Bible study. You can talk about how you are involved in service to the community through your church, and ultimately because of the love of God. Initiate a spiritual conversation with someone this week. Invite someone to church or small group. Invite someone to join you when you are part of a ministry in the community.
We are doing that in Thailand this week and we don’t even speak their language. Love crosses all barriers and boundaries. Love God. Love God’s people. Love God’s world this week.
La gon (goodbye) for now,
Pastor Don and CACC Bangkok Team
Yes, you too can learn a Thai phrase today: Extremely important "Hon nam yoo tei nai" "Where is the rest room?"
January 2008 CACC Bangkok Team Chronicle - Days Two and Three
Sunday morning we met at 9:00 to leave for church in the city. The University, where we are staying is north of the city. Some of us were very tired. Jet lag hit. Others suffered most of their jet lag on Saturday. The Thai church was really uplifting. Thai people are so gracious and they smile more than any people group I’ve ever encountered. Their worship service is somewhat like ours. They have a great band and sing some of the songs we know. The preacher is a very young man, son of the pioneer who started many churches in Thailand. He was funny and interesting.
The church provides a few wireless headsets for translation of the message. It is really funny because the headsets sometimes pick up area radio stations in the middle of the message. Jake counted about 160 in church, nearly all Thai people.
After church we visited a popular coffee shop, then got some food on the street and returned to church. They have a meal after church each week, so we also ate their food as well. It was all delicious. From there we took the skytrain to the river, then a boat down the river to the Grand Palace. It was utterly incredible. I can’t express how much gold covers the buildings. Unfortunately, the batteries went out in my camera right before we entered, so I didn’t get any pictures there. We will send some for the website a little later. There are many other pictures posted however.
It is really an wakening to see thousands of people bowing, making offerings, and praying to statues of animals, various god-like figures, and of course Buddha. The Palace contains the Great Jade/Emerald Buddha who sits high upon a huge pyramid of gold. He is dressed according to the seasons and holidays. Today he was sporting a solid gold chain mesh robe. One cannot point their feet towards the Buddha, and if you are not there to worship, you must keep moving in and out of the temple quickly. You must remove your shoes before entering any of the temples. Thais also remove their shoes before entering anyone’s home.
Thais are highly intelligent, peace-loving people. It is so difficult to see the ways satan has deceived them. Much of Buddhism is very good moral teaching, like Christianity, but there is no heaven and certainly no Savior and Lord, Jesus. Actually, Thai Buddhism is a hybrid of Buddhism, Animism, and Hinduism. They tend to take what they like from each religion.
We also went to the top of the tallest building in Thailand and saw a beautiful view of the city. The city is expansive, much like New York, only the large buildings are not quite so compacted into a small area. About 12 million people reside in the area. It is a mixture of high tech/high rise, next to ancient/shacks.
Today we painted and cleaned at the Grapevine all morning. This was after a breakfast of chicken/rice/cilantro soup and an egg dish very similar to an omelet. No coffee! This is the ultimate sacrifice for me! Fortunately, Jesse brought a French Press and we had coffer later. That is what good pre-mission training is all about. See to it that Pastor Don has coffee in the morning! Yuk, yuk. Thais drink mostly ice coffee and cold teas.
For lunch we had numerous Thai dishes with the entire Grapevine mission team. It is quite amazing for Gail and I. One of the members of the team is the daughter of a couple with whom we went to college. We had not seen them since college and it was quite a revelation to meet Michael Ruth last year when I came here. She is a full-time missionary. It makes me realize how cool it is to see how God works when we pass along our faith from generation to generation. Someday, the Thai people will experience the same graciousness of God with their children.
This afternoon, we went on campus and met in a commons area where many students hang out. We play all kinds of card games and board games. The Thai students love to play games. We handed out candy with invitations to the Grapevine gatherings this week and some of them played games with us. This is done every week and many close relationships between Thai students and the Grapevine team have developed as a result of this weekly gathering. Students then start attending various Grapevine gatherings and begin to learn about Jesus.
Tonight we went to the market on campus which happens each Tuesday and Thursday. Hundreds of food venders sell everything you can think of, from live squid cakes, to grasshoppers, and lots of really good stuff in between. They have all kinds of wonderful fruit. They love corn and eat it as a desert! Yesterday, I had ice cream at Dairy Queen in the mall with corn in it! It was tasty! Jake and Jesse at grasshoppers. I am old enough to know better! They also eat popcorn! Wahoo, I could live here.
We met many new students at the market and will see them tomorrow night at Bible study. Hopefully, several new students will attend as well.
We’re staying in dorm style apartments that are very adequate. Grapevine is right below us so it’s very convenient. Everyone is healthy and having a great time - learning more than can ever be described. We are so privileged to represent a church family who knows what the Gospel is all about and Love’s God World! We thank you for sending us here to represent Christ. Please pray for us everyday and share the Gospel at home. Invite someone to church this week. We did today in Thailand and you can too in our beloved America!
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don for the CACC Bangkok Team