Pictures From Our Recent Trip

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to India & Thailand.  In order: a meal in S. India, Al training in S. India, the students in S. India, and a meal with our friends the Callahans, who are ReachGlobal missionaries in Thailand.

 

Home From Travels

We have been home for almost a week and are just starting to get adjusted to the Midwestern time zone. Edie and I enjoyed a couple of down days in S. Thailand. We were so thankful for that time to relax before we came home and jumped into our work again. We rode a bus almost 4 hours south of Bangkok to a hotel that we knew little about. It turned out to be just what we wanted. Nice but quiet and off the beaten path, yet still only a 5 minute walk to the beach. It had rained hard there the night before we arrived and there was water everywhere. They got just the outer ring of the hurricane that hit the Philippines which was hundreds of miles away. The storm surge there was high enough to carry weeds, etc., over the road that runs along the beach and almost all the way up to our hotel, probably 1/4 mile from the beach. I cannot imagine how bad it was in the Philippines.  

We rode a scooter around the area on the second day and had a great time. It was really beautiful and restful for us, just what we wanted. We had good times with the Lord and with each other without the pressure of being prepared for the next day. On the third day around noon we headed back to Bangkok to ready ourselves for the long trip home. In the hotel that evening Edie was trying to get the lamp on her side of the bed to work and got shocked, and tipped the lamp over and it fell on her foot. Her big toe took the blow and she was hobbled all the way home. We laughed as I pushed her around Minneapolis airport in a wheelchair once again because of the pain of all the walking we had to do. We reflected on how these "minor" afflictions are nothing compared to the privilege of serving Christ in the way He has called us. 

Al

Wrapping up in Thailand

It has been a very interesting week here in Thailand. Edie and I both find it to be very pleasant and enjoyable to be here so that has been great. Our missionary friends and hosts the Callahan's have been super as usual. We really love them. But, there have been some challenges also. On the first day of training I discovered that none of the students had completed their pre-assignments because they were never handed out. It is too hard to distribute them to the men because they all live in rather remote areas of the mountains. We hope to solve that by passing out the assignments for the next workshop tomorrow.  

In addition only about half of the men had passed the training on to others. It is one of the conditions of our training that they will all pass the training on to other pastors. We had a discussion together about that and I was able to be straight forward about our policy and the reasons for it, but at the same time being gracious and gentle. I think it turned out to be a good time for them to really think about God's calling on them to be trainers and the importance of the task. I emphasized their need to train others throughout the week. This afternoon, Thursday, they had a planning meeting and they all worked together in groups to make plans to do trainings in their areas. They all seemed committed to the task and we prayed for each training group. It was a special time for me to see them express that commitment and desire.  

It has been quite a learning experience for me this week. Lahu, their native language, is quite different than English and is much more simple. The structure, subject, predicate, etc., is backwards to ours but they also often do not speak in complete sentences, leaving out verbs or subjects completely sometimes.  "Go store" leaves you wondering if they are going, they already went, you are going or if it is a question. "Me store" is also possible but seems inexplicable to us. They must have some kind of contextual clues or body language to give meaning because it all makes sense to them. Anyway, it is hard to talk about studying scripture when it is difficult for them to even tell you what some phrases mean or when they do not have a word at all for some concepts. Often when they are faced with that they substitute a Thai word which makes it even more complex. In addition their bible is a translation of the Good News bible which is a poor version in English. Some of them use a Thai bible, which is excellent, but then they discuss it in Lahu. I think you can get the picture. But even with all of that the Lord has done a good work this week and they have made good progress in learning how to study and in getting excited about learning to study. I have learned by necessity some new ways to explain concepts and tools that will help me in future settings. God is really demonstrating His desire for them to learn and teach His people properly His Word.

It has been a long three weeks since we left home with lots of heat and long days. It is not as hot here but much more humid. We have had our ups and downs but are satisfied with what has been accomplished. We have enjoyed our brethren in each location. They have all become quite dear to us, and us to them. But we are getting tired and it is time to come home. Thankfully we planned a couple of days in Southern Thailand near a beach for some rest and recoup before we come home and hit the ground running. We are looking forward to a bit of time off and some good time together alone. We will let you know how that goes in a few days. 

Blessings, 

Al

From India to Thailand

Friday, November 1: We are beginning our journey out of India and on to Thailand. How does one describe India; old and new, ancient and modern, ornate and shabby, dirty, unkempt, and congested, people and animals together everywhere, religious, traditional, changing but oh so slowly, distinctive, spicy food and colorful clothing. God in his infinite wisdom at the fullness of time is intruding into this country with truth, breaking the bonds of slavery and setting people free. By his grace he has brought us here and given us a dear family of believers to minister with and to. It is amazing all he can do by bringing together people of different nations and tongues to accomplish his purposes for India. We are in awe of the God we serve and the Spirit who makes us one.

We never quite know the plan until it happens. Currently our flight from Ahmadabad is postponed for awhile. We have tickets to fly to Bangkok from Mumbai early tomorrow morning. We will see.  Thank you for your prayers, we have "handled" the couple of free days well especially since Nish and Pinky have been excellent tour guides  for us. It has also been a blessing to have Steve and Eric with us as well. We are now looking forward to being with our missionary friends the Callahans, and getting to know the Lahu pastors better in Thailand.

Edie