Chiangmai 13th December – 20th December 2008
1. Personal objective and/or expectation of the trip.
- When Aunty Jasmine Nathan emailed Rayson about the man who could not walk, but he declared that he was going to walk in December, and someone had a vision of him walking, that was when I started to feel a lot more for the mission trip, that was when I started getting all excited and geared up, in fact, I was telling Rayson over MSN almost every night “SON! I WANT TO FLY THERE NOW BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE THE LAME MAN WALK AGAIN!”
- For me, I really wanted to go. And when I shared with Aunty Lee Noi during LG on one of the Saturdays, she asked me “Why do you want to go?” and I thought about it very carefully, and I knew the answer was because I wanted to be part of the team praying for him, I wanted to go there and pray for him. It would be a bonus if he walked there and then, but I just wanted to pray and declare that he will walk again because I know my God is one that heals.
- I did not know what to expect out of this trip, because as shared earlier, I was not used to such ‘little preparation’ for a mission trip, nothing to prepare for, besides sharing, devotion etc. So I was very glad when Uncle Jem, Jerold, Nicholas, Joanna and Alex came on the trip, and the activities were spread out amongst all of us (I think it’s a getting-old syndrome, because if it was just the three of us- Ray, Shaun and myself – conducting all the activities, I think I would have keeled over from exhaustion). So I believe that it is in God’s divine timing that we all went together, and from the sharing to the devotions to the games and singing/ dance etc. I thank God for everything that went well.
- This trip was a trip that was a test of my faith. As we all know about the Bangkok Airport situation by now, and countless accounts of it, as well as me falling sick prior to the trip etc., I shall cut the long story short. But yea, to be there in Thailand itself, is only possible by God’s grace. And it made the mission trip all the more worthwhile, all the more precious. Kind of reminded me not to take things for granted, but yet to place my faith in God, because where He wants me to go, He will pave a way for me, even though circumstances might show and tell us otherwise. So this whole trip was really a test of my faith, and making it increase =D
2. What you have learnt from the trip? That is, from engagement with the kids, night service at Pong Aang & the city church meeting.
- From this trip, I realize that I still have a heart for missions, as much as I wanted to “counter” that before out of a certain fear which I won’t share here due to inconvenience=) hehe and I felt that God was rekindling this heart for missions work once again, and I really felt blessed by the time we had with the kids.
- I was greatly blessed seeing our own youth rising up and taking their places even though the activities were not properly planned prior to the trip. Watching Alex, Shaun, Ray, Jerold and even Joanna practicing worship and guitar until late in the night, and seeing them prepare for devotion, Joanna being so shy but did a wonderful job teaching dance, Alex teaching the drama thing, in a way, I learnt that even though man might make plans, but ultimately it is God who will decide to use those plans or not, and God has plans of His own. Even in surprising us with a day off for the children in the village the next day.
- As Aunty Jasmine was sharing with us on the second night in the village before Joanna and I slept, sharing about Jesus to the children and the people in the village was a lot about showing it through our actions, and through loving them not only in words etc. And because of the ‘language barrier’ that was how I really felt, the only way I can communicate with them is through actions, and just learning to love them (pi sai, dirt and all).
- I love children, but I feel that in this trip, my heart (ministry-wise) was more for the adults, the sick (going round to visit) and the youths in the city church. And I was encouraged by Uncle Jem’s sharing about faith and relationship because that was something not-so-new but still new to me hehehe
- I was pretty amazed that Ray, Unca Jem and I had prepared “messages” to share along similar lines, namely Faith. Which is something which I could speak of with conviction (especially during this trip) so I was amazed at how wonderful God is haha though when I was preparing my sharing, I did not think much of it but God speaks through us, thank God.
- At the City Church, I thank God (and Uncle Jem and Aunty Jas) for the privilege to share with the youth leaders, and being up there was rather exciting because I just wanted to share about how God can use us. Although some parts of it were personal testimonies, and others were materials ‘borrowed’ from uncle Jem the night before, or stuff I heard from other speaker before, but to be up there to share, was also to remind myself of all that God has done etc.
- My only ‘regret’ was that I cannot speak Thai, because all throughout the days in Pong Aang and at the city church, there were times when I just wanted to speak to the people there or to pray for them and I was so stifled because I couldn’t speak the language, and I felt pretty dumb and hopeless, hoping that when I spoke tongues it would come out in the language I wanted hurhur=p
3. What have God spoken to you with regards to areas of gifting and future ministry?
- When Uncle Jem shared about the mentoring thing, I think there was a stir somewhere inside me, so that’s an area to pray about.
- I don’t know if I am to remain in youth (Sojourners’) all the way but I think mentoring will be a challenge and I am not sure if it’s just me or is it a call at this point in time.
- I want to return back to Philippines or Thailand for more missions work, this is not going to stop here. When I heard from uncle jem about the piglets, immediately I felt like sponsoring one piglet hehehe I see myself going for more such tripsJ
- In future, when I am working, I hope to be able to be like Uncle Jem, Pastor Ban and Pastor Caleb etc. Travelling around on missions during the breaks/ holidays, and maybe contribute financially in whatever way I can when I start working. That’s why I want to start working faster, to go on more mission trips.
- I know I have the heart for youth, and if possible, I would enjoy sharing with the youths about all that God has done etc. And this brought me back to the church camp in June (in Batam) where someone spoke and prayed over me that “God will bring youths and delinquents into your life” and it is rather accurate because somehow I attract ah bengs and ah lians hehe
- This trip kind of brought me back to this point… and because I like to be around people and be involved in their lives (kaypoh also la), it made me rethink about what my future ministry is etc. this im not too sure yet.
- This is about all I think God spoke to me… most of it was reminding me and rekindling the flame for missions J I seriously don’t think I’m called to be a full time missionary, maybe not at this time la hehe
4. Your next step….
- Really think and pray about the mentoring thing. Consider who I am ready to mentor (thinking of the older youths, like anadee, or Debbie – my cousin who is in church now)
- Considering being involved in young adults ministry after being ‘freed’ from Servers’ maybe, to hopefully bring in people like Punitha, Jasmine, Steven Wong etc. and see in what way I can help to bring back this people to the Y.A ministry, that is one burden that I have been carrying for a long time without realizing in. And hopefully through the Y.A. ministry, I can bring in my own friends too because they feel youth is too young for them. =D
- Learn Thai (conversational thai that is) so I can learn to speak to them and maybe pray for them
- Go back for more mission trip
- Continue praying for the lame man to walk again, I sincerely believe that he will walk again
- Actually, I had this crazy notion that maybe I might be involved in healing ministry so maybe I want to do the spiritual gifting thing with Uncle jem to see if that is my call, because I have a heart for the sick, and I always had. So yepp
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Shaun: I am glad to see him rise up during the trip, and even throughout the period where he was not feeling well, he still went through the day without a word of complaint so I respect him for that. And I agree with the word spoken over him where he has the gift of prophesy. He has had words from God for me before that are accurate and even though I did not share with him, so I second and agree that yes, he has a high calling indeed, and he has the gift of prophesy.
Alex: He strikes me as a very people- person, and I am blessed that he has a heart for people who are lost and wondering, and during the trip, I am impressed by his perseverance (when learning to play the guitar for worship songs etc.) and his maturity struck me. And his willingness to just carry out the drama activity even though he was not all too sure showed that he was willing to try? Hahaha and when he learnt that he has the gift of intercession, and I was asking him if he’s willing to come together even to just pray for people like Moses, Eleanor, his answer was yes, and also because he wants to learn to put his intercessory gift to good use.
Lele: Lele is also another people- person whose heart is for people and I do see him serving in the children’s ministry, and I’m just touched that the heart of such a young boy is so tender, and willing to serve God even at such a young age. I though he did a fantabulous job with the games and carrying it out and making it all so fun. Although young, but God will use him mightily, as we have all seen during the trip.
Nicholas: I always thought Nic was quiet and maybe I will have problems talking to him, but one week before the trip, Nicholas and I were walking together to 7-1 1 after mission trip briefing with uncle ban, and we started talking and no, I don’t think he’s quiet anymore. At first I didn’t quite know how to handle him seeing things that I don’t see (and frankly it can be quite spooky) but I was glad to see him break away from his comfort zone, and learning to adapt after uncle jem taught him.
And I found it admirable because it is probably a challenge for him, and in the end, he soared above situations and even helped in the games. Although I feel he more to learn in people-communication skills, but I thought he did a good job in delivering the games and the instructions, coming from a shy person, I applaud him and his courage to do so. I see that Nicholas will do a fantastic job one day, who knows, he will probably lead a team to missions next time. (maybe even in deliverance ministry) Nicholas is a special boy hehe
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All in all, I thought the dynamics of the team was very good, and we could all gel with one another, a lot of give and take and not much complaints, and it gave opportunity to learn to serve and worship God togetherJ I had fun, was blessed and thank you uncle jem for reading my lengthy report hehehe God bless
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