Finally got the photos ready! (These photos are from Nel's cam. Still pending Yanling's)
Work has been so busy even since I got back from my trip and I have finally completed my journal.
I can’t believe it!! It’s already past mid-August! Fly fly fly…
I reckon that if I still don’t post these photos up, I may never post at all already.. And I think I will have friends knocking me down. Haaa!!!
Let’s do it the chronological way.
5th August - Day 1
Had a whole morning of rest before making my way to the airport with my parents and sister for a VERY early birthday "bash" at Swensens T2.
I think I am getting a little closer to my family lately that even though it's just a short trip, I felt I was missing them. (Weird! For people who knows me, I was NEVER homesick or missing anyone for my 2 years when I was in Brisbane)
Anyhow, had a wonderful filling lunch and took down orders from my sister "I tell you ah! Must buy the potato chips for me hor!!! Tomyam flavour hor!! U can dun buy me anything but that chips is a must!"
Wah seh... stress man...
Wait cannot find how?
“This is a mission trip you know? Not a shopping trip.” Quoted from Anthony. Hee... :P
Right.... feeling very heavy, I made my way to T1 and met up with Beng, Guessie & Nelson.
While accompanying Beng to NTUC, I bumped into Gerlene. I was SO stunned to see her carrying a guitar!
Man! That is a heavy thing to be carrying overseas... :P *Lazy Sandra*
Felicia, our new baby, was so nice! She came to send us off! Aiyo... we were all so touched!
Waited for all to arrive and went checking in.
Amidst my checking in, I thought I saw Tiger.
"Must have rushed from work!" I thought.
Wanted to say a hi but my guess was he's rushing for check in.
Haa!!!
*sigh*... All the rush and for nothing.
Our plane got delayed. We could just wait patiently for the plane to arrive to bring us to Bangkok.
Arrived at Bangkok after ONE fantastic sleep and ONE VERY nice rainbow to welcome us!
*Yawn*
Transitted 2 hours and wow.. when we walked from the international airport to the domestic one, I felt as if I was talking through a time tunnel!
There were markings to tell us how many more metres to go!
Calculated to be 500m in all.
We were greeted warmly by Ps Pornlert, Noi, Oh & Nit.
We were just simply too tired to take much photos plus the fact that we were too focused on the good food served!
Checked in at Tanya Inn, said a quick prayer & met up for the final evaluation of the day and Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………………
6th August - Day 2
Woke up for breakfast and met up with Oh who brought us around in a rented van.
We first went to speak to Ps Pornlert and ask him questions on the situation in Thai and how evangelism is done there and what are the main problems that they are facing right now.
We ended off the conversation with an example that Ps Pornlert shared.
Moses was a man who doesn't want to go anywhere but he allowed God to lead him. When we serve God, don't limit God. God is Unlimited. Just trust in Him.
Very encouraged by this pastor!
A quick snap at Hope CR sanctuary
We next made our way to Hope Chiang Saen (CS) and was hooked up to Ps Dumrong.
We were pleasantly surprised to see a church in the making!
The four main pillars were up. But the windows and doors not quite there yet.
The builders were just in the midst of piling up the bricks..
Woah.. what a sight it was for me. This is literally building a church.
And what Ps Dumrong said touched me lots. "The building will be ready when there is the burden from the people of the church."
It's really true.. cause it's the people that made up the church.
It doesn't belong only to the pastor.
We then went to Khong river to visit a sister who attends Hope CS to encourage her.
Just a background, across Khong River and you will arrive at Myanmar.
We went... say hi.. and we ended with a prayer.
We prayed for Hope CS to be able to grow from 25 to 40 by year end. Prayed for the building to be ready. Prayed for the hearts of the people to be soft.
After which, we headed for Ps Dumrong's house/nursery to visit his wife who was scheduled for delivery on 11th August.
We left for Golden Triangle but only after saying a prayer for safety, wisdom and God's anointing on this family.
We gave tracts to those store holders at Golden Triangle.
The word "language" spoke to me strongly.
Was thinking to myself that if I were REALLY to go another country for mission, I have to master the language!
Man!
Language can really handicap a person.
It rained slightly... but by then, we are nearly done with the stretch of store holders and we made our way to Hope Mae Chan (MC).
We were greeted by the pastor and a few members from the Worship ministry.
A few of us, being dreamers, quickly went up to the stage to ACT a little... :P
I took the drums!! Love percussion! :P
We left after another fruit feast, prayer and went to Mae Chan market to hand some tracts to the stallholders.
"Yesus Rak Khun, Phra Jiaow Rak Khun, etc..."
*YawN*... Gotta admit, waking up EARLY ain't my forte...
On the way back to Chiang Rai, I found my head feeling VERY heavy!
ZZZzzzzz......
We met up with Noi (Oh's wife) and their lovely daughters and ended the day with BBQ!!!
Man!
This is a VERY interesting concept!
We BBQ the food in the middle... and the sides were for the soup.
Beng & Eugene was the champion!
We surrendered with our white flags but they could still go on... *sigh*...
7th August - Day 3
Breakfast and we are on our way to Hope Mae Sai (MS)!!!
Finally the mountains and tribes here we come!
Arrived at MS at about 820am. Greeted by a little cutsey dog.
And then met up with Ps Naruamon and proceeded for our service. My FIRST ever Thai service.
We also met up with the BSP students from Bangkok.
Pleasantly surprised cause we didn't know they were there.
It was very nice cause one of them spoke English pretty well...
Least Penny could share her testimony more at ease. :P
We performed two songs also. I love you Jesus and Before the world began.
Really wanting to encourage them that even before anything, God already has them in mind. Before birth, God already know the number of hairs on our head. God already has a purpose drawn up for us all. And above all else, God loves us.
Being a small church, we could enjoy lunching in the church.
They have all the food ready by the time service as over!
Wow... fantastic man!
Homecooked lunch!
And boy! It taste fantastic! But hmm... a little hot.. :P
Well.. I pop myself beside Gift, a BSP student.
One of my own personal agenda was really to learn more about the Thai Culture and I am VERY interested in how other culture worship God.
Very encouraged by her as she shared slightly about her life.
After lunch, we brought our things to a motel which we stayed for the night and we made our way to the mountains to visit the members of Hope MS.
We were greeted by a very shy little boy and his parents.
Personally, I was very touched by their hospitality.
Talk about possessions, we may be richer but hey... when we all went there, they took out so much food to serve us.
Realised that in Thailand particularly in the mountainous/village areas, evax is done mainly through relationship cause all the villagers keep a lookout for one another.
We visited several households and before we left, we prayed.
After all the visitations, we went on another 20mins ride to one village that's VERY inside.
Hope of God Napong.
When we alighted, we were warmly greeted with a tribal dance and the Akha tribe people came and put flower garlands around our neck.
And shortly after, we found ourselves dancing round and round too!
As I was dancing, I was thinking, "Which is my left feet? Which is my right?"
Haha!
I fumbled SO much!
Shortly after, we joined them for the service.
Pastor of Napong shared on how happy he was to see all of us and he testified that God is the ultimate source of living.
When he first went to pastor that village, he doesn't even know how to speak the language of the tribe.
But God is good and He is faithful.
So long as he is faithful to God, God will be faithful.
After awhile, he mastered the language!
Indeed, obedience before anything else.
After that, Penny went to play with the drums and asked the drummer to teach her while Nelson went jamming with some guitar...And a birthday song was sung for me. *Awww*
Caren and I decided to do some more talking.
Haha!!! Yak non-stop..
We continued with the BSP students from Bangkok and boy...! When we left, we were "dragged" to leave.. Haha!!
So much to talk, so little time...
Thank goodness, we do have sufficient time to exchange emails.
We ended off with an evaluation in the night.
For me, Sunday was one humbling day for me.
I learned so much.
I learned what's being thankful is all about.
I learned that the Language that God speaks is Love.
I learned that God yearns nothing more than obedience from us.
I learned that God uses anyone so long as the heart is willing.
8th August - Day 4
Next day, it was a R&R day.
Not that the other days were not R&R but this day, it was walking around Mae Sai.
Went from mountain peak to another peak.
When we were in this peak, we were pointed to the other peak and were told that "That's the next place we are going to!"
And we all went "Aaaww....! Clouds!!!"
At the same time, we got to see how CLOSE Myanmar is to Thailand.
It’s just like JB & Singapore.
Their causeway qutie interesting.
Gave me the feeling of the period drama shows that you travel from one country to another and cross the gate. Know what I mean?
That blue colour roof thingy on the right of the photo is the “gate”. Myanmar is left from the picture.
Haha!!!
We went to visit the Princess Mother's flower garden "Mae Fah Leung's Garden".
Boy oh boy!
Flowers flowers flowers!!!!
It's like a flower paradise....!
Ok ok.. I am being crazy over flowers.. That's me.... *SMILE*
We were brought around and finally Noi and Oh brought us to a Presbytarian church that's pastored by Noi's brother in law.
Guess what?
It's my first time in a padi field... and my 2nd time fishing.
*sigh*... The simplicity of life is just so beautiful.
I see fields and fields of padi...
There isn't any tall landscape and I can see the sky...
Just sit by the pond and enjoy the wind (And flitting mosquitoes).
Can see who's riding that scooter? YES! My dear CL!
I did put my hands on that scooter too… Heee… though I have been driving and on the road for years… and I also, I do know how to ride a bike but hey.. When I first started on the bike, I just found myself being UNABLE to control it..!! Haaaa… Really gave me 2nd thoughts to obtain a bike license.
But no doubt, I love the feeling being on a bike. Nature just rub against you.
Again, I can’t keep my hands off dogs…
And another thing I can’t resist????
9th August - Day 5 (Midnight)
Traveled back to Bangkok and was received by some students from the Student Ministry house. Stayed there for a night NOT before another birthday song was sung and a birthday cake was cut!
Thanks brothers! Thanks sisters! Thanks sheepie! Thanks shepherd!
Been such a blessing to KNOW that I am in this BIG family of God… I know… I know that if I were to be in trouble, they will be there for me.
Not forgetting all who remembered my birthday and sent me all the smses all the way from Singapore.
It warms my heart so so much!
Well… Next blog, I will share some gifts that I received…. :P
For now, that’s it.
Memories too overflowing. Words are just limited.
We next made our way to Hope Chiang Saen (CS) and was hooked up to Ps Dumrong.
We were pleasantly surprised to see a church in the making!
The four main pillars were up. But the windows and doors not quite there yet.
The builders were just in the midst of piling up the bricks..
Woah.. what a sight it was for me. This is literally building a church.
And what Ps Dumrong said touched me lots. "The building will be ready when there is the burden from the people of the church."
It's really true.. cause it's the people that made up the church.
It doesn't belong only to the pastor.
We then went to Khong river to visit a sister who attends Hope CS to encourage her.
Just a background, across Khong River and you will arrive at Myanmar.
We went... say hi.. and we ended with a prayer.
We prayed for Hope CS to be able to grow from 25 to 40 by year end. Prayed for the building to be ready. Prayed for the hearts of the people to be soft.
After which, we headed for Ps Dumrong's house/nursery to visit his wife who was scheduled for delivery on 11th August.
We left for Golden Triangle but only after saying a prayer for safety, wisdom and God's anointing on this family.
We gave tracts to those store holders at Golden Triangle.
The word "language" spoke to me strongly.
Was thinking to myself that if I were REALLY to go another country for mission, I have to master the language!
Man!
Language can really handicap a person.
It rained slightly... but by then, we are nearly done with the stretch of store holders and we made our way to Hope Mae Chan (MC).
We were greeted by the pastor and a few members from the Worship ministry.
A few of us, being dreamers, quickly went up to the stage to ACT a little... :P
I took the drums!! Love percussion! :P
We left after another fruit feast, prayer and went to Mae Chan market to hand some tracts to the stallholders.
"Yesus Rak Khun, Phra Jiaow Rak Khun, etc..."
*YawN*... Gotta admit, waking up EARLY ain't my forte...
On the way back to Chiang Rai, I found my head feeling VERY heavy!
ZZZzzzzz......
We met up with Noi (Oh's wife) and their lovely daughters and ended the day with BBQ!!!
Man!
This is a VERY interesting concept!
We BBQ the food in the middle... and the sides were for the soup.
Beng & Eugene was the champion!
We surrendered with our white flags but they could still go on... *sigh*...
7th August - Day 3
Breakfast and we are on our way to Hope Mae Sai (MS)!!!
Finally the mountains and tribes here we come!
Arrived at MS at about 820am. Greeted by a little cutsey dog.
And then met up with Ps Naruamon and proceeded for our service. My FIRST ever Thai service.
We also met up with the BSP students from Bangkok.
Pleasantly surprised cause we didn't know they were there.
It was very nice cause one of them spoke English pretty well...
Least Penny could share her testimony more at ease. :P
We performed two songs also. I love you Jesus and Before the world began.
Really wanting to encourage them that even before anything, God already has them in mind. Before birth, God already know the number of hairs on our head. God already has a purpose drawn up for us all. And above all else, God loves us.
Being a small church, we could enjoy lunching in the church.
They have all the food ready by the time service as over!
Wow... fantastic man!
Homecooked lunch!
And boy! It taste fantastic! But hmm... a little hot.. :P
Well.. I pop myself beside Gift, a BSP student.
One of my own personal agenda was really to learn more about the Thai Culture and I am VERY interested in how other culture worship God.
Very encouraged by her as she shared slightly about her life.
After lunch, we brought our things to a motel which we stayed for the night and we made our way to the mountains to visit the members of Hope MS.
We were greeted by a very shy little boy and his parents.
Personally, I was very touched by their hospitality.
Talk about possessions, we may be richer but hey... when we all went there, they took out so much food to serve us.
Realised that in Thailand particularly in the mountainous/village areas, evax is done mainly through relationship cause all the villagers keep a lookout for one another.
We visited several households and before we left, we prayed.
After all the visitations, we went on another 20mins ride to one village that's VERY inside.
Hope of God Napong.
When we alighted, we were warmly greeted with a tribal dance and the Akha tribe people came and put flower garlands around our neck.
And shortly after, we found ourselves dancing round and round too!
As I was dancing, I was thinking, "Which is my left feet? Which is my right?"
Haha!
I fumbled SO much!
Shortly after, we joined them for the service.
Pastor of Napong shared on how happy he was to see all of us and he testified that God is the ultimate source of living.
When he first went to pastor that village, he doesn't even know how to speak the language of the tribe.
But God is good and He is faithful.
So long as he is faithful to God, God will be faithful.
After awhile, he mastered the language!
Indeed, obedience before anything else.
After that, Penny went to play with the drums and asked the drummer to teach her while Nelson went jamming with some guitar...And a birthday song was sung for me. *Awww*
Caren and I decided to do some more talking.
Haha!!! Yak non-stop..
We continued with the BSP students from Bangkok and boy...! When we left, we were "dragged" to leave.. Haha!!
So much to talk, so little time...
Thank goodness, we do have sufficient time to exchange emails.
We ended off with an evaluation in the night.
For me, Sunday was one humbling day for me.
I learned so much.
I learned what's being thankful is all about.
I learned that the Language that God speaks is Love.
I learned that God yearns nothing more than obedience from us.
I learned that God uses anyone so long as the heart is willing.
8th August - Day 4
Next day, it was a R&R day.
Not that the other days were not R&R but this day, it was walking around Mae Sai.
Went from mountain peak to another peak.
When we were in this peak, we were pointed to the other peak and were told that "That's the next place we are going to!"
And we all went "Aaaww....! Clouds!!!"
At the same time, we got to see how CLOSE Myanmar is to Thailand.
It’s just like JB & Singapore.
Their causeway qutie interesting.
Gave me the feeling of the period drama shows that you travel from one country to another and cross the gate. Know what I mean?
That blue colour roof thingy on the right of the photo is the “gate”. Myanmar is left from the picture.
Haha!!!
We went to visit the Princess Mother's flower garden "Mae Fah Leung's Garden".
Boy oh boy!
Flowers flowers flowers!!!!
It's like a flower paradise....!
Ok ok.. I am being crazy over flowers.. That's me.... *SMILE*
We were brought around and finally Noi and Oh brought us to a Presbytarian church that's pastored by Noi's brother in law.
Guess what?
It's my first time in a padi field... and my 2nd time fishing.
*sigh*... The simplicity of life is just so beautiful.
I see fields and fields of padi...
There isn't any tall landscape and I can see the sky...
Just sit by the pond and enjoy the wind (And flitting mosquitoes).
Can see who's riding that scooter? YES! My dear CL!
I did put my hands on that scooter too… Heee… though I have been driving and on the road for years… and I also, I do know how to ride a bike but hey.. When I first started on the bike, I just found myself being UNABLE to control it..!! Haaaa… Really gave me 2nd thoughts to obtain a bike license.
But no doubt, I love the feeling being on a bike. Nature just rub against you.
Again, I can’t keep my hands off dogs…
And another thing I can’t resist????
9th August - Day 5 (Midnight)
Traveled back to Bangkok and was received by some students from the Student Ministry house. Stayed there for a night NOT before another birthday song was sung and a birthday cake was cut!
Thanks brothers! Thanks sisters! Thanks sheepie! Thanks shepherd!
Been such a blessing to KNOW that I am in this BIG family of God… I know… I know that if I were to be in trouble, they will be there for me.
Not forgetting all who remembered my birthday and sent me all the smses all the way from Singapore.
It warms my heart so so much!
Well… Next blog, I will share some gifts that I received…. :P
For now, that’s it.
Memories too overflowing. Words are just limited.
5 comments:
I THOUGHT for awhile i was there too
GOsh
so well written with pics too.
CHeers and glad u enjoy ..
Ah... much better now. Finally I can "See" what you guys are doing haha...
very nice indeed. And what a unique way to celebrate your birthday isn't it? ;)
Ya... Honestly, that's like the best birthday I have ever ever had! Best gift ever too... :)
Happy Birthday to U, Happy Birthday to U, Happy Birthday to Sandra... Happy Birthday to U!
Ok, now everyone sing that in Thai! *hyuks*!
Gosh, didn't realize we had so many people in Thailand recently... Zhiyi and I were in Thailand too but on holiday. =P
Haha!!! I can't speak much of the thai lest sing in thai!! haha!
We actually just had another team that came back from Phuket.
Really... Thai is like THE place to be in... Haha...
Hope you and Zhiyi had great fun!
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