We’ve finally found the time to post this. After getting back from Thailand the whole fam got sick and I’ve been super busy with Church. Anywho - our report and pictures are after the jump, with more pictures coming soon.

5 years, 1 child, 7000 miles, and about 30 hours of traveling later – we found ourselves landing in a part of the world that we love so much. Prior to our marriage we spent nearly 4 years focused on and ministering in Asia and we felt so blessed to be back. We had both been to Thailand before, Andrew in 1999 and Jess in 2001. We were excited to now go as a family in 2007.

Our contacts were originally from Montana, but James and Jill Peddie felt God’s call to go and minister at City Gate Church in Thailand, and eventually to start and run an orphanage in Chiang Mai. City Gate Church has had a major impact on northern Thailand, as it has sister churches in several hill tribes that were once led by animistic witch doctors. In recent years some of these witch doctors have come to the Lord, along with many of the hill tribe people.

One of the first places we worked in Chiang Mai was a small orphanage of unadoptable children called Home of Joy. We worked for two days in heat and humidity us Eureka folks aren’t used to - painting, landscaping, and helping to do other chores that the understaffed orphanage was unable to do. We also distributed clothes and gifts to the kids of the orphanage. Even though it was a short time, our whole team was deeply impacted by our time spent at Home of Joy. We are excited to partner with this ministry in the future by bringing back stories, pictures, and opportunities for our church to sponsor kids.

Thailand does not have free schooling like the United States. While it’s not expensive to send your children to school, for some families who barely have enough money to buy food, it’s impossible. The only available option for education for poor families is through local Buddhist Schools. These schools are free and most of the kids that go are from underprivileged families. Our team was given an opportunity to have a special ‘English time’ with some of the kids from one such school. During this time we taught songs, shared bible stories, and just talked with the kids.

One of the things we were looking forward to the most was going up to the hill tribes north of Chiang Mai. Jill and Jess stayed in Chiang Mai with Jude and William (the Peddie’s adorable 6 month old boy) because the boys aren’t old enough to risk dengue fever, etc. Jess was so blessed to stay with Jill and spend time talking, praying, processing, laughing, and just being friends and mommies together.

Meanwhile, 3 days, 3 different hill tribes, with a special night service at each one for the rest of the team. During the day the team would travel between hill tribes. We did a service project in one that consisted of removing part of a hill in some of the hottest weather imaginable. One interesting side trip we took was to a giant cave, outside of which was an ancient Buddhist temple. Inside, the cave was filled with altars, idols, and a variety of Buddhist items of worship. Most of our team felt a heaviness as soon as we entered and ended up praying during the walk. Andrew’s personal highlight was in the last hill tribe where he watched dinner killed and slept in a raised bamboo hut that was home to one of the families.

Our team had opportunities to speak and teach in church and small groups, go on prayer walks around the city, and even had a day of riding elephants through the jungle! We felt like our whole trip was truly led and inspired by God.

Overall the outreach couldn’t have gone better. The positive, serving attitudes of our team were amazing. James and Jill’s friendship and faith were refreshing and challenging. The warm hearts of the Thai people made us want to stay. Experiencing the diversity of the church in another nation continues to point to the reality of the Kingdom of God and is exciting to be a part of.

Pictures:
Handing out clothes at the orphanage
Hill Tribe Children
Nong holding Jude
The Buddhist school we taught at
Never seen one o’ them before!
Floating Fouche Family (bamboo raft style)
Moving a hill
Bamboo hut lunch
The Foosheddie’s