Up & Down Part I

For the past 5 days, I have been up and finally down.
I went up to the north-est part of Thailand in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and back down to Singapore.
Man! Why does holiday have to end so so fast?

Indeed, no matter what, all good things have to come to an end.
What’s most important is that I have lots of wonderful memories to bring home with me.

It has truly been a blessed & humbling trip for me.
I have always known that I am blessed but it was a good reminder again to know how REALLY blessed I am.

When I first arrived in Bangkok, I was greeted by a very faint rainbow.
Man!! I was so excited that I kept shouting in the plane. Ok… Hmm.. NOT really shouted but loud enough for people in the vicinity of 1 row in front and back of me to turn to look outside the plane.
But it was so comforting to see God’s covenant! Seemed to tell me that He will be with us throughout the trip.

Well… transited 2 hours at BKK before we reached Chiang Rai at 1030pm.
Was greeted by a lovely couple, Oh and Noi together with Nit (a CL at Hope CR) and Ps Pornlert.
*sigh*… What a scene… We were so excited seeing each other and we were busy “Sawadeeka-ing” and “Sawadeekup-ing”… Haha…
It was a REAL messy scene... Haha!!
Was treated to a wonderful meal! It’s called Rice Soup and boy! It taste like Teochew Mui (Porridge)…
Then we headed to Tanya Inn which was the motel that put us up for the next two days.
Personally, it was quite saddening that we arrived so late. It’s quite a one day lost. Nonetheless, I was so filled with excitement when we first stepped into Chiang Rai…
I kept asking God “What’s in store? What do you have for me to learn?” Boy.. Was I in for a GREAT surprise!

2nd day was a church hopping day…
We hopped from Hope Chiang Rai to Hope Chiang Saen to Hope Mae Chan.
Had a wonderful sessions with all the pastors there.
One thing shared by Ps Pornlert that touched me lots is this:

Even though we have many languages, the most important language is the love of God. If we have the love of God, we can go everywhere. Many times, we can’t help others cause we don’t love enough.

It’s amazing really cause before the trip, God reminded me that “…every tribe and tongue will confess that He is Lord…”
Though Ps Pornlert joked that whatever we take back is only 50% of what he said cause of language barrier, his heart for God spoke volumes!
Anyhow, we had a fun time giving out tracts at the Golden Triangle and at Mae Chan. I was paired up with Caren and all we could say was “Sawadeeka, Phra Jiaow ruk khun” & “Yesu ruk khun”… Haha!! But hey.. Thai people are really friendly. They took the tracts, smiled at us. Least they didn’t chase us away!!!
Well.. the time we left Mae Chan, it was already 5pm. And we headed back to Chiang Rai. Ended off with a VERY nice BBQ dinner…
Man! This mission trip seemed to be getting better! Haha!! I was expecting cup noodles honest! :P

Next day, we woke up early to leave for Mae Sai where we were to stay for the night.
My first time to a service where I don’t understand the language AT all…
However, when I first entered the sanctuary, I could just feel the presence of God. It was such an emotional moment for me honest. Heee…
By the time praise was over, I was bowled over at this Love Language of God.
When I looked around at the service, wow… there was even people from the tribes there!And they were praising God! There was dancing and there was singing!
When worship was over and Holy Communion time came, I simply cannot control my tears.
Boy… even as I type now, I can feel tears… Hee…
Anyway… amazingly, (Must be God’s timing), the BSP (Bible Study Program) students from Hope Bangkok was there to bless Hope Mae Sai and there was this Brother Ake who spoke English very well. Thus Penny was able to share a testimony and there was an interpreter!

After the service, we checked in Huaen Kham Resort Hotel. For this time, we squeezed 5 gals into one room instead of having 2 rooms. Low in $$$ already!!! :P
Yeah! I finally did not waste my effort in bringing my sleeping bag! So happy!
Haha!!!!Well.. after checking in, we did a quick wash up, change out and went to the mountains to visit the church members of Hope Mae Sai.
*sigh*… I think once in a while, this type of trip is REALLY very VERY helpful to remind us how BLESSED we are in Singapore!
The villagers lived in houses where there is no electricity. The house was in total darkness and there wasn’t a lock to the door in the house. Basically, it was in the open.
Visited several households and with each household, I was brought back to the love of God. When we asked what prayer request they seek for, it was simply for God’s love, God’s peace and His protection. That simple.

Hmmm… That night ended with the visitation to Hope Napong. Hope Napong is the church for the Arka Tribe people.
When we arrived there, we were greeted by a tribal dance and music that they played for all of us.
Shortly after, I soon find myself enjoying a dance together with them. Man! It was SO heartwarming! So heartwarming to know that every tribe, every nation just share this joy of the Lord….
What really invoked my emotions was when I realized that the Arka tribe was a despised minority group and they have their limited area that they can be in.
Boy… Who am I to complain about having no freedom? Who am I to complain about my job? Who am I to complain about not having enough when I already have a job and a roof over my head?
I asked the school teacher, Ice Cream, (See! Isn’t God amazing?! He placed interpreters for us!!!) how does the Arka apple feel? And she said that they feel worthless, they feel rejected.
*sigh*… that was told to me JUST before I stepped into the service. Can imagine how I felt? I was totally humbled!!
I chose a seat that’s beside a tribal person and when we were welcoming one and all, *sigh* cry-baby me start to cry again!
Aiyo… I almost dun know where to hide my face! I was smiling & crying at the same time. Haha!
Anyway, we had a REAL fun time cause we played a game together! Haha!!Then Penny went up to share again. Heee… Guess she has never thought that she would be sharing so many testimonies in just one day.

Oh man… I didn’t realized that I have already written so so much.
There are still SO much more for me to write!
I haven’t finish writing about our wonderful host and my motorbike experience and OH YES! My birthday experience!!
I promised that in the next blog, there will be pictures involved! And yes.. More stories!
For now, this is it.
Heee… Time to get ready for work tomorrow.
Back to civilization. Haha!