At first I didn't think highly of this brother (Joseph/Ong)who waited for me at the lobby this morning. He was supposed to pick me up and escort me to Ascension University, one of the most glamorous university in Bangkok. Seriously, it looks like another Vatican!
On the way to the uni, we shared about our vision, and guess what? God has brought us together miraculously. He didn't know my vision, and I didn't know any better. I thought that he was just another student leader. But I learnt that God has called him to use business to impact the world through a vision fund.
We spent the whole day in local and international mini church. The idea is to provide persecuted students a church on weekdays, at the same time giving non-believers a taste of sunday church. In between sessions, we shared deeper about the plans that God has laid in our hearts. The result is a refining of our vision, and a refreshing of our call. We talked about practically anything, and we couldn't stop talking. I think we talked like 2 aunties who has not met each other for 20 years, gossipping about everything, non-stop.
God brought me to Sampan, a drummer, a new believer. He is so cool, like my dear brother Billy Simpson in Melbourne. Very talented in music, even though he's young. He loves Sonic Flood, Planet Shakers, and Hillsong. He's got a good artistic nature, especially in story telling and song writing. I love the way he dress up, very relevant for reaching out to the youth.
I was pleasantly surprised to see sister Pern preaching on the international mini church. It was her first time preaching in english.
On the way back, I dropped by a Pad Thai stall outside my hostel, it was supposed to be the best Pad Thai because they won stir frying competition. I knew about them from Google Earth. How convenient :) The food was allright. Worth winning a competition.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Apostolic Businessman
In 2003, God called me to be an apostolic businesssman. He gave me the calling to use businesses as a way to help missionaries gain access to other countries and fund their mission and church planting work. Some businesses will be used to fund community work, such as orphanage, senior homes, community centres and hospitals.
In the past few weeks, God has refreshed this vision. I visited a language school at Sri Sa Ket, set up by a foundation to finance orphanages in Thailand. In the last few weeks, I've read a book about the efficiency of financing native missionaries. Today I visited a businessmen care group near my hotel. Some members own a business, some are managers, some have business background, but may be serving in church or at home full time. They told me about their regular activities. Now the pieces are starting to make sense.
By the way, I had some inside information that if your church wants to be effective in Vietnam, you can consider having a native english speaking pastor. They will love you.
Another central theme for today: The end of the world is very near. You don't only learn about this from movies, but also from the signs of the end times. Many pastors are confident of reaching every nation by 2050, and even 2015. I hope that you will catch the urgency of the hour.
In the past few weeks, God has refreshed this vision. I visited a language school at Sri Sa Ket, set up by a foundation to finance orphanages in Thailand. In the last few weeks, I've read a book about the efficiency of financing native missionaries. Today I visited a businessmen care group near my hotel. Some members own a business, some are managers, some have business background, but may be serving in church or at home full time. They told me about their regular activities. Now the pieces are starting to make sense.
By the way, I had some inside information that if your church wants to be effective in Vietnam, you can consider having a native english speaking pastor. They will love you.
Another central theme for today: The end of the world is very near. You don't only learn about this from movies, but also from the signs of the end times. Many pastors are confident of reaching every nation by 2050, and even 2015. I hope that you will catch the urgency of the hour.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Holiday in Disguise
In the past 2 days, I've been out sightseeing, shopping, and eating. There's not much to elaborate, nothing too exciting about going to temples, grand palace, boat museum, scattered markets, chinatown, and a few restaurants such as MK Restaurant. I've had yet another REAL Thai massage. The technique is a bit different in every place. Yesterday I visited the prayer meeting for working group, tomorrow I'll visit a care group.
I have taken every type of transportation available in Bangkok, and possibly in Thailand. Boat, land transport (Tuk-tuk, bus, underground train, sky train, ute, sedan), and domestic flight. There is a common attribute in all the transport systems: they seem to be very effective. Somewhat efficient. They are willing to trade the law to complete the job.
I've made a few friends at the HoStel. They are very interesting people, mostly angmoh. And I've been attracting more insect bites.
This trip to Thailand is very meaningful. There's a lot of things that I have to digest when I get back to Melbourne. God is faithful, He will provide everything that I need.
I have taken every type of transportation available in Bangkok, and possibly in Thailand. Boat, land transport (Tuk-tuk, bus, underground train, sky train, ute, sedan), and domestic flight. There is a common attribute in all the transport systems: they seem to be very effective. Somewhat efficient. They are willing to trade the law to complete the job.
I've made a few friends at the HoStel. They are very interesting people, mostly angmoh. And I've been attracting more insect bites.
This trip to Thailand is very meaningful. There's a lot of things that I have to digest when I get back to Melbourne. God is faithful, He will provide everything that I need.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Back to Bangkok
This morning we had 2 services at Hope of Ubon Church. The kids loved me so much, they didn't wanna let me go. I had a chance to share with the worship team as well. They have a 17 yrs old music genius, a cat playing drums, and good leadership. They are good discipler of worship teams in daughter churches too. Tonight they are going to the church at Surin to teach them how to play instruments.
Hope Ubon really left a big fingerprint in my heart. They are so loving, this mission trip feels like holiday for a king. I hope that they are blessed too. They gave me a sash that looks like Laos design and many uncountable blessings. I survived with lots of insect bite marks on my hands. I sat at the back of a ute a few times, and Ubon drivers are not the most law abiding. But it's well worth it. If I stay for another 2 weeks, I may end up staying forever. I already felt like at home. It was so easy to assimilate to the church.
Took a flight with Air Asia to Bangkok. I dunno why, the pilot doesn't know how to land properly. Felt nauseous. I've taken dozens of flights, this one ranks as one of the worst.
But the suffering ends there. I was greeted by 2 lovely angels who took me out for dinner and sent me to a hotel with capital S, a.k.a. hoStel. Yeah, no glamour in that. But it's better than my previous nights. I got cheaper rates because Hope Bangkok blessed me. I share the room with 7 others, but they have lockers, laundry, and unlimited internet. They have shared cold shower bathroom and toilet. The sign says Gents, but girls went in there too.
Tomorrrow's forecast: Grand Palace :)
Hope Ubon really left a big fingerprint in my heart. They are so loving, this mission trip feels like holiday for a king. I hope that they are blessed too. They gave me a sash that looks like Laos design and many uncountable blessings. I survived with lots of insect bite marks on my hands. I sat at the back of a ute a few times, and Ubon drivers are not the most law abiding. But it's well worth it. If I stay for another 2 weeks, I may end up staying forever. I already felt like at home. It was so easy to assimilate to the church.
Took a flight with Air Asia to Bangkok. I dunno why, the pilot doesn't know how to land properly. Felt nauseous. I've taken dozens of flights, this one ranks as one of the worst.
But the suffering ends there. I was greeted by 2 lovely angels who took me out for dinner and sent me to a hotel with capital S, a.k.a. hoStel. Yeah, no glamour in that. But it's better than my previous nights. I got cheaper rates because Hope Bangkok blessed me. I share the room with 7 others, but they have lockers, laundry, and unlimited internet. They have shared cold shower bathroom and toilet. The sign says Gents, but girls went in there too.
Tomorrrow's forecast: Grand Palace :)
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Relaxing At Ubon
In the morning we went to a coffeeshop to have breakfast. We ordered eggs with lup cheong and pork shreds. It's very fragrant, and they serve with chinese dough. And guess what, they have Bandung - rose syrup milk! I've never imagined they would have it here too!
We visited a local park for a light walk. It was beautiful, they had a statue of an important person posing like Raffles in Singapore, but he's got a sword, and he's surrounded with large decorated worms (serpents), horse and elephant statues. And he's got cute miniature animals as well. Unlike Raffles, he receives daily honour of flower rings.
It's so amazing! 2 hrs Full Body Thai Massage for 200Baht! Feels like heaven on earth! You only can get it at Ubon :) Just another blessing from Hope Ubon. To top it all, we had a luxurious welcome lunch after a good round of massage. It was so good, we couldn't ask for more ;)
In the afternoon we went to a nearby park. It was raining heavily, and we prayed for the rain to stop. It did stop just before we went there. But when we arrived, under shelter, it started pouring again. This time, we knew what to do. We shared to everybody who took shelter with us. It was such an enjoyable time, singing songs, sharing the gospel, giving out tracts, and fellowshipping with our Ubon family.
Dinner was unbelievable! I've never seen this before - steamboat and hotplate combination on charcoal! Instead of using gas, they have holes in the middle of the table to fit a bucket of coal. Then they put a curved hotplate on it. So we barbecue meat in the middle, and soup for vegetables around it. The food was quite normal, but I was amused by the concept. Had to order fried rice to survive.
At night, we went to night market opposite a large shopping centre. The guys watched soccer while the girls went shopping. That's a brilliant combination! We were tired, but we had a fruitful day. Praise God!
I'll be flying to Bangkok tomorrow after church service. FYI, Connect Journal on the book of Matthew is out now. Get it while stock lasts. The last round, the book on Proverbs, ran out very quickly. Many people couldn't get their hands on it.
We visited a local park for a light walk. It was beautiful, they had a statue of an important person posing like Raffles in Singapore, but he's got a sword, and he's surrounded with large decorated worms (serpents), horse and elephant statues. And he's got cute miniature animals as well. Unlike Raffles, he receives daily honour of flower rings.
It's so amazing! 2 hrs Full Body Thai Massage for 200Baht! Feels like heaven on earth! You only can get it at Ubon :) Just another blessing from Hope Ubon. To top it all, we had a luxurious welcome lunch after a good round of massage. It was so good, we couldn't ask for more ;)
In the afternoon we went to a nearby park. It was raining heavily, and we prayed for the rain to stop. It did stop just before we went there. But when we arrived, under shelter, it started pouring again. This time, we knew what to do. We shared to everybody who took shelter with us. It was such an enjoyable time, singing songs, sharing the gospel, giving out tracts, and fellowshipping with our Ubon family.
Dinner was unbelievable! I've never seen this before - steamboat and hotplate combination on charcoal! Instead of using gas, they have holes in the middle of the table to fit a bucket of coal. Then they put a curved hotplate on it. So we barbecue meat in the middle, and soup for vegetables around it. The food was quite normal, but I was amused by the concept. Had to order fried rice to survive.
At night, we went to night market opposite a large shopping centre. The guys watched soccer while the girls went shopping. That's a brilliant combination! We were tired, but we had a fruitful day. Praise God!
I'll be flying to Bangkok tomorrow after church service. FYI, Connect Journal on the book of Matthew is out now. Get it while stock lasts. The last round, the book on Proverbs, ran out very quickly. Many people couldn't get their hands on it.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Thai Borders
Today is a very special day. We went to Chong Mek, also known as Laos Border. I found the oldest Hope member: 98 years old lady, she had cancer in her mouth, and God healed her. Now she's a fervent evangelist. The church there has about 10 members. We distributed tracts in that area. They sell a lot of cheap fruits and clothes. 10baht for 1 kg of mangosteen, where else can you find it?
We visited a dam nearby. Ps Sumet from Hope Ubon claimed that he usually stayed there for 20% of RRP, cos the director is his good friend. It's really a luxury place!
In the evening, we visited Hope Sri Sa Ket, then we went to english schools run by our members: JS English Center and Thai American School. Thai American School is run by House of Mercy Foundation, who use the profits from the learning centre to fund orphanages in Thailand. I know why God brought me to this place, to see that it's so possible to use business to bless the nations directly, just as He had revealed to me.
The Thai hosts always cook up a banquet for us. Tonight is no exception, and I really enjoyed the dinner. Thai green curry. Local vege dish. Cakes and fried dough. Pineapples, rambutans and mangosteen.
I learnt that Ps Sumet is a genius. He contributes a lot of ideas to the government. He planted 14 churches out of 25 districts in Ubon in the last 16 years. The main church has 3 services, total about 200. He also has 14 churches out of 22 districts in Sri Sa Ket, 6 out of 17 in Surin, and 3 out of 7 in Amnad. Altogether 37 churches out of 71districts in 4 provinces of Northeast Thailand. Thailand has 76 provinces. He shared that once a church reaches 30 members, it would start to plant a daughter church. Isn't that awesome?
Eugene shared that Hope Singapore has just paid off their debt in 5.5 years! They started fundraising in 2001, in 3 stages, and God has provided. I believe that Hope Melbourne City Centre will be blessed too, because God has laid the seed of faith in us :)
We visited a dam nearby. Ps Sumet from Hope Ubon claimed that he usually stayed there for 20% of RRP, cos the director is his good friend. It's really a luxury place!
In the evening, we visited Hope Sri Sa Ket, then we went to english schools run by our members: JS English Center and Thai American School. Thai American School is run by House of Mercy Foundation, who use the profits from the learning centre to fund orphanages in Thailand. I know why God brought me to this place, to see that it's so possible to use business to bless the nations directly, just as He had revealed to me.
The Thai hosts always cook up a banquet for us. Tonight is no exception, and I really enjoyed the dinner. Thai green curry. Local vege dish. Cakes and fried dough. Pineapples, rambutans and mangosteen.
I learnt that Ps Sumet is a genius. He contributes a lot of ideas to the government. He planted 14 churches out of 25 districts in Ubon in the last 16 years. The main church has 3 services, total about 200. He also has 14 churches out of 22 districts in Sri Sa Ket, 6 out of 17 in Surin, and 3 out of 7 in Amnad. Altogether 37 churches out of 71districts in 4 provinces of Northeast Thailand. Thailand has 76 provinces. He shared that once a church reaches 30 members, it would start to plant a daughter church. Isn't that awesome?
Eugene shared that Hope Singapore has just paid off their debt in 5.5 years! They started fundraising in 2001, in 3 stages, and God has provided. I believe that Hope Melbourne City Centre will be blessed too, because God has laid the seed of faith in us :)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Warming up in Ubon
This morning we had local breakfast, then we visited Jum, a local Thai sister who can speak english. Then we went to another sister's house to encourage her relative to rededicate his life to God.
We attended a funeral. Great authentic Thai lunch, and I had the privilege to meet a believer who received Christ when she was 18, now she's 87. Talk about persevering in faith!
At night, we attended a local care group. Again, more home cooked meals. At first I thought it was stew pig, but later on I noticed that it was actually chicken porks. We had an interesting time of sharing and overcoming language barrier. Our team led a praise song, then Robert and I gave a testimony to encourage them.
We attended a funeral. Great authentic Thai lunch, and I had the privilege to meet a believer who received Christ when she was 18, now she's 87. Talk about persevering in faith!
At night, we attended a local care group. Again, more home cooked meals. At first I thought it was stew pig, but later on I noticed that it was actually chicken porks. We had an interesting time of sharing and overcoming language barrier. Our team led a praise song, then Robert and I gave a testimony to encourage them.
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