Mission Thailand

So, we've been at House of Mercy in Phrae for 2 weeks next  Tuesday. What have we been doing with our time here? Well every day is different, but here's some of the things..

Sorting out the store room, mowing lawns (actually they're more like paddocks, they desperately need a ride on mower but they cost about $5000), spending time with the children here, we were asked to run the church service today held here for the staff and children (and preached a basic gospel message), we will be going in to a local school to run an english program twice a week, doing some tiling on bathroom, sweating like crazy in the heat, looking at creating a couple more youtube clips, homeschooling Isaac and Jed.


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Heres a YouTube promo clip of Mercy in Phrae, if you want to see the place we are at. At 1.26min into the clip the house we are staying in is on the right. You will notice there are several unfinished buildings in the clips, which require either more funds or more man-power to complete. The buildings are in stark contrast to the farm house shacks nearby. I will post some photos of them at somestage.

Also heres a link to us on google maps.

By the way we were going to take the boys into town today to get a haircut, but who was to know all buddhist hairdressers wont cut hair on wednesday, as they think its bad luck.

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Today, we enjoyed having a church service together with the staff and children. Some of the workers are not christians so it is good for them to hear join in and hear the good news that even though we have sinned against God, the creator of the universe, and we should pay for our own sins, God has been gracious and loving toward us, in sending His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, to meet Gods justice, and so we can enjoy eternity with Him.

Over the last few days there have been 3 snakes killed around our house, one of which was inside our house just prior to church this morning, Jed tried running through the screen door, bending the frame. So me and my trusty broom put the snake out of action, with a stiff whack on its back.

We went into town this evening, and pulling into the shops, we experienced probably the heaviest rain Ive seen. Not fun to drive in. We though it had eased and tried making a dash into the shops, only to fine the rain kept coming. My trusty thongs were not so trusty, when I aqua planed, taking a dive whilst carrying Isaac, but neither of us was hurt, but my reart end got even wetting landing in a puddle, (or was it a lake). We walking into the shops with a bunch of Thais sensibly waiting for the rain to clear, with us crazy Aussies walking in soaked, but we and they, had a good laugh.

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I have just added a few new photos, for those who want a look.

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We have finally made it to Phrae (after a long bumpy van ride). We are out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rice fields, a teak forest, and mountains in the background. Spectacular. The facilities are excellent, although hot. At night it was a bit like sleeping next to the engine of a cessnar aeroplane engine, with the fans buzzing, but I would not dare turn them off. Our room is comfortable, and to our delight the boys have their own room (a massive room at that).  We are sharing a home with another single Thai lady (whom we know from previous visits) who works here, so we have access to a kitchen and lounge area which is great too.  The weather outdoors hasn't been too bad considering a week or so ago Phrae was hitting the papers with record heatwave of 43 degrees.  We have been praying for rain to cool things down - we have had some rain and the overcast sky has kept away the scorching heat.

The children here are great, they are aged between 1 and 4. They are just starting to warm to us.  There are also a few people here, who are now in there 20's, who we got to know on our last 6 month trip, when they were teenagers. They now work here in various roles.

They also have a pool here, which Isaac and Jed are very happy about. They got to have a swim this evening, with the other children.

The internet access is fairly slow, so not sure how often we will update the blog/post photos, but we will try at least once a week.

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We have finally arrived in Thailand. Yipee.
We travelled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and are having a few days rest (after a flat out few months), before heading to Phrae to work with Mercy.

Today we hit the tourist trail, and road on an elephant, watched the elephants play soccer and paint some pictures. Also We visited a snake farm which the boys have been hanging out to see. They brought their toy rubber Cobras, and Isaac even made a badge for himself with a picture her drew of a cobra to take on our outing. They loved it, we even got to pat a real cobra (which was securely held by the handlers), and held a few other snakes also.

Check out the pitures page for photos.

The internet connection at the hotel is a bit slow, and had trouble logging into this blog hence the delay in my update.

We have enjoyed some nice Thai food, but no bugs as yet. I need to wait until I can get to the night markets, but because of night curfews in Thailand we cant get out in the evening.


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This link has a smorgasboard of mouthwatering Thai food. Not long now until I'll be eating these delicacies.
http://www.thaibugs.com/edible%20insects.htm

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Heres a conversation between the Chief of Excuses (CE) arguing with God about going on a missions trip...

CE: God what about my house, and paying my…
God: Well sell your house. Seek first My kingdom and righteousness and these things will be given to you as well.
CE: But God, what about my Job...
God: Well quite your job, I am your provider.
CE: But my children’s education, they …
God: Well home school them.
CE: But how do I know you really want me to go…
God: It is already written, I said ‘Go’
CE: But I’m not qualified, how can I…
God: Lean not on your own understanding, trust in me
CE: But God, it might cost me my…
God: Well make the payment !

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We thought the temperature in Phrae would be a bit cooler, than other parts of Thailand, but just saw the latest weather headline on the Bangkok Post, that had a graph that made me think again...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/37158/thailand-sizzles-as-temperatures-go-through-roof

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I thought this clip was great, and had to post it for you.

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