Stacking cookies

Today's game for the kids at Jarurat and Wisiwa was seeing how many cookies we could stack on our friends' foreheads. Actually, a lot of fun...

From the Pulpit to the Slums

Sunday was another great day. I was asked to speak at the main service. My good friend Note led worship, which made it that much more special for me. After church, we had a planning meeting and did not do our usual slum ministry, but we drove out to JaRurat community for a few moments, anyway. It was my girl Fern's fifteenth birthday and we went to take her a cake and sing happy birthday to her. THAT is a good Sunday!

My friend and hero, Note. He knows the songs I love, and kicked things off with Blessed Be Your Name, which was just a great way to start the day!

I spoke from Mark 5 and Luke 8 about Jesus delivering the demon possessed man.

You can't see him, but Ahjan Winit is to my side, translating. We tried going hi-tech with the microphone headset, but it was making some noise that Ahjan found very distracting. I ended up switching back to a regular mic. I wonder if we'll ever see the headsets used again?

Ting and Ahjan Vee led the kids in praying for God to bless Fern on her birthday.

The birthday girl!

Late February misc. Photos

I spoke Wednesday evening at church on Jesus and the man possessed by demons. Ahjan Winit is translating. Today, he called and asked me to share the message again at the main service a week from Sunday.

Setting the scene.

This evening was Yong Leaders Group evening. My favorite day of the week! As we often do, we started with dinner and a local diner type place.

Ohm starts us out in worship.

Worship with the Young Leaders is a very special time. I always feel so refreshed when we have spent time together in a time of praise.

Today, I was encouraging the guys to pray that we'd have more opportunities to lead. As I talked with them, it is surprising how much God is already doing that. Tonight, Thank taught us about God's might and he did a great job. Ting is taking responsibility for leading music in the slum ministry. Rerk is taking charge of games. Boyd is already on staff at Immanuel and leads in several areas. Bat has assumed the role of worship leader on Friday nights and the early service on Sundays. Pretty impressive, huh?

Rerk and Ting Step Up and Help Lead

At Jarurat, Supparerk explains the rules to today's game. Rerk is now in charge of games.

Ting helps out. He is now going to lead the songs at Jarurat and Wisawa communities. The kids will love him!

Lining up matchsticks...


At Wisawa, the game was a sort of relay/chase game the kids enjoyed a lot.

Since Ting helped Supparerk with his games, only fair that Rerk would join in and help lead songs. Teamwork!

Making an Impact

Over the past two weeks, Jason has preached at a special 'revival service' in Khao Lak, spoken at Immanuel's Friday Night service and at its main Sunday service. He has shared his story in people's homes and with children in the slums. He has spent a day on a cruise to PP Island and had monkeys jump on him in Lop Buri. Yet, when he was asked what his favorite experience was from this trip, he answered without hesitation, "Young Leaders Group." To have the chance to worship with these young men and to listen to them interact with one another and encourage each other was very impactful. He is returning to America determined to try to build something similar in his church. It is so encouraging to know that these young men ARE making a difference... all around the world already!

Breaking bread (or maybe rice).

Praising God.

More praise.

Thank shares his story with the group.

J shares the moment with us.

Hinckley's Invade the Grand Temple

No trip to Thailand is complete without a trip to the Grand Palace. Unfortunately, it was hot, hot, hot that day.

J's Kids do Thailand

Probably the most important part of this trip for J was allowing his boys to have the experience of a lifetime, being part of a different culture and making relationships with people half a world away from their homes. They will never be the same...

Jake with Uncle Lerk.

Monkeying Around

Took J and family to Prang Sam Yot, the monkey temple in Lop Buri a couple of hours north of Bangkok. They will not forget the experience!

Ministry Moments with J and family

It wasn't ALL fun in the sun. We also did some serious ministry work while in Khao Lak.

Praying for the father of one of the church members. He is a restaurant owner and he recently suffered a stroke.

The older woman told us that she liked Jesus and wanted to become a Christian, but that she had served a spirit for over twenty years and was afraid that if she became a Christian, the spirit would kill her. Still, she encourages her kids to become Christ-followers. Evil spirits are a very real part of day to day life here in Thailand.

Sharing with a very small community of believers in a village northeast of Khao Lak. First, there was only one couple, then the neighbors came to Christ. Now there are seven or eight. Go God!

Jayben got in on the ministry opportunities with us. It was meaningful to him and such a blessing for J!

J preaching at Pak Ping Church.

Whew! That's over!

Rerk shares his story with the people of Pak Ping. I am so proud of this guy. What a blessing and encouragement he is.

Ah Jan Archala leads worship at Pak Ping.