Bangkok, Day 1

I am writing this from PP House, our haven and resting place in Bangkok; I'm writing now before heading to bed and have my alarm clock set to watch the fireworks and see the new year in! We arrived here late last night after a very long day of traveling, and am so glad to be here. Yesterday we flew from Coolangatta to Kuala Lumpa and enjoyed a 5 hour stop over where I experienced my first glimpse of culture shock. The moment we stepped off the plane in Kuala Lumpa, we instantly melted and became very sticky...we had hit the humidity! During the stop over I met my first drop toilet, which I am yet to use. We then after a short delay boarded our next plane for Bangkok. We arrived late at night and after going through many rounds of customs and immigration, our whole traveling experience had been made worth while when we were welcomed by Chatchai, the Pastor and Eden, a long term missionary of the Sampat Chewit Church.

Today we were blessed with a bit of a sleep in and some group devotional time before a quick rehearsal of a skit that we are performing for when we visit the schools. We also met the new Church building! Chatchai and his wife Sofia had us for lunch at the new building which is commonly now known as the 'centre'. We also had the best Pad Thai! Then we hit Chattachuck markets as a team with Chatchai and Sofia where we spent many afternoon hours roaming the crowded markets and I had my first taste at bartering. I am loving being in Bangkok and learning more and more about the culture and the country. Everybody warned me about the smell, and for good reason but I am really enjoying walking the back streets and wandering the street stalls and really seeing how differently we live and how much we take for granted in Australia....and we're only 1 day in. I am really excited about the upcoming few weeks and discovering what God has planned for us while we are here and the people that we will meet. Thank you to everyone who is praying, after driving from the airport yesterday and in the taxi today prayer is a necessity! Looking forward to keeping you updated on our time here in Bangers!

Annabel

Scrabble was the winning time waster on the trip

Soaking up our first trip to Asia at KL airport

This is how we all felt after many hours of flying and waiting - in KL waiting for our flight to Bangkok.

Our first exploration through the streets this morning on the way to the new Church centre.

Outside the new Centre.

Ellen's funky new hair at Chatachuk markets.

Pastor Chatchai and his wife Sofia - a couple of the nicest people you could meet.

Finally off to Bangkok!

Hello from Coolangatta!!!

After all of this time, prayer and planning we're finally on our way.  The team minus Chris (who is flying into Coolangatta to meet us tomorrow morning), headed up north of the border to the local youth hostel, ready to fly out tomorrow night.  The vibe amongst the team is great - there's a real excitement and buzz about the team, as well as the usual nerves.  We enjoyed a dinner together after I grabbed a few quick video interviews, and are now off to get the best sleep we can before a big day of travelling tomorrow.  Please pray for safety on our trip, and that the unity of the team would continue to grow.

 Chilling out and planning last travel details at the youth hostel.  And no - we weren't kicked out for being old!

Ellen saying goodbye to family.

One Sleep...

I've almost finished packing for our mission trip to Bangkok, which is a good thing as we leave in about 12 hours! I find myself reflecting on last year, how I was feeling at this point, what I have learned since, the experiences and situations that God used to humble and stretch me, showing me that he really is sovereign!

I think about the city we are going to: Bangkok. A city of recent devastation and great need in so many ways. A city so far from the truth, being led astray by the one who deceives and destroys. A city in need of light, of a Saviour.

At times I feel so overwhelmed with the great need of the people of Bangkok that I think I am powerless. And then God gently (and sometimes not so gently!) reminds me that he isn't just Lord and King over me and my world, but the whole universe, which he holds in the palm of his hand. I remember that as huge as the darkness in Bangkok may be, how strong the hold Satan seems to have on this city, my God is greater, bigger and stronger.

And it is as his people that we are going to Bangkok to partner with Samphat Chiwitt Church, to serve them and each other, to let people in darkness know that there is a God who loves them and wants to know them. I look forward to how God will grow and challenge me through this trip. I am so excited to see our old friends, to encourage them and to be encouraged by them! I can't wait to go to the schools and teach English again, having a greater understanding of how things work. I am looking forward to meeting new people and I pray that God will use me to further His kingdom, in whatever small role it may be.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for this mission. Please pray for safety as we travel to the Gold Coast tomorrow and then onto Thailand on Friday. Pray that we will have servant hearts and that we will grow in our relationship with our great God and Saviour.

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

2 Corinthians 5:12

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

x Kel

The Gospel

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life"

John 3:16

The gospel. It is something I hear on a regular basis but often forget to reflect on it, to be in awe of it. Recently I read something that was a refreshing reminder of the gospel, God's goodness and a challenge at the same time:

"Never lose the wonder of the Gospel! Never imagine that you have outgrown it. John 3:16 is not only the beautiful summary of what God has done, but it is the basis for a way of life. It ought to be the true centre of our living—defining, motivating, and satisfying us."

Disciplines of a Godly Woman, Barbara Hughes.

Through the goodness of the gospel and God's grace and mercy we are given the privilege of going on a great mission - to share the gospel in Bangkok....in just over a week!!!