Well it’s 4 am on Tuesday morning, I'm sitting in the front seat of a truck and I’ve just returned from yet another round of the Smecta Shuffle. What is the Smecta Shuffle? Smecta is nothing more than powdered clay that you mix with water, drink it down and the clay hardens in your intestines to create blockage, thereby stopping or slowing the effects of diarrhea. Well for me, I’ve been dancing this dance for over a week now and so clearly this trip will be logged in my memory as the trip that truly “moved me.” Also I was thinking that in some cultures they clay to make bricks, but I guess I always thought it was a different process.
I thought I might catch us all up a bit on the trip since nobody else wants to sit around and chat with me at 4 am. The last few days our communication with the outside world has been very limited. We have gone from full on internet and ease of access to the world wide web, to only an emergency phone call on a borrowed cell phone from someone in Thailand. It hasn’t been for lack of effort, oh no, there’s been two air cards (basically, a cell phone modem) two laptops, two netbooks and hours of frustration to produce for you absolutely nothing. And yet despite our non-existent web presence we have so very clearly sensed the power of God’s people back home praying.
The team has been amazing. Harlene Steiner continues to bless us with her good spirit as we harass her about being the last person to remember to take off her shoes when she enters an Asian dwelling place. However on one occasion, she caught me with the shoe slip up in a room of the hotel we were staying at, yelled at me, “RAD, your feet!” In a clear Harlene Steiner kind of tone, to which Juana heard not “RAD” but “Rat”, jumped on the bed screaming something in Spanish which I felt best for her not to translate.
Juana Hernandez has brought a such a tender heart to our team, and especially for the children as her ministry position at Grace has allowed her to truly have a significant hand in bringing the work of our orphan ministry full circle. What a joy it was for me to watch her interacting with the very children that she does so much for back in Wooster, now finally getting to meet them.
Holly Clark has found the end of herself, maybe it was in Cambodia, maybe in Thailand, but wherever, she’s there and as we spoke just last night at the end of that road she has found Jesus to be the One that carries you onward when your personal road comes to an end. Right now as I write this, Holly is sleeping on a cement floor inside of a Hill Tribe village church wrapped in the Lord’s strength more than ever. What a blessing.
The final member of our team of ladies is a gal named Trish Walker. Trish and I have been friends since 2005 when we served together on a GO Team partnered with Campus Crusade as part of the Tsunami relief effort. Trish is the youngest member of the ladies on our team, and her raw openness to what the Lord wants to teach her and her clear heart for desiring His will above all else, combined with her general life transparency has been truly refreshing.
Now there is yet another female member of our team that didn’t leave with us from Wooster, but joined us in the journey once arriving in Asia. That person would be Faa. Faa continues to win the hearts of our team members with her own brand of unabandoned love for Christ, the children of the GROW Home, and her Thai humor and phrases that are genuinely special Faa.
On the fellahs side, the Lord had some very cool things in mind when he put this would be band of scruffy dogs together. Well actually, to call us a band of scruffy dogs really isn’t accurate, because now having traveled around the back roads of Asia for over a week, I’ve really seen some scruffy dogs. I’m going home and tell my dogs, “Ed, Daisy, you better straighten up, or it’s off to Asia for you!” Which will undoubtedly strike the deepest of obedience fear in each of them.
The senior member of our male team is recently retired Mike Ohlsen. Mike has had his heart shaked and baked in everyway imaginable and having the privilege to watch him push through, press through and love without limits has been an inspiration to each of us. Although we’d all have to admit that he sure does sweat a lot.
Jason Kinnebrew, powered by the love and support of his dear wife Ashley back home came with one thing in mind. He and Ashley participate in the orphan sponsorship program through their giving at Wooster Grace and I knew when I returned last time from Asia with a picture of “their” child and told them personally of his story it was only a matter of time until at least one of them would be making the journey to personally deliver the love and care they each feel for their sponsored children. Jason serves quietly, but energetically and it has been sweat to watch him take it all in.
From the four14 side of life at Grace we have several members on this team as well. First there’s Josh Graber. Josh plays in our band back home and has brought to our team his own brand of uniqueness. One thing about Josh is that he definitely doesn’t look Asian. Let’s see, he’s tall, definitely not an Asian trait, his hair sometimes can be found to be a bit long and disheveled, nope that’s not Asian either, and yet he totally flips the coin on all of us when he gets behind the guitar and leads our team and the various groups of people we have had the privilege to worship with. Josh’s openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his own life on this trip has reminded me again why I’m grateful he is a part of our four14 family.
Next there’s our very own rodeo clown, down to earth great guy, Brad Warner. Brad has been a part of four14 for a number of years and yet it has taken this trip for us to really spend some quality time together to catch up and genuinely share life together. With Brad what you see is what you get. And what I’ve seen is a strong, tall, country kind of guy, melting in his heart for the children of this amazing land. Brad let’s do it all, and I’ll help attitude as truly served as a blessing to our entire team. And fyi, if you happen to know Brad be sure to ask him about the pig.
Returning for a second time to Asia is Matt Yoder. Matt serves at four14 in our Tech ministries and Matt clearly desires to be involved in the work of ministry wherever and whatever that means. One of Matt’s gifts on this trip has been his love of photography and while he and others have sought to help us “capture the moments,” Matt has lead the way in ensuring that each of our orphan sponsors back home get fresh, and updated pictures of their sponsored children helping each one feel just a tad bit more connected to a world so very far from home.
Also returning for a second time is Jim Rhea, aka Stretch. If you need a pick me up, just listen in when Jim introduces himself to large groups of Asian children using the word “Stretch” and then have them pronounce it back. Precious. Jim returns as part of our four14 family, on-loan, from the Woodville Grace Brethren church in Mansfield. Jim, again by Asian standards, a giant of a guy, brings his own brand of demeanor that can at times seem quiet and reflective, until you put this giant of a guy next to a 3’ child and he turns out to be just as sappy as all of the rest of us. My friendship with Stretch over some twenty years has illuminated to me his long time legacy of selflessness and serving that in every situation makes our team stronger.
And then finally, there’s Adam Cruise. Adam is the youngest member of our team, bringing all the props from our Wooster Grace High School Ministry. Adam has been a blessing to each of us in his own way. His youth, his untainted desire to live in the moment with whatever situation we have found ourselves, has been just down right awesome to be around. Adam celebrated his 18th birthday a couple of days ago with us and I asked him later that day what was different about having a birthday in Thailand to which he simply replied, “I’ve never woken up on my birthday to the cries of a pig being slaughtered right outside of where I’m sleeping that’s for sure.” That was the start of the day, but the end of the birthday concluded with a fireside service with the kids of Grace Place singing “Happy Birthday” in both English and Thai, something none of us will forget.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot Pastor Ivanildo. No not really. Having the chance to work with him again in this capacity continues to challenge me for the brokenness of my heart for the poor and forgotten of this world. I love this guy like a brother, but if I have to hear, “I was born on the Amazon” one more time . . . he may find himself up for adoption.
Wow, you made it through! Congratulations! I’m fully aware that by blog standards this entry was way too long but I just really felt that maybe some of you at home needed to hear from us here about how we’re all doing. On the personal side for me, this entire trip has been nothing short of miraculous. From my rough go of it with pneumonia, to the flu which forced me to leave a few days behind the team, right down to my current dancing of the Smecta Shuffle, the Lord has been in this journey every step of the way.
The word “Ambassador” seems like such a high and lofty word, and yet I understand that it is in part the capacity which I serve. The dictionary defines ambassador as a “person who represents someone or something greater than himself.” True that in all regards. To represent our Lord and Savior is clearly the fulfillment of that thought. Whether it is to Asian people, Grace Place staff, missionaries on the field, our children, this team, whoever, wherever, it is an assignment I do not take lightly and yet feel honored beyond words to share in.
The forgiveness found through Christ’s shed blood, the joy of serving Him, and the hope of His return is a message that transcends culture, broken lives and distant lands and is the message we bring and we champion as a team and as a church family of Wooster Grace. Every prayer, every dollar, every act of service drives us closer to the heart of God and a relinquishing of ourselves for a greater good, a greater God, and a greater glory for His name. That’s why you’re here and that’s why we’re here, praise the Lord.
P.S. I'll post this first chance I get when I get back to Chang Mai.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
We are Back in Chiang Mai!
Hello everyone
We just came out of a total "Internet blackout." Nothing worked at Wiang Pa Pao, where Grace Place, Thailand, is located. We tried different air cards for the Internet and nothing was cooperating. We are back in the world of the Internet again and will be able to post soon. The team is finishing up a service with some college students, where Josh Graber was going to do a mini-concert and I am sitting here at the hotel lobby, waiting for them to get here. I came ahead of the team with all the loggage, so the team would not have to wait once they got here -- big plans for tonight: a real shower and shopping at the Sunday market, a special place for bargains of all sort of trinkets and artifacts made by Thai and indigenous artisans.
We had a fabulous time at Grace Place, Thailand. The children were adorable but most important, they were adoring... they sure know how to worship God with all their heart, soul, and mind. Our team was absolutely blown away by the care and love that the staff demonstrates to our children day in and day out. They are really being instructed well in the Word and there is no shortage of love at Grace Place. All of the sponsors form our church should be very proud of the work that the staff is doing here. Thanks for the investment you are making in the lives of these precious children.
More later,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
We just came out of a total "Internet blackout." Nothing worked at Wiang Pa Pao, where Grace Place, Thailand, is located. We tried different air cards for the Internet and nothing was cooperating. We are back in the world of the Internet again and will be able to post soon. The team is finishing up a service with some college students, where Josh Graber was going to do a mini-concert and I am sitting here at the hotel lobby, waiting for them to get here. I came ahead of the team with all the loggage, so the team would not have to wait once they got here -- big plans for tonight: a real shower and shopping at the Sunday market, a special place for bargains of all sort of trinkets and artifacts made by Thai and indigenous artisans.
We had a fabulous time at Grace Place, Thailand. The children were adorable but most important, they were adoring... they sure know how to worship God with all their heart, soul, and mind. Our team was absolutely blown away by the care and love that the staff demonstrates to our children day in and day out. They are really being instructed well in the Word and there is no shortage of love at Grace Place. All of the sponsors form our church should be very proud of the work that the staff is doing here. Thanks for the investment you are making in the lives of these precious children.
More later,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
God is Working
Hello, I am Harlene Steiner, a long-time member of Wooster Grace. I have had an interest in missions and missionaries for many years. I did a missions trip to Kyrgyzstan in 2001. Meeting new people is something I enjoy very much! I am a retired high school teacher, having taught at Smithville High School for 24 years. I do volunteer work and am involved in a variety of other activities. I hope to be an encouragement to the missionaries and the children that we will be visiting, as well as to my team members.
XXX
Hello from Harlene, I will tell you today about a couple of activities we have done in Cambodia. A highlight was our visit to Grace Place, Battambang. We had a wonderful time interacting with the kids! When they opened their gifts from all of you, the big smiles, laughter, and general excitement were a sight to behold! Pastor Bob and Roxanne, I took a couple of pictures of Vin Seang for you especially. One little girl was sobbing as she looked at her gift from her sponsor, Sarah Judy. She missed Sarah greatly! We had a great party with the kids Monday night--eating supper, and much dancing! Very hard to leave them--tears all around!
Eloquent voices, words spoken haltingly, sad stories--all these describe our visit to a unique ministry in Siem Reap two evenings ago. A pastor from Norway and his Cambodian wife have undertaken a ministry to former prostitutes, called "White Dove Ministries."* The wife has a heart for them and helps them to get off the streets, develop skills in order to support themselves, and, most important of all, to find the Lord who loves them and gives them a new sense of worth. They feel guilty and worthless because of the life of abuse and poverty from which they have come.
God is working in SE Asia. Please keep praying for the people to go from fear and darkness to peace and light! We are doing O.K. health wise and loving the Cambodian food! Today we have arrived in Thailand and will soon depart for Chiang Mai to go to Faa's GROW home and Grace Place, Thailand.
Love to all! May God keep you as you weather the weather!!
Blogger's Note: These ladies are now involved in the Grace Brethren Church of Siem Reap, pastor Chomm is the pastor there. When they started the ministry they felt it was crucial to have the support of the local church. After looking for a church, they found pastor Chomm's and decided to partner with him. He not only welcomed them with wide open harms but loaned them their young daughter to be part of that ministry. And remember: this is a ministry that goes into bars and reaches out to the young women who work there. In fact, the name "White Dove" was the name of the first bar they ever started going to, out of each several ladies have come out of that life of exploitation and have now found the Lord, found hope, found skills, have a safe place and are helping rescue other young women.
XXX
Hello from Harlene, I will tell you today about a couple of activities we have done in Cambodia. A highlight was our visit to Grace Place, Battambang. We had a wonderful time interacting with the kids! When they opened their gifts from all of you, the big smiles, laughter, and general excitement were a sight to behold! Pastor Bob and Roxanne, I took a couple of pictures of Vin Seang for you especially. One little girl was sobbing as she looked at her gift from her sponsor, Sarah Judy. She missed Sarah greatly! We had a great party with the kids Monday night--eating supper, and much dancing! Very hard to leave them--tears all around!
Eloquent voices, words spoken haltingly, sad stories--all these describe our visit to a unique ministry in Siem Reap two evenings ago. A pastor from Norway and his Cambodian wife have undertaken a ministry to former prostitutes, called "White Dove Ministries."* The wife has a heart for them and helps them to get off the streets, develop skills in order to support themselves, and, most important of all, to find the Lord who loves them and gives them a new sense of worth. They feel guilty and worthless because of the life of abuse and poverty from which they have come.
God is working in SE Asia. Please keep praying for the people to go from fear and darkness to peace and light! We are doing O.K. health wise and loving the Cambodian food! Today we have arrived in Thailand and will soon depart for Chiang Mai to go to Faa's GROW home and Grace Place, Thailand.
Love to all! May God keep you as you weather the weather!!
Blogger's Note: These ladies are now involved in the Grace Brethren Church of Siem Reap, pastor Chomm is the pastor there. When they started the ministry they felt it was crucial to have the support of the local church. After looking for a church, they found pastor Chomm's and decided to partner with him. He not only welcomed them with wide open harms but loaned them their young daughter to be part of that ministry. And remember: this is a ministry that goes into bars and reaches out to the young women who work there. In fact, the name "White Dove" was the name of the first bar they ever started going to, out of each several ladies have come out of that life of exploitation and have now found the Lord, found hope, found skills, have a safe place and are helping rescue other young women.
"Life is a Highway"
Hey, I’m Adam Cruise and I’m a senior at Triway High School
X X X
Tuesday, February 23
Hello from Asia. Today was an exciting day of fun in the Cambodian sun. Today we travled to Siem Reap at 5 in the morning. We arrived in town approx. 8 but didn't reach our final destination till 9:30. After eating a "quick" breakfast, we ventured towards the ruins of Angkor Wat. We spent the entirety of the day exploring the ruins with our trusty guide Darun. Darun told us about the great and long history of the ruins. And while he was explaining about some great ruin, we were to busy looking at the monkeys. After we left the ruins and freshened up at the hotel we headed to the White Rose ministries*. Well it has been a long and tiring day.
*a ministry that has been helping rescuing and retraining ladies who once were sex workers, and allowing them to experience love and acceptance in the name of Christ.
Wednesday, February 24
You ever hear the song “life is a highway”. Well we drove life’s highway today and, boy, it was bumpy. We began our journey from Seam Reap to Phnom Penh at 8:30 after eating a nice breakfast at the Golden Orange hotel that we stayed at the night earlier. We journeyed for 6 hrs, sometimes stopping for food along the way. Along the way we were entertained by near misses with other vehicles and Faa’s comical mannerisms. Along the way pastor Ivanildo told us there was a Delicious surprise waiting for us in Phnom Penh. We continued on and soon arrived at our destination, the Lucky Burger! aka Asian MacDonald's. We all order our food and are milling about when suddenly RAD walks in the door!!! We all greeted him with excited hugs and handshakes. After hanging at Luck Burger we ventured out once more, some to the Russian Market to buy gifts for the state orphanage, some to the genocide museum. The Genocide museum was a sobering experience for every one. After the museum we went to the State Orphanage, where we shared our testimonies and gave the children a great snack, which they loved. Then we went to a restaurant to have some delicious food. And now we are back at the guest house figuring out packing for tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Please pray for strength tomorrow as we rise from our resting at 4.
Tuesday, February 23
Hello from Asia. Today was an exciting day of fun in the Cambodian sun. Today we travled to Siem Reap at 5 in the morning. We arrived in town approx. 8 but didn't reach our final destination till 9:30. After eating a "quick" breakfast, we ventured towards the ruins of Angkor Wat. We spent the entirety of the day exploring the ruins with our trusty guide Darun. Darun told us about the great and long history of the ruins. And while he was explaining about some great ruin, we were to busy looking at the monkeys. After we left the ruins and freshened up at the hotel we headed to the White Rose ministries*. Well it has been a long and tiring day.
*a ministry that has been helping rescuing and retraining ladies who once were sex workers, and allowing them to experience love and acceptance in the name of Christ.
Wednesday, February 24
You ever hear the song “life is a highway”. Well we drove life’s highway today and, boy, it was bumpy. We began our journey from Seam Reap to Phnom Penh at 8:30 after eating a nice breakfast at the Golden Orange hotel that we stayed at the night earlier. We journeyed for 6 hrs, sometimes stopping for food along the way. Along the way we were entertained by near misses with other vehicles and Faa’s comical mannerisms. Along the way pastor Ivanildo told us there was a Delicious surprise waiting for us in Phnom Penh. We continued on and soon arrived at our destination, the Lucky Burger! aka Asian MacDonald's. We all order our food and are milling about when suddenly RAD walks in the door!!! We all greeted him with excited hugs and handshakes. After hanging at Luck Burger we ventured out once more, some to the Russian Market to buy gifts for the state orphanage, some to the genocide museum. The Genocide museum was a sobering experience for every one. After the museum we went to the State Orphanage, where we shared our testimonies and gave the children a great snack, which they loved. Then we went to a restaurant to have some delicious food. And now we are back at the guest house figuring out packing for tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Please pray for strength tomorrow as we rise from our resting at 4.
Miss you all
Adam
Long Day on the Road...
Hello everyone,
We arrived safely in Phnom Penh, after a long day on the road. Thank God for our able driver, Khan-dy, for bringing us safely to PP. Our team was able to visit the holocaust museum ("Toul Sleng") here in PP. I wish I had time and energy to tell you more, but both are precious commodities right now.
The biggest news, which I managed to keep from the team for several days, was a wonderful visit by none other than our own Pastor RAD, who arrived in PP last night. I had to literally delete some comments from the blog that made any reference to his coming. Everyone is elated that RAD is here and I've already seen the difference that his being here is making.
I will post more from Thailand tomorrow, Lord willing. By the way, pray for our trip tomorrow morning. Our flight was changed from 9:40 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Instead of leaving our hotel at 7:00 a.m., we are leaving at 4:20 a.m. Two days ago we had to pack the bus at 4:45 to leave Siem Reap at 5:00. This time it was not something we decided to do. Pray for our team as the energy level is finally catching up with some. Holly feels much and was participating well today. Her testimony to the chidren at the state run orphanage was phenomenal.
Thanks for your prayers!
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
We arrived safely in Phnom Penh, after a long day on the road. Thank God for our able driver, Khan-dy, for bringing us safely to PP. Our team was able to visit the holocaust museum ("Toul Sleng") here in PP. I wish I had time and energy to tell you more, but both are precious commodities right now.
The biggest news, which I managed to keep from the team for several days, was a wonderful visit by none other than our own Pastor RAD, who arrived in PP last night. I had to literally delete some comments from the blog that made any reference to his coming. Everyone is elated that RAD is here and I've already seen the difference that his being here is making.
I will post more from Thailand tomorrow, Lord willing. By the way, pray for our trip tomorrow morning. Our flight was changed from 9:40 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Instead of leaving our hotel at 7:00 a.m., we are leaving at 4:20 a.m. Two days ago we had to pack the bus at 4:45 to leave Siem Reap at 5:00. This time it was not something we decided to do. Pray for our team as the energy level is finally catching up with some. Holly feels much and was participating well today. Her testimony to the chidren at the state run orphanage was phenomenal.
Thanks for your prayers!
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pray!
We are leaving to Phnom Penh right now. It will be a long journey on the bus, so we are asking you to pray. Our day in Siem Reap was AWESOME. More on that later. Everyone is feeling well and glad they got a little extra sleep last night. The walking around the temples last night was hard, but all in all everyone fared great. We are nearing the mid-point of our trip but already feel we are so full of memories and emotions that our little hearts are about to explode. Please pray for us as we turn our heads and hearts to Thailand and then home.
All glory to God!
All glory to God!
A Day of One Thousand Emotions
In the back of our minds the whole time, however, we were dreading the looming "goodbye moment," where we were forced to say goodbye to the children who had so quickly found a cavernous home in our hearts. When the time came, many tears were shed, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth (I'm only barely kidding).
These children have an understanding of God's love that is incredible. You can see it in their eyes... They exude joy and peace and quiet strength, and they have left me a different man.
My eyes are still red, but i will close them tonight with a smile on my face, knowing that I've given and received the most pure sort of love imaginable and that every dollar and hour of preparation spent to come here was well worth it.
Josh Graber
One Foot In Front of the Other
We are in Siem Reap now, land of the famous Angkor Wat and other millennial temples. The team is now visiting some of these famous sights and I am here at the hotel fighting the proverbial battle with the Internet. Last night I tried to connect but the Internet at our hotel was not cooperating. I fell asleep with my computer still on and woke up at 4:00 a.m. to get stuff ready for our departure at 5:00. We arrived in SR at about 8:30 today.
I decided to stay back because I have been to Angkor Wat several times and also because I wanted to post some pictures on the blog. Kevin Kane, who came on the bus with us, is also here in the hotel. But my frustration with posting pictures continues, as the connection is too slow and I keep getting bumped offline. My apologies. In the end, when it is all said and done, I may be able to post a handful of pictures.
All the girls at Grace Place, Battambang, got a hair and nail treatment yesterday. They all looked so pretty with their beautiful black hair washed, and done up nicely as Holly and Juana worked hard to help all the girls through the process in about an hour and a half. The guys played soccer with the boys at the hottest times of the day, a project coordinated by Jason and Adam, and other team members helped recreational stuff. I was amazed at the speed with which a couple of the boys put together a puzzle with the map of the United States. Later we all helped the children tie-dye a white t-shirt that had been provided to them by the church. RAD came up with the idea and it was a blast. Even some of the staff members participated.
Mike coordinated the breakfast. We wanted to give the children a taste of a "typical" American breakfast -- milk and cereal. I think it is fair to say that the young children endured it and the older ones, after sitting politely and trying it, were finally discreetly given permission to quietly leave for the kitchen carrying their bowls with them. The wife of the director commented to me that she missed pancakes, which we made for them last year but decided against it this time around because it took to get everything ready on one stove only. Oh well, we may need to go back to pancakes and eggs next time around...
Josh's concert. What a blessing that was for our team to be able to put together this concert. It was totally cool to see how Jill's students responded to Josh. This is an English class that Jill has been teaching for about three years now and there must have been over 100 students there. They all heard the gospel clearly presented to them. It was great to have Faa give her testimony, in Thai, with the able translation to Kmai by a remarkable young lady by the name of Pheakday. You could say we heard the same sermon twice but have no idea what the speaker was saying. I guess Faa is going to have to work on improving that testimony now... ha, ha. As someone has aptly said, "We are all ignorant, only on different subjects."
I know other team members will write about this, but what can I say about dancing with the children and staff last night -- total joy and exhilaration followed by one giant sound of sadness at the end when we said good-byes... nothing can possibly prepare us for what we lived with those kids last night. Unforgettable. And I have been doing this for a while. There is nothing more piercing to your heart than to hear one of these children with tears on their eyes saying, "I don't think you will ever come back again." Those who have experienced rejection the most are the ones who suspect the most that they will be abandoned again. And herein lies another reason we must continue coming back to see our children.
I will never forget lifting some of the small children who come hugging you to say good-bye, and almost by accident hearing their little hearts beating at an accelerated rate. It is the most vivid picture of the tenderness and precariousness of this moment.
We joined hands together, prayed, but in the end, we simply must put one leg in front of the other, and ignoring the tears and sobs, you take our seat on the bus, try to keep smiling, and send love back to them until they are no longer in sight. I am choking up just thinking about that moment right now.
But don't think that this is a gloom and doom moment, please. We also remember many of the smiles on the faces of children and staff, and a quiet assurance that they are in good hands. And those hand are big enough to hold the universe in place.
Thanks for your prayers,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Fighting Dogs and Other Surprise Happenings
Hello everyone,
Woke up after 2:00 a.m. after three hours of sleep to do some blogging -- my intention was to upload a bunch of pictures here as I know some of you are dying to see pictures of the children. Sorry, the pace has been so hectic and with us being short one person who shared the blogging chores we have had no time to spare... But as I stuck my card into the netbook, I was shocked to discover that all my pictures from this trip have apparently been deleted. I have no idea what happened and am still in shock. My theory is that someone let one of the children use my camera and perhaps the pictures were erased by mistake -- several of our people let the children use their cameras. I don't normally do that, but I have had a couple of other team members use my camera so I have not been in control of it at all times because of all my other responsibilities.
So, my apologies to all of you picture seekers. It will have to wait until I get someone else's card and we find the time to do it.
Most of our team is spending the night at Grace Place, Battambang, today. The children could hardly hide their pleasure at the thought that some of us would be sleeping there. In a few hours, we will be serving them American-style breakfast -- cereal with milk. Our director told me last night that they never had this before. We are excited!
I can't begin to explain the emotions of the last couple of days. We try to prepare our teams to what is going to happen when the children smolder us with their love and compassion but we can never do an adequate job of it. One of our team members summed it up: "I thought I was coming here to give, but have realized that God wanted me to receive." We understand the words of the Scriptures more fully now when it says "it is better to give them to receive." We have seen the eyes of these precious when they give so fully out of the apparently endless fountain of joy that God has abundantly supplied them with.
Some of the side stories from our trip include but are not limited to:
Harlene and Juana got to sit by a man who lived through the horrors of the Khmer Rouge and somehow managed to escape, received refugee status and ended up in the United States. Recently, he discovered he still have relatives in Cambodia, so he was coming back for the first time since the mid 70's to be reunited with them. This man does not speak Kmai though he is Cambodian by birth. He lives in Columbus, OH, which will give us the opportunity to follow up with him later.
Pastor Ivanildo sat by a man who was coming to Cambodia to take his wife back to the United States with him. This man lives in Rochester, MN, and he is Cambodia. He was here last year to start the process of getting married to this lady he never met before -- they are both in their 30's. When I mentioned to him the words "Jesus Christ," he had no idea what I was talking about. He said he never heard of him. I just pray that this couple, and especially the young Cambodian woman who is about to enter into the frigid, far-away land of Minnesotta, will find a special lover of Jesus for a friend, who will help ease the pain of transitioning to a radically different culture, and in the process bring them to the knowledge of this beautiful Messiah we love so much.
I must close now and perhaps go back to sleep -- if I can somehow forget about my pictures... The worst part is not having someone I can share this with right now. The team is, hopefully, sound asleep now. Some of us are going on a walk at 5:45. Or at least I know I will...
Later I will tell you about the powerful moments we spent with the children personal delivering them the gifts you all so carefully and thoughtfully assembled for them. Also, if I can remember, I will tell you about being lost in the middle of Battambang, sitting on a bus with a driver speaking on a cell phone with a couple of people to try to move the bus in the right direction. I wonder what the word is Kmai is for "recalculating"? If he had a GPS, we would have heard it a few times.
I also should tell you about our team perfoming a song when both Josh and I messed up the lyrics... Whatever you do, don't put me in charge of singing. And RAD wouldn't be much of a help here either, I am afraid. Also, we had the pastoral prayer at the service at the Ministry Center with Kevin and Jill Kane. After one rather long prayer (for U.S. standards) one of our team members whose name I will not divulge, turned to me and said, "And I thought RAD prayed long." Not anymore, I guess.
And did I tell you about a surprise outing I am planning for the trip today? Stay tuned...
And what about meeting three young monks at the temple yesterday. They were headed to Grammar school on a Sunday morning. I guess monks here work on Sundays too! And one more thing, don't run on the streets of Phnom Penh... the stray dogs own the streets, you may find one attached to your legs... by the teeth! Thankfully, that didn't happen to me, but only because I know the universe sign that bring fears to the eyes of dogs anywhere and everywhere -- lower yourself to the ground, pretend you are picking up a rock and most of the time the dogs retreat. If the dog is younger, it may not get it at first, but at the first sign of you pretending you might be throwing the pretend rock at it, he runs like a scared puppy . So I just incorporated that into my exercise routine and call it "dawgone it aerobics class." Anyone wants to sign up for the next session?
I better stop, this is getting sillier by the second...
Love to you all,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
Lunch Greetings
HOLA from Juana!! Wow, these last 24 hours have been full of emotions that would take long time to describe them. The 30 hours of trip were worth since the moment I was able to hugh the kids and spend time with them in the orphanage. I will never forget their faces and how they were so sweet with me!
Hello This is Harlene. It has been an amazing experience so far! Words back home don't adequately describe the experience of meeting the kids and feeling their love. They sang and danced for us yesterday and this morning. They are so graceful! Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. We are all well. It is just very warm!
Hi, its Tricia :) Our time here has been absolutely amazing! I can't even handle the love & excitment from kids. For the first time in my life I think, I am proud of my pale, white skin. The kids will not stop touching it and comparing it to their's--I love it!
Brad Warner here, I wish there was a way to express the emotions that are occurring here but you just can't put them into words. It's an amazing experiance and if you can make the trip it is completely worth it.
Hello from Stretch!!! I am overwhemled by the kids love,for I have missed them ssince leaving last year. Pray for all of us.
Hi from Jason. The kids are amazing, the food is amazing, and the team is great. I miss you Ash, wish you were here with me.
Hello from Mike Ohlsen!!! It is hard to expess how God has touched my heart with these kids. It is just wonderful. Grace keep up the good work.
Hello everyone this is Josh Graber! I love everything about Cambodia... the food, culture, people... especially the kids!! God is working here and is showing us all more of Himself... I miss you all and i'll see you soon!
Soksobai everyone! Matt here. Just got done enjoying a delicious meal at 'A Cold Night' restaurant. It is sooo good to be back with the kids. Not too fond of the heat, but I'm dealing with it. There is some awesome lemonade that I don't know how to spell the name of. The restaurant happens to be right beside Brangelina's center here in Cambodia. The kids are so wonderful. Meng Houth is a great photographer. I let him carry my camera for most of the morning. I'm going to not like leaving.
Hello This is Harlene. It has been an amazing experience so far! Words back home don't adequately describe the experience of meeting the kids and feeling their love. They sang and danced for us yesterday and this morning. They are so graceful! Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. We are all well. It is just very warm!
Hi, its Tricia :) Our time here has been absolutely amazing! I can't even handle the love & excitment from kids. For the first time in my life I think, I am proud of my pale, white skin. The kids will not stop touching it and comparing it to their's--I love it!
Brad Warner here, I wish there was a way to express the emotions that are occurring here but you just can't put them into words. It's an amazing experiance and if you can make the trip it is completely worth it.
Hello from Stretch!!! I am overwhemled by the kids love,for I have missed them ssince leaving last year. Pray for all of us.
Hi from Jason. The kids are amazing, the food is amazing, and the team is great. I miss you Ash, wish you were here with me.
Hello from Mike Ohlsen!!! It is hard to expess how God has touched my heart with these kids. It is just wonderful. Grace keep up the good work.
Hello everyone this is Josh Graber! I love everything about Cambodia... the food, culture, people... especially the kids!! God is working here and is showing us all more of Himself... I miss you all and i'll see you soon!
Soksobai everyone! Matt here. Just got done enjoying a delicious meal at 'A Cold Night' restaurant. It is sooo good to be back with the kids. Not too fond of the heat, but I'm dealing with it. There is some awesome lemonade that I don't know how to spell the name of. The restaurant happens to be right beside Brangelina's center here in Cambodia. The kids are so wonderful. Meng Houth is a great photographer. I let him carry my camera for most of the morning. I'm going to not like leaving.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
"Master Yoda Speaketh"
Hello everyone,
What an exhausting day this was as we traveled six hours on the road from Phnom Penh to Battambang. The tean is beyond fatigued now and a couple of us are overwhelmed with the shock of a new culture, language, the heat, the new foods and a pace that is radically different from even the most hectic pace back home.
It's late at night here and I have a lot to share; however, I will let Matt Yoder, "Mutt" or "Master Yoda" share his thoughts for today. I was supposed to put a picture and a bio with this blog entry,but due to last minute repacking (due to RAD's being unable to come), I have yet to locate the flash card where these files are. Matt is a returnee to South East Asia He was here with our team last summer and all the kids now recognize him, as it was proved today. We can't begin to tell yo how happy the children were to see us. There are many pictures and stories, but for now let;s hear what "Master Yoda" has to tell us from the height of his second journey to Cambodia:
Matt Yoder
What an exhausting day this was as we traveled six hours on the road from Phnom Penh to Battambang. The tean is beyond fatigued now and a couple of us are overwhelmed with the shock of a new culture, language, the heat, the new foods and a pace that is radically different from even the most hectic pace back home.
It's late at night here and I have a lot to share; however, I will let Matt Yoder, "Mutt" or "Master Yoda" share his thoughts for today. I was supposed to put a picture and a bio with this blog entry,but due to last minute repacking (due to RAD's being unable to come), I have yet to locate the flash card where these files are. Matt is a returnee to South East Asia He was here with our team last summer and all the kids now recognize him, as it was proved today. We can't begin to tell yo how happy the children were to see us. There are many pictures and stories, but for now let;s hear what "Master Yoda" has to tell us from the height of his second journey to Cambodia:
- "Well folks, we made it to Cambodia. For some the trip seemed longer than others but we are all happy to be back on the ground. The first day in Cambodia went too fast. Poor Holly was a bit overwhelmed by the food and got sick, but was feeling better after we got underway to Battambang. It was great to see the kids again. They were all excited to see us. After visiting with the kids, we met Kevin and Jill Kane and Grace Place Cambodia leadership at a restaurant called The White Rose for supper. Thank you everyone for your prayers and responses on the blog. "
Matt Yoder
Friday, February 18, 2011
In Phnom Penh
Hello everyone,
We arrived safely in Phnom Penh and the team is all in their room in the guest house, some are already sound asleep as it is 2:17 a.m. here. Our flight was a bit delayed so we didn't arrive until about midnight local time here. Thank you for your prayers!
We leave for Battambang at 7:30 tomorrow morning. It is about five hours on the bus, so we would appreciate your prayers for us.
We are ready to work!
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
At The Airport in South Korea
Hello everyone,
I am sitting at gate 18 in the South Korean airport, awaiting our flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our flight has been delayed by about an hour, so I have a chance to get online using their free wireless internet connection that is available throughout the airport. FREE. What a concept!
We had as perfect a flight here as you could ask. No turbulence, very courteous staff on the plane, good food, though not plenty... some of the team members were snacking along the way and we all enjoyed some kisses, that is chocolate, I had brought...
The biggest disappoint to us all has been the fact that RAD was NOT able to join us on this trip. RAD has been working tirelessly to make this trip happen for months now. And frankly I don't know anyone who was as excited as he was about coming. He started counting the days a long time ago! But it was not meant to be. He came down with the flu, was running a fever and had a nasty cough. He was afraid he would infect other team members, or, worse yet, the whole plane. At the end, in what had to be a most difficult decision for him, he chose to stay home. Please pray for RAD as he is recuperating both physically and emotionally. I can't even imagine how he must be feeling now.
As I told the team, we still have a mission to fulfill. We are all pulling together well. We arrived at the church at 2:30 a.m. and went right to work -- we had the task of reducing our luggage by one suitcase to avoid paying extra for bags. We managed to do it by putting stuff in team members' personal bags. Everyone cooperated. Our flight to Chicago was delayed but it has not affected our connections so far. We are filled with anticipation for what God is going to do in us and through us as we arrive in Phnom Penh later tonight.
It is about 7:00 p.m. now but it feels like 2 a.m. We don't know if we should be eating breakfast, lunch, or dinners. Our bodies are a little tired but we are ready for the days ahead. Please continue to pray for us!
In His love,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
P.S. Please post your comments. They are part of what we do every night when we read the "mail" from home. Thank you!
I am sitting at gate 18 in the South Korean airport, awaiting our flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our flight has been delayed by about an hour, so I have a chance to get online using their free wireless internet connection that is available throughout the airport. FREE. What a concept!
We had as perfect a flight here as you could ask. No turbulence, very courteous staff on the plane, good food, though not plenty... some of the team members were snacking along the way and we all enjoyed some kisses, that is chocolate, I had brought...
The biggest disappoint to us all has been the fact that RAD was NOT able to join us on this trip. RAD has been working tirelessly to make this trip happen for months now. And frankly I don't know anyone who was as excited as he was about coming. He started counting the days a long time ago! But it was not meant to be. He came down with the flu, was running a fever and had a nasty cough. He was afraid he would infect other team members, or, worse yet, the whole plane. At the end, in what had to be a most difficult decision for him, he chose to stay home. Please pray for RAD as he is recuperating both physically and emotionally. I can't even imagine how he must be feeling now.
As I told the team, we still have a mission to fulfill. We are all pulling together well. We arrived at the church at 2:30 a.m. and went right to work -- we had the task of reducing our luggage by one suitcase to avoid paying extra for bags. We managed to do it by putting stuff in team members' personal bags. Everyone cooperated. Our flight to Chicago was delayed but it has not affected our connections so far. We are filled with anticipation for what God is going to do in us and through us as we arrive in Phnom Penh later tonight.
It is about 7:00 p.m. now but it feels like 2 a.m. We don't know if we should be eating breakfast, lunch, or dinners. Our bodies are a little tired but we are ready for the days ahead. Please continue to pray for us!
In His love,
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
P.S. Please post your comments. They are part of what we do every night when we read the "mail" from home. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Quiet Before the Storm
We've been working feverishly, a whole lot of people, trying to get ready for this trip. Some of our team members have experienced physical problems. Some have family members with severe health crisis or other types of crises. We know that we've been under attack and I have never felt this more keenly than on the days leading up to the day before we depart. Even as I write this, there is at least one person at the doctor's, trying to decide whether to go or not.
But soon, there will be quiet, the kind of eerie quiet that comes right before the storm... Yes, you heard me right. When you go on a short-term mission trip with RAD and me you are not going on a vacation! We put you to work and we try to use every awaken moment to learn something, touch someone, listen, pray, walk, work, encourage, cry, play, sing, write, and live life in full for two weeks in a foreign country where God is still speaking through the small things that people do and say every day. For two weeks, we get to walk where they walk and feel a little bit of their pain. We also get love from our precious children... a very high dosage of it.
If you don't believe how busy we will be, look at our daily schedule below. I know posting a schedule here is not the most exciting thing you will see here in the next couple of weeks, but I wanted you to see it so you can see where we will be and what we will be doing.
As you look at this schedule, please remember that we will be 12 hours ahead of Wooster. Also, please leave comments. We take time to read your "mail" every evening and it is a highlight of our day... hearing encouraging words from home!
Thank you for your prayers!
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
SE Asia Winter 2011 STM Trip Tentative Schedule
Key
PP – Phnom Penh WPP - Wieng Pa Pao
SR – Siem Reap GPT – Grace Place, Thailand
GPC – Grace Place, Cambodia
Thursday, Feb. 17th
2:30 am Meet @ Wooster Grace parking lot, travel all day!
Friday, Feb. 18th
10:40 pm Arrive in PP, spend the night at Guest House in PP, Prayer Partners
Saturday, Feb. 19th Blog Writer: Matt
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
7:30 Breakfast & Team Meeting
8:30 Leave for Battambang by bus, lunch along the way
1:30 Check into the TEO Hotel
2:15 Load up for GPC
2:30 Arrive Grace Place hang out with our kids
4:45 Load up for dinner
5:00 Dinner with Savorn & staff, hear their stories
6:30 Load for GPC
7:00 GPC Evening Program
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
9:30 Load for TEO Hotel
10:00 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Sunday, Feb. 20th Blog Writer: Jason
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
7:00 Breakfast
7:45 Leave for Grace Place Sunday Morning
8:00 Worship Service with Asia’s Hope children
Worship Set:
Testimony (2):
Speaker:
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Team Meeting on the TEO roof
2:50 Load up for Ministry Center with Kanes
3:00 Service at the Ministry Center
Worship Songs (2):
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
5:00 Jill Kane’s Bible Study
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Party at Grace Place to deliver sponsor gifts
10:00 Optional spend the night at the Grace Place or return to the hotel
Monday, Feb. 21st Blog Writer: Josh
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
6:45 Load bus for Grace Place
7:00 Cook / Serve Breakfast for children
Breakfast Coordinator:
9:30 Team Meeting
10:30 Team Ministry Set-up
11:00 Lunch
12:00 Team Ministry (works in 3 station rotation fashion)
Station 1 Tie Dye: Trish, Mike, Matt, Harlene
Station 2 Recreation: Adam, Stretch, Brad
Station 3 Makeover: Holly, Juana, Naza
Soccer: Jason, Josh
Pictures (where needed): RAD, IT
3:00 Optional: Jewelry Story/Set-up for concert: Josh
4:00 Load up bus for Ministry Center
4:30 Concert at the Ministry Center
Concert Set:
Testimonies (2): Josh,
Speaker:
6:30 Load for White Rose
7:30 Ice cream at the White Rose w/children
8:30 Head for dinner
9:00 Dinner & Prayer Partners / Mail Call
10:00 Pack for SR, hit the sack back at TEO
Tuesday, Feb. 22nd Blog Writer: Holly
5:00 am Leave for SR
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Spend the day at SR
7:00 White Dove Ministries
9:00 Travel to hotel
9:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Wednesday, Feb. 23rd Blog Writer: Adam
7:00 Load the bus for PP, breakfast along the way
1:00 Toul Sleng, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields
4:00 State Orphanage Service
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
5:30 Free time
6:30 Load bus for dinner
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Team Praise @ the Guest House, Prayer Partners /Mail
9:00 Luggage prep, weigh in, get some rest
Thursday, Feb. 24th Blog Writer: Harlene
7:20 Leave for airport, breakfast on plane
8:30 Team Time @ airport
1:30 Check into Eco Resort, Chiang Mai
3:00 Travel to GROW Home
6:00 Dinner with kids at GROW
7:00 Worship with GROW staff and kids
Worship Set:
Testimony (1): Adam
8:45 Travel to Night Bazaar
9:00 Night Bazaar
11:00 Head to Eco and Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Friday, Feb. 25th Blog Writer: Mike
8:00 Breakfast & Team Meeting
9:00 Pack for WPP
9:45 Load for GROW Home
10:00 GROW Home Projects
Swing Set Assembly: Mike, Brad
Landscaping: Matt, Holly
English & School Prep: Harlene, Josh
Computer Networking: RAD, Trish
Painting: Stretch, Juana
House Cleaning (Windows etc.): Jason
Truck Detailing & Maintenance: Adam
Pictures: IT
12:00 Head for lunch
1:00 Team Ministry Set-up (all kids, staff & team together)
Recreation Leader: Adam
Tie Dye Leader: Trish
Makeover Leaders: Holly, Juana
4:30 Clean-up
5:00 Head for dinner
6:00 Travel to WPP
7:30 Arrive Grace Place Thailand, meet kids and settle in
8:00 Worship with children and staff
9:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Saturday, Feb. 26h Blog Writer: Juana
8:00 Breakfast & Team Time
10:00 GPT Projects
Kitchen Remodeling: Mike
Team Ministry (works in 3 station rotation fashion)
Station 1 Tie Dye: Trish, Matt, Harlene
Station 2 Recreation: Adam, Stretch, Brad
Station 3 Makeover: Holly, Juana, Naza
Soccer: Jason, Josh
Pictures (where needed): RAD, IT
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Free Time
3:00 Meet GPT staff and widows, hear their stories
4:00 GPT Party, Sponsor Gifts
6:30 Clean-up
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Fireside Service
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
9:45 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Sunday, Feb. 27h Blog Writer: ?
9:00 Breakfast & Team Time
10:30 Worship Service with GPT
Worship Set:
Testimonies (2):
Speaker:
12:00 Pack, Hang out with children
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Travel to Chang Mai
3:30 Check into Eco
4:00 Load for College service
4:30 College Student Service, Josh Concert
Worship Set:
Testimony (1): Trish
Speaker: RAD
6:00 Dinner with College Students
6:45 Travel to Sunday Market
7:00 Sunday Market
11:00 Travel to Eco
11:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Monday, Feb. 28h Blog Writer: Brad
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Travel to Doi Sothep, spend the day sight seeing, lunch and Team Time Reflection
3:00 Travel to Hill Tribe Village
4:30 Arrive Hill Tribe Village
5:00 Prep for Hill Tribe Service
6:00 Hill Tribe Service
Worship Set:
Testimonies (2):
Speaker:
7:30 Head to the church
8:00 Settle in, big group game amongst team
9:00 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Tuesday, Mar. 1st Blog Writer: Tricia
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Travel to Chang Mai
10:00 Arrive at Eco, Free time
11:30 Lunch with GROW children
1:00 Elephant Show, hang with children
2:30 Shop
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Night Bazaar
11:00 Travel to Eco
11:30 Prayer Partners, packing, luggage weigh-in & Mail
Wednesday, Mar. 2nd
Begin the journey home
Thursday, Mar. 3rd
Arrive home
7:00 pm Go to four14 (RAD)
But soon, there will be quiet, the kind of eerie quiet that comes right before the storm... Yes, you heard me right. When you go on a short-term mission trip with RAD and me you are not going on a vacation! We put you to work and we try to use every awaken moment to learn something, touch someone, listen, pray, walk, work, encourage, cry, play, sing, write, and live life in full for two weeks in a foreign country where God is still speaking through the small things that people do and say every day. For two weeks, we get to walk where they walk and feel a little bit of their pain. We also get love from our precious children... a very high dosage of it.
If you don't believe how busy we will be, look at our daily schedule below. I know posting a schedule here is not the most exciting thing you will see here in the next couple of weeks, but I wanted you to see it so you can see where we will be and what we will be doing.
As you look at this schedule, please remember that we will be 12 hours ahead of Wooster. Also, please leave comments. We take time to read your "mail" every evening and it is a highlight of our day... hearing encouraging words from home!
Thank you for your prayers!
Pastor Ivanildo C. Trindade
itrindade@woostergrace.org
SE Asia Winter 2011 STM Trip Tentative Schedule
Key
PP – Phnom Penh WPP - Wieng Pa Pao
SR – Siem Reap GPT – Grace Place, Thailand
GPC – Grace Place, Cambodia
Thursday, Feb. 17th
2:30 am Meet @ Wooster Grace parking lot, travel all day!
Friday, Feb. 18th
10:40 pm Arrive in PP, spend the night at Guest House in PP, Prayer Partners
Saturday, Feb. 19th Blog Writer: Matt
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
7:30 Breakfast & Team Meeting
8:30 Leave for Battambang by bus, lunch along the way
1:30 Check into the TEO Hotel
2:15 Load up for GPC
2:30 Arrive Grace Place hang out with our kids
4:45 Load up for dinner
5:00 Dinner with Savorn & staff, hear their stories
6:30 Load for GPC
7:00 GPC Evening Program
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
9:30 Load for TEO Hotel
10:00 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Sunday, Feb. 20th Blog Writer: Jason
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
7:00 Breakfast
7:45 Leave for Grace Place Sunday Morning
8:00 Worship Service with Asia’s Hope children
Worship Set:
Testimony (2):
Speaker:
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Team Meeting on the TEO roof
2:50 Load up for Ministry Center with Kanes
3:00 Service at the Ministry Center
Worship Songs (2):
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
5:00 Jill Kane’s Bible Study
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Party at Grace Place to deliver sponsor gifts
10:00 Optional spend the night at the Grace Place or return to the hotel
Monday, Feb. 21st Blog Writer: Josh
6:00 Optional temple walk (meet hotel lobby)
6:45 Load bus for Grace Place
7:00 Cook / Serve Breakfast for children
Breakfast Coordinator:
9:30 Team Meeting
10:30 Team Ministry Set-up
11:00 Lunch
12:00 Team Ministry (works in 3 station rotation fashion)
Station 1 Tie Dye: Trish, Mike, Matt, Harlene
Station 2 Recreation: Adam, Stretch, Brad
Station 3 Makeover: Holly, Juana, Naza
Soccer: Jason, Josh
Pictures (where needed): RAD, IT
3:00 Optional: Jewelry Story/Set-up for concert: Josh
4:00 Load up bus for Ministry Center
4:30 Concert at the Ministry Center
Concert Set:
Testimonies (2): Josh,
Speaker:
6:30 Load for White Rose
7:30 Ice cream at the White Rose w/children
8:30 Head for dinner
9:00 Dinner & Prayer Partners / Mail Call
10:00 Pack for SR, hit the sack back at TEO
Tuesday, Feb. 22nd Blog Writer: Holly
5:00 am Leave for SR
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Spend the day at SR
7:00 White Dove Ministries
9:00 Travel to hotel
9:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Wednesday, Feb. 23rd Blog Writer: Adam
7:00 Load the bus for PP, breakfast along the way
1:00 Toul Sleng, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields
4:00 State Orphanage Service
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
5:30 Free time
6:30 Load bus for dinner
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Team Praise @ the Guest House, Prayer Partners /Mail
9:00 Luggage prep, weigh in, get some rest
Thursday, Feb. 24th Blog Writer: Harlene
7:20 Leave for airport, breakfast on plane
8:30 Team Time @ airport
1:30 Check into Eco Resort, Chiang Mai
3:00 Travel to GROW Home
6:00 Dinner with kids at GROW
7:00 Worship with GROW staff and kids
Worship Set:
Testimony (1): Adam
8:45 Travel to Night Bazaar
9:00 Night Bazaar
11:00 Head to Eco and Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Friday, Feb. 25th Blog Writer: Mike
8:00 Breakfast & Team Meeting
9:00 Pack for WPP
9:45 Load for GROW Home
10:00 GROW Home Projects
Swing Set Assembly: Mike, Brad
Landscaping: Matt, Holly
English & School Prep: Harlene, Josh
Computer Networking: RAD, Trish
Painting: Stretch, Juana
House Cleaning (Windows etc.): Jason
Truck Detailing & Maintenance: Adam
Pictures: IT
12:00 Head for lunch
1:00 Team Ministry Set-up (all kids, staff & team together)
Recreation Leader: Adam
Tie Dye Leader: Trish
Makeover Leaders: Holly, Juana
4:30 Clean-up
5:00 Head for dinner
6:00 Travel to WPP
7:30 Arrive Grace Place Thailand, meet kids and settle in
8:00 Worship with children and staff
9:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Saturday, Feb. 26h Blog Writer: Juana
8:00 Breakfast & Team Time
10:00 GPT Projects
Kitchen Remodeling: Mike
Team Ministry (works in 3 station rotation fashion)
Station 1 Tie Dye: Trish, Matt, Harlene
Station 2 Recreation: Adam, Stretch, Brad
Station 3 Makeover: Holly, Juana, Naza
Soccer: Jason, Josh
Pictures (where needed): RAD, IT
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Free Time
3:00 Meet GPT staff and widows, hear their stories
4:00 GPT Party, Sponsor Gifts
6:30 Clean-up
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Fireside Service
Worship Set:
Testimony (1):
Speaker:
9:45 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Sunday, Feb. 27h Blog Writer: ?
9:00 Breakfast & Team Time
10:30 Worship Service with GPT
Worship Set:
Testimonies (2):
Speaker:
12:00 Pack, Hang out with children
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Travel to Chang Mai
3:30 Check into Eco
4:00 Load for College service
4:30 College Student Service, Josh Concert
Worship Set:
Testimony (1): Trish
Speaker: RAD
6:00 Dinner with College Students
6:45 Travel to Sunday Market
7:00 Sunday Market
11:00 Travel to Eco
11:30 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Monday, Feb. 28h Blog Writer: Brad
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Travel to Doi Sothep, spend the day sight seeing, lunch and Team Time Reflection
3:00 Travel to Hill Tribe Village
4:30 Arrive Hill Tribe Village
5:00 Prep for Hill Tribe Service
6:00 Hill Tribe Service
Worship Set:
Testimonies (2):
Speaker:
7:30 Head to the church
8:00 Settle in, big group game amongst team
9:00 Prayer Partners / Mail Call
Tuesday, Mar. 1st Blog Writer: Tricia
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Travel to Chang Mai
10:00 Arrive at Eco, Free time
11:30 Lunch with GROW children
1:00 Elephant Show, hang with children
2:30 Shop
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Night Bazaar
11:00 Travel to Eco
11:30 Prayer Partners, packing, luggage weigh-in & Mail
Wednesday, Mar. 2nd
Begin the journey home
Thursday, Mar. 3rd
Arrive home
7:00 pm Go to four14 (RAD)
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Praying for our team. on Twitpic
Praying for our team. on Twitpic
Pastor Steve Kern lead our congregation in prayer this morning asking the Lord to lead, guide, and empower our team to serve diligently in Cambodia & Thailand. Our pastoral staff, board, global task force members laid hands and stood with them in prayer. We praise God for the faithful giving of our church to develop fully devoted followers of Christ in all the nations of the world.
Pastor Steve Kern lead our congregation in prayer this morning asking the Lord to lead, guide, and empower our team to serve diligently in Cambodia & Thailand. Our pastoral staff, board, global task force members laid hands and stood with them in prayer. We praise God for the faithful giving of our church to develop fully devoted followers of Christ in all the nations of the world.
Team is commissioned today: Sun Feb 6
Today Wooster Grace commissions this team to be our servants to SE Asia. Praise God for our vision to develop fully devoted followers of Christ in all the nations of the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)