The medical team finally arrived last Sunday and since then, it has been a blast ! Back to back activities and it was really fun !
Just 2 days on the field, the team was all packed and ready to head further up mountains into the remote village of Poo Kat some 70km away from our field office !
Poo Kat has always been on our hearts. It was one of those villages that have no electrical supplies, no roads and no regular water supply. Life was not easy for the poor in the place. And these are the kind of places on our hearts.
The spiritual climate in this village is rough, with previous team members being oppressed by demonic presence in our last trip almost as it was their stronghold. This only served to increase our determination to re-take this stronghold.
We planned to bring in humanitarian reliefs especially blankets for the poor, but even before we left, I lost my voice. It was worrying. Who was going to share the word of God if my voice was gone. I prayed. That evening, i strained my voice to share and it was worth it. A total of 19 people stood up to receive Christ, 200 relief bags were distributed and we cared for some 100 patients !
It was one of our biggest breakthroughs on this new ground which we have been working for the last 2-3 years.
Back in Khek Noi, we continued to run free medical clinics, and sharing of God's love. Just today, one more witchdoctor gave her life to Christ ! We ministered to her for the last 2-3 years, however she was resistant against the gospel and trusted in spirits. But today, a suprise turn as she stood up and walked to the alter.
I couldn't stop smiling today. These are the moments where you feel its all worth it. The pain, the struggles and its all worth it to see lives transformed !
Its late now and I've to sleep real soon. But in my next post, I'll talk about the land we are about to purchase !
About Me
- Eugene Wee
- Join us as we embark on this journey of faith. Journey with us by praying alongside & supporting us every step of the way. May this journal and our lives be a testament of God's love in a hurting world.
Saturday 17 December 2011
Thursday 8 December 2011
Diary : 9 Dec 2011
Managed to log in after 3 attempts !
I've just returned from a 3 day "retreat" and i was hoping for a nice holiday but the only rest day was the first.
The second day was interspersed with calls and on the third day I had to check out early to get some paperwork done at the transport ministry to purchase a 18 year old car.
Its not much, but its sure a beauty and it can potentially save the ministry a whole lot of money as it runs on LPG. That will help us channel more money to outreaches instead of fuel costs !
Since my 3 day retreat ended with a finale at the transport ministry, i decided to embark on a small 14 year old dream of mine, to take a riding test ! I remembered as a teen wanting so much to ride a bike but my parents were violently, i repeat VIOLENTLY against it.
And now viewing things from their perspective, i can understand why.
But nevertheless its one of those things that demands a tick on your checklist.
Yes its not safe to ride in Thailand. But in the village its one of the most effective forms (not to mention economical) forms of transport. And I don't want to be a poor testimony and example to be riding around without a valid license. So that I was queuing up and giving the test a go !
I was not really prepared, but the test was relatively easy. And soon I was on my way to collect my license !
Today is rather fruitful, 1 bike license, one car added to help shuttle volunteers. Yes you can see where we're going, we're tightening up as much as we can to save up for our building project !
And may be build deeper into lives !
I've just returned from a 3 day "retreat" and i was hoping for a nice holiday but the only rest day was the first.
The second day was interspersed with calls and on the third day I had to check out early to get some paperwork done at the transport ministry to purchase a 18 year old car.
Its not much, but its sure a beauty and it can potentially save the ministry a whole lot of money as it runs on LPG. That will help us channel more money to outreaches instead of fuel costs !
Since my 3 day retreat ended with a finale at the transport ministry, i decided to embark on a small 14 year old dream of mine, to take a riding test ! I remembered as a teen wanting so much to ride a bike but my parents were violently, i repeat VIOLENTLY against it.
And now viewing things from their perspective, i can understand why.
But nevertheless its one of those things that demands a tick on your checklist.
Yes its not safe to ride in Thailand. But in the village its one of the most effective forms (not to mention economical) forms of transport. And I don't want to be a poor testimony and example to be riding around without a valid license. So that I was queuing up and giving the test a go !
I was not really prepared, but the test was relatively easy. And soon I was on my way to collect my license !
Today is rather fruitful, 1 bike license, one car added to help shuttle volunteers. Yes you can see where we're going, we're tightening up as much as we can to save up for our building project !
And may be build deeper into lives !
Sunday 4 December 2011
Diary : 4 Dec 2011
For the past 2 months, I've been giving much thought to how to strengthen our organisation.
You see, right now we employ people from all walks of life, experienced professionals to new degree grads to people who have never had the opportunity to have access to education.
Though this approach sounds noble, but reality can sometimes paint a very different picture.
Over the last 4 years, our work has been small and cozy; likened to a family.
Everyone knows their roles and slowly as our outreaches grew bigger, we employed more people to help balance the workloads. However instead of seeing the organisation scale up, we see a plateauing into complacency. The staff now talk about "work scope" and if its not theirs, though necessary, it will be left undone. Slowly but surely this nonchalant attitude spreads amongst the staff as we were probably too reluctant to use the rod. Soon the staff are going by doing just the basics, nothing more.
For example, 2 senior staff came back from Phetchabun after 3 weeks on the field and arrived in our head office close to 10pm at the office and being on the road for 7 hours. When it was time to have a freshen up, there it was- a nicely written note on the toilet bowl. "The toilet is clogged"
When we checked with our admin staff, they told us that the "toilet has been like that for 3 days"
And nothing was done because he "did not know what to do"
I'm not trying to be mean, but come on. What kind of reason is that ? It doesn't take a PhD graduate to know that it was time to call a plumber if the toilet is clogged.
Admittedly their salaries are below average, but this does not justify coming to work with such an attitude, not especially when its a ministry. And we have been pushing very hard to ensure that the staff are being paid on par.
While I'm compelled to just "sack and re-hire", I keep telling myself that they lack experience and exposure, so give them a chance and probably that will help them realise.
But after 4 years, I'm tired of trying to accommodate the excuses of some of these staff at the expense of the ministry. I'm not saying that they did not contribute and yes, we have grown significantly. But what more can we accomplish with a more motivated and driven workforce.
My co-directors tell me that I've been too patient, and yes I guess after 4 years of laying the ground work, its time to really scale up. So looking ahead in 2012, its not going to so rosy for the staff.
Pray alongside me that God will give me the wisdom to strike the balance between stewarding lives and stewarding the ministry.
You see, right now we employ people from all walks of life, experienced professionals to new degree grads to people who have never had the opportunity to have access to education.
Though this approach sounds noble, but reality can sometimes paint a very different picture.
Over the last 4 years, our work has been small and cozy; likened to a family.
Everyone knows their roles and slowly as our outreaches grew bigger, we employed more people to help balance the workloads. However instead of seeing the organisation scale up, we see a plateauing into complacency. The staff now talk about "work scope" and if its not theirs, though necessary, it will be left undone. Slowly but surely this nonchalant attitude spreads amongst the staff as we were probably too reluctant to use the rod. Soon the staff are going by doing just the basics, nothing more.
For example, 2 senior staff came back from Phetchabun after 3 weeks on the field and arrived in our head office close to 10pm at the office and being on the road for 7 hours. When it was time to have a freshen up, there it was- a nicely written note on the toilet bowl. "The toilet is clogged"
When we checked with our admin staff, they told us that the "toilet has been like that for 3 days"
And nothing was done because he "did not know what to do"
I'm not trying to be mean, but come on. What kind of reason is that ? It doesn't take a PhD graduate to know that it was time to call a plumber if the toilet is clogged.
Admittedly their salaries are below average, but this does not justify coming to work with such an attitude, not especially when its a ministry. And we have been pushing very hard to ensure that the staff are being paid on par.
While I'm compelled to just "sack and re-hire", I keep telling myself that they lack experience and exposure, so give them a chance and probably that will help them realise.
But after 4 years, I'm tired of trying to accommodate the excuses of some of these staff at the expense of the ministry. I'm not saying that they did not contribute and yes, we have grown significantly. But what more can we accomplish with a more motivated and driven workforce.
My co-directors tell me that I've been too patient, and yes I guess after 4 years of laying the ground work, its time to really scale up. So looking ahead in 2012, its not going to so rosy for the staff.
Pray alongside me that God will give me the wisdom to strike the balance between stewarding lives and stewarding the ministry.
Saturday 26 November 2011
Diary : 27 Nov 2011 (The Story of a Bed)
Little joys in life !
We haven't had a decent bed in the Chiang Mai office till today.
Its kinda nostalgic remembering the first time when we rented this office.
At that time, we had to get to Chiang Mai every few months to get governmental paperwork done. And we really didn't have much money at that time. We were sleeping on the cold floors of a friend's rented office and we were grateful to have a floor to sleep on. Our backpacks were our pillows and jackets and jeans were our blankets.
After months of saving, we decided to take the "step of faith" to rent an office which we needed in order to register our charity. We had so little funds and we chanced upon a place that offered the cheapest rental. It was far out from the city, it was just hard concrete and really minimalistic- it had absolutely nothing !
But there was still much to thank God for, though we slept on the floor, at least we had a roof over our heads and it was our first office in Chiang Mai !
Months down the road, we saved up enough for a pillow and a thin polyester mattress. It was strange to sleep on one of these, it didn't do much of a job as you can feel the hard ground through the thin mattress. But at least it was better than sleeping on the cold hard floor.
After years, we saved up for the cheapest spring mattress we could find in the hypermart. It was exciting ! We finally had a bed, of sorts. The rainy season came and to our horror, the roof leaked and the beds were soaked, the spring quickly gave way and we couldn't bring ourselves to splurge any more money on a bed. The money can be better used to help someone out there.
It was funny every night ! Our butts will sink into the mattress while our legs and head will be supported by whats left of the bed. After a while, we got used to it and it kinda felt more like a Styrofoam bean bag than a bed ! And the roof leakages ? We joked that it was like an infinity pool up there !
For months, red ants will start infesting the place and we'll be bitten all over. These are really nastly little fire ants and swelling was enormous ! And many times when we just needed a shower, there was just no water from the taps. Yes. Thats probably why the rental is so cheap !
Last year, through project lives, we were offered a sofa bed, we grabbed it ! It was a little cranky. It just didn't open up fully, so it was another "V" but at least we're away from the ground and few more cm away from the nasty red ants!
Last month during project lives, when the manager at Salvation Army asked us what we needed. Shirleen our local coordinator quickly chirped "Our director is still sleeping on a sofa bed ! Can we get him a bed ? He just refuses to buy a bed !
Yes. She knows I've been hoping to get a mattress and have been looking in Ikea Singapore. But its just all so overpriced. Nice and soft, but it was just too pricey. I silently whispered to God and said "It'll be nice to have one yeah ?"
At the salvation army warehouse, the manager acceded to the request of Shirleen and made the rest of the arrangements and a dismantled bed frame + a mattress squeezed into the remaining space on the container before it left Singapore.
After the relief distribution last week, we transported the bed and frame to Chiang Mai in a little truck and got it assembled!
My staff joked "Finally the director has a proper bed". We laughed and it sure looks new. I had to try it out ! Lying on the mattress, it has this strangest feeling, as though as I have slept on it before.
I turned the mattress around and there was a little sticker label at a small corner of the mattress.
I was taken aback..... It read IKEA.
I kinda remembered the moment where I lay on the IKEA bed in the showroom and made that little whisper. But I guess God heard :)
We haven't had a decent bed in the Chiang Mai office till today.
Its kinda nostalgic remembering the first time when we rented this office.
At that time, we had to get to Chiang Mai every few months to get governmental paperwork done. And we really didn't have much money at that time. We were sleeping on the cold floors of a friend's rented office and we were grateful to have a floor to sleep on. Our backpacks were our pillows and jackets and jeans were our blankets.
After months of saving, we decided to take the "step of faith" to rent an office which we needed in order to register our charity. We had so little funds and we chanced upon a place that offered the cheapest rental. It was far out from the city, it was just hard concrete and really minimalistic- it had absolutely nothing !
But there was still much to thank God for, though we slept on the floor, at least we had a roof over our heads and it was our first office in Chiang Mai !
Months down the road, we saved up enough for a pillow and a thin polyester mattress. It was strange to sleep on one of these, it didn't do much of a job as you can feel the hard ground through the thin mattress. But at least it was better than sleeping on the cold hard floor.
After years, we saved up for the cheapest spring mattress we could find in the hypermart. It was exciting ! We finally had a bed, of sorts. The rainy season came and to our horror, the roof leaked and the beds were soaked, the spring quickly gave way and we couldn't bring ourselves to splurge any more money on a bed. The money can be better used to help someone out there.
It was funny every night ! Our butts will sink into the mattress while our legs and head will be supported by whats left of the bed. After a while, we got used to it and it kinda felt more like a Styrofoam bean bag than a bed ! And the roof leakages ? We joked that it was like an infinity pool up there !
For months, red ants will start infesting the place and we'll be bitten all over. These are really nastly little fire ants and swelling was enormous ! And many times when we just needed a shower, there was just no water from the taps. Yes. Thats probably why the rental is so cheap !
Last year, through project lives, we were offered a sofa bed, we grabbed it ! It was a little cranky. It just didn't open up fully, so it was another "V" but at least we're away from the ground and few more cm away from the nasty red ants!
Last month during project lives, when the manager at Salvation Army asked us what we needed. Shirleen our local coordinator quickly chirped "Our director is still sleeping on a sofa bed ! Can we get him a bed ? He just refuses to buy a bed !
Yes. She knows I've been hoping to get a mattress and have been looking in Ikea Singapore. But its just all so overpriced. Nice and soft, but it was just too pricey. I silently whispered to God and said "It'll be nice to have one yeah ?"
At the salvation army warehouse, the manager acceded to the request of Shirleen and made the rest of the arrangements and a dismantled bed frame + a mattress squeezed into the remaining space on the container before it left Singapore.
After the relief distribution last week, we transported the bed and frame to Chiang Mai in a little truck and got it assembled!
My staff joked "Finally the director has a proper bed". We laughed and it sure looks new. I had to try it out ! Lying on the mattress, it has this strangest feeling, as though as I have slept on it before.
I turned the mattress around and there was a little sticker label at a small corner of the mattress.
I was taken aback..... It read IKEA.
I kinda remembered the moment where I lay on the IKEA bed in the showroom and made that little whisper. But I guess God heard :)
Thursday 24 November 2011
Diary : 24 Nov 2011 (What If)
While the world teaches us to take an eye for an eye. The bible tells us to turn the other cheek.
Requiring us to do something totally opposite our instincts !
There are just so many examples scattered across the gospels. So many times we struggle and wonder why is it just do difficult to be Christ like.
Even for many of us who manage to "obey" (to varying degrees). I suspect that many times we obey by "crucifying the flesh", and potentially missing a better picture.
What if the issue is not the test of obedience but the issue of trust ?
The belief and trust that God is the very "manufacturer" of us and He has a good plan ?
For every new car that is produced, its accompanied by a manufacturer's handbook, with notes on how to care for the vehicle, trouble shoot problems and it also tells us how often it needs to be serviced. The manufacturer know the effects of wear and tear, how the climate will affect the car and they know that even with day to day use, the vehicle will soon fall apart without proper care.
Its a manual is written to tell of how the car can be kept at its optimum and prevented from premature damage but unfortunately, like the bible, its often left unread.
I believe there is an important parallel in the car manual and the Bible-the manual from our Manufacturer.
But the more stirring part.
What if these seemly painful "crucifying the flesh" verses where not meant to only make the world a better place, but more importantly to enable us to keep going and prevent us from getting hurt ?
You see thousands of years ago, it was commanded to the Israelites to circumcise their children after the 8th day of birth. The people of that day probably struggled with the idea and did it out of religious obligation, but little do they know that this act that goes against the fabric of our nature is actually saving their children's precious lives.
Without even knowing it, the next generation was preserved from potentially fatal infections. And the beautiful part is that the bible is so specific- at the 8th day !
According to doctors, at 8 days old, our bodies have the highest ability to bring about a blood clot, in the event of a cut and we are the most resilient to cuts at this very day of our lives.
Now, coming back to the issue at hand.
What if these commandments were not just meant for world outside ? But for us specifically ?
What if "Love thy neighbour" was not just a commandment for us to love others, but for us to have an opportunity to be helped in times of difficulty when turmoils come our way ? What if this the the very ark we need to build so disaster can be adverted?
What if these verses were not just commandments, but statements of Love from our manufacturer who has seen the future and is preparing us for what that lies ahead ?
If we view these verses in trust, knowing that God has the best plan for us.
I reckon that obedience will come naturally, because of a new found trust in an all-loving Maker.
Requiring us to do something totally opposite our instincts !
There are just so many examples scattered across the gospels. So many times we struggle and wonder why is it just do difficult to be Christ like.
Even for many of us who manage to "obey" (to varying degrees). I suspect that many times we obey by "crucifying the flesh", and potentially missing a better picture.
What if the issue is not the test of obedience but the issue of trust ?
The belief and trust that God is the very "manufacturer" of us and He has a good plan ?
For every new car that is produced, its accompanied by a manufacturer's handbook, with notes on how to care for the vehicle, trouble shoot problems and it also tells us how often it needs to be serviced. The manufacturer know the effects of wear and tear, how the climate will affect the car and they know that even with day to day use, the vehicle will soon fall apart without proper care.
Its a manual is written to tell of how the car can be kept at its optimum and prevented from premature damage but unfortunately, like the bible, its often left unread.
I believe there is an important parallel in the car manual and the Bible-the manual from our Manufacturer.
But the more stirring part.
What if these seemly painful "crucifying the flesh" verses where not meant to only make the world a better place, but more importantly to enable us to keep going and prevent us from getting hurt ?
You see thousands of years ago, it was commanded to the Israelites to circumcise their children after the 8th day of birth. The people of that day probably struggled with the idea and did it out of religious obligation, but little do they know that this act that goes against the fabric of our nature is actually saving their children's precious lives.
Without even knowing it, the next generation was preserved from potentially fatal infections. And the beautiful part is that the bible is so specific- at the 8th day !
According to doctors, at 8 days old, our bodies have the highest ability to bring about a blood clot, in the event of a cut and we are the most resilient to cuts at this very day of our lives.
Now, coming back to the issue at hand.
What if these commandments were not just meant for world outside ? But for us specifically ?
What if "Love thy neighbour" was not just a commandment for us to love others, but for us to have an opportunity to be helped in times of difficulty when turmoils come our way ? What if this the the very ark we need to build so disaster can be adverted?
What if these verses were not just commandments, but statements of Love from our manufacturer who has seen the future and is preparing us for what that lies ahead ?
If we view these verses in trust, knowing that God has the best plan for us.
I reckon that obedience will come naturally, because of a new found trust in an all-loving Maker.
Saturday 19 November 2011
Diary : 20 Nov 2011
There is really nothing glamourous about serving God in a mission field such as this.
Stories of brave missionaries blazing new frontiers and stories of great success, provision and blessings are just one side of the stories. But its the side that the world wants to hear.
The truth being is that we struggle every single day. While its beautiful to think that this path is paved with provision and breakthroughs, most often, its laced with pain, blood and sacrifice.
When i started this work back in 2007, i'm emptied my savings to come here, giving up a bright careers and taking a simple leap of faith. This leap was tremendously difficult, knowing that I'll be at the mercy of sneers from relatives, close friends who asked me to pause for a reality check. So many voices just tell you to not embark on this painful and potentially career ending journey.
I knew this journey was rough and I did everything I could to survive as long as I could in this very harsh place. Clean water was hard to come by, winter nights were cold and we hardly had a blanket thick enough to brace us through the cold. Waters in the bath came from cold river sources and I'll be shivering as a result I often caught the chills, and it was not a pleasant experience.
I saw how the locals tried their very best to boil water for me to bathe when they saw me turning white coming out of the shower. I guess they wondered, what caused this urban man to come to live amongst us. They probably laughed and at the same time pitied us. They extended their best courtesies and offered to cook meals for us, but the food was really different, sometimes its just a green mash, sometimes it looks reddish, not the kind of food we're used to in comfy singapore. It was a struggle.
Especially in these very painful moments, i'll remember the reason why I'm here. The faces of villagers, the people who can't even afford the soap to bathe. And that thought kept me on for months. Over the first 3 months, i lost some 20kg, we had to keep expenses to a minimum so we could serve the people longer.
We really had to save, a simple bottle of coke was a luxury we couldn't always afford.
Sometimes, it can be really depressing working in these environments. Many nights I'll wonder and get slightly depressed, entertaining thoughts of quiting and going back to a more comfortable life. And these happen during the good times.
In bad times, when the ministry doesn't go all that well, funds come in in drips and drabs, I sometimes wonder if that is God's divine hint for me to go back.
Its always beautiful to work with grateful beneficiaries, but sometimes we get misunderstood, back-stabbed, pushed away and some complain. Yes it happens here as well, not just in Singapore.
Many times, my staff who are Hmong ask me, why do you care ? Hmongs are not easy people to care, much less to love. Sometimes they are terribly unlovable and ungrateful. Not the kind of people whom the world wants to help.
Yes it has some truth. But if we look at it from our perspective. Yes. they are unlovable. But when you look though God's eyes. Aren't we all the same ? Sometimes we are just as ungrateful and unlovable. But God still loved us nevertheless. Thats why I decide to stay and to let my life be a imperfect reflection of a loving God.
We get depressed too and I think of quitting more often than you know. And sometimes just pressing on and loving people is painful, and staying here is a sacrifice in itself.
I often wonder, what if I have chosen a corporate path ?
I would have my sports car, I would be fairly well off and enjoying a cushy life.
instead of sitting on a mountain typing on a $20 table and a donated chair !
Sometimes I complain too, but I realised that when i complain, I start viewing things from my perspective. The perspective of the almighty man. But when I see it though the Lord's eyes, I learn to love despite the hurts, learning to live simply, learning to put God first and the desires of the little me, second.
Most importantly, I yet again my almighty God saving a wretched me.
What a worthwhile exchange i may say. This journey of exchanging the desires of the world for the knowledge of an almighty God.
Stories of brave missionaries blazing new frontiers and stories of great success, provision and blessings are just one side of the stories. But its the side that the world wants to hear.
The truth being is that we struggle every single day. While its beautiful to think that this path is paved with provision and breakthroughs, most often, its laced with pain, blood and sacrifice.
When i started this work back in 2007, i'm emptied my savings to come here, giving up a bright careers and taking a simple leap of faith. This leap was tremendously difficult, knowing that I'll be at the mercy of sneers from relatives, close friends who asked me to pause for a reality check. So many voices just tell you to not embark on this painful and potentially career ending journey.
I knew this journey was rough and I did everything I could to survive as long as I could in this very harsh place. Clean water was hard to come by, winter nights were cold and we hardly had a blanket thick enough to brace us through the cold. Waters in the bath came from cold river sources and I'll be shivering as a result I often caught the chills, and it was not a pleasant experience.
I saw how the locals tried their very best to boil water for me to bathe when they saw me turning white coming out of the shower. I guess they wondered, what caused this urban man to come to live amongst us. They probably laughed and at the same time pitied us. They extended their best courtesies and offered to cook meals for us, but the food was really different, sometimes its just a green mash, sometimes it looks reddish, not the kind of food we're used to in comfy singapore. It was a struggle.
Especially in these very painful moments, i'll remember the reason why I'm here. The faces of villagers, the people who can't even afford the soap to bathe. And that thought kept me on for months. Over the first 3 months, i lost some 20kg, we had to keep expenses to a minimum so we could serve the people longer.
We really had to save, a simple bottle of coke was a luxury we couldn't always afford.
Sometimes, it can be really depressing working in these environments. Many nights I'll wonder and get slightly depressed, entertaining thoughts of quiting and going back to a more comfortable life. And these happen during the good times.
In bad times, when the ministry doesn't go all that well, funds come in in drips and drabs, I sometimes wonder if that is God's divine hint for me to go back.
Its always beautiful to work with grateful beneficiaries, but sometimes we get misunderstood, back-stabbed, pushed away and some complain. Yes it happens here as well, not just in Singapore.
Many times, my staff who are Hmong ask me, why do you care ? Hmongs are not easy people to care, much less to love. Sometimes they are terribly unlovable and ungrateful. Not the kind of people whom the world wants to help.
Yes it has some truth. But if we look at it from our perspective. Yes. they are unlovable. But when you look though God's eyes. Aren't we all the same ? Sometimes we are just as ungrateful and unlovable. But God still loved us nevertheless. Thats why I decide to stay and to let my life be a imperfect reflection of a loving God.
We get depressed too and I think of quitting more often than you know. And sometimes just pressing on and loving people is painful, and staying here is a sacrifice in itself.
I often wonder, what if I have chosen a corporate path ?
I would have my sports car, I would be fairly well off and enjoying a cushy life.
instead of sitting on a mountain typing on a $20 table and a donated chair !
Sometimes I complain too, but I realised that when i complain, I start viewing things from my perspective. The perspective of the almighty man. But when I see it though the Lord's eyes, I learn to love despite the hurts, learning to live simply, learning to put God first and the desires of the little me, second.
Most importantly, I yet again my almighty God saving a wretched me.
What a worthwhile exchange i may say. This journey of exchanging the desires of the world for the knowledge of an almighty God.
Friday 18 November 2011
Diary : 18 Nov 2011 (Mass Relief Distribution)
Has been a wild week.
Apart from planning relief missions, we are also knee deep into our collaboration meetings with the local leadership. So just to give a glimpse of the leadership groups and essentially every group over laps every other group in more than 1 areas.
So to serve to confuse you further, there are essentially 3 groups of leaders in the village. 4 to be exact.
1 ) Village heads and chief of village. (Yes its different people, tirbal judge if you may)
2 ) Sub-district government officials (The people who are elected by the hilltribe to manage development)
3 ) Sub-district medical centre (The people who are providing medical care under the government)
4 ) Clan heads (The people whose work involved culture and disputes)
Yes its not easy. But we're looking at ways how we can serve not only the people but also work together with the leaders to help the community at large. For the last 4 years, they have stayed an arm's length and this year is a year of breakthroughs with awesome responses from the leaders.
Today we did a mass relief distribution and distributed 500 blankets + relief bags to the most needy villagers in the community. It was heartwarming to see the leaders labouring alongside us as we serve the people.
The distribution was timely. Freeing up important space at the STK Shelter for our ministry work. We still have a whole lot of items to be distributed, but there are just so many needs. We need wisdom to know where to push these items so we can reach the most people. And time is really not on our side, rats are known to infamously chew through our boxes and make nests in these cozy boxes during winter !
So we are juggling both the collaboration plans and the humanitarian relief work. And not to mention we have a whole lot of paperwork to juggle with ! Unlike larger NGOs who have a bunch of administrative staff working to support the field staff, here its just 3 of us; Shirleen, Alvin and me.
So yes the workload is extremely heavy, but our donors financial giving this year truly encouraged us in this journey of faith. Though the nights are long working on papers and the less "exciting" stuff, but I guess its worth it each time you see a life being reached, each tear of gratitude you see.
Thats reward enough for me.
Apart from planning relief missions, we are also knee deep into our collaboration meetings with the local leadership. So just to give a glimpse of the leadership groups and essentially every group over laps every other group in more than 1 areas.
So to serve to confuse you further, there are essentially 3 groups of leaders in the village. 4 to be exact.
1 ) Village heads and chief of village. (Yes its different people, tirbal judge if you may)
2 ) Sub-district government officials (The people who are elected by the hilltribe to manage development)
3 ) Sub-district medical centre (The people who are providing medical care under the government)
4 ) Clan heads (The people whose work involved culture and disputes)
Yes its not easy. But we're looking at ways how we can serve not only the people but also work together with the leaders to help the community at large. For the last 4 years, they have stayed an arm's length and this year is a year of breakthroughs with awesome responses from the leaders.
Today we did a mass relief distribution and distributed 500 blankets + relief bags to the most needy villagers in the community. It was heartwarming to see the leaders labouring alongside us as we serve the people.
The distribution was timely. Freeing up important space at the STK Shelter for our ministry work. We still have a whole lot of items to be distributed, but there are just so many needs. We need wisdom to know where to push these items so we can reach the most people. And time is really not on our side, rats are known to infamously chew through our boxes and make nests in these cozy boxes during winter !
So we are juggling both the collaboration plans and the humanitarian relief work. And not to mention we have a whole lot of paperwork to juggle with ! Unlike larger NGOs who have a bunch of administrative staff working to support the field staff, here its just 3 of us; Shirleen, Alvin and me.
So yes the workload is extremely heavy, but our donors financial giving this year truly encouraged us in this journey of faith. Though the nights are long working on papers and the less "exciting" stuff, but I guess its worth it each time you see a life being reached, each tear of gratitude you see.
Thats reward enough for me.
Saturday 12 November 2011
Diary : 12 Nov 2011
Last friday as I was helping to unload the container. A saw a small gang of kids walking past us. One child waved. As i looked closer I realised it was John, skinnier than i remembered him 2 years ago when he left. Next to him was a ruffian looking chap, it was tommy ! He too lost some weight but maintained a chubby face partially hidden behind a new hairdo.
There was a third and fourth kid that I seem to remember as well. It was Manak and Tong ! There was such a sense of nostalgia seeing these kids and knowing that they are still alright. But seeing them on a friday morning tells me that they have already dropped out of school or are back playing truat.
Nevertheless these kids held a special place in my heart.
Hours passed and as I was sitting exhausted at the edge of the container. A familiar voice greeted me, it was Tong. He came back to ask if he could borrow my air rifle (the one that i use to shoot rats with). The immediate answer was i'll think about it, but deep inside I know that putting one of these rifles in the hands of these boys can cause a whole lot of mayhem.
So after whispering a prayer, I made a quick offer.
I told the teenager that I'll be doing a round of shooting with the kids at the centre on sunday after church. And if he wants to have a go, he can visit me at the centre. Bring the rest of the gang as well. It has been some time since I caught up with them.
Deep inside, I know that its a slim chance they will turn up. But I guess it was worth a shot. And who knows, we may be still able to guide these kids back on track.
Tomorrow after church. I'll know for certain.
p/s : its getting cold up here.
There was a third and fourth kid that I seem to remember as well. It was Manak and Tong ! There was such a sense of nostalgia seeing these kids and knowing that they are still alright. But seeing them on a friday morning tells me that they have already dropped out of school or are back playing truat.
Nevertheless these kids held a special place in my heart.
Hours passed and as I was sitting exhausted at the edge of the container. A familiar voice greeted me, it was Tong. He came back to ask if he could borrow my air rifle (the one that i use to shoot rats with). The immediate answer was i'll think about it, but deep inside I know that putting one of these rifles in the hands of these boys can cause a whole lot of mayhem.
So after whispering a prayer, I made a quick offer.
I told the teenager that I'll be doing a round of shooting with the kids at the centre on sunday after church. And if he wants to have a go, he can visit me at the centre. Bring the rest of the gang as well. It has been some time since I caught up with them.
Deep inside, I know that its a slim chance they will turn up. But I guess it was worth a shot. And who knows, we may be still able to guide these kids back on track.
Tomorrow after church. I'll know for certain.
p/s : its getting cold up here.
Thursday 10 November 2011
Diary : 10 Nov 2011 (I Miss My Mom)
Today was split between writing grant papers, negotiating with the Thai customs on the release of the PROJECT LIVES! container and finding a suitable land for the integrated centre.
There are just so many things going on at the same time, all rivaling for our attention. It's almost like when I'm back in the corporate world. Though I enjoy this aspect of the work very much, but more than that, I enjoy spending time with the streetkids
Today I was totally exhausted after a whole day of work and it was sure great to see the kids all hyped up and ready to celebrate the Loy Khrathong festival.
The Loy Khrathong festival is celebrated by the Thais by releasing lanterns and candle-lit floats into the river. One of the most beautiful and spectacular event of the year.
The little-lest girl in the STREETKIDS! home greeted me as I stepped out of the car and asked me with the most innocent and expectant looking eyes..."Pii Eugene, where will we be going for the festival ?" Stretching her hands out, signalling to me that she wants to be picked up and hugged.
I picked the little girl up and she just put her head on my shoulder.
As I held the little child, she whispered.... "Pii Eugene, I miss my mom"
I guess that had to be one of the saddest questions- a question which I struggled to answer.
You see, we rescued this little child because we knew that this child was a child from a broken marriage, severely neglected by her mom and furthermore the mother had a high chance of selling her away. The child was a liability and the mom wanted to get rid of her so she could move on with her life.
We don't think the mom will come back for the her.
So how do you tell a 6 year old child that her mom is probably never going to come back for her?
There are just so many things going on at the same time, all rivaling for our attention. It's almost like when I'm back in the corporate world. Though I enjoy this aspect of the work very much, but more than that, I enjoy spending time with the streetkids
Today I was totally exhausted after a whole day of work and it was sure great to see the kids all hyped up and ready to celebrate the Loy Khrathong festival.
The Loy Khrathong festival is celebrated by the Thais by releasing lanterns and candle-lit floats into the river. One of the most beautiful and spectacular event of the year.
The little-lest girl in the STREETKIDS! home greeted me as I stepped out of the car and asked me with the most innocent and expectant looking eyes..."Pii Eugene, where will we be going for the festival ?" Stretching her hands out, signalling to me that she wants to be picked up and hugged.
I picked the little girl up and she just put her head on my shoulder.
As I held the little child, she whispered.... "Pii Eugene, I miss my mom"
I guess that had to be one of the saddest questions- a question which I struggled to answer.
You see, we rescued this little child because we knew that this child was a child from a broken marriage, severely neglected by her mom and furthermore the mother had a high chance of selling her away. The child was a liability and the mom wanted to get rid of her so she could move on with her life.
We don't think the mom will come back for the her.
So how do you tell a 6 year old child that her mom is probably never going to come back for her?
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Project LIVES! Pictures
Some pictures from PROJECT LIVES! 2011
http://www.radion-international.org/uncategorized/2011/11/10/project-lives-2011-singapore-phase/
http://www.radion-international.org/uncategorized/2011/11/10/project-lives-2011-singapore-phase/
Monday 7 November 2011
Building Lives ! - Part 2 : Some Good News
Today we received some good news!
The first will be that our 40ft container should reach us by this week !
And the second, the landlord of STK Home will be likely extending our lease, so our kids will not have to go homeless ! Last week, we heard some news that the landlord wants the property back and we've been terribly concerned as our STK home in the integrated centre is still far from being ready.
Right now, we have some budget to build our first permanent office and purchase the the land. But the land prices here are crazy ! It has skyrocketed almost 4X in the last 6 months.
So the challenge right now is that though we have narrowed down our search for land, the land price is proving to be a massive problem. This may force us back to the drawing board to rework our our cost and potentially delay our building project by a year.
But saying that, we are still believing God for a breakthrough. And to find a suitable land to build this very special integrated centre. Its not just a community complex. But a church without walls, a place where the homeless can seek shelter, a place where victims can be protected and most significantly a place where more than 100 kids can call home.
Our envisoned integrated centre will have a office cum medical centre, a small warehouse to store all your donations, a church cum mass hall for our mass food distribution and a place where dreams can be restored !
So please continue to keep us in prayers. This is the next leap forward !
The first will be that our 40ft container should reach us by this week !
And the second, the landlord of STK Home will be likely extending our lease, so our kids will not have to go homeless ! Last week, we heard some news that the landlord wants the property back and we've been terribly concerned as our STK home in the integrated centre is still far from being ready.
Right now, we have some budget to build our first permanent office and purchase the the land. But the land prices here are crazy ! It has skyrocketed almost 4X in the last 6 months.
So the challenge right now is that though we have narrowed down our search for land, the land price is proving to be a massive problem. This may force us back to the drawing board to rework our our cost and potentially delay our building project by a year.
But saying that, we are still believing God for a breakthrough. And to find a suitable land to build this very special integrated centre. Its not just a community complex. But a church without walls, a place where the homeless can seek shelter, a place where victims can be protected and most significantly a place where more than 100 kids can call home.
Our envisoned integrated centre will have a office cum medical centre, a small warehouse to store all your donations, a church cum mass hall for our mass food distribution and a place where dreams can be restored !
So please continue to keep us in prayers. This is the next leap forward !
Saturday 5 November 2011
Diary : 5 Nov 2011
Today was our very much anticipated mass food distribution after coming back from Singapore.
But it didn't go as planned and it sure doesn't look like how it should have been.
Less than half the people turned up. Why the remaining half was not picked up by a staff who "misunderstood" and the people never made it here because they hadn't been informed earlier.
I was upset, but things were about to get worse.
The meeting started with close to 100 people and my deputy at this point was supposed to do a short sharing to keep the crowd entertained while waiting for more people to come. When we decided to continue with the service. The crowd was unusually unsettled, talking amongst themselves as the staff made introductions of our ministry before we started our gospel sharing.
Suddenly one lady spoke up. She asked "Isn't it too narrow minded to not allow people to collect items on behalf of relatives when we are not able to make it ?" She was referring to our system whereby only the people who came got to receive the goodie bags and we're not allowed to hold for others, as there will be no end to people asking on behalf of others.
But this question was the devil needed to throw the team off guard. The words in the question caused my staff much distress and she started to explain a lengthy rationale. Before she knew it she had taken up more than 30mins, eating into the gospel sharing portion.
Though we managed to convince the lady, we lost the greater picture.
There was little we could do. Especially when the whole exchange was in Hmong. And by the time I stepped in. We only had 20mins to share. And with my translator in a state of disarray, she was not fully focused and started to amplify the sharing. So with every line, it took another 5 mins for her to explain.
I could only share for the last 10mins or so. But such great lessons were learnt today.
Where the devil is so terribly cunning that he can use a simple trigger to get people all ruffled up, resulting in the gospel not being fully preached to the people.
As much as I'm upset. Its also a reminder for our team to continuously go into prayer.
May this be the first and last of its kind !
But it didn't go as planned and it sure doesn't look like how it should have been.
Less than half the people turned up. Why the remaining half was not picked up by a staff who "misunderstood" and the people never made it here because they hadn't been informed earlier.
I was upset, but things were about to get worse.
The meeting started with close to 100 people and my deputy at this point was supposed to do a short sharing to keep the crowd entertained while waiting for more people to come. When we decided to continue with the service. The crowd was unusually unsettled, talking amongst themselves as the staff made introductions of our ministry before we started our gospel sharing.
Suddenly one lady spoke up. She asked "Isn't it too narrow minded to not allow people to collect items on behalf of relatives when we are not able to make it ?" She was referring to our system whereby only the people who came got to receive the goodie bags and we're not allowed to hold for others, as there will be no end to people asking on behalf of others.
But this question was the devil needed to throw the team off guard. The words in the question caused my staff much distress and she started to explain a lengthy rationale. Before she knew it she had taken up more than 30mins, eating into the gospel sharing portion.
Though we managed to convince the lady, we lost the greater picture.
There was little we could do. Especially when the whole exchange was in Hmong. And by the time I stepped in. We only had 20mins to share. And with my translator in a state of disarray, she was not fully focused and started to amplify the sharing. So with every line, it took another 5 mins for her to explain.
I could only share for the last 10mins or so. But such great lessons were learnt today.
Where the devil is so terribly cunning that he can use a simple trigger to get people all ruffled up, resulting in the gospel not being fully preached to the people.
As much as I'm upset. Its also a reminder for our team to continuously go into prayer.
May this be the first and last of its kind !
Friday 4 November 2011
Building Lives - Part 1 : A Worried Meeting
Today in the field staff meeting. My staff looked worried.
They have heard news that our landlord of our STK home may not be extending the lease as he has a family who may need the property.
And this is especially bad news for a lady who just joined us because she was kicked out of her family when her husband left her. So now, she may be even loosing the last available shelter over her head.
My newest staff Maay asked me..."Boss, if the landlord takes away the home, will we have a shelter over our heads ?" while trying to put up a strong front.
She knows that finding a house is going to be difficult especially with 13 kids and 2 staff . And with just 2 months before the contract expires, its hardly enough time to find another rental property.
They have heard news that our landlord of our STK home may not be extending the lease as he has a family who may need the property.
And this is especially bad news for a lady who just joined us because she was kicked out of her family when her husband left her. So now, she may be even loosing the last available shelter over her head.
My newest staff Maay asked me..."Boss, if the landlord takes away the home, will we have a shelter over our heads ?" while trying to put up a strong front.
She knows that finding a house is going to be difficult especially with 13 kids and 2 staff . And with just 2 months before the contract expires, its hardly enough time to find another rental property.
Monday 31 October 2011
Diary : 31 Oct 2011
Today was supposed to be a "retreat day" of sorts to read, pray and take time off work.
But it didn't last past noon, before we know it calls from shipping agencies came in to inform us that our container has been diverted to Laem Chabang port near Pattaya instead of Bangkok due to the floods. And we had to rush all the paperwork to be sent to the agent to clear the cargo on time.
Should the container clear by this week, we should be able to receive the container in Phetchabun by next week, but we're praying that the extra fees wouldn't be too exorbitant. Thats the first thing.
Now the second thing.
With the retreat down the drain, I decided to go back to the drawing board to re-organise RADION for the year ahead. There are many NGOs out there that are doing an awesome job, but in pursuit of doing more, the slowly evolved from a faith based organisation to a secular one.
I guess for RADION, the core must always be Christ-centredness. And after 4 years of being on the helm, it apparent that if we do not make a deliberate attempt to make this so, we'll soon deviate from our actual purpose to reflect Christ.
The balancing act is not an easy one. On one hand ensuring that the gospel is presented in non-coercive ways (No one likes someone shoving his/her religion down another's throat) and the other hand to ensure that the organisation stays in-line; following God and loving his people.
Do keep me in prayer as the next 2 months will be critical in our vision setting for the next 4 years ahead.
But it didn't last past noon, before we know it calls from shipping agencies came in to inform us that our container has been diverted to Laem Chabang port near Pattaya instead of Bangkok due to the floods. And we had to rush all the paperwork to be sent to the agent to clear the cargo on time.
Should the container clear by this week, we should be able to receive the container in Phetchabun by next week, but we're praying that the extra fees wouldn't be too exorbitant. Thats the first thing.
Now the second thing.
With the retreat down the drain, I decided to go back to the drawing board to re-organise RADION for the year ahead. There are many NGOs out there that are doing an awesome job, but in pursuit of doing more, the slowly evolved from a faith based organisation to a secular one.
I guess for RADION, the core must always be Christ-centredness. And after 4 years of being on the helm, it apparent that if we do not make a deliberate attempt to make this so, we'll soon deviate from our actual purpose to reflect Christ.
The balancing act is not an easy one. On one hand ensuring that the gospel is presented in non-coercive ways (No one likes someone shoving his/her religion down another's throat) and the other hand to ensure that the organisation stays in-line; following God and loving his people.
Do keep me in prayer as the next 2 months will be critical in our vision setting for the next 4 years ahead.
Sunday 30 October 2011
Diary : 30 Oct 2011
Apologies for the extremely long lapse in updates.
We're all back safely in Chiang Mai and I'm recovering from another bout of headaches.
The 18 days in Singapore was awesome but passed way too quickly. We didn't even have time to meet everyone we hope to meet.
Tim & Puu enjoyed the trip thoroughly and it was really fruitful !
I'll start with the good news. We have managed to raise our targeted 60K for our first phase of our integrated complex and hopefully this building will be up mid-2012 ! We'll finally have our very first home (or office) to call our own !
So thats the great news ! Now for the less cheery news.
1 ) BKK Sea port is closed.
We received a note from the port authority to inform us that the port has been closed indefinitely due to the flood. We've already did our best to put the container on the first ship available and its scheduled to arrive tomorrow night. We can only keep our fingers crossed, worst case is when our cargo has to be rerouted to another port and that will spike up our shipment cost.
2 ) STK2 Grades
Today was the parent-teacher meeting. It was not pleasant. All but 1 boy had grades suspended for not completed school projects. It was terribly disappointing and we had to come down harsh on the kids today.
We took much effort to ensure our kids are given the very best and even made special efforts to get them to visit their families during the holiday. But after coming back, some had lovebites on the necks, others got attached, and other lost their drive to study and wanted to quit.
Some wanted to give up because studying was so hard, they rather choose the easy way out, go with the flow. Drop studies, get married young and go back to the fields.
Today we had to sit out kids down, talk and discipline them in love.
We spoke about self respect and a courage to fight for our own future. Some of the kids just wept remembering the dreams they had when they first stepped into the centre Their tears just rolled down their cheeks as we prayed for them, restoring hopes and dreams again.
At the end of the meeting, everyone was teary eyed. I guess its not the pain of the physical punishment, but them knowing that they have let the care staff down.
Later, Jong my 12 year old girl came up to me.
She said "I'm not very good in school, sometimes i don't understand, the kind that is not too smart."
I smiled, and said "for what we lack in talents we can make it up with hard work & diligence"
She looked up, eyes sparkled...."yeah.... I could definitely have done better"
We're all back safely in Chiang Mai and I'm recovering from another bout of headaches.
The 18 days in Singapore was awesome but passed way too quickly. We didn't even have time to meet everyone we hope to meet.
Tim & Puu enjoyed the trip thoroughly and it was really fruitful !
I'll start with the good news. We have managed to raise our targeted 60K for our first phase of our integrated complex and hopefully this building will be up mid-2012 ! We'll finally have our very first home (or office) to call our own !
So thats the great news ! Now for the less cheery news.
1 ) BKK Sea port is closed.
We received a note from the port authority to inform us that the port has been closed indefinitely due to the flood. We've already did our best to put the container on the first ship available and its scheduled to arrive tomorrow night. We can only keep our fingers crossed, worst case is when our cargo has to be rerouted to another port and that will spike up our shipment cost.
2 ) STK2 Grades
Today was the parent-teacher meeting. It was not pleasant. All but 1 boy had grades suspended for not completed school projects. It was terribly disappointing and we had to come down harsh on the kids today.
We took much effort to ensure our kids are given the very best and even made special efforts to get them to visit their families during the holiday. But after coming back, some had lovebites on the necks, others got attached, and other lost their drive to study and wanted to quit.
Some wanted to give up because studying was so hard, they rather choose the easy way out, go with the flow. Drop studies, get married young and go back to the fields.
Today we had to sit out kids down, talk and discipline them in love.
We spoke about self respect and a courage to fight for our own future. Some of the kids just wept remembering the dreams they had when they first stepped into the centre Their tears just rolled down their cheeks as we prayed for them, restoring hopes and dreams again.
At the end of the meeting, everyone was teary eyed. I guess its not the pain of the physical punishment, but them knowing that they have let the care staff down.
Later, Jong my 12 year old girl came up to me.
She said "I'm not very good in school, sometimes i don't understand, the kind that is not too smart."
I smiled, and said "for what we lack in talents we can make it up with hard work & diligence"
She looked up, eyes sparkled...."yeah.... I could definitely have done better"
Thursday 13 October 2011
Diary : 14 Oct 2011
We arrived safely in Singapore on 8 Oct
9 Oct was our first presentation at Jubilee Church and after that a relaxing dinner at Changi Beach
10 Oct - Brought them to take the MRT for the very first time. Went for meeting with SOT. ANd allow puu & tim to go around shopping. They got a chance to eat cheesecake at NYDC ! With thanks for Shirleen.
11 Oct - Brought them both to Science centre, while i heading for a meeting with Salvation Army. Followed by a swim at my sister's condo.
12 Oct - Tim had drum lessons while Alvin & me where tieing up the final details. Later we headed to Mustafa centre.
13 Oct - A whole day to pray and prepare our speech !
Exhausted after a long day. But it felt great being able to meet our donors again and sharing with them what that is happening in the mission field.
We're hoping to raise 60K for the first phase of our integrated complex.
May the Lord's will be done.
9 Oct was our first presentation at Jubilee Church and after that a relaxing dinner at Changi Beach
10 Oct - Brought them to take the MRT for the very first time. Went for meeting with SOT. ANd allow puu & tim to go around shopping. They got a chance to eat cheesecake at NYDC ! With thanks for Shirleen.
11 Oct - Brought them both to Science centre, while i heading for a meeting with Salvation Army. Followed by a swim at my sister's condo.
12 Oct - Tim had drum lessons while Alvin & me where tieing up the final details. Later we headed to Mustafa centre.
13 Oct - A whole day to pray and prepare our speech !
Exhausted after a long day. But it felt great being able to meet our donors again and sharing with them what that is happening in the mission field.
We're hoping to raise 60K for the first phase of our integrated complex.
May the Lord's will be done.
Friday 7 October 2011
Diary : 7 Oct 2011
What a mad rush week. Getting all the invites in place, checking on all the necessities bringing Tim over to Singapore. All the buying of clothes, getting him ready.
Tomorrow, we'll finally be flying into Singapore. The final lap of our journey back to Singapore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdbU50QMuD8
Tomorrow, we'll finally be flying into Singapore. The final lap of our journey back to Singapore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdbU50QMuD8
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Diary : 4 Oct 2011
In a work frenzy to confirm all the attendees of PROJECT LIVES! Fund Raising & Supporters Dinner. And also trying to juggle between counselling schedules for a domestic violence case.
Having my hands really full and sure feels rather draining.
Greatful for faithful friends who stand by you in times of difficulty and when you feel like giving up.
Truely friends are a gift from God !
Now for the updates. I just got back from Phetchabun and the journey back to Chiang Mai was less than smooth. Floods, landslides and others. Should we be a little earlier, we would have been swept down a cliff. But we arrived safety !
Here is a picture that I took yesterday from a newspaper. Yes. Public buses in Thailand are really not that safe.
Having my hands really full and sure feels rather draining.
Greatful for faithful friends who stand by you in times of difficulty and when you feel like giving up.
Truely friends are a gift from God !
Now for the updates. I just got back from Phetchabun and the journey back to Chiang Mai was less than smooth. Floods, landslides and others. Should we be a little earlier, we would have been swept down a cliff. But we arrived safety !
Here is a picture that I took yesterday from a newspaper. Yes. Public buses in Thailand are really not that safe.
Monday 3 October 2011
Saturday 1 October 2011
Mass Food Distribution 1 Oct 2011
Today's turn out for our monthly mass food distribution was huge ! Some 70 adults and 120 children appeared !
And some apparently did not even come for the food, they came just to listen to the gospel message and be around believers who cared.
Today, I was lead to share from John 4 about the Samaritan woman.
It was not a fanciful sharing, no great effects nor theatrics, just the simple word of God.
I made it a point to preach as simply as possible least I take the glory for a eloquent message that moves the superficial man and does little to the inner man .
I shared about God's love, about how God that waited for the Samaritan woman. A God that is so omnipotent but yet so involved in our lives. A God that see our every hurts and cares for us.
Towards the end of the sharing, I invited both the backsliders and the new believers to recommit their lives to Christ.
There was no ministry song to lead people in, there was no guitarist, it was just 5 mins of quiet waiting.
Surprisingly, the new comer stood up. And walked toward the alter !
Normally in the tribal culture, people will usually not receive Christ on their first visit, rather its progressive over a course of knowing the preacher & all.
But today, the unexpected happened.
The first time visitor came up, and followed by 4 more new comers. All of whom are the first time at our mass food distribution and came because they heard about us.
5 ladies stood at the alters, and before I knew it all 5 of the ladies were just weeping, sobbing, and when you see the Lord ministering to these ladies, I too couldn't hold back my tears of joy !
You can literally see lives reborn in the spiritual realm !
What an awesome day !
I guess after today, I'll trade 100 nonchalant, crowd driven "salvations" for 1 of these changed lives anytime !
Sorry for the blur picture. Its one of the best we have in view of the poor lighting
Today, I was lead to share from John 4 about the Samaritan woman.
It was not a fanciful sharing, no great effects nor theatrics, just the simple word of God.
I made it a point to preach as simply as possible least I take the glory for a eloquent message that moves the superficial man and does little to the inner man .
I shared about God's love, about how God that waited for the Samaritan woman. A God that is so omnipotent but yet so involved in our lives. A God that see our every hurts and cares for us.
Towards the end of the sharing, I invited both the backsliders and the new believers to recommit their lives to Christ.
There was no ministry song to lead people in, there was no guitarist, it was just 5 mins of quiet waiting.
Surprisingly, the new comer stood up. And walked toward the alter !
Normally in the tribal culture, people will usually not receive Christ on their first visit, rather its progressive over a course of knowing the preacher & all.
But today, the unexpected happened.
The first time visitor came up, and followed by 4 more new comers. All of whom are the first time at our mass food distribution and came because they heard about us.
5 ladies stood at the alters, and before I knew it all 5 of the ladies were just weeping, sobbing, and when you see the Lord ministering to these ladies, I too couldn't hold back my tears of joy !
You can literally see lives reborn in the spiritual realm !
What an awesome day !
I guess after today, I'll trade 100 nonchalant, crowd driven "salvations" for 1 of these changed lives anytime !
Thursday 29 September 2011
Floods, landslides & God's Faithfulness !
Was about to leave the Chiang Mai office at 10am for Phetchabun when an emergency announcement came on.
The village head's voice came on and it sounded a little glittery. He announced that the heavy rainfall has brought water levels in the rivers to its critical point, the reservoirs that were meant to double up as dams were past its critical point and they could not hold the water for much longer.
The government can only hold the waters for at most another 2-3 hours, and after that residents along the river should brace for a massive surge of water. They will try their best to regulate the waterflow, but everyone should start preparing for the worst.
River water level at an all time high.
They advised all residents to start packing and moving things to higher places. The ones who are living next to the river side are to commence evacuation.
RADION's office is in a rented shophouse on a relatively high ground. According to the local residents, this area has never ever been flooded. And yet today, flood waters reached just 4 meters from our office and that was before the water was released from the reservoirs !
We needed to quickly shift everything, computers, documents, equipment all to the second floor before the flood arrive. The water was already surging to at the height of the bridge and we were about to be cut off.
On one hand, we had to head to Phetchabun in time for our mass food distribution, but storm warnings and landslides will be abundant and we'll be taking a high risk to embark on this journey.
On the other hand there was an impending flood to our office and it may be better to be with my staff in Chiang Mai in this disaster, not to mention it will definitely be safer.
I had to make a difficult call.
We decided to take a calculated risk to quickly complete the move and press on to Phetchabun, where people are waiting for us to arrive for the mass food distribution. It was nerve wrecking, we could have been swept away if we crossed the bridge at the wrong time or could even be cut off by the running water down in the next province.
We jumped on our trucks, made the move and as the truck crossed the bursting river, the waters were already almost reaching the top of the bridge. But more bad news awaited on the other side of the river. Instead of clear roads, we were blocked by hordes of vehicles trying to get out, it was like a scene in an evacuation movie.
Waters were rising and we were stuck there in a JAM ! It surely felt like we were sitting ducks. After almost 1 hour, we made it out into the freeway and made our way down to Phetchabun.
Heavy rains, saw a couple of landslides, some roads were even broken off, rescue troops were in position in Phitsanulok province, the final town in the valley before heading up to Phetchabun. The rescue troops had their strobe lights and they were just for the waters to rise further before finally closing the entire access road off.
We barely made it through ! Both sides of the road was covered in water and we quickly made our way up mountain. We did a call check with our Chiang Mai center and they confirmed that water has been released but miraculously our office was unaffected !
God is awesome !
As we drove up along mountains in awe of God, my deputy head Ms Puu started sharing openly about the time when she started working with RADION.
She's a professional accountant and mentioned that when she first joined RADION, she was simply astounded about our faith in God, despite the lack of finances. She jested "When you passed me the 100,000bht, i assumed that we would have more in other bank accounts, but that was EVERYTHING we had in Thailand."
She continued "I've seen missionaries and social workers. Every one I knew had a salary or a church to fall back on. They had all the practicalities taken care of, some have a lump sum of money to do their projects, while others have a monthly allowance to keep them going. Essentially, their needs were taken care of and all they had to do was to concentrate on serving the Lord in their ministries."
She continued.
"But you. When i met you, you had nothing. Surely no lump sum in the bank. No church to back you up. You had hardly any salary. But yet chose to serve despite all the uncertainties and without any "practicalities" to back you up. I saw that you had nothing to fall back on..... just God."
As she spoke, I remembered those days.
The days which we went against impossible odds to continue serving the Hmong people. We could even hardly afford a coke, having to think twice before buying the cheapest toothbrush and sleeping on the floor so we could channel more money to feed the needy.
Puu continued reminiscing, while I had tears filling up in my eyes and trying focus on the dimly litted road as I drove up to Phetchabun.
She continued and her next word brought tears rolling down my cheeks....
She said "God was like your guarantee, you needed nothing else."
What a beautiful reminder. God is my guarantee !
The 4 years of ministry, the 4 years of God's faithfulness. What a beautiful picture indeed !
The village head's voice came on and it sounded a little glittery. He announced that the heavy rainfall has brought water levels in the rivers to its critical point, the reservoirs that were meant to double up as dams were past its critical point and they could not hold the water for much longer.
The government can only hold the waters for at most another 2-3 hours, and after that residents along the river should brace for a massive surge of water. They will try their best to regulate the waterflow, but everyone should start preparing for the worst.
River water level at an all time high.
They advised all residents to start packing and moving things to higher places. The ones who are living next to the river side are to commence evacuation.
RADION's office is in a rented shophouse on a relatively high ground. According to the local residents, this area has never ever been flooded. And yet today, flood waters reached just 4 meters from our office and that was before the water was released from the reservoirs !
Water approaches. A view from the 3rd level of our Chiang Mai Office.
Getting all the stores up from level 1 to level 2 & 3 !
On the other hand there was an impending flood to our office and it may be better to be with my staff in Chiang Mai in this disaster, not to mention it will definitely be safer.
I had to make a difficult call.
We decided to take a calculated risk to quickly complete the move and press on to Phetchabun, where people are waiting for us to arrive for the mass food distribution. It was nerve wrecking, we could have been swept away if we crossed the bridge at the wrong time or could even be cut off by the running water down in the next province.
We jumped on our trucks, made the move and as the truck crossed the bursting river, the waters were already almost reaching the top of the bridge. But more bad news awaited on the other side of the river. Instead of clear roads, we were blocked by hordes of vehicles trying to get out, it was like a scene in an evacuation movie.
The heaviest traffic on a Thursday afternoon !
Waters were rising and we were stuck there in a JAM ! It surely felt like we were sitting ducks. After almost 1 hour, we made it out into the freeway and made our way down to Phetchabun.
Heavy rains, saw a couple of landslides, some roads were even broken off, rescue troops were in position in Phitsanulok province, the final town in the valley before heading up to Phetchabun. The rescue troops had their strobe lights and they were just for the waters to rise further before finally closing the entire access road off.
Just one of the many landslides spotted along the way
We barely made it through ! Both sides of the road was covered in water and we quickly made our way up mountain. We did a call check with our Chiang Mai center and they confirmed that water has been released but miraculously our office was unaffected !
God is awesome !
As we drove up along mountains in awe of God, my deputy head Ms Puu started sharing openly about the time when she started working with RADION.
She's a professional accountant and mentioned that when she first joined RADION, she was simply astounded about our faith in God, despite the lack of finances. She jested "When you passed me the 100,000bht, i assumed that we would have more in other bank accounts, but that was EVERYTHING we had in Thailand."
She continued "I've seen missionaries and social workers. Every one I knew had a salary or a church to fall back on. They had all the practicalities taken care of, some have a lump sum of money to do their projects, while others have a monthly allowance to keep them going. Essentially, their needs were taken care of and all they had to do was to concentrate on serving the Lord in their ministries."
She continued.
"But you. When i met you, you had nothing. Surely no lump sum in the bank. No church to back you up. You had hardly any salary. But yet chose to serve despite all the uncertainties and without any "practicalities" to back you up. I saw that you had nothing to fall back on..... just God."
As she spoke, I remembered those days.
The days which we went against impossible odds to continue serving the Hmong people. We could even hardly afford a coke, having to think twice before buying the cheapest toothbrush and sleeping on the floor so we could channel more money to feed the needy.
Puu continued reminiscing, while I had tears filling up in my eyes and trying focus on the dimly litted road as I drove up to Phetchabun.
She continued and her next word brought tears rolling down my cheeks....
She said "God was like your guarantee, you needed nothing else."
What a beautiful reminder. God is my guarantee !
The 4 years of ministry, the 4 years of God's faithfulness. What a beautiful picture indeed !
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Excerpt From Bangkok Post (28 Sep 2011
Chiang Mai floods above critical level
- Published: 28/09/2011 at 11:45 AM
Searchers have found the bodies of four members of the family of five swept away when their village was hit by hillside run-off overnight in Chiang Mai province, where the flood situation was reported to be above critical level on Wednesday.
Forest run-off triggered by two days of incessant rain struck a village in tambon Muang Kai in Mae Taeng district about 1am, destroying four houses and sweeping away a family of five people.Rescuers continued the search for the fifth victim, as rain continued pouring down, causing an electricity blackout in the entire tambon.
Meanwhile, reports said the flood situation in the northern province was above critical level.
At 10.50am, the water level in Muang district had risen to 3.85 metres and the water flow was measured at 482 million cubic metres per second.
The critical water level is set at 3.70 metres and the water flow at 440 million cubic metres a second.
Five swept away by flash flood
- Published: 28/09/2011 at 10:35 AM
Forest run-off caused by heavy rain struck a village in Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng district overnight, destroying four houses and sweeping away a family of five people, who are feared dead.
Tambon Muang Kai Administration Organisation chief Duangkam Wutthi said Wednesday morning village teams were searching for the missing family - the father, mother, two daughters and a son.A group of soldiers and administrative officials also joined the rescue operation, Mr Duangkam said.
Photos POST TODAY
Diary : 28 Sep 2011
Its just not easy working with limited resources and yet having to deal with waves and waves of spiritual attacks.
Just 2 days back, a mild chap went off his normal self, wacked up his wife and had to be restrained by our staff. The wife suffered bruising over her head and other parts of her body. She was in such shock and trauma that she did not know whether she was hurt in other places, and was just crying.
We had to spend the last 2 days sheltering her and praying alongside her. Together with counselling for the husband.
We've known these 2 people for some time now and they have been one of the most amazing couples who put down everything to serve alongside us, and all of a sudden, this just happened.
Back in Phetchabun, things are also not going too smoothly with a massive staff shortage, stress is building up together with the workload.
For the organisation's end, we're still not financially cheery and ministry overheads (which is almost at its minimum) is way above the financial support we're receiving. And more people are coming to us, in dire need of assistance.
But I'm trusting God for a breakthrough not only financially but more importantly spiritually in RADION.
Just 2 days back, a mild chap went off his normal self, wacked up his wife and had to be restrained by our staff. The wife suffered bruising over her head and other parts of her body. She was in such shock and trauma that she did not know whether she was hurt in other places, and was just crying.
We had to spend the last 2 days sheltering her and praying alongside her. Together with counselling for the husband.
We've known these 2 people for some time now and they have been one of the most amazing couples who put down everything to serve alongside us, and all of a sudden, this just happened.
Back in Phetchabun, things are also not going too smoothly with a massive staff shortage, stress is building up together with the workload.
For the organisation's end, we're still not financially cheery and ministry overheads (which is almost at its minimum) is way above the financial support we're receiving. And more people are coming to us, in dire need of assistance.
But I'm trusting God for a breakthrough not only financially but more importantly spiritually in RADION.
Monday 26 September 2011
Diary : 27 Sep 2011
A rough day today.
Just finished a crisis counseling session, another domestic abuse case.
Just finished a crisis counseling session, another domestic abuse case.
Diary : 25 Sep 2011 (Flight Of The Gibbon)
Exciting Sunday !
The kids all got up early in anticipation of their ride at the Flight Of The Gibbon.
This was a charity giveaway from the founding members of the company to the lesser privileged children in Chiang Mai,
So a special thank you to Tony K Edalat & Nick Nader Shahin !
The mountain roads were narrow and we got directed to the wrong place, resulting us having to rush back down the mountain to the correct site before 3pm. We reached the place at 2.55pm !
Here are some photos !
The kids all got up early in anticipation of their ride at the Flight Of The Gibbon.
This was a charity giveaway from the founding members of the company to the lesser privileged children in Chiang Mai,
So a special thank you to Tony K Edalat & Nick Nader Shahin !
The mountain roads were narrow and we got directed to the wrong place, resulting us having to rush back down the mountain to the correct site before 3pm. We reached the place at 2.55pm !
Here are some photos !
A group photo with the founders and staff
Safety briefing !
Kids getting all rigged up and ready to go !
In Flight!
Friday 23 September 2011
Diary : 24 Sep 2011 (PROJECT LIVES! 2011 is a GO !)
Its always easy to believe God when things are going right and especially when things are going as planned. But when things seem like its going downhill, it takes a whole lot of faith to believe in God's promises.
Take me for example. Last month as I was doing my retreat, I was talking to God about my concerns about having a venue for project lives. I've done all I could, we started out early, sending out requests and all 6 months and yet there was nothing. Its worrying. And at just 1 and a half months away from the event, God prompts me to trust in Him and he will provide.
Now almost a month passed and nothing is heard, I start to fret. Did i hear wrongly ? Is the whole project going downhill ? 3 weeks to the event and no venue. My faith was simply tested and pushed to its limits.
Project LIVES! is one of the most critical campaigns for RADION. Its a campaign to raise awareness and raise support. And this year, everything hung on having a venue for 15 & 16 Oct.
After so many sleepless nights, proposal writings and appeals. Nothing worked and I was at a total loss. And just 2 days back, we had a meeting to decide what we should do. There was no updates, no replies and we were going down.
Yesterday, suddenly Shirleen messaged ! She told me that one of her contacts replied and they are keen to support the campaign ! That was just one day before our final cut off and there it was, given to us free of charge !
SCAPE YOUTH PARK !
Amazing how God works and how he pushed us little faith in Him.
So yeah, I'm terrible exhilarated and looks like project lives 2011 is a go !
Take me for example. Last month as I was doing my retreat, I was talking to God about my concerns about having a venue for project lives. I've done all I could, we started out early, sending out requests and all 6 months and yet there was nothing. Its worrying. And at just 1 and a half months away from the event, God prompts me to trust in Him and he will provide.
Now almost a month passed and nothing is heard, I start to fret. Did i hear wrongly ? Is the whole project going downhill ? 3 weeks to the event and no venue. My faith was simply tested and pushed to its limits.
Project LIVES! is one of the most critical campaigns for RADION. Its a campaign to raise awareness and raise support. And this year, everything hung on having a venue for 15 & 16 Oct.
After so many sleepless nights, proposal writings and appeals. Nothing worked and I was at a total loss. And just 2 days back, we had a meeting to decide what we should do. There was no updates, no replies and we were going down.
Yesterday, suddenly Shirleen messaged ! She told me that one of her contacts replied and they are keen to support the campaign ! That was just one day before our final cut off and there it was, given to us free of charge !
SCAPE YOUTH PARK !
Amazing how God works and how he pushed us little faith in Him.
So yeah, I'm terrible exhilarated and looks like project lives 2011 is a go !
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Diary : 22 Sep 2011
Meang is one of our more challenging kids undergoing rehab in our streetkids shelter in Phetchabun. Besides being one of the newer kids, he is also the rowdiest, loudest, naughtiest and probably the most uncontrollable 10 year old on our programme.
Today, he stole again. Not in school, not in the streets, but right in the streetkids shelter.
Last month he was stole and conned another kid out of his money. Yes. He is the same one I blogged about, who was remorseful over his mistake. At least the last time he was in the hot seat. And now it seems like he has forgotten all about it.
This round, he stole from P.Neet, the centre manager.
This is likened to biting the hand that feeds him and slapping the people who cared the most for him.
Honestly its not easy to be in this line of work. Having not only the stresses of daily work, but also having to draft papers, countless back to back meetings, work long into the nights just to raise enough funds to help these kids.
Seeing a child repeat the same mistakes over again and again is just discouraging. Many times, I feel an urge to simply expel such kids from the programme, saving my staff from the hurts, pains and disappointments working with these "difficult" kids.
Even better, I can even justify my actions, with the cliche words of "caring for the overall good"
But just look at this child, if we were to expel him, where can he go ? These are already the rejects of society, kicked out of their own families or channeled to us by government authorities.
Honestly, if we won't give them a chance who will ? And again, wasn't the streetkids programme meant for unlovable children such as these ?
Whenever I feel the urge to give up on recalcitrant kids, i remember a loving God who's stubborn love held on to a recalcitrant me. Looking at it from this perspective, it sure gives me a little more strength to walk with Meang through this phase in his life.
So here we go again......
Today, he stole again. Not in school, not in the streets, but right in the streetkids shelter.
Last month he was stole and conned another kid out of his money. Yes. He is the same one I blogged about, who was remorseful over his mistake. At least the last time he was in the hot seat. And now it seems like he has forgotten all about it.
This round, he stole from P.Neet, the centre manager.
This is likened to biting the hand that feeds him and slapping the people who cared the most for him.
Honestly its not easy to be in this line of work. Having not only the stresses of daily work, but also having to draft papers, countless back to back meetings, work long into the nights just to raise enough funds to help these kids.
Seeing a child repeat the same mistakes over again and again is just discouraging. Many times, I feel an urge to simply expel such kids from the programme, saving my staff from the hurts, pains and disappointments working with these "difficult" kids.
Even better, I can even justify my actions, with the cliche words of "caring for the overall good"
But just look at this child, if we were to expel him, where can he go ? These are already the rejects of society, kicked out of their own families or channeled to us by government authorities.
Honestly, if we won't give them a chance who will ? And again, wasn't the streetkids programme meant for unlovable children such as these ?
Whenever I feel the urge to give up on recalcitrant kids, i remember a loving God who's stubborn love held on to a recalcitrant me. Looking at it from this perspective, it sure gives me a little more strength to walk with Meang through this phase in his life.
So here we go again......
Diary : 21 Sep 2011
Monday 19 September 2011
Diary : 19 Sep 2011
New illegal immigrant at our chiang mai office toilet. It has been staying in the toilet for the last 2 days, where I was too weak from a fever to move it.
Sunday 18 September 2011
Diary : 18 Sep 2011
Caught a cold probably after exerting myself over the last 2 weeks. My whole body was aching since friday's staff meeting and saturday's Puu's birthday celebration.
Couldn't really enjoy myself, infact I had to come back to office early to rest....I guess i'm getting old.
This is how my table looks like after 2 days of rest and lots of water
Couldn't really enjoy myself, infact I had to come back to office early to rest....I guess i'm getting old.
This is how my table looks like after 2 days of rest and lots of water
Friday 16 September 2011
Diary : 15 & 16 Sep 2011
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Diary : 14 Sep 2011
Things are still not going as well as we hoped. Approach YMCA today, but no positive reply.
The public collection drive is still up in the air and so I guess we just have to keep on praying.
The public collection drive is still up in the air and so I guess we just have to keep on praying.
Monday 12 September 2011
Diary : 13 Sep 2011
Oh yes. I forget to update. We also brought in a new 6 year old kid into our STK programme. I'll write more soon :)
Today is not the best day we've had. Project LIVES! is close around the corner and we still have not managed to secure a venue sponsor. Its kinda worrying especially when everything hinges on the public collection dates.
The good news however is that most of the corporates have responded so now we're just left with the venue sponsor for the 15 & 16 Oct + the working adults awareness dinner venue.
Today is not the best day we've had. Project LIVES! is close around the corner and we still have not managed to secure a venue sponsor. Its kinda worrying especially when everything hinges on the public collection dates.
The good news however is that most of the corporates have responded so now we're just left with the venue sponsor for the 15 & 16 Oct + the working adults awareness dinner venue.
Sunday 11 September 2011
Diary : Medical Mission 7-10
What an awesome week !
Here is a short update on what happened last week.
Wednesday our team launched into the tribal village of Nam Juang. The meteorological agency sent out a warning of heavy rains and floods. And true enough it was raining cats of dogs, it was so bad that the bridge in our village was torn away by the sudden water surge.
The drive up to the village was not easy, with roads scattered with portholes, debris from landslides and not to mention the thick mud which almost got our truck stuck. But we made it out smoothly and the effort was worth every bit when you see the lives being touched and impacted in a practical way-providing medical care. In a single day, we provided medical care to more than 100 villagers.
The rain just continued and our worst fears came through the next day when we moved out from Nam Juang to the neighboring village of Nam Kap. The mud road has turned into a mud slide and to get through it, cars will have to use momentum to get the vehicle up.
It was our turn, we reved the truck up and got up the hill with the car fishtailing out of control and we landed in a ditch. Fortunately no one was hurt and with the help of the locals, we were able to pull the truck back out.
Next our worst night mare, the patch of thick mud has further degraded threatening to derail our medical work in the next village.We prayed as we drove through and other than the undercarriage hitting the mud floor, we managed to miraculously get through the mud sludge with some effort.
In Nam Juang, we saw another 80 patients. After 2 days of back to back medical missions, the medical inventory was largely drained and we had to rush back to restock for friday's mission.
We were stocked up and ready to go the following morning. And reach Nam Sai after a 3 hour journey. The people were already at the site and waiting for us to arrive. We distributed 300 blankets, hygiene items and provided medical care to more than 120 patients in 6 hours.
Here is a short update on what happened last week.
The team of doctors helping out in the medical mission and getting ready to launch.
A sight of the flood on the way up to Nam Juang
The area that the tribal leaders allocated for use for the medical mission.
Medical mission commences in Nam Juang
It was our turn, we reved the truck up and got up the hill with the car fishtailing out of control and we landed in a ditch. Fortunately no one was hurt and with the help of the locals, we were able to pull the truck back out.
Next our worst night mare, the patch of thick mud has further degraded threatening to derail our medical work in the next village.We prayed as we drove through and other than the undercarriage hitting the mud floor, we managed to miraculously get through the mud sludge with some effort.
Medical mission at Nam Kap
Helping a child with a massive ear infection
Home visit to a blind man who could not make his way to the field medical centre.
The field medical centre
We were stocked up and ready to go the following morning. And reach Nam Sai after a 3 hour journey. The people were already at the site and waiting for us to arrive. We distributed 300 blankets, hygiene items and provided medical care to more than 120 patients in 6 hours.
Presentation of blankets to the local villagers
Village leaders help organise the crowd for relief collection
The medical set up at Nam Sai. 120 patients !
Many were moved to tears knowing someone cared.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Diary : 6 Sep 2011
The staff were perpetually stuck to their mobiles for the entire day making final confirmations of the outreach areas with the local village heads.
Amongst the 3 villages, 2 were most hospitable and availed resources for our usage. The last one was not that supportive despite being far & underserved.
I still cannot really understand why some leaders would put off an offer of having people to help their communities especially in the area of medical care.
But instead of putting a day to waste, we have scheduled for another village.
Next 3 days should be exciting ! Do keep us in prayer as many of these areas are also new to us and futhermore it has been raining for 3 days already. We're also slightly concerned about the safety aspect of climbing up a mountain on slippery mud roads.
Keep us in prayer !
Amongst the 3 villages, 2 were most hospitable and availed resources for our usage. The last one was not that supportive despite being far & underserved.
I still cannot really understand why some leaders would put off an offer of having people to help their communities especially in the area of medical care.
But instead of putting a day to waste, we have scheduled for another village.
Next 3 days should be exciting ! Do keep us in prayer as many of these areas are also new to us and futhermore it has been raining for 3 days already. We're also slightly concerned about the safety aspect of climbing up a mountain on slippery mud roads.
Keep us in prayer !
Monday 5 September 2011
Diary : 5 Sep 2011
2 more doctors arrived this afternoon, traveling through heavy rains and bad weather.
Did a home visitation this afternoon. An elderly lady's house was at the brink of collapse with the roof already falling apart. So now we're seeing how best to help her.
Now we're just hoping for the weather to clear up before we launch up mountains to 3 more villages.
Did a home visitation this afternoon. An elderly lady's house was at the brink of collapse with the roof already falling apart. So now we're seeing how best to help her.
Now we're just hoping for the weather to clear up before we launch up mountains to 3 more villages.
Sunday 4 September 2011
Diary : 4 Sep 2011
Was at Huay Nam Khao church today. The church that we will be ceasing our oversight with effect from this december.
Today was also Pastor Seng's last day. It was rather emotional for me as he was one of the very few Hmong pastors who have garnered the respect of the locals. Not because of his preaching but because of his life.
Ps Seng was an incredible man. He spent most of his youth days helping and supporting missionaries. In those days, so great was the passion to reach the lost that these missionary groups would set out on foot to reach places for Christ. One of this locations took almost 2 months to reach on foot, but to them it was worth it. And to Ps Seng, it was formative in his faith in God.
Towards the end of the service, I thanked this elderly man for teaching me many things. Not only through his preaching but more than that through his life of obedience to God. His life, his good fight of faith and his trust in God was enormous.
Despite getting old and starting to loose sight, he spoke with such conviction and love. Such love that can only come from a life filled with Christ.
My life is humbled by this servant of God.
Today was also Pastor Seng's last day. It was rather emotional for me as he was one of the very few Hmong pastors who have garnered the respect of the locals. Not because of his preaching but because of his life.
Ps Seng was an incredible man. He spent most of his youth days helping and supporting missionaries. In those days, so great was the passion to reach the lost that these missionary groups would set out on foot to reach places for Christ. One of this locations took almost 2 months to reach on foot, but to them it was worth it. And to Ps Seng, it was formative in his faith in God.
Towards the end of the service, I thanked this elderly man for teaching me many things. Not only through his preaching but more than that through his life of obedience to God. His life, his good fight of faith and his trust in God was enormous.
Despite getting old and starting to loose sight, he spoke with such conviction and love. Such love that can only come from a life filled with Christ.
My life is humbled by this servant of God.
Saturday 3 September 2011
Diary : 3 Sep 2011 (MFD Breakthrough!)
This morning as I was preparing my message for the evening's mass food distribution. I asked the Lord, what should I share today ? And the reply was clear and simple. My love for the people.
I teared as I prepared the sermon and my heart heavy.
People started arriving almost 3 hours before the meeting was scheduled to start. The crowd was now so big that our little dining shed could no longer seat everyone. And furthermore the weather was scorching while dark clouds loomed on the horizon.
I decided that indoors will be best and we shifted the crowd into the hall of the STREETKIDS home. We waiting a little while to allow the less physically abled people to come in through our outreach trucks and they arrived we started.
We had benches for chairs and there was just not enough benches to go around, so we had to get the kids to sit on the floor. And almost 130 people turned up for the event. We're just getting too big and the mass food distribution is slowly looking really like a church for the unloved.
I started to share from Luke 15, the common chapter on the prodigal son. There were no fanciful theatrics, just the word of God. The message was not long, it was probably around 30mins and halfway through the message, eyes were tearing and you could see hearts breaking.
We closed with a clip from the song "So you would come" and as we gave the people a chance to receive Christ. Something different happened. Instead of the normal "stroll to the alter" the people were sober and many of them came up with tears flowing down their cheeks. A total of 14 people gave their lives to Christ today.
One lady was so touched by the Lord that she did not stop crying even after the service. She just sat and ate the food we provided and teared as she ate.
A picture of our free medical clinic with Dr Boon helping us to care for the unreached.
I teared as I prepared the sermon and my heart heavy.
People started arriving almost 3 hours before the meeting was scheduled to start. The crowd was now so big that our little dining shed could no longer seat everyone. And furthermore the weather was scorching while dark clouds loomed on the horizon.
I decided that indoors will be best and we shifted the crowd into the hall of the STREETKIDS home. We waiting a little while to allow the less physically abled people to come in through our outreach trucks and they arrived we started.
We had benches for chairs and there was just not enough benches to go around, so we had to get the kids to sit on the floor. And almost 130 people turned up for the event. We're just getting too big and the mass food distribution is slowly looking really like a church for the unloved.
I started to share from Luke 15, the common chapter on the prodigal son. There were no fanciful theatrics, just the word of God. The message was not long, it was probably around 30mins and halfway through the message, eyes were tearing and you could see hearts breaking.
We closed with a clip from the song "So you would come" and as we gave the people a chance to receive Christ. Something different happened. Instead of the normal "stroll to the alter" the people were sober and many of them came up with tears flowing down their cheeks. A total of 14 people gave their lives to Christ today.
One lady was so touched by the Lord that she did not stop crying even after the service. She just sat and ate the food we provided and teared as she ate.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Diary : 2 Sep 2011
I decided to write a quick note before I rush off to pick Dr Boon from the airport and from there its 8 hours on the roads.
Dokmai one of the STREETKIDS! girls was having problems class, academically she was improving in leaps and bounds. But coming from a broken background, dokmai was reluctant to open up to others and stayed alone most of the time, she would eat lunches her self and had no friends to support her at all. Her quiet demeanor was soon observed by the class bully and soon Dokmai became the target of the bully.
The bully hit dokmai frequently and that was not enough, the bully stole dokmai's homework just so that Dokmai will not be able to submit them to the teachers. Dokmai was in distress and as she is not good in articulating her thoughts, she took the brunt of the teacher's punishment and not voicing out her problems with the bully.
2 days ago, Dokmai finally broke. She confided in our staff, her personal mentor her struggles in school and was terribly depressed.
She was depressed, sad and would not speak much. Being bullied, reprimanded by teachers and furthermore she had no friends.
The staff sat down with her for more than an hour just to encourage her but we knew it was not going to be easy. But we prayed.
We shared with Dokmai how as a Christian she can love the unlovable and learn to forgive. Who knows how God can turn things around if we apply wisdom in difficult situations.
She was quiet and we're not sure how much she understood. We could only pray.
Yesterday evening, the staff came out running to us. Telling us some amazing news. Dokmai went to school, stood right up to the bully. Not only did she make her stand, but she offered forgiveness and friendship to the one that hurt her.
It was difficult for Dokmai who comes from a background of hurts to forgive someone like the bully. But Dokmai did.
And you know what ? God turned things around. The bully relented and realised something was different in Dokmai. Stunned and overwhelmed by the thought of dokmai confronting and offering friendship and forgiveness. The bully was overwhelmed.
3 hours latter in school. The bully approached Dokmai. In her quiet voice she asked "So where shall we have lunch ?"
Dokmai lit up. Things truly turned around with prayer and her enemy turned into a friend. A first friend.
Dokmai one of the STREETKIDS! girls was having problems class, academically she was improving in leaps and bounds. But coming from a broken background, dokmai was reluctant to open up to others and stayed alone most of the time, she would eat lunches her self and had no friends to support her at all. Her quiet demeanor was soon observed by the class bully and soon Dokmai became the target of the bully.
The bully hit dokmai frequently and that was not enough, the bully stole dokmai's homework just so that Dokmai will not be able to submit them to the teachers. Dokmai was in distress and as she is not good in articulating her thoughts, she took the brunt of the teacher's punishment and not voicing out her problems with the bully.
2 days ago, Dokmai finally broke. She confided in our staff, her personal mentor her struggles in school and was terribly depressed.
She was depressed, sad and would not speak much. Being bullied, reprimanded by teachers and furthermore she had no friends.
The staff sat down with her for more than an hour just to encourage her but we knew it was not going to be easy. But we prayed.
We shared with Dokmai how as a Christian she can love the unlovable and learn to forgive. Who knows how God can turn things around if we apply wisdom in difficult situations.
She was quiet and we're not sure how much she understood. We could only pray.
Yesterday evening, the staff came out running to us. Telling us some amazing news. Dokmai went to school, stood right up to the bully. Not only did she make her stand, but she offered forgiveness and friendship to the one that hurt her.
It was difficult for Dokmai who comes from a background of hurts to forgive someone like the bully. But Dokmai did.
And you know what ? God turned things around. The bully relented and realised something was different in Dokmai. Stunned and overwhelmed by the thought of dokmai confronting and offering friendship and forgiveness. The bully was overwhelmed.
3 hours latter in school. The bully approached Dokmai. In her quiet voice she asked "So where shall we have lunch ?"
Dokmai lit up. Things truly turned around with prayer and her enemy turned into a friend. A first friend.
Diary : 1 Sep 2011
Fitted up our most reliable truck with a little black roof. Just the thing we need to get people moving from one place to another :)
Spent this morning reading a book entitled Growing Deep In Faith by Edmund Chan. It has been most enlightening and its simply astounding how someone can write so simply but with so much depth.
So much of today was spent preparing for the doctors who will be arriving tomorrow. Dr Boon first followed by 2 more doctors on monday.
I'm also trying my hand on being a vet. Our newest resident, a golden retriever with back problems just developed a terrible rash on her tail. Spent a while researching on how to treat this dog before having to be away in Phetchabun for more than a week.
This is how the tail looks like.
We've bathed it, medicated it, powdered it. Cared for it. So hopefully everything will get better from now one.
Spent this morning reading a book entitled Growing Deep In Faith by Edmund Chan. It has been most enlightening and its simply astounding how someone can write so simply but with so much depth.
So much of today was spent preparing for the doctors who will be arriving tomorrow. Dr Boon first followed by 2 more doctors on monday.
I'm also trying my hand on being a vet. Our newest resident, a golden retriever with back problems just developed a terrible rash on her tail. Spent a while researching on how to treat this dog before having to be away in Phetchabun for more than a week.
This is how the tail looks like.
We've bathed it, medicated it, powdered it. Cared for it. So hopefully everything will get better from now one.
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Diary : 31 Aug 2011
Kuak, a gang leader and ex-glue user now undergoing home schooling to help him back to school. Prior to this, Kuak was not even able to read a single thai alphabet. Now he is not only catching up but also helping out in the office.
His favourite pass time ? Collecting items to recycle ! And he's earning money !
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Diary : 28-30 Aug 2011
With Project LIVES! around the corner and a huge handful of logistics unsettled. It was impossible for me to leave office, much less talk about having a prayer retreat, there was just too much work to be done.
But wait. I was reminded of an old preacher who said "The heavier your battle, the longer you should spend in prayer"
But it was unsettling. It was unlike me to leave my work while things are still unsettled. I hesitated and waited at my computer for emails to be replied, to at least lift the burdens off my shoulders before i go on a retreat.
No mails with good news came in. The greater the urge to stay in office for one more day to wait for replied. My bag was packed, but my heart and mind was filled with anxiety.
This was the last period in which I can afford a 2-3 day break and I knew I had to make a choice.
And I finally did. Prayer is just too important to be put aside especially in a critical moment such as these. So off I went on Sunday and returned on Tuesday refreshed.
It is not only about the time spent alone to reest, nor is it the undisturbed sleep. But its the time spent with God, the running back to God to rest in his assurance. Its about bouncing ideas off God and aligning my plans with His Will.
Such times as these are probably more important than ministry itself.
There is absolutely no point in spearheading & executing projects no matter how successful they are, if its not God Will and if He is not in the picture. Its not about taking the promise land in our hearts, but He being in the promise land with us that really mattered.
My diaries are at best only a pale reflection of the emotional challenges we go through day by day. Seeing incredible needs but yet challenged with limited funding, I sometimes find myself asking God "So why put me here when I cannot do anything about the sufferings" There is a sense of helplessness and focus starts to erode. And as time passes, memory fades. Sometimes even the wildest raging fires of faith fueled by God given dreams can be slowly diminished over time.
But though these prayer retreats that God fans the diminishing embers of flames, fueling us with forgotten memories and relights new flames of revival back in my life.
Suddenly everything is clearer, suddenly I rediscover my purpose, suddenly I'm no longer anxious, suddenly I'm burning for His presence again.
But wait. I was reminded of an old preacher who said "The heavier your battle, the longer you should spend in prayer"
But it was unsettling. It was unlike me to leave my work while things are still unsettled. I hesitated and waited at my computer for emails to be replied, to at least lift the burdens off my shoulders before i go on a retreat.
No mails with good news came in. The greater the urge to stay in office for one more day to wait for replied. My bag was packed, but my heart and mind was filled with anxiety.
This was the last period in which I can afford a 2-3 day break and I knew I had to make a choice.
And I finally did. Prayer is just too important to be put aside especially in a critical moment such as these. So off I went on Sunday and returned on Tuesday refreshed.
It is not only about the time spent alone to reest, nor is it the undisturbed sleep. But its the time spent with God, the running back to God to rest in his assurance. Its about bouncing ideas off God and aligning my plans with His Will.
Such times as these are probably more important than ministry itself.
There is absolutely no point in spearheading & executing projects no matter how successful they are, if its not God Will and if He is not in the picture. Its not about taking the promise land in our hearts, but He being in the promise land with us that really mattered.
My diaries are at best only a pale reflection of the emotional challenges we go through day by day. Seeing incredible needs but yet challenged with limited funding, I sometimes find myself asking God "So why put me here when I cannot do anything about the sufferings" There is a sense of helplessness and focus starts to erode. And as time passes, memory fades. Sometimes even the wildest raging fires of faith fueled by God given dreams can be slowly diminished over time.
But though these prayer retreats that God fans the diminishing embers of flames, fueling us with forgotten memories and relights new flames of revival back in my life.
Suddenly everything is clearer, suddenly I rediscover my purpose, suddenly I'm no longer anxious, suddenly I'm burning for His presence again.
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