Chiang Mai Mission Trip 13 – 19 December 2008
It was my third trip to Chiang Mai and each time, I bring back with me different experiences.
Prior to the trip, I set several expectations and objectives for myself.
1. Lead the mission team as best as I could
2. God to show me what is really “Faith”
3. Engage the children and if possible, the youths in the city
4. Have fun
5. Letting younger ones like Shaun, Alex, Nick and Lele to get out of their comfort zones
6. Visit the mission work that I have a heart for (Ps Kamsaen’s church and Pong Arng Village)
Evaluating my objectives and expectations now, I believe that I’ve met most if not all of it.
One main thing that God kept reminding me throughout the trip was “Faith”. I always have a tendency to forget that it just takes faith of a mustard seed to move mountains. Even prior to the trip, God has been challenging me to increase my faith in Him (Bangkok airport closure, parental worries etc).
What more, the messages that Uncle Jeremy and Dot shared centres on “Faith”. Also, the message that I seek God for, also talks about “Faith”. How coincidental can it be?
Looking at the child-like faith of the old man who can’t walk really got me thinking of the many times I see God as small. During the night service at Pong Arng, one old lady’s desire and hunger for the word of God encouraged and inspired me so much. Despite language barriers and visual problems, she pressed on.
Now that the trip is over, I am looking forward to the next trip there. The next step for me would be to seek God with regards to my call and future ministry. I really want to see where God is leading me for ministry or even my future career.
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For Shaun and Alex, I am very encouraged by their willing hearts. They were given very short notice to lead devotions and instead of complaining, they set about preparing for it. In itself, it is worth commending them for that. Alex, despite not being very proficient in his guitar playing skills, took a big step of faith and played for the night service in the village. Shaun unlike Alex has not been given an opportunity to lead a group in devotions (To the best of my knowledge). Yet when told of the task, he went about preparing for it till the wee hours of the morning.
Shaun and Alex have very huge potential as leaders in their own field. I would really want to see both of them to be developed and trained as leaders. Sojourners needs new blood in its leadership =D
For Nick, I noticed that he has a heart for people. I was quite surprised actually to have him coming to ask me if I was alright (The day the three of us were sick). It wasn’t just a one time thing that he did; he came around throughout the day and asked if I was ok.
For Lele, he also has a heart for people and I feel that Lele did pretty well when engaging the children in Pong Arng. He and Nick managed to execute the games that have been planned. He was pretty at ease with playing with the children. Even in church, he has no problems associating with the little kids. Of course, he does not have problems interacting with the youths in Sojourners as well.
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All in all, the trip was an enriching and defining one for me. In fact every trip has been that way. God is amazing in His ways that when we look back, we end up thanking Him for things that we did not thank Him for prior.
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