Sawadeekrap.

Finally back to home-soil and experiencing the heat which is really crazy here in Malaysia. It was a great mission trip, I expected the worst to happen which is sleeping in some wooden house, on the wooden floor, with the mosquitoes buzzing around at the ear irritating you to sleep and also sucking your blood. Having meals either in the dark or under the moonlight. Weather would be shivering cold till your bones trembles in the cold. An icy bath in the open area with doors but no rooftops. Well, thankfully those that I described didn't happen. Thank God for that. Except got bitten by the mosquitoes pretty often and it's quite itchy that I have to scratch it often. Overall this mission trip is another trip where the experience I'm going to treasure much. As the various mission trips I go to, I obtain different experience. This is my 5th mission trip but first time to Chiang Rai, Thailand. There was nine of us who went, with Lisa Ping as the team leader and Cheong Wai as my room-mate throughout this trip. At least I can get to know them better. So do hang on as I'm going to bring you thru the trip, which is going to be a long ride, no worries, there would be pictures to soften the ride at least. Will introduce some of the children there who I got to know. Enjoy!

It was an early Sunday morning where I got to wake up at about 4.30am in the morning. It was a a very, very, very rare occasion that I wake up that early. So finalized my luggage and check whether everything is there, cleaned up then head to Church which was the meeting place. about 5.30am we left Church and headed to LCCT Airport. Unloaded the luggage, some which was pretty heavy, went to the counter to check-in the luggage that are needed to be checked in which took quite awhile then headed for breakfast none other than McDonald's. After breakfast we headed to the waiting area and boarded the flight to Bangkok then subsequently to Chiang Rai since there wasn't direct flight to Chiang Rai. The plane journey was smooth, took Air Asia Airbus A320 to Bangkok and Boeing 737 Thai Air Asia to Chiang Rai. Upon reaching Chiang Rai airport which is relatively small with only a single runway when landing the plane had to almost go towards the end of the runway and make a U-turn. Collected the luggage, met up with Ps. Cheah who's the home's head. Some had to sit behind the pick-up truck which was a very good experience for them since here in Malaysia it's illegal to do so. While the rest took the van.

The van ride didn't took that long and we unloaded the huge number of luggage at the hotel or should I say motel where we stayed at for almost 8 days. It looks nice with proper bed and bathroom. There's air conditioning as well. So no torture in sleeping on wooden planks etc. After putting down our luggage, we gathered and headed to Agape Home. Where we are going to minister and mingle around with the children that are there in the home. Currently there's 50 plus children and only 4 workers which includes Ps Cheah as well. So probably you can see or imagine how hard work it is. Age is about 3 the youngest till 18 the oldest. Mostly are orphans where some have quite a dark or sad past or history. When we arrived there almost everyone greeted us with the traditional Thai greeting where the hands are clasped together and put below the chin. So straight away we, the team went to get to know the children. Played badminton with them while some see what they have in their store since we're going to cook dinner for them. They had long beans so we cooked long beans from them. After eating we mingled with the children and headed back to rest and prepare for the next day. For the next few days we cooked lunch and dinner for the children. Uncle Poy Sin was the cook for the mission trip so all the meals were cooked by him and were greatly appreciated and enjoyed by the children and also us, the mission team as well.

Next day is where the lessons started which went on for about four days or so. Each team member taking turns to teach on various topics. Some taught in the morning while some took the night session. For me I taught at the night, which is the evening session. And taught about "Hearing the voice of God". It was quite a nice lesson to teach on as I use my dad's illustration on the three beacon lights and i used the candles as a tool to illustrate the story. We covered topics like "The Father Hart of God", "Tree of Life" and so on. During the first lesson while Lisa was teaching I followed for marketing and went to various places buying the necessities for the kitchen and not leaving the food, meat, vegetables. About 60 plus of us in total and you can imagine how big amount of food we have to buy. The place we buy which is called "Big C" certainly had a high profit for a few days since we bought quite a lot of pork and things from them. Carrying them was quite an effort at least it's like some exercise I'd say. In this trip I really cut out the shyness I have and just have fun along with the children dancing along with them with the action songs and making it funny most of the times. Oh well, at least I'm doing for God and not unto men.

One of the day after the lesson on Evangelism some of the older ones went along with us sort of on a field trip to the Akha tribe place and visit. This time I sat behind of the pick-up truck. Thank God it didn't rain if not I would be soaking wet like anything. But no doubt I was darker quite a bit after that ride since there isn't any covering and the wind just kept blowing on my face. Quite a nice one to me. And the journey took an hour and a half to go and the same amount of time to get back. We did stopped by Big C to have our dinner and dessert though. At the tribal village we saw how God's work is working through various people. Saw PJ Methodist Church members there helping up in a Church for medical check-up. Quite a small world it is where we can meet our own people. Ps. Phang who was the person in charge, he is man of vision as he planted about 27 Churches around the area. Have a school that provides to those who have very low income for free. He has a tea plantation which is huge in terms of the land. Spacious indeed, we saw the guest house on top a hill which required four wheel drive vehicle to get there. I admire that man's vision that the income from the tea he will use it to do God's work. currently now he is searching for tea masters who would help in order to bring out the best out of the tea leaves on when is the right time to harvest the leaves and so on. Much process and things to do. After that we headed downhill to meet up with the rest. Not leaving the journey to the village we can see beautiful scenery indeed.

I forgot to mention that the ration of girls are higher than boys in the home. So the boys there are kinda shy and would not speak that much. But as we get to know them they would speak up more a little. The kitchen only have one stove and it's relatively quite okay in terms of space is concerned. So this is the place where 50 plus mouths are to be fed everyday. If they go to school only dinner is cooked. I think probably breakfast as well. This home had gone through a lot. Ups and downs and some children who are the long experienced the pain they went through. Not an easy one really. So along the trip we did visit the that massage which was quite a torture for me since I'm all bones and less flesh. Went to the night market as well, tasted fried crickets and silk worms. One day we have a cleaning up session where we cleared up those wheats, grass, while the girls learn how to bake and the older guys did the cementing for the soon to be fish pond. Cementing is not one easy job. The others would surely agree on that as it requires skills to do so.

Saw two bunnies there at the home, the brown one was pretty cute but unfortunately few days before we left it died. Don't know what was the reason though. They eat kangkung that was planted at the home everyday. Overdose of that perhaps? But then the white one is still alive. The boys had one boys time where they learnt about sex and also BGR from a married man which is none other than Patrick Lim. We had language barrier so sometimes nothing much can be done but to just draw out. You get what I mean. If want to communicate with them, for the lessons we have a translator who will do the translation if not we have to use sign language or simple English. So that was how was communicated to the children there. Quite interesting how we communicate at times and can understand each other somehow or rather. What else we did there? We did visit 7-11 very often to get chips and drinks. The 7-11 there I can say is much better than our local one. This si because over there has toast, burger, instant rice and some other instant food. Over here I think we have instant mee only.

This is Mozi or also known as Moses. He's currently three years old (I think). He's one of the favourites among the team members. He does has his moods at times. There was various funny moments. He has a sad past where he got kidnap and was hidden in the cave for five days with the monks. I wonder what went through but I'm sure he was traumatized by the incident. He's a sweet boy, when he is sleepy he would just either sleep on the bench or during the session sleep in a "praying" position. Before I figured out he was sleeping, the first time I saw him on the position I thought he was praying but then when the session ended when those other children woke him up, with his have open eyes staring blurly and at times cried because being awoken from sleep. Nice child to know and mix with.

Had the opportunity to play the floating lantern where it function like a hot air balloon, it's a paper like structure when lit something at the bottom of it after awhile when the hot air are dense it would float. Similar to the one we have here in Malaysia. The children there are every attentive, they really hunger and take heart the Word of God. I feel touched of their hunger for the Word. Mostly took down notes and I do see lots of potentials in them. Though they may have experience lots of not so pleasant things but still their heart for God never changes and it longs for more of Him. How I wish this attitude is within our local Church's youth or children. At times when we have to go through trials and problems do we get back to our longing for Him attitude. Oh well, I pray that it wont need to be that way.

They're Cinta and Dao. Both are sisters. Dao joined the home later than Cinta as she was from another home and somehow with arrangements made they manage to get back together. They have the leadership potential as Cinta is one of the oldest there and she can play the guitar and sing and also to lead the children in worship as well. While Dao is catching up like her sister learning. For her age now, she looks pretty tall.

Towards the end of the mission trip, I think all the children there had special presentations. The younger ones to the older ones. Some choreographed by themselves and idea generated themselves and some taught by our translator who taught them how to dance. They are quite fast learners. Because Andrew taught them keyboard and they manage to pick up the lessons pretty quick and well. amazing learning skills they have. Everyone preformed their very best, having their own uniformity in terms of their dressing. It was a job well done and the presentations are good indeed. Well planned and executed not leaving the funny parts as well. Our team did shadow play on the story of Jonah, too bad no pics were taken. It was fun to have the shadow play. Of course before the trip we had a schedule but it's a schedule that is open for changes and it serves like a guideline only. We didn't follow strictly on it but follow the flow and be open for changes.

This is Nake (I hope I did get her name right). I think she can hear but can't speak. She always smiles. Though with the communication barrier there is, through sign languages able to communicate a little. At times I have no idea what she wants to talk. Can't decode what she was trying to say. Overall she can learn the action songs easily of course. And in her own special way with God's help to be able to live on with His faithfulness towards her.

As the days passes by in a middle level speed sometimes it felt very fast someyimes it felt it was quite slow. Lessons taught, food tasted, friendship obtained and treasured. It was time to bid goodbye. It was a Sunday night where we had the last time together as a whole since the next day most of them have to go to school except for those who are special ones (You get what I mean) We had the night where those presentations took place, the lantern and also pasta for dinner which was enjoyed by the children very much. I did missed my opportunity to play football with one of the boy there. Too bad for me. Took pictures, took down e-mails, some last time fellowship. It was quite a mixed feeling when things just sort of got started and it had to end quite soon, just get to know more aboutthis guy whose name is Geroge. He helped us with our luggage along with Peter when we arrived at the airport. As days passes by, I observed he is quite a discipline person except I was amazed when the last day he sort of went cheeky a bit a played with Lisa. When it was prayer time he prayed very fervently. I wonder in my mine since he was praying in Thai, what is he praying about anyway? I did cry once when I was praying for him. I was indeed touched by his discipline and attitude. Even in songs and praise he dance along. Everyone danced along and sang along. He's hardworking and obedient. He obeys instructions given and finishes them without any procrastination. This is one character I do admire a lot. I can understand him quite a bit since he's those who's quite quiet and shy. I manage to visit his room and it was way cleaner than the others. He has few younger ones under his care where he has to washed the younger ones laundry and his energy level during school time does goes down since he's invloved in those bicycle sort of training witht he other boys as well. I do pray for him that he will continue to hang on there and do all he can, his best for God's glory and never give up.

I can say this mission trip was a mission success. We can see what imprted to them are accepted with willing and open hearts. Everyone are special in the eyes of God whatever the circumstnaces they went through. I trust those things they went through are to mold them and to build tem up to be stronger in their trust towards God. Not only that but to fully rely on Him to provide and son on. Another nice experience obtained from this trip and I do long to go back there again someday to see the fruits we imparted multiplied and sown to many other hearts as well. Some of us stayed back in Bangkok but due to the flight delay we could not spend much time there. Only had one mild shopping spree, before that had dinner with Dai & Adie and headed to the Christian guest house to rest. The following day headed to the airport and headed back to homeland Malaysia.

Job well done team members, it was great serving alongside with you all in cooking, in buying groceries, in lessons, in laughter etc. We do have our own story to tell to others. And you who are reading this, go for a mission trip and you will be impacted in a special way. Ignore where are oyu going to stay be it good or bad place since we are at the mission field to bless the people. May God bless Chiang Rai and its people. I do notice that Thai people really honor their king since I can see his picture and also the queen's where ever I go. Not bad indeed in terms for patriotic.