With friends like this, who needs enemies?

So, I have put Rerk in charge of games at Jarurat and today was his first day. He had them play a sort of "musical chairs" where instead of moving form seat to seat, you pass bottles of baby powder. When the music stops, whoever is holding the bottle gets a handful of powder in their face. Great fun. Until Rerk calls for one last round, and when the music stops, tells the kids to put thier powder in Big C's face.

I love you, too, buddy.

Born Again

I can not imagine being able to share better news with all of you. Rerk has most definitely crossed that line of faith and placed his trust in Jesus.

As many of you know, we have been reading and discussing The Purpose Driven Life together. Last week, we were talking about "The Reason for Everything," and the necessity of a real relationship with Jesus. He admitted that he had prayed to invite Christ into his life just before we left for Khao Lak. Funny, but I had told someone I would not be surprised to find that he had made that step in his heart, even if he had not prayed "the prayer," because of the differences I saw in him each day. Sure enough, that is what had happened. He knows about the call to follow Jesus in baptism and felt that once he told me (and others) he would want to be baptized soon, and he wanted to wait for that until he knew his friends from university could attend, because he very much longs to see them come to church and, more importantly, come to faith.

I can not tell you how thrilled I am. Rerk is a pretty incredible young man, and God has really built a bond between us quickly. To know that bond will last for all eternity is amazing and wonderful.

One thing that made me so pleased is that Rerk spoke about how amazed he was when he first came to Immanuel about how people like his friend John Tessalee and others among the Young Leaders and in church reached out to him and just showed him love when they really didn't know him yet. That's how this church thing is supposed to work!

Rerk has chosen to wait for his baptism until early February, partly because he feels his friends are more likely to be able to attend then, and partly so that Jason and his family can share in the moment. He has spoken with J on the phone and there is a special connection forming there, too.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you who have prayed for Rerk in recent weeks, and I ask you to continue to do so. He is trying to figure out his future plans as he nears university graduation in late February. Right now, he is interested in studying abroad, possibly in Australia. Please ask God to guide his steps. And pray that his friends WILL be able to attend his baptism and will be touched by the obvious and wonderful impact the love of Christ has already had on his life. May they look at Rerk's life and say, "He has something I may not understand yet, but I want what he has!"

And for my U.S. friends who have been praying, you may not have the chance to travel to Thailand and meet Rerk, but one day, you WILL meet him and he will have the chance to thank you, himself, for your prayers.

New Year, New Beginning at Jarurat

Seems like forever since I have seen the kids at JaRurat, but we finally got back there today. Big changes in our team, as Ahjan Vee has decided to work with Greg Brown and focus his energies on starting a new work in the Wisawa community, nearby. Taking his place will be Ting and Rerk. Ting will lead music and Rerk will be in charge of games. It will be different, but I am excited to see the kids react to these two young men. Nok, who is such a huge part of the ministry there, will continue to help us, as well.

The kids dance while Ting leads music.

We started with a very small group today. Not unusual because if you miss one or two weeks, they get out of the habit of coming, too. By the end of the time, however, we were up over thirty, I am sure.

Rerk helps a young one with her 'Y's.

I was sure Rerk would be terrific with these kids. Of course, he was.

Nok and Un work with the older kids.

Happy Birthday Ting ! ! !

Ting hit the big 2-5 this week, and the Young Leaders group helped celebrate this week.

Dream World!

Thursday, Rerk mentioned that he had nothing to do on Friday and Saturday. I suggested that he contact John and find out if he wanted to do something. That eventually became a plan for several of the Young Leaders to make a Saturday trip to Lop Buri to see the nationally famous sunflower fields and to visit the 'monkey temple' there. Sadly, this morning, a miscommunication led to the cancelling of our van rental, so we were forced to develop a "Plan B." Our solution? A trip to Dream World, Bangkok's amusement park. And it turned out to be a great day together!

The obligatory group pose before we enter the park. Useful here, as it gives me the chance to introduce folks. Right to left: me, Rerk, Ikey, John, Boyd, Thank (pronounced more like Tank), Greg

Rerk in his rocking chair.


Holding a Panda Boyd won shooting baskets and gave to him. Later, Rerk would give it to a little girl he saw.

Really, Ikey, the lines aren't THAT long.

They say these things are hereditary, but wow.

Cowboyd.

Thank looking like the famous "Scout" statue in Kansas City.

Note to self... never, ever go to Dream World on New Year weekend. The crowd was... impressive.

We did get to hit some of the major rides, though.

A fun time.

Probably more fun than standing in a sunflower field after a three hour ride.

I love their signs showing the location of restrooms.

Thank does his impression...

And just as we were leaving... we got our sunflowers, anyway!

And as is true so many times, our day ended breaking bread (well, OK, breaking rice) together at Athen restaurant near church. Tired, but we had a very good time. Thank you God, for good friends and good times.