Going out in style...

J's last day here was hectic... like most of them were. He started the day by preaching at the 8:00 a.m. service at Immanuel Baptist Church, where he spoke on Nehemiah and the importance of planning, but waiting for God. We went to Sunday School, where he was asked to share his story with the class. At the main service at 10:30, Ah Jan Winit 'interviewed' him before the congregation, leading him through telling his story and about the impact of this trip on him.

After church, he went with me, Son, Ting, Pai, and Nok to Ja Rurat, for his first exposure to the slums. His heart was just broken by the kids and by the conditions they live in. He now understands what I have meant in telling him that you just can't 'get it,' by looking at the photos. We played a game and he taught them a lesson about David. (I'll go on with stories about David for the next few weeks.) After that, we explained to the kids that J works with children at his church in America and that we wanted them to make cards to send to those children, with their names on them and with some drawing.

After Ja Rurat, we headed to Bearing, where the team was mid-way through the English lessons there. He observed some of that and went with us to the farmer's market nearby to get food for supper. After the kids left, the team had supper and a time of worship and he was asked to share one last time, a kind of going away testimony. Son drove us back to my condo, where he showered and finished packing. Ah Jan Vee, who had been gone on a retreat with a class form his seminary, was back and came by with his wife Mhewy and Son to take us to the airport about 11:00 p.m. and we shared one last meal there and said our good byes.

Without a doubt, this will be a life changing event for J. He has fallen in love with the folks here and with the nation of Thailand. He hopes with all of his heart to open doors of cooperation between his home church and Immanuel. It's been an awesome week of watching him experience one new thing after another and of watching him being used by God to impact the loves of others. He's eager to see his wife and kids again, but he hated so bad to leave behind such special new friends.

A young lady visiting church for the first time, Ah Jan Winit, J, me and Mhewy, after church yesterday.

J helps the kids with their drawings.

A little girl named Ice makes a card for Jason.

One of J's photos. The little girl on the right is being raised by an old lady in the slum because her mother is serving four years in prison.

After the slum ministry, the team gathers for supper. J is eating a chicken foot. He also got to try moo hoo, pig ear. Son is next to him. As Son always says, "New experience!"