Greetings in His precious name,

We left for Thailand from the Traverse City airport on November 30 and returned to the same airport December 14. All went well in flights both coming and going with the exception of several long waits. Some waits due to scheduling and others simply due to problems of various nature. We were met at the Chang Mai airport by Ahtapa, Leah and several of the “Kids for Christ’ from the hostel. After money exchange at the bank we headed for the village and our home for the next few days. It was a great time seeing the kids again and renewing acquaintance. I was amazed at the progression Rueben had made in his English. Settling in we also were making plans to leave the next day, Friday, for the “jungle” and the Northmen camp out. Ahtapa had used monies we sent ahead to get us sleeping bags and then extra dishes, the food and all else needed for the 70 men and boys who would “camp” for three days. The ladies would stay at the hostel and share in a program for the Lisu and Thai women who came for the three days also. So the Northwomen meeting was also alive in Thailand.

This trip saw eight of us travel and share with the Thailand brethren. Larry & Linda Beaverson, of Traverse City; Linda McCully of Lake City; Dennis Moss from Semmes, AL; Zeke Goff from Peru, IN; Steve Mathis of Kalkaska and Terry and myself. That number is about the limit for the hostel to provide for at one time. We were graciously received and hosted for the entire time; these people are so friendly and generous. Beds were give up and great effort was put forth to make our stay a rich experience in Christian hospitality.

A new building has been added to the compound since last year. It is a girls dorm downstairs and the chapel and some office rooms upstairs. There are now 68 kids in the family. At the pig farm a family asked Ahtapa to take their children in. The family may have grown by now! Kids for Christ is a very neat concept and the training and challenge these kids receive can change the entire picture of the people of northern Thailand over the years. Evangelism is being done now as they go to other villages almost each Lord’s day and as they visit in their home villages. But think of the future when they begin to become the village leaders and provide the insights and vision of our Lord learned as a “Kid for Christ”.

The Northmen meeting consisted of all of the men in the traveling group teaching at least one time. Larry and I taught several times. He dealt with leadership and I again presented Journey through the Bible. Two boys were immersed before we left the camp site to go back to the hostel Sunday. Camping out was quite an experience, I chose to sleep out on the ground rather than on boards in a rough shelter. It was extremely windy and the canvas that the men had put up as shelter blew down during the night but I got my sleep. I swam again in the Ping river (it was colder and much dirtier than last year it seemed) a bath was badly needed. What a joy to share in dialogue with these brethren who so desire to know the Word.

Sunday as we returned the women were filled with joy over their meeting. Terry, and both Lindas had taught the ladies and girls. The thanksgiving meal was ready for all as the thanksgiving assembly ended. This was joyous time of sharing in song, prayer and message. Translation slows things up some but it really is not all that difficult. Ahtapa was helped in most of our teaching by Joseph or Samuel. Joseph is a man we got acquainted with last year and he and his wife are both students at the Lanna Christian College. Samuel leads in the radio ministry that goes out from Chang Mai. The dinner was (as all meals) stir fry on rice with lots of fruit. After the dinner some people departed for home and others who would stay the night before beginning long journeys settled in for sleep. We went with Ahtapa to the hospital to see one of the hostel girls who was there but we did not find her. She showed up the next morning with her father who had taken her from the hospital before we got there the night before. Right now there seems to be a lot of colds and flu like symptoms with the kids. This is due to the colder changing weather probably. It was in the 70’s in the daytime but down in the 40’s at night. To us northern Michigan people that is normal. To the village people that is COLD.

On Monday Ahtapa took us all to the elephant camp for a ride which was enjoyed by all (even Linda McCully who is deathly afraid of heights). If you have never been on an elephant it is a “high” ride. It was a holiday in Thailand being the king’s birthday so all the kids were home. We shared teaching in the evening meeting and the kids are always a very interested audience.

During the week we carried out several projects. I personally was involved in some electrical work, some plumbing work, some cement work and a lot of other small little odd jobs. Ahtapa is not a fixit man so when one comes by he gets to do lots of things. Some of the others were involved in working on the trucks, fixing leaking water tanks and the plumbing job. Steve was very busy video taping the kids and their music and dances. As you will see in the finance report we left monies for two major projects. One, a reserve water system for bathing. Some times in the dry season water gets scarce and Ahtapa does not want the well to run dry. A future project will be the digging of that well deeper to help with production. Two, moneys to purchase several computers for the kids to be using in their education and learning process.

Our week was spent with visits to the “pig farm” and sharing the word there. After this visit we went to another camp where displaced Lisu people are working on a construction project. It was about 1:30 when we got to bed. We had to return to the “farm” the next Sunday evening to immerse a lady who desired to follow the Lord. What a joy that was with the baptism taking place in an old tank that had to be cleaned out before the water was put in. We had time to share again with the “pig farm” people as the preparations took place. Larry and Joseph did the immersing.

Friday was a special day, picnic day. School was out for a holiday and so all the hostel people and all of us traveled a few kilometers to a National Park and a beautiful waterfall. The picnic (for 65 or more) was sticky rice and a large chicken drumstick. What a blast and what a beautiful place. The kids love it and are taken there for swimming in the hot season. Ahtapa had to rent a third truck for this trip – it was his uncle the village “headman”.

We taught each morning (up at 5 or shortly after for this gathering of the kids before breakfast) and then after devotions we all helped teach language (English) to one group or another. I worked one on one with Jonah a young evangelist. He and his wife are part of the staff at the hostel. We taught often at night. Ahtapa used us all to share in different ways and at different times. The second Sunday we shared in the morning assembly and then later were off to the farm for that immersion I mentioned above. On the way we stopped for refreshments with Joseph and Christine. After the immersion we went to Chang Mai to visit with Sam and his wife and then took a quick look at the night market in downtown Chang Mai (also had a quick visit to Burger King). Home rather late again and up the next morning to make final preparations for leaving. The hard part!

Our trip home was long and we were tired to the bone. But we rejoiced all the way as to the fellowship we had shared and the joy we had experienced in being with His people in this beautiful land. It is good to be home but we miss our brothers and sisters in Thailand!

Some wonder if such trips are “cost effective.” I might have been one, at one time, who questioned the value of such short term visits. Having experienced several I have no question about the value. The encouragement I receive and the encouragement the brethren there obviously receive means more than any amount of funds spent for travel. God provides and we go, the word is shared and we are lifted, the brethren there are lifted and the fellowship of God’s people becomes very evident. How sad that so many “Christians” only know that fellowship in a small part of their little ingrown world.

Will we return next year? I am not sure. God will work that out. Ahtapa is interested in someone coming for a longer period of time to do more teaching with the evangelists who are working throughout northern Thailand and Burma. We will see what God does. We wait on HIM. If we go or not there will be a Northmen meeting in Thailand I am sure. Ahtapa is already thinking of brethren there who can speak and share in a challenging way.

Thanks you for your financial gift. It went directly to needs in Thailand. We are enclosing a financial report that will show you where it all was used. If you have any questions or need more information please contact us. We will gladly come and present what is being done in this work if you so desire.

We have pictures and some musical tapes.

Two major projects are underway. A new truck is desperately needed. One of the two now used has over 300,000 miles and is due for some major work if not replaced. If you would like to help with this project contact Larry Beaverson, Jay Beery or me. We presently have about $5,000. Dennis Moss is doing the major promotion on this from Alabama. Dennis is also working on adoption for the kids. Maybe you would like to help. For $25 or $30 a month you can sponsor one of the kids at the hostel.

Very few of the children’s parents (if they have both parents) have the funds to pay for their being at the hostel. This would be great mission project. Contact me if interested.