Grace

This is one of the proudest weeks I have had in a long, long time.  Supparerk Ruckchart is like a son to me.  Rerk maybe the smartest person I have ever known and is just an amazing young man.  He graduates next week with a Master's Degree in Educational Research, and has already begun working on his doctorate.  About two and a half years ago, he was going through a very difficult period in his life.  Desperate for hope and guidance, he called a local information line and asked them to suggest a Christian church he might check out.  Whoever he talked to suggest Immanuel Baptist.  I met him that evening at church.  In time, he became a Christian... and also my friend.  

His recent story is one of the great grace of God.  Just months ago, I was called and raced to the hospital, where Rerk lay unconscious, the result of an intentional overdose.  He barely survived.  The doctors told us that he had stopped breathing just as the ambulance arrived at the hospital.  We were literally moments from losing him.  Today, he stands at the beginning of a new adventure in life, graduating from the top school in Thailand with a Master's Degree, living in his own new apartment, and starting work on his doctorate.  I could not be prouder of him and I will never be able to thank God enough for saving him... physically and spiritually.

Graduation rehearsal day with my kid.

Quite the pose.

A few months back.  A very, very bad day.

Showing off his graduation money.

Graduation at Chulalongkorn

OK, it has been ages since I posted here.  I have taken to putting most of my photos on facebook.  But with the Pleasant Valley youth mission team coming next week, I thought it was time to try to get this more current, for those friends who do not frequent facebook.  So what has been going on lately?  Here we go...

Today, I went to Chulalongkorn University, generally regarded as the top university in Thailand.  Some friends are graduating there, and it is tradition to invite friends and family to pose for photos with the graduates on rehearsal day.

The sidewalks outside the university are lined with vendors selling flowers and balloons and stuffed animals to give to the graduates.  It goes on and on and is incredibly colorful (and busy).

Knot is one of the key guys in our Young Leaders group at Immanuel Baptist.  He just completed his Masters Degree in architecture.  

This is Eve, the lovely girlfriend of one of my associates at work, Nui.  She graduates from law school this year.

Nui and Eve

Chula has a beautiful campus in the middle of Bangkok.  

Meeting Physical Needs in Khao Lak

We spent two days in two locations, holding a free walk-in medical clinic with Poo and O, a couple of nurses who went as part of our team.  This was extremely popular and we had all the people we could handle both days!

Khao Lak kids...

Just got back from our annual Christmas-time trip to Khao Lak in southern Thailand.  We held a two day free medical clinic and put on late Christmas parties for the children there.  Everyone wants to see the photos of the kids, so here are the best...

Yesterday was Christmas in the Slums.  A large team joined us in Jarurat Community to distribute gift bags, a free meal, lots of fun and games, and an explanation of the Christmas story.  Each year, it is a big event for Jaruat.

Pai helps carry in gift bags.

Seth is great with the kids.

I counted 153 kids and lots of adults.  We met in the community building in the center of the community.

Preparing gift bags.  The gifts were a little small because so much has been spent on flood relief, but the kids were excited and grateful.

Preparing the meals while the kids are inside enjoying the entertainment.

Lining up for the gift bag giveaway.

Thanking everyone for his gift.

Directing kids to get their bags.

What a haircut!

Nok tells the kids the Christmas story.



Checking on Hope

Saturday, Chut, X, Mic, and I went to Ratchaburi to check on our buddy, Hope.  Hope is dealing with a serious family illness and we wanted to make sure he knows we are standing with him through this.  The photo above is from near Chut's home, showing the extent of the flooding on the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok.  Usually everything you see in the foreground is dry land.

After going to the hospital, we went to a shop nearby that is famous for its hand made noodles.  The brownish square you see on top is a block of congealed blood, typical in noodle dishes.  Yummmmy!

X and Mic.

Hope and Chut.

Afterward, we went to Wat Kohnkhat and the Nang Yai Museum.

The museum shows scenes from famous Thai mythology that are cut from animal skins and displayed with a lighted background.  There are dozens of these and they are beautiful.

Another scene.

A monk wrapping up some hand made jars I bought for my mom and sis.  They are really pretty and well worth the thirty bahts (one dollar) each I paid for them.

Me, Hope, Mic, and X.

Chut, Hope, Mic, and X.  Friends for life.

After that, we just monkeyed around.

Getting some Thai snacks.  Thickened coconut milk, heated til they gel firmly.  Sooo good!.

Almost done!

Ready to eat!

A Full House in the Slums !

Went back to the slum community of Jarurat this afternoon after church.  A big crowd of kids waiting for us.  We barely had room to hold them all!

This is Lang (sounds more like long).  He has not come for a long time, but today, while I was carrying chairs into our meeting place, he came over and helped me.  I asked him to help me when I told the Bible story.  He could help give away the Hot Wheels car.  He thought that was a good idea, so he came and joined with us for the first time in almost a year.  He brought his new pet.  That monstrous bug he is holding is very definitely real!  (If you click on any of these pictures, it will enlarge it... check out the size of this bug!)

Everyone gathering and getting ready for Ting to lead us singing.

I told the story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and then Lang helped me asking questions and giving away Hot Wheels.

Almost totally out of room!

First time I have even seen this little girl.  She was usually smiling broadly.

Lang with his pet clinging to his shirt.  I told him that, for helping us, I was going to bring a special Hot Wheel for him next week.  (Kind of insures he will come next week, too!)