Retreat and Return to USA

I had a great final week in Bangkok, and the highlight was our young leaders group weekend retreat. We spent one night at the Baptist camp in Pattaya and one night at a guesthouse on the island across the bay. It was a blessing to catch up with the guys I knew and to meet all the new guys God has brought into the group.

We had 25 guys on the trip. Just incredible when you think that we started this group with 3 guys a year and a half ago. God is good!



This is our worship gathering on Saturday morning at the camp. I taught three times during the retreat on the subjects of the world, the flesh, and personal holiness.



After the morning session, we took the ferry to our island quarters. We had a beautiful spot right on the sea with great views and fresh seafood.



Part of the package deal for our room was a snorkeling boat trip. It was great fun until one of the guys stepped on a sea urchin! But more on that later :)



Sunday morning I am teaching on the subject of personal holiness and how knowing what God has done for you in Christ can motivate you to live for Him. John, who is studying in America, joined us via iphone. (which you can see on the floor) Technology is amazing.



On the ferry crossing back, Bat led worship for all the passengers. We may have been the only ones singing, but I think the other tourists still appreciated some Sunday morning song.



We closed the camp with a final session together in the afternoon. At the end, we took communion together.



It was a great retreat and a great visit to Thailand overall. Thanks to all who have been praying for me throughout this trip. Now I am back in the States to continue my counseling program at Grace College. Please join with me in praying for Thailand, Immanuel Baptist Church, and the young leaders group.

Back Again! Jan 2011

I am back in Thailand while on Christmas break from my counseling program at Grace College. My visit here will be only two weeks long, and one of them has already flown by.

Of course one of the highlights of the first week was attending my first young leader's meeting in 8 months. The group has really grown spiritually and literally grown in size. One of the reasons I am here right now is to participate in the young leader's retreat this weekend. Here we are gathered together:



One of the cool things they have started doing is skyping in the guys in America. On this night we had John, Isra and Jason joining us from the other side. Such a great feeling to be back with the guys and worshiping the Lord in Thai.



I knew they were going to put me to work over here, but I did not now I would be asked to preach the Sunday service with one day's notice. Praise God that it went well though. I taught about Jewish attitudes towards the Gentiles, and how we need to be searching out bias and superiority in our own hearts.

As usual, we went out to the slums after church. Since I left, the location where we taught in Baring has been taken back by the landlord and demolished. Below is a picture of what our old classroom looks like now:



But thank God that just one week later He provided a new home for Paa (the old woman who lived there) and a new classroom right across the street. And Paa says she likes it better because it gets more of a breeze. Here is a shot of the new place below:



Thankfully, the location did not change much and so the kids still know where to find us. Also this weekend, my friend Luke from Dallas who is working Cambodia was visiting. We put him to work sharing a couple of times. Below he is telling the kids about his very rural digs in Cambodia and the love of Jesus that compelled him to go there:



A few nights ago, one of the church members invited me and Terry (who is graciously hosting me) to go on a very luxurious river-buffet cruise. It was a little weird being a tourist in a place that feels so much like home, but it was fun and we saw some great sights. Behind me in the last picture is Wat Arun from the boat:



I will be here just a few more days. The main event is the young leaders retreat this weekend in Pattaya/Gaw Laan. I will be teaching three times this weekend on the subject of being in the world and not being of the world. Please pray for me and all of the guys. I leave for America on the 18th and would appreciate your prayers for safe and timely travels.