Sunday..the last of Mae Sot

New years eve celebrations
Dad preaching

Chuilian giving her gifts to the Burmese school kids

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Ok so the day off didn't really end up being a day off. We were kind of tired after going to be at 1am but New Years day was slightly slower which was nice. While dad had an in depth discussion with some American missionaries, Leonie, Chuilian, Mimee, Chris and the Filipino missionaries went to a waterfall. It was good but after a long night we were all pretty tired.

Yesterday after a bit more sleep, we visited some Burmese kids which Leonie had seen at the church/Elpis prior to our arrival and gave them some Chrismas presents. They were a needy family so it was great to be able to bless them. This was Chuilian's idea.

Today we had church at Mimee's church and dad preached going through 2 translators. Tonight we're meeting up with Melissa Crouch and then leaving Mae Sot on the 8am bus tomorrow to hopefully get some R&R in Chiang Mai for the rest of the day.

God has been great this whole week, and its still been amazing how we've been able to catch up with everyone just at the right time. Its great that the last day or 2 has been a bit slower as that has allowed Leonie (who was doing crazy hours with the locals before we got here) to catch up a little on sleep. Prayer points: that over the next few days we can be perceptive to the needs of those we meet and on the team. That we can get the necessary rest, and also that we can stay in step with the Spirit as we serve the people over here. Thanks heaps again!

NEW YEARS EVE!!!!

Our first team shot!

The Filipino ladies who are missionaries over here, who we took out to lunch tonight. Very pricey restaurant- cost $3.50/person!!! Some of these missionaries have been here for 10years, we've been able to have some great chats with them, and its been cool to see the way God's working there!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're going out in 5 mins for NYE celebrations at the Filipinos house for more food! And probably a day off (I say that now!) tomorrow.

31 Dec...

Philip & Mary- at Burmese 'Christmas Celebration' the first time he's done some thing like this in the area. A few hundred people turned up to hear the gospel message in a way that was relevant to them. (Dad also gave a short 5 min greeting). They wanted some foreigners to come along as that meant they could say to the Burmese factory workers we've got special guest speakers!

For lunch we went to a ladies place we met last trip and who Leonie had been to her house to carol last week. We ended up talking and after a while we asked if she'd like prayer to which she was SO appreciative of! She became a Christian just last year and we were able to pray for her family with her. She'll be at church on Sunday when dad's preaching too.

So much so soon!!!

So much has been happening just at the right time, that it appears to be no coincidence!!! (not that we thought it was anyway!).

On Monday, we went to have a look at a bakery that the Filipino missionaries had started up, and its a good thing we went then because it was closing the next day for the rest of the time we're in Mae Sot and we wouldn't have been able to see it.

On Tuesday we were able to have lunch with the local pastor-Pastor John, and encourage him and pray with him, he said he could only spend an hour with us but after 1.5 hours and making his wife wait 30mins we finally convinced him to leave. He's doing an amazing work. The combined churches of Thailand have finally decided to work together (after stacks of disunity) and have a joint vision to reach every household in Thailand. They've divided Thailand up into quarters and Pastor John in organising a conference for the pastors in his quarter for March and was asking us if we knew of any speakers who could come. To which we were able to suggest one. And pray about it with him. We'll see where the Lord leads with that.

At night we were able to have dinner with Niell and Diana and have a great chat with them regarding where they are at, where they would like to go and what God is doing in their hearts and lives right now. It was a blessed time and God was able to speak to both us and them through the conversation. Thanks God!!!

Today (Wed) we were able to catch up with Philip Tin Aung, and after giving him some letters from Australian friends yesterday he was very appreciative of that. Today we had lunch with him and four of his pastors that are leading a Christmas celebration tomorrow morning. We're invited to that and dad will give a '5 min encouragment' tomorrow, before the guest speaker. He's expecting 1000-3000 Burmese factory workers so it'll be exciting to see how that goes.

The team is fairing well. Mimee's brother arrived today so she is spending some family time with him and her niece as well. She's still working long hours though. We're having daily devotions and looking at how God uses people in prayer and what kind of blessings he gives out. Thanks for your prayers and support. We couldn't be doing what we're doing without it!

Made it!!!

So, after a day of travel we were finally all able to meet up together. We left home at 8pm 26th and arrived here at 7pm on 27th. We were met at the bus station by Leonie, Chuilian and Mimee along with some Filipino missionaries. We were pretty tired so after taking them all out for dinner we had a good sleep. Dad even slept for 10hours- a new record for him!!!!
This morning we met together as a team and we're praying through what we should be doing this week for the program in Mae Sot. It looks like there a fair bit of eating that we're going to be doing, taking a number of different missionary groups out for dinner, as well as maybe going to a Burmese rally on Wednesday night. Other than that, its pretty open at the moment. Mimee's still pretty busy trying to get things done before we head off to the rest of the country. Thanks for all your support, and we'll keep you updated when we next have internet!

And we're off...

So the day has arrived when we depart so in 1.5hours Dad and I will depart and embark on 24hrs of transit to meet Leonie, Chuilian and Mimee in Mae Sot. Thanks for all your prayers already. I'm really excited about this trip and about what God's going to do while over there. I get the feeling there's going to be a lot of stuff happening. So stay tuned...

The engine room...

Here's a copy of this years prayer calendar.
Hot off the press...

The Team...

This year's team is made up of 5 people. Smaller than usual but perfect size for what God's got in mind...



Peter . Chris . Chuilian . Leonie. Mimee

Profiles:
Peter works in Australia and has been over to Thailand many times before previously assisting on Short Term trips in leadership capacities. In Melbourne, he is an engineer, married to Marilyn and father of Michael and Chris

Chris is currently on placement and studing in Wangaratta and will be on placement up there until July, however he's on a 2 month break so living back at home with his parents. He's been to Thailand many times before, and has assisted in the planning of a number of such trips. He and Peter are co-leaders on this trip

Chuilian is a valuable member of the team and resides in Thailand. She has participated in every Short Term trip since 2003 and has been a faithful translator for each of these. She can speak at least 5 languages including Thai, Ahka, Chinese, Lahu and English

Leonie is a student and involved in a number of activities at Mitcham Baptist. This will be her third trip back to Thailand. She is currently over in Thailand already and will be staying there a number of weeks after Peter and Chris have returned to Australia.

Mimee is a school teacher and pastor in Mae Sot. She works at Elpis school during the week as a teacher for Burmese Refugees and on the weekends (as well as during the week) she pastors the local Chinese church congregation. She is also a valuable member of the team and has been on many Short term trips before. She is fluent in Thai, Burmese, Chinese, English, Karen, Tagalog, and other languages which she finds interesting.

THAILAND 2009/10... is fast approaching

And so we are here again... In the preparation stages for another trip to Thailand. This year we are going out under the name of Mitcham Baptist again and are visiting a number of people all over Thailand. We'll be starting off in Mae Sot and then moving up to Chiang Rai area where we'll be heading into the hilltribes to assist with the local pastors there, probably doing some more kids ministry stuff! After this we'll be heading down to Kuala Lumpur (in Malaysia) for a few days to visit some other Christian workers down there, then finishing up by heading back up to Bangkok.
Stay tuned for more details...

home...

Just a brief one to say that after 18hours of transit we made it home. The trip home was interesting but we made it! More to come when I've woken up!

Home Tomorrow

Latest update from Thailand:
"Most of us have colds now or at least sore throat. Pray for good wise informal debrief/chats on the plane and logistics for travel home goes well."

They will be arriving in Melbourne soon after 7am tomorrow (Wed) morning.

Thanks for praying and don't stop yet!

Mike

Nearly Finished

Hi All,

Got an email from Dad yesterday saying that a few days ago their cook had a cold and now most of the team have colds. Please remember to continue praying for them and particular for their health. Even though their ministry part of the trip may have finished, there is still a lot of travelling to go and decisions to be made. So please don't fall in the trap of stopping to pray for the team as can be easy to do near the end of these trips!

Thanks again all for your support of the team.

Regards,

Mike

Bangkok

Update from Chirs on Sunday night:
"Made it OK to slum. Catching up with Chris and Jodie tomorrow (Monday). Just did a prayer walk from tourist central to shopping centre with Porche in shop front on level 4. I am leading a study tonight on Isaiah 6 and call to mission. Thanks for the prayers. It's been a long day and last official ministry tomorrow."

Lifehouse Play Tonight

Hi All,

As Chris doesn't currently have internet / email contact, I've been in touch with him to get an update for you all so you can continue to pray specifically for them.

Tonight they are doing the Lifehouse play (the same one they did last year) but with one of the translators travelling with them as the girl in the play (sorry to those that don't know the play) to try and make it even more relevent for the people of Thailand. At Urban Summer at Mitcham Baptist last year this had a huge impact on the youth resulting in a number of them decided to get baptised. Pray that this play can have the same impact on the locals there watching it and that it makes sense to really allow some open discussion with the team members.

On Sunday, Chris will be leading the team down to Bangkok while Dad stays in Chiang Mai. Chris and the team will then be returning back to Chiang Mai on Monday arvo. Pray for Chris as he leads the team down into this currently politically sensitive area of the land and for safety as they travel as a team.

Team wise, continue to pray for each of the guys on team.

• Leonie as she continues to experience God challenging her in many ways... pray for discernment for her.
• Sonya as she experiences the Thai culture and the
• Dan as he gets acustomed to the flexible times required of being on a mission trip
• Dave - is going well and finding a good balance between spending time with the team and outreach activities.
• Chris - daily leadership decisions and leading the group down to Bangkok and back
• Dad - daily leadership decisions and guidance and direction while meeting with locals and the missionaries they are going over there to support and encourage.

There are effectively 5 days left for the team over in Thailand. Continue to pray for the team as a whole and for tiredness as they are continually on the move.

Thanks all for your valued support. They really appreciate it and can tell there are people praying for them. Keep it up!

Mike

Chiang Mai-Judy & day off

Judy in front of her church with our team

Hi Guys, well we've had a great last few days. 2 days ago we were able to catch up with Judy for most of the day which was great! We went out to lunch with her then went back to her place and she showed off her apartment and office where we took lots of snaps for the people back home. We then went and worshipped with her at her church and then had dinner with her too. To finish it off Sonya had some quality 1:1 time with her which was invaluable. Thanks for the prayers for this. As we were leaving Judy was so appreciative of all that we (or more the fact God through us) had done for her, and she commented on how uplifted and genuinely encouraged she had been.

Success!!!!

Yesterday was team day off so most of us spent the day just lazing round the motel, one or two went off on a day trip, but it was a relaxing day for all and also refreshing.

Today we catch up with Sarah this morning for a couple of hours then have a windy 3 hour bus trip to Chiang Rai then catch up with Susie this arvo/evening, so a pretty full day.

Following this we'll be heading up to do some different sort of night ministry with Asholi& Puii, we're not sure what that will entail so I'm thinking we'll be kept on our toes.

The next week is going to be more intense with living conditions and also what we'll be doing. There may not be too much internet access so i may have to sms for some others to update the blog too.

Well I'm late for brekky, blessings to all, and thanks for the prayers- cause they're working!!!!

Dave in front of where he lives

During our study time. We're doing a study series on young people of the Bible. Dad has previously done David and this morning Sonya covered Joseph. Tomorrow I'll be doing Jonathan. Others which we'll cover include Ruth, Timothy, Isaiah, Josiah, Hannag and a couple of others.

Chiang Mai- Dave P

After catching up with the staff from Elpis school the other night (which went really well and we were able to both encourage and be encouraged) we caught the bus to Chiang Mai the following day. It was an early morning so after the 6 hour bus trip we were pretty zonked again so we pretty much had dinner, had a quick look around Chiang Mai and went to bed.

Today we caught up with Dave Prior and had a good time seeing where he lived and taking plenty of pictures of the place so that we can show his family when we arrive back in Melbourne. I was able to have a good chat to him also to be able to find out how things are going in a bit more detail and how we can best be praying for him.

Tomorrow we'll be catching up with Judy at 12 and going to her church in the arvo. So we're all looking forward to that as well. Trust everything is going well back home with beachmissions and coffeeshops and whatever else! Blessings from Thailand :)

happy new year!

It was to the sounds of fireworks at 10pm that most of us went to bed last night!

Although it was midnight in australia so we figured that was good enough. We had a really good chance to chat with Neill & Dianna last night and a great time of encouragement and support was had going both ways. Dans now over his tummy bug and almost up to full strength again. Give thanks that it only knocked him out for 1 day, as normally it could be a bit longer.

We're about to have a cultural lesson from our cultural advisor Mimee (translator) and then catch up with the staff from Elpis School. They school mainly illegals from Burma and have roughly 200 in the school and what we'd normally fit 25 students into they manage 80 so the classes can be quite large.

Tomorrow we're heading back to Chiang Mai on the 6hr bus trip so prayer we can be open to divine appointments all along the way would be fantastic. thanks for the encouragment and sms's!

mae sot bugs

We had a good trial run at some kids games at a small orphanage

Houses overlooking the Burmese border where we did a prayer walk today

Hi Guys,

we're into another day and Dan wins the prize for the first person to get sick. He had it going both ends and has been out of action all day. We've confined him to barracks (the guest house) to try and give him a chance to recover. Its always hard though when you go somewhere to do mission, you want to be where God wants you but you get layed low with sickness. So its been a tough day for Dan. Be praying also for Sonya.

Today we went on a prayer walk with the team from Brisbane who we met on board the plane to Chiang Rai. Funny how our paths continue to keep crossing!!! We walked with Philip and he showed us the area he's ministering to.

This arvo we went to meet Niell and Dianna and to see an orphanage they run. Tonight we're catching up with them over dinner to hopefully get some insights as to how their ministry is going and also how long term missionaries function.

Yesterday we managed somehow to get away with double booking oursevles for new years eve parties (both a day early-go figure!), and we were able to encourage those we saw at both events also.

Thanks for your prayers, they're really useful. Blessings, to all and hope your new years eve celebrations are an encouragement to all!

Maesot

We arrived last night in Maesot after a 6 hour-ish bus ride, met up with Mimee at the bus stop and made our way into Maesot (I got to ride on the back of Mimee's motorbike!). Thankfuly David and Chuilian managed to catch the last bus of the night from Tak to meet us at the hotel shortly after not being able to catch a direct bus from Bangkok . We are staying on the highway (105) that leads into Maesot at the Pin Guest House.
Last night was an early night and we had a guided tour of Maesot today with Mimee, mainly looking around at the market (lots of interesting sights and smells... pigs heads, fish paste and live frogs :S ) Tonight we will be heading out to two different churches New Years / Christmas parties (we managed to double book because the two invites we accepted were thought to be for the same party...) of the local churches. Over the next few days we shall be having some cultural and Thai lessons from Mimee as well as catching up with many missionaries that Peter and Chris know in the area from previous trips.
Prayer for quick adjustment for the whole team to Thailand and also for some good team time over the next few days as they are expected to be a bit more relaxed than later on in the trip...
I believe that Mike has all of our Thai phone numbers if you want them or I have my normal number as well. Until the next post :)