Our solider man returns to visit

My work with the Young Leaders at Immanuel began through my relationship with the "Three Amigos," Ting, Sontaya, and Eddy. There three have been insuperable friends for years, and all of them helped with the slum ministry, which is how I first got to know them. It was rough at first. Son spoke rough English, Ting much less, and Eddy almost none. And my Thai is not great now, but it was terrible at that time. Still, somehow, God formed a bond between us, and I got great joy from being around these three.

In Thailand, they have a form of military draft, the young men sarcastically call the "lucky draw." Around your 21st birthday, you must return to your hometown and participate in a sort of lottery. You reach in a box and pull out a slip of paper. If it is black, you return to life as normal. If you draw red, you are in the army for two years. In Spring of '09, both Son and Eddy had to go home for the 'lucky draw.' Son drew black, Eddy drew red.

I was so worried. No one in their group was less 'army material than Eddy,' with his long hair and gentle spirit. I was afraid he would not be able to handle the demands of military life. I was also worried about him spiritually. Eddy was still a fairly young and immature believer. He was going to be entering a decidedly non-Christian world, where he might well be the only Christ-follower in his unit. He was to report to the army in early October. In late summer, I approached him and asked him to meet with me once a week to talk about what it REALLY means to be a man of God, hoping to maybe equip him just a little better for the challenges that lay ahead. Eddy asked if he could include Ting and Son. And Young Leaders was born!

At first, the intent was clear... they could invite friends, but the focus was going to be Eddy and his preparation for the army, and the group would meet only until Eddy left for the military. I asked a friend, Greg Brown, a missionary working with Immanuel to help, and he immediately agreed. Well, the group started meeting at my condo and quickly grew to about a dozen regulars. And it became a wonderful time for all of us. When Eddy DID go, the others came to me and said, "We can't just quit now," so we continued meeting... to this day.

This week, Eddy returned for a three day visit. What a great, great surprise. The one bad part was that, due to our inability to reach him after Sontaya's death a month ago, he had not yet learned that one of his closest friends had passed. It was a shock, as you can remember, and I don't think he still has a real grasp.

Anyway, so pics from his recent visit. What a great blessing to see Eddy again! Oh, and he is THRIVING in the military. I am SO proud of him!

Eddy before the army buzz cut. The children in the slum called him "Singto," Thai for "the lion."

Son, Eddy, me, and Ting on our first visit to him, midway through his bootcamp.

Soldier Eddy.

Eddy had moments during his visit of reflection and hurt, as he thought about Son. The rest of us had each other to help us work through the hurt five weeks ago. Eddy will have to do that on his own (with God).

The "two amigos," Eddy and Ting. I can not tell you how good it was to see these two together again.

We had a special meeting of Young Leaders group while Eddy was back, to feast on pizza and to pray for and encourage our young brother. It was a wonderful time! Here, Eddy and Ting pray...

Eddy is standing strong as the only Christ-follower in his unit. Please do pray for him to continue to be strong in body and in spirit.

Group Photos!

It's all about the kids

And the PVBC team was fantastic with the children they interacted with!

Fun Time

Some fun was worked in along with all the ministry work done over the past two weeks. A few random scenes...

Joel loses a darts game to an elephant!

Greg meets a new friend.

The team visited a waterfall near Chiang Mai.

Sisters...

Aaron with HIS new friends.

The Freedom Drama

The Pleasant Valley team worked for months to perfect The Freedom Drama, prior to their trip here to Thailand. It was a great investment. In all, they presented the drama eight times in eleven days. The result? Well over fifty children and adults in the slum areas alone indicated a first time decision to become a Christ-follower!

Below are scenes from the drama being performed in various locations...

Baan Imjai (Imjai House) - the orphanage in Chiang Mai.

A primary school in Chiang Mai, where many students heard the name of Jesus for the first time in their lives.

JaRurat slum community.

Saturday evening English language service at Immanuel Baptist.

Wisiwa slum community.

Well done, good and faithful servants ! ! !

Pleasant Valley Partners with Immanuel

I am not real sure how to recap a full week of non stop action with the Pleasant Valley Youth Mission team here in Thailand. Here are a handful of photos and comments...

Tiger, one of the orphans, seemed to be left out by most of the others. I threw a nerf football around with him and he latched onto me for dear life.

Joel, the youngest team member, has been just wonderful the whole trip. I hope he is one of the student leaders the next time PVBC sends a team here.

Seth.

Adam, during the drama. Obviously, the kids love this part.

Brad teaches a little one to thumb wrestle. She spends the rest of the week challenging everyone.

Doing the drama at Immanuel.

Touring Bangkok their first full day.

Young Leaders meet the guys on the team.

Engaging with students at Kasetsart University (K.U.)

The kids on the team were so willing to jump right in and initiate conversations. It was amazing.

Jorge - Before and After

One of the highlights of the trip to Chiang Mai was the chance to visit with Jorge. I posted about Jorge back in October of last year. He was 18 and an orphan at Imjai House. Because the kids attend public school, they have ample opportunity to fall in with the wrong crowd. Jorge did this, and began sneaking out at night to join up with his friends on the streets. Finally, one night he stole a motorcycle from the orphanage and went into town, where he had a bad wreck. He nearly died and required multiple surgeries. That day, I spoke with him earnestly and bluntly about the choice he had been making and about his future. Later, when I returned to Bangkok, each member of Young Leaders wrote him a letter, and I attached their photos to each. It had a real impact. Today, Jorge is working and living at a home for disabled people... helping the patients there with their day to day tasks. He hopes to go to nursing school, but says even if he does, he wants to continue working there.

Jorge when I first met him.

Jorge today!

PVBC in Thailand - Day 1

Well day one is in the books. We took the team on a tour of the city to give them a feel for where we are and what makes this place unique. I remember when I first came here, how overpowering all the sights and sounds are. I am sure it was a little overwhelming, but everyone had a good time.

We started with a boat ride down the kliong (canal).

Visited Wat Po and the famous reclining Buddha.

To give you a sense of its size, check the feet!

Smile!

David and Claudia Johnson, who have been missionaries here for some twenty years, with PVBC Youth Pastor Brad Daniel.

PVBC and the Young Leaders

Last night, the PVBC team finished their first full day with an evening with the Young Leaders group. The girls all met with a group of young ladies from Immanuel at the same time. (Sorry... no pics of that.) It was a great way to finish the evening, with Thank leading us in a study of James 1.

Joel, Isra, Greg, and Aaron.

Bat leads us in a great time of worship together.

When men of God gather to worship and pray, it is very, very special.

Mix shared his story, being very open and honest. It was terrific! Afterward, Adam from PVBC also shared his story, a powerful story of grace and transformation.

Praying an end to a great day.

Last Day in the Slums Before PVBC Arrives

The team from Pleasant Valley will be here next week. Today, we talked about Moses and studied English words for family members.

Save and one of his buddies.
My partner, Ohm!

Fun and games.

Ting leads music. The kids adore him...

Another week done. Next up, PVBC youth team!