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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:41:07 GMT

We have begun our third week of ministry in Thailand. Below are several entries that have been written while we had little access to the internet. Again, Thank you for your continue prayer for the team.

June 19, 2007- Tuesday

[Author: Marc Edwards]

Today was our first day of ministry in Syrian. Yesterday was spent in traveling by bus. It took about six hours to get to Syrian. The only interesting thing that occurred on the trip was that we had to change buses. Since we were the first group of foreigners to reserve a bus as a group, the company decided to give us a better bus than we first started out with. Usually people travel to Syrian over night so there is no need for air condition in the bus. However, we had to travel during the day in order to get to Syrian on schedule.

For our ministry, the team visited three schools. The schedule originally had only two schools, but yesterday during our bus trip, another school called requesting us to visit them. The students would be staying after school to see us. The schools we visited consisted of two high schools and one university. At each school, there was about 500 to 600 students. With the first two schools, we were there for about two hours at each school. The first hour we presented our program that consisted of two songs, two skits, and two testimonies. The second hour we broke the kids up into four different workshops aerobics, cooking, computers, and English. At the final school, we only presented our program.

June 17, 2007 – Sunday

[Author: Marc Edwards]

Today the team participated in the Sunday morning worship service at Rom Phrakhun Baptist Center. We sang some songs in Thai with their small congregation. Laura Lee gave her testimony and I gave a short sermon on Matthew 14:22-27 about how Jesus is always near us in the storms of our life even though we may not always see Him. I have been reading a Max Lucado book during the trip and was moved by what he written. After one final meal at the Rom Phrakhun Baptist Center we headed to the airport to fly back to Bangkok. Even though, our flight did not leave until 6:30 p.m. Thailand time, Pastor Reuel had to drop us off early in order to make the bus his wife and him were taking to Bangkok. We arrived in Bangkok around 8:30 and had to do laundry in order to prepare for our trip to Syrian tomorrow. Some us went to ICS while others went to the Ford’s and Weber’s houses. Needless to say, it is late and we need to be up early to catch the vans which will take us to the bus stop for our trip to Syrian.

June 16, 2007 - Saturday

[Author: Rebekah Drum]

Today was our fun day this week – to start with, we got to sleep in! Then we headed to the beach for the day. We went to a new beach, which Pastor Reuel and was nice because it had a lot of shade (for George and Dave), and plenty of sand so we could “safely” play in the waves. Safety is pretty relative J. Marc got his chest pretty scratched up after being thrown to the shore by a wave, and everyone was at least a little sunburnt. Being the team member who thinks the least, I got the worst injury of the trip so far. A few of us went to explore some sweet looking rocks. This was all fun and games until I slipped, broke my toe, and had to go back to shore.

June 15, 2007 - Friday

[Author: Hannah Niday]

Today was a very exciting day for our team! We started off the day with elephant rides. There were two to three on each elephant and we sat on bench-like seats that were strapped on. There were an elephant with a baby that was only three days old! We all rode in a line through the jungle for about an hour. Afterward we bought bananas and fed the elephants. It was a really fun experience for all of us!

Our n0065t stop was the tsunami memorial. We drove through villages that were destroyed by the tsunami. When driving through, we saw a large boaty that was moved about one mile when the tsunami hit and it ran into its owners house. It was very humbling to be standing on a beach that was “ground zero” of the tsunami’s destruction. The memorial had pictures and names of some people who were killed. Some names had flowers on them and some didn’t, but all were highly respected in the manner that it was presented. I think I can speak for everybody when I say that it was an unforgettable experience being able to step foot on ground that was destroyed three years ago.

We went back to the center and ate lunch and played games and got ready to go minister to the Sea Gypsy village. When we arrived at the village, Pastor Reuel showed us their museum and told us about their culture. These gypsies were nomads who traveled from the mainland of China, down south around Malaysia and north to the coasts of Thailand and Burma. They survived on fishing and hunting and prided themselves in their own culture. When the tsunami hit in 2004, the Thai government made them stay in one place. So the Germans and eleven other non-profit organizations helped build their village. We waited on the children to come for about forty-five minutes and when they finally arrived, we started our program. We performed both of our skits, sang songs, and danced the chicken dance and Laura shared her testimony. We gave snacks to the children and adults and coloring books and markers to the children. Please pray for the Moklen people of the Sea Gypsy village in Bang Niang. They cling to alcohol to forget their problems, they are living in poverty, and they do not know Jesus. Pray that relationships will be built, that seeds will be planted, and that hearts will be changed as the Rom Phrakhun Baptist Center continues its ministry to the Sea Gypsies.

June 13, 2007 - Wednesday

[Author: Laura Lee]

Wednesday was our second day at the elementary school. We started with our songs, special claps, and “The Mask” skit. Shane explained the meaning of the skit, and Pastor Reuel translated. After the assembly, we split into our different grades. Leanne and Laura had first grade, Erin and Hannah had second, Andy and Sam had third, Diane and Stacy had fourth, Amy and Bekah had fifth, and Marc and Shane had sixth.

In first grade, Leanne and I reviewed greetings, colors, shapes, and body parts. The kids enjoyed being quizzed and rewarded. For lunch, our team went to a church member’s house. We were served chicken and rice and fresh fruit. The best thing about eating at their house was that the backyard had a fruit orchard. Some of the new fruits included mangosteen, long kong, and lychees.

When we returned to the school the kids were ready for more action. We started with a few more songs – the kids loved “Head and Shoulders,” and “The Chicken Dance.” Our first game consisted of four relay teams racing to fill their bottle with water. You could see the joy on the children’s faces as they took turns filling their cup and running to the bottles, dumping their cups, and running back. In our second game the kids second game the kids raced to dribble the ball in and out of the obstacles (us!). we took a break from the hot, Thailand sun and sang more songs. For the last game, we did a water balloon toss. We left for the church after handing out snacks and saying our goodbyes.

Close to the church, there is an open market. We all went and walked around before dinner. Some vendors sold junk, some sold clothes and jewelry, some snacks and food, and others sold meat. There were many vendors but all sold a variation of one of the four items. The most interesting would be the food. The meat row had stands of fresh fish, live snails, and pig faces (yes – the skin off the face of a pig – I guess it is a delicacy ?!?).

I don’t remember dinner, but I’m sure it was amazing. Our group had a quick meeting after dinner. For the rest of the night we played games.

June 12, 2007 - Tuesday

[Author: Andy Vitaliti]

Today, the team went to the first ESL school of the trip. Upon arrival, all of the kids lined up and sat down on the patio. Pastor Reuel and his wife Phebe began by leading the kids in a number of songs. The team then performed our program, which consisted of a mime (“The Heart,”) as well as some of our team’s testimonies and songs. We performed “Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes,” “The Lord’s Army,” and “Your Love is Deep.” These songs all had motions, so the kids, who only knew a little English, could participate in them.

After our program was finished, the kids then sp up into their respective grades. Sam, Drew (the missionary kid), and I were in charge of third grade. Jemima, a helper of the church, came with us as well to translate for us. We began our class by teaching the kids different colors. At this point, the kids didn’t really get into it. We were off to a slow start. However, this changed as we began to use songs to teach different parts of the body. Sam and I then taught the kids the game “Four Corners.” Every corner had a different number, either 1, 2, 3, or 4. All of the kids ran to different corners while a person counted to ten. After he/she was done counting, that person would say “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4.” Whoever was in that particular corner was out. The game continued till only one or two kids were left in. These kids would then get candy as a prize. The kids really enjoyed this game. While Sam counted, I ran to various corners with several of the kids who were attached to me. This game continued almost till the end of the teaching period, which lasted two hours. After that period was done, the kids all left to have lunch, while the team went to a member of the church’s house for lunch. This lady also had an orchard in her back yard. After lunch, which consisted of noodles, the team went out into the orchard to pick fresh fruit. The fruit that we got was called mangosteen, a white juicy fruit that had a pinkish shell. Pastor Reuel said that the native Thai call this fruit the Queen. After the team had had their fill of the fruit, we all changed and went back to the school for the afternoon. Dave Ford and Phebe led the kids in song, and then the kids and the team played kickball. It was a little difficult because the kids had never been taught to play. Also, there were many kids, so not everyone got to participate. After the game ended, the team gave the kids their snacks and then left for home. On the way, Pastor Reuel stopped at the naval base to pick up some delicious homemade doughnuts. Those doughnuts didn’t last too long since they were so good. After we got back to the church where we were staying, the whole team went to the beach until dinner. We then went back to the church, ate, and ended the night playing cards.

June 11, 2007 - Monday

[Author: Erin Pasma]

June 11 found the MIS Thailand team in Bang Niang, Thailand, near Phuket. This area was hard hit by the December 26, 2004 tsunami. Pastor Reuel Lumilang and his ministry, Rom Phrakhun Baptist Center, work with the people who live in this area. Pastor told us that “Rom Phrakhun,” roughly translated, means “under the umbrella of God’s grace.” He told us that it is through God’s grace that the tsunami provided the window of opportunity he and his team were seeking in order to serve the people of southern Thailand.

Monday was the day we arrived in Bang Niang. We settled ourselves in the rooms provided by Rom Phrakhun, and toured the area a little bit. After this, Pastor Reuel and his intern, Brother Adoo, took us to the future site of the church his team is raising money to build. (Side note : please pray that their ministry can raise sufficient funds for this! They are very close, but have not yet raised enough to cover all expenses.) While here, we were allowed to “invest” in the beginnings of this church project, as they gave us each a mango tree to plant on the periphery of the property.

“In ten years,” Pastor said, “you can come back here and see the trees you planted. You can show your children your tree.” We each planted a tree or two, watered them, and surveyed the results. The trees are small right now – but, as Pastor said, someday they will be larger, and the church can hopefully enjoy the shade, as well as the literal and figurative fruits of our labor. (Pun fully intended J ). We were then shown an exotic little beach hidden in a national preserve. Half of the team – the female half, primarily – came away saying that they needed to bring their significant others or family to see this country, as words cannot do the beauty of the area justice. We returned to a wonderful Thai supper, provided by Mae Khiat, the center’s cook and a parishioner of Pastor Reuel’s congregation, and relaxed with a few games for the rest of the evening.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:36:56 GMT

June 08, 2007 – Friday

[author: Hannah]

Today the entire group went to Prong Jai ICS campus with Darren. We moved desks, chairs, and metal cabinets from each room and boxed up things from the school office. It was very hot out today and we were all getting dirty and working very hard. We met one of the Thai maintenance men who works at the ICS schools, his name is “Eck”. He led us around the campus and showed us to each room and helped us move and load everything. Our team got along with him very well and he was very fun to be around. After working for about 3 hours, Eck went and bought Thai food for us from a street vendor. We all gathered around the table and feasted on green curry, chicken fried rice, pad thai, and delicious fresh fruit. Eck sat there for about 15 minutes trying to memorize all of our names…I’m still not sure if he remembered them all. One of the school office secretaries, Maria, ate with us as well. After lunch we finished working and loading boxes and furniture and we took apart a swing set.

After working long and hard, we all played a full court basketball game, guys against girls. Eck was an amazing basketball player but I am pretty sure the girls beat the guys. Shane fell and rolled on the ground once too, scraping his knee up pretty badly. The girls won and we all piled into the van and drove to the Bang Na ICS campus. We finished unloading some monitors and electronic things, and then took a refreshing dip in the pool. The Gentry’s and George, Stacy and Kylie joined us all and we spent a couple of hours fighting with noodles and throwing splash balls and footballs at each other. We ate pizza for dinner and then went to George and Stacy’s to practice our songs and our skits.

It was a long and hard day but we all had a ton of fun ministering and fellowshipping with one another.

June 07, 2007 – Thursday

[author: Marc]

Today, we started our first day of ministry here in Thailand. International Community School (ICS) currently had two campuses, Prong Jai and Bang Na. With the Bang Na campus being newer than the Prong Jai campus more and more students began to attend Bang Na instead of Prong Jai. As a result, ICS decided to merge campus. Our ministry was to help them get ready for the movers. The team split into two groups. A small group of three, Sam, Leanne and myself stayed at the Bang Na campus to help them with their computer labs. We helped the IT person unpacked new computers and hook them up in their middle school lab. We also moved some new monitors up to their library to setup. The second group which consisted of Amy, Laura, Shane, Andy, Hannah, Erin, and Rebekah went to Prong Jai. There they broke down metal shelves and loaded computer to be brought to the Bang Na campus.

Since the team was joking around about Sam and I having a easy day, we went with George to help move a refrigerator that they had bought. In the process, we were volunteered to help move an ICS teacher to their new house down the road. After we got back around 7:30 p.m., the team ate chicken and fried rice from a local street vendor near Dave and Diane Ford’s house.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:46:19 GMT

We made it safely to Thailand. All of our luggage made it also. The first storm hit last night as we had to unload the 20+ suitcases from the van. So we all got soaked. Most of the team slept in today and then we went to one of the malls in Bangkok. All of the guys just left to go to an international soccer game and the girls will be eating for dinner and a massage in a little while. We had an orientation meeting earlier today. Funny things that happened so far is last night around 2:30 am Amy went to the bathroom at George and Stacy's house and the doorknob broke so she was stuck in the bathroom. George tried different things to get the door opened. He even broke the tip off of his knife. Eventually he told Amy to back up and kicked the door in. Talk to you later.

Getting Ready for 20 hour plane ride

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:42:59 GMT

In four and half hours we will be heading out from Cedarville University to the Dayton airport to begin our long trek across the world. Most of the team arrived on campus between noon and 4:00 pm. Andy Vitaliti parents invited the team over for dinner.

Thank you very much Vitaliti. The hospitality was great. Andy's dad quizzed the team on the geography of Thailand. For dinner, we had barbecued brisket, corn on the cob, salad, and fruit. For dessert was chocolate cake and cheesecake.

After dinner, the team made a quick Wal-mart run for last minute items. Back at Lawlor, used the lounge to pack some supplies that we needed to take to the Webers and Ford. At the same time, we made 500 bags of friendship bracelets.

Some people then headed to their rooms to take a short nap before having to be back up at 3:00. Others have walked to Super Value to get something eat. Those that have decided to stay up are keeping themselves busy watching TV and playing games

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Thu, 03 May 2007 11:38:47 GMT

In preparation for using this site as means for uploading photos when Amy and I are on our short term missionary trip to Thailand this summer, I thought I would update it. Amy and I are leading a team of seven Cedarville University students and one alumni to Thailand during the month of June. We will be helping George and Stacy Weber along with Dave and Diane Ford.

The team has met every Wednesday Night since January as we prepare for the trip. We also had an opportunity to perform our skit and singing at my dad's church located in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. I will be uploading pictures of that soon.

Those that know us, please continue to pray that the team will be open to what God has in store for us. At the same time, please pray that God will provide the finance for those team members who still need to raise support. Everyone on the team is anxious and excited for the trip.

Please check back often especially in the month of June to get updates on how things are going.

Marc and Amy

It's that time of year.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:47:16 GMT

When everything is hectic, but in a good way. Soccer coaching has begun. Actually, it has been going on for about 3 to 4 weeks already, but Xenia Christian Varsity Boys Soccer had their first game this past Monday (August 21). We played against Carlisle and won 1-0. I am excited to see what God has in store for the team. Again XCHS does not have a Junior Varsity. However, I started being the Head Coach this past Friday, when Chris Cox had to step down because of increase workload as a Youth Pastor. It is fun to be a coach of the varsity especially since I have coached most of the players. However, it is going to be a little scary during the seat meetings. I have never done that before.

In other areas of my life, Amy has been a Partylite Consultant for about 8 months and is doing a very good job at it. I am working on finishing up my master program from Walden University. I will be done in May of 2007.

Hopefully, I will keep the cobwebs off of this site a little more often then I have in the past.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:13:11 GMT

Wow it has been along time since I have written in any thing. Hmm, what random thought can I add. Well, this will be the first Christmas that I will not be in West Virginia with the in-laws. So Amy and I have to start some family traditions for Christmas. Any ideas? We will be going down to Cincy to spend Christmas Day with my parents, brother and his wife. That should be fun.

P.S. Go Bengals. Hehe! I just had to put that. I am really impressed with them this year. At least have something to cheer for while watching NFL.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 12:18:09 GMT

Well it seems like I have not written in a while, but it is not because I do not want to. Rather it is because I have been extremely busy lately with soccer practice, bowling leaque, masters, making up work hours missed etc.

Currently, it looks like Xenia Christian might not enough players to field a Junior Varsity squad this year. Right now we have 23 people showing up regularly. The varsity coach is planning on taking 15 of them for the varsity squad which leaves me with 8. We need at least 11 players for a team. If we don't get the numbers by Monday, we will have to cancell the JV games scheduled. The varsity coach and I have talked and most likely if there is no JV team then I will be helping him out mainly as a goalie coach which is new for me. I would rather coach a JV team, but it is in God's hand. He knows what is best for me. For those that know me, I appreciate your prayers that things will work out the way God has planned and I will be patient.

On a side note, I thank God for being the loving God that he is. It awes me how patient he can be with his children. Always willing to accept them in his arms no matter how far they have strayed.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 20:54:36 GMT

Well, I had a fun weekend. On Friday night, Amy and I went with some friends to a Drive-In to see Fantastic 4 and War of the Worlds. It was my first time to a drive-in. Yes, I did live a sheltered life. Anyways, I enjoyed Fantastic 4 and got bored through War of the Worlds. War of the Worlds just did't seem to keep my attention alot. Not sure why. I wanted to go see Stealth since it just came out. I heard some of my friends went to see it in the morning on Saturday with out me.

Soccer is coming along good. The actual season will be starting next week with tryouts being next Monday. I will know who I have for the JV team. Today at conditioning, there didn't seem enough players to have a Varsity and JV team. I hope more will come out.

Well, I got head out and give blood.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 13:11:54 GMT

Well I just wanted to take a few minutes to catch you up to what has been happening since last post. The soccer coaching clinic is going good. Each day we have a little better turnout. Went to a Dayton Dragons baseball game last night with a friend. Dayton Dragons is a Minor League baseball team. It was fun to go watch a baseball game. I don't do that alot even with the team being so close to me.

The weekend looks to be a busy but fun-filled weekend. I am excited. May go putt-putt with some friends after my wife and I fill an obligation. I hope we can work things out so we can go even if it may be 10:00 at night before we start. We are young!