"Fifteen girls are going to have their hearts broken, and he doesn't even care!" Tears streamed down Kendra's face as we stood alone in a dark room, and she was almost yelling in frustration over what she saw as selfishness and injustice.
Once a week the children at the hostel are treated to a movie night. They get out the projector in the chapel, and stay up late watching movies. The moving pictures are a treasured escape from the concrete walls of the campus and the slow pace of village life.
This week, the girls had their hearts set on watching a certain teenage chick-flick that had been loaned to us by a local missionary family. The movie was a common kids movie in the States, but it was contrary to the values the hostel leadership was trying to teach.
Kendra didn't understand how offencive the movie was to the leadership. All she could see was a young male administrator practicing his authority by overruling the girlie movie so he could watch a guy movie. Kendra knew they would watch the chick-flick in Thai, so she wouldn't be able understand the movie if the girls won. That wasn't the point. In her mind it wasn't fair. The one with the power should not ignore the voices of so many and selfishly do as he or she wishes.
I was so proud of my young justice fighter. I told her that it's good to hurt for the suffering of others, but we must not let the love for the seemingly oppressed turn into finger-pointing and passing judgment on those who hold the power. We must not let the love for some turn to bitterness for others.
It's interesting how so often my children face the same frustrations I do just on a different level. It's so easy to speak truth into their "little" issues, but usually when I do the words swing out of my mouth, slap me on the cheek and dart back in my own ear to stab my heart right where I'm struggling.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Getting demerits and taking a stand
Last week, I attended a training course. We were learning about the school system my children are in, so they had us take the place of a student in order to experience and better understand it. This was a real test of my pride. It's very hard to humble yourself like a child especially when the rules seem ridiculous and controlling.
Our instructor was a sober, elderly, Philippine woman (Outside of the classroom, I found her to be a very tender-hearted, Godly woman). She had specific procedures for every aspect of her classroom. She would tell us when we could sit, when we could stand, what color of pen to use where, and when it was appropriate to raise your hand. Always face forward in your chair. Always push in your chair when you stand. Always use "blessed words" ("May I Please...Thank you"). Pencils are only to be sharpened during brakes, and the list goes on. Any violation of the procedures was grounds for a demerit (three demerits = detention).
My partner was a younger guy with a history of a short temper. By about the third day, as his demerits and detentions were accumulating, his frustration was evident. But the wise and patient teacher responded with, "Guard your heart, Sir."
I laughed (quietly, of course), but it was something I needed to hear as well, not just in that classroom but in many other aspects of life.
One of my dear friends is a young man trying to learn English. We get to to spend a lot of time in the truck together as we pick up and drop off the kids at school, so this is good time for him to practice his English and teach me a little Thai. Today, he was telling me about his high school.
Each day the kids would gather in front of the school, and the teachers have them bow down and worship an idol. There was only one other Christian in his class, and each time the two of them refused to bow. His friends would turn to him and say, "Come on, bow." But he would not. He finished his story by saying, "...when you are Christian, you are different."
Our instructor was a sober, elderly, Philippine woman (Outside of the classroom, I found her to be a very tender-hearted, Godly woman). She had specific procedures for every aspect of her classroom. She would tell us when we could sit, when we could stand, what color of pen to use where, and when it was appropriate to raise your hand. Always face forward in your chair. Always push in your chair when you stand. Always use "blessed words" ("May I Please...Thank you"). Pencils are only to be sharpened during brakes, and the list goes on. Any violation of the procedures was grounds for a demerit (three demerits = detention).
My partner was a younger guy with a history of a short temper. By about the third day, as his demerits and detentions were accumulating, his frustration was evident. But the wise and patient teacher responded with, "Guard your heart, Sir."
I laughed (quietly, of course), but it was something I needed to hear as well, not just in that classroom but in many other aspects of life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my dear friends is a young man trying to learn English. We get to to spend a lot of time in the truck together as we pick up and drop off the kids at school, so this is good time for him to practice his English and teach me a little Thai. Today, he was telling me about his high school.
Each day the kids would gather in front of the school, and the teachers have them bow down and worship an idol. There was only one other Christian in his class, and each time the two of them refused to bow. His friends would turn to him and say, "Come on, bow." But he would not. He finished his story by saying, "...when you are Christian, you are different."
Saturday, June 20, 2009
More About God's Provision
Keen and his friends are wanting to start a soccer team. Yesterday, they went on a 17 kilometer run (10.5 miles) through sun and rain. I was very impressed, and he got up pretty sore this morning. As I understand, him and his friends made it back about an hour ahead of the coach and some of the other lead players. He said he cramped up, but the pain goes away if you just keep running.
Before they left, I was drawing water at the well with some of the kids.
Sahmalie: "You run with the boys?"
Me: "No, I don't have shoes for running."
Sahmalie: "Yes, you do." (She pointed at my bare feet.) "God gave you shoes."
Me: "No, they are like baby, tender and soft."
This conversation has been hunting me. She was right. This young girl has learned a valuable life lesson. We think we need this and that, and we all have our excuses why we can't get involved, but God provides and has provided. In so many ways, I just need to get out of my comfort zone, toughen up and run the race He has for me.
Before they left, I was drawing water at the well with some of the kids.
Sahmalie: "You run with the boys?"
Me: "No, I don't have shoes for running."
Sahmalie: "Yes, you do." (She pointed at my bare feet.) "God gave you shoes."
Me: "No, they are like baby, tender and soft."
This conversation has been hunting me. She was right. This young girl has learned a valuable life lesson. We think we need this and that, and we all have our excuses why we can't get involved, but God provides and has provided. In so many ways, I just need to get out of my comfort zone, toughen up and run the race He has for me.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Provider
I found out about 7:30 this morning that I was to be preaching the morning service, and I had already committed to take a walk with the girls before church. I quickly went to my room and found a Scripture, and a few minutes later we went on our walk. We came in late for church, but I think the Lord chose the Scripture and gave me an appropriate illustration. He is my provider in so many ways.
After church we had a meeting with the hostel kids and staff to talk about rules and chores. The headman was very concerned that our electric bill was over 5,000 Baht (that's about $175 for the entire campus for a month). He explained that we could have cut back on our spending and had enough money to feed six families in Burma.
This is not the fluff we tell our children, "Clean your plate...there are starving children in Africa." (As though, somehow our consuming more will help either our empathy or their situation) He is serious. He could probably tell you their names. They are real people, and our spending habits effect their lives. So do yours, whoever you are.
After church we had a meeting with the hostel kids and staff to talk about rules and chores. The headman was very concerned that our electric bill was over 5,000 Baht (that's about $175 for the entire campus for a month). He explained that we could have cut back on our spending and had enough money to feed six families in Burma.
This is not the fluff we tell our children, "Clean your plate...there are starving children in Africa." (As though, somehow our consuming more will help either our empathy or their situation) He is serious. He could probably tell you their names. They are real people, and our spending habits effect their lives. So do yours, whoever you are.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A couple moments from the morning routine
One of my responsibilities is to be the adult in the back of the truck each morning. Instead of school buses we use small trucks with padded bench seats, a roll cage and roof over the bed. My truck has 14 children mostly from the hostel.
It's a beautiful drive through the mountains, but sometimes it's nice to just close my eyes and listen to the girls sing. Usually it's in Thai, and I don't understand, but it doesn't matter. The voices of these half-dozen upper-elementary school girls are the perfect sound track to the setting.
Maybe you just had to be there, but it was "a moment" for me. So beautiful, so inspiring.
A few days later, on the same routine drive, we happened to be passing the market at the same time the monks were there making their morning rounds. We stopped at an intersection next to a row of five monks and their "caddie." They stood with their backs to the street, just inches from our truck, waiting for handouts from the shopkeepers. I noticed that a number of market workers had left their work to bow down and worship before the monks in the middle of the morning rush.
It was disturbing to me on two levels. First, I was struck by how lost this culture is spiritually. Then, as we drove on, I began to compare their devotion to that of the American Christian. How many of us would take time out of our busy morning routine to make a humbling statement of faith for several minutes on a crowded sidewalk?
God help us all, the lost on the streets and the found that are sleeping.
It's a beautiful drive through the mountains, but sometimes it's nice to just close my eyes and listen to the girls sing. Usually it's in Thai, and I don't understand, but it doesn't matter. The voices of these half-dozen upper-elementary school girls are the perfect sound track to the setting.
A few days ago, I was surprised to hear them sing in their broken English,
"Make a difference in me, make a world of difference. From the
inside out let it show.
Make a difference in me, make a world of difference. Change me
so the world will know.
Change me Jesus, let your love shine through. Change me Jesus,
make me more like you..."
Maybe you just had to be there, but it was "a moment" for me. So beautiful, so inspiring.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few days later, on the same routine drive, we happened to be passing the market at the same time the monks were there making their morning rounds. We stopped at an intersection next to a row of five monks and their "caddie." They stood with their backs to the street, just inches from our truck, waiting for handouts from the shopkeepers. I noticed that a number of market workers had left their work to bow down and worship before the monks in the middle of the morning rush.
It was disturbing to me on two levels. First, I was struck by how lost this culture is spiritually. Then, as we drove on, I began to compare their devotion to that of the American Christian. How many of us would take time out of our busy morning routine to make a humbling statement of faith for several minutes on a crowded sidewalk?
God help us all, the lost on the streets and the found that are sleeping.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Some highlights from the past few weeks
Offended a co-laborer by going to sleep in the first staff meeting (jet lag was rough).
Helped make bricks.
Scolded Heidi for making fun of the king in public.
Worked with hostel kids to sort trash into 3 categories (compost, burnable, and plastics).
Planted vegetable trees.
Called Mom to make her feel better.
Planted banana trees.
Took a walk with Keen.
Found that the sorted trash had all been taken to the burn pile.
Planted lemon grass (mosquito and bug repellent).
Went to an organic farm to learn about growing worms to produce fertilizer.
Made new desks for the school.
Built two outhouses.
Stopped to watch the sunset over the mountains (We can count 7 layers of mountains in one direction form the new campus)
Sent the hostel boys in to rescue Kendra from the "rat" in her room.
Installed "security systems" in the boys dorm and school building (rebar on windows)
Bought Kendra a rat trap.
Built bunk beds for boys' dorm.
Led communion for Sunday Service.
Got beat by a little girl at checkers.
Gave Kendra permission to move into girls' dorm.
Rebuilt the dish-washing station
Gave Heidi permission to move into girls' dorm.
Fought to stay awake in second staff meeting.
Brainstormed with Nick about windmill designs.
Brainstormed with Dad about timber construction and proper footing for adobe buildings.
Took a walk with the girls.
Bought graph paper to make building designs for the new campus.
Visited a rice mill.
Ate fried termites.
Shaved my goat and stash (but Ahtapa said, "No more shaving.").
Went to a mountain village to comfort a family that lost a baby to malnutrition.
Appreciated the natural light, but was a little uncomfortable with the glass walls on the public restroom.
Played in a 300 foot cascading waterfall.
Received temporary healing from a terrible headache long enough to preach a Sunday morning sermon.
Slept like a baby.
Helped make bricks.
Scolded Heidi for making fun of the king in public.
Worked with hostel kids to sort trash into 3 categories (compost, burnable, and plastics).
Planted vegetable trees.
Called Mom to make her feel better.
Planted banana trees.
Took a walk with Keen.
Found that the sorted trash had all been taken to the burn pile.
Planted lemon grass (mosquito and bug repellent).
Went to an organic farm to learn about growing worms to produce fertilizer.
Made new desks for the school.
Built two outhouses.
Stopped to watch the sunset over the mountains (We can count 7 layers of mountains in one direction form the new campus)
Sent the hostel boys in to rescue Kendra from the "rat" in her room.
Installed "security systems" in the boys dorm and school building (rebar on windows)
Bought Kendra a rat trap.
Built bunk beds for boys' dorm.
Led communion for Sunday Service.
Got beat by a little girl at checkers.
Gave Kendra permission to move into girls' dorm.
Rebuilt the dish-washing station
Gave Heidi permission to move into girls' dorm.
Fought to stay awake in second staff meeting.
Brainstormed with Nick about windmill designs.
Brainstormed with Dad about timber construction and proper footing for adobe buildings.
Took a walk with the girls.
Bought graph paper to make building designs for the new campus.
Visited a rice mill.
Ate fried termites.
Shaved my goat and stash (but Ahtapa said, "No more shaving.").
Went to a mountain village to comfort a family that lost a baby to malnutrition.
Appreciated the natural light, but was a little uncomfortable with the glass walls on the public restroom.
Played in a 300 foot cascading waterfall.
Received temporary healing from a terrible headache long enough to preach a Sunday morning sermon.
Slept like a baby.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Our trip to Thailand “Twitter style”
- Ate breakfast with my folks and Mom's folks at Bob Evens (Christy Page showed up and joined us. Pray for her as she and Larry are trying to return to PNG)
- Gave our contact info to a ticket agent who wants to take her kids on a missions trip
- Met a young couple struggling to raise a family while he attends seminary
- Got an email from Ahtapa that he's excited we're coming
- Traded seats with three other passengers so we could all sit together for the kids first flight.
- Let Kendra sit by a window
- Made Heidi sit by a window
- Talked about scripture with a flight attendant
- Talked to a Christian mom about living by faith not fear
- Rode on a stand-up tram; got off at the wrong stop
- Rode on a six-seater golf cart to the correct gate
- Helped Heidi get an autograph from a stranger (she was collecting random signatures from each airport)
- Put the computer away after Kendra ran down the battery playing solitaire
- Played Mad Libs with Kendra
- Met a woman who manages an ammunitions factory
- Gave Kendra a back massage
- Learned about ancient Islamic windmills (fascinating!)
- Gave Keen a back massage
- Got quarantined to the plane while men in medical masks and goggles boarded and fumbled around with a bunch of paperwork
- Helped an elderly illiterate man fill out his health survey (how do you ask about one history of diarrhea through a language barrier)
- Helped Keen explain military time to a woman
- Had my tooth paste confiscated in Tokyo
- Kids were invited into the cockpit and met the pilots
- Gave a man Heidi's dinner while she slept
- Watched an episode of the Office
- Had a six hour layover in Bangkok
- Took a nap
- Scolded the kids about laughing too loud
- Waited in the wrong ticket line (twice)
- Let the girls have coffee on the plane
- Scolded the girls for being too hyper
- Got held up in baggage claim for bringing tools
- Let Ahtapa tell the officer how much taxes we were willing to pay for the tools.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
visas and tickets
We received the kids' visas this week. It felt good to finally have them in hand. It has been an interesting experience, and I'll spare you the boring red-tape details for now. The nut shell is that we're going to need to leave the country every three months to renew our visas. It's really not a big deal. Basically, it's just a matter of driving to the border and checking in. The upside is that we'll probably get to act like tourist for a week: visit yet another country, stay in a hotel, visit some markets, ... touristy / family-vacationy stuff. It may also be an opportunity to do some networking with other church leaders.
We've purchased the tickets. We're scheduled to fly out Monday, April 27 from KCI. Kendra is excited that we have a 2 hour layover in Tokyo. We arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand 7:25AM Wednesday (that's about 7PM Tuesday US time).
The school curriculum has been ordered, and it seems someone has covered the bill for us(Thank you for that $900 gift!). The outreach needed the same books my kids needed, so it is a win-win. My kids will be able to pass the books on to the next person or share as needed.
We were also given a new laptop computer. That was a huge blessing. Thank you to the group that made that happen.
Two weeks from tomorrow...!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
More good news from Ahtapa
The weather is hot and God is so good to us that he cools us down with heavy rain. The sky is clear now. A couple of weeks ago we thought we would not see the clear sky again. The smoke covered the whole area of Chiangmai. It was declared as a smoke disaster area. Now it is clear and the sky is beautiful.
We planted three hundred banana plants. We are happy that the rain dropped right after we finish the planting. We are pretty sure that all 300 hundred banana plants will make it.
The SOT (ACE School of Tomorrow) students are doing fine. We sent the list of books we need to Brodie. He will order them and have them shipped to Brian in Kansas.
Brian got his non-immigrant visa and will come to work with us in April. Brian is coming with his three children. His children will be in SOT also. Beside Brian, we will have Racky Burgos coming to be with us. She graduated from the International Christian College in Manila early this month. She will be coming to help us teach music and Christian education and assist the Kids for Christ Program. On April 14 brother Robert Cabaltej, former president of ICCM, will be visiting us with the possibility that he and his family will come to work with us for the long term. Brother Joseph and Christine along with 8 children under their care will be coming in next month. So many things are happening here.
I am preparing for the Easter combined gathering for Christian Church around Chiangmai. Brother Samuel Leme is organizing this and I was asked to be a speaker for this gathering. Leah and I are also preparing to come to USA for a short visit. We are praying and waiting for the Lord to give us direction and financial provision on this matter.
In Christ,
Ahtapa and Leah
We planted three hundred banana plants. We are happy that the rain dropped right after we finish the planting. We are pretty sure that all 300 hundred banana plants will make it.
The SOT (ACE School of Tomorrow) students are doing fine. We sent the list of books we need to Brodie. He will order them and have them shipped to Brian in Kansas.
Brian got his non-immigrant visa and will come to work with us in April. Brian is coming with his three children. His children will be in SOT also. Beside Brian, we will have Racky Burgos coming to be with us. She graduated from the International Christian College in Manila early this month. She will be coming to help us teach music and Christian education and assist the Kids for Christ Program. On April 14 brother Robert Cabaltej, former president of ICCM, will be visiting us with the possibility that he and his family will come to work with us for the long term. Brother Joseph and Christine along with 8 children under their care will be coming in next month. So many things are happening here.
I am preparing for the Easter combined gathering for Christian Church around Chiangmai. Brother Samuel Leme is organizing this and I was asked to be a speaker for this gathering. Leah and I are also preparing to come to USA for a short visit. We are praying and waiting for the Lord to give us direction and financial provision on this matter.
In Christ,
Ahtapa and Leah
Monday, March 30, 2009
A note from Kim (posted with her permission)
A Farewell to My Dear Friend & To the Loves of my life....
Heidi, Kendra, and Keen,
It breaks my heart to think about you all going so far away. It makes me sad to know you won't just be a phone call or short drive away. When this adventure was first brought to me for consideration my first thought was "NO WAY!! NOT A CHANCE!!!".....Then the anger and tears were quieted by conversations with our Heavenly Father, and family and friends that love you all as much as I do. I am comforted by this amazing peace that you will be so very Blessed by this journey. What an Awesome opportunity to experience a new culture! I know you will make the best of every part of this time. There will be so many new friendships formed.....So try not to forget about all of us back here in the good ol' U.S.A!!
I Love All of you so much it hurts!! I am already looking forward to your return and will be praying for and thinking about you everyday without fail!! But while you're away be Blessed, Be Safe, Have Fun, Laugh Tons, Love like there's no tomorrow, and at the end of the day KNOW that I Love you MORE than all the stars in the skies between us!!!
You'll be Missed & Loved Always,
Kim/Mommy
Heidi, Kendra, and Keen,
It breaks my heart to think about you all going so far away. It makes me sad to know you won't just be a phone call or short drive away. When this adventure was first brought to me for consideration my first thought was "NO WAY!! NOT A CHANCE!!!".....Then the anger and tears were quieted by conversations with our Heavenly Father, and family and friends that love you all as much as I do. I am comforted by this amazing peace that you will be so very Blessed by this journey. What an Awesome opportunity to experience a new culture! I know you will make the best of every part of this time. There will be so many new friendships formed.....So try not to forget about all of us back here in the good ol' U.S.A!!
I Love All of you so much it hurts!! I am already looking forward to your return and will be praying for and thinking about you everyday without fail!! But while you're away be Blessed, Be Safe, Have Fun, Laugh Tons, Love like there's no tomorrow, and at the end of the day KNOW that I Love you MORE than all the stars in the skies between us!!!
You'll be Missed & Loved Always,
Kim/Mommy
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Society Without Me
Burma (from the trip last summer)
May the Lord send workers.
It's my first real attempt at making a video and about 4 minutes long (not 7+ like it may say).
If your viewing this from Facebook, you may have to go to http://menefeesmind.blogspot.com/
-Peace
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I got my visa!
I got my visa today!! That was a big learning curve, and it feels good to have it past (for now).
I spoke with Ahtapa today, and here's a bit of the news:
I spoke with Ahtapa today, and here's a bit of the news:
- He has me scheduled to teach once a week at the public school.
- They planted 200 banana trees this week, and the Lord provided a good rain.
- They have the bamboo to build another staff hut, and he's looking forward to using my help and tools.
- He looks forward to our coming and relieving him to come back to the states for a visit.
- They have an interview next week to for more children to come.
- He can get me a 40% discount on my kids' school curriculum (originally $900).
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
On the road again
Our last week in KY was a bit crazy, but we survived and are now in KS. We're working on making my grandparents' house more handicap accessible. Sis. Lawson recently had surgery and is wheelchair bound for a few weeks. We've been needing to make the improvments on the house for years, and now I have a few weeks to work on it. I'm also helping out a little at KCCBS, but they can't afford to buy materials to keep a volunteer busy.
We "de-stuffed" a lot last week. We divided our things into 3 categories. The "things to keep" went into Mom and Dad's attic. The "things to get rid of" went into the yard sale, and the "things to take" needed to fit into suitcases.
Then, we had our yard sale, and we let go of so much stuff. It was wonderful. There were furniture, clothes, books and toys.
We "de-stuffed" a lot last week. We divided our things into 3 categories. The "things to keep" went into Mom and Dad's attic. The "things to get rid of" went into the yard sale, and the "things to take" needed to fit into suitcases.
We had a room for each category. This was the fullest room, the "let-it-go room."
Then, we had our yard sale, and we let go of so much stuff. It was wonderful. There were furniture, clothes, books and toys. The Police even stopped by twice, once to see how the first yard sale of the year was going and another time to serve papers to one of the Menefee clan (not Keen). We red-necks like to do our civic duty by helping the small-town police earn a living.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Last weekend Kim came to town to say, "Good bye" to the kids before we leave for Thailand.
No doubt our broken family is a tragedy, and I wish I had the wisdom to mend it. But it's in the darkness that our little lights shine the brightest. I'm thankful that, even though there isn't unity, there is peace.
Kim wanted to get pics of us and to spend some time together, so we drove up near Cincinnati to see her sister, Keni, and her girls, Natalie and Nicole. Keni is a professional photographer, and she took us to the flower conservatory.
It was beautifully constructed with plants from all around the globe, but the greater beauty was not the flowers, but rather the expressions of love and forgiveness by the people enjoying them.
No doubt our broken family is a tragedy, and I wish I had the wisdom to mend it. But it's in the darkness that our little lights shine the brightest. I'm thankful that, even though there isn't unity, there is peace.
Kim wanted to get pics of us and to spend some time together, so we drove up near Cincinnati to see her sister, Keni, and her girls, Natalie and Nicole. Keni is a professional photographer, and she took us to the flower conservatory.
It was beautifully constructed with plants from all around the globe, but the greater beauty was not the flowers, but rather the expressions of love and forgiveness by the people enjoying them.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Invitation Letter for Visas
Here is a translation of the invitation letter Ahtapa wrote for the Thai embassy to apply for our visas. It tells a little about the Asian Gospel Outreach and what we will be doing.
To: Chief Officer of Thai Royal Consulate and who it may concern.
I, Jarern Sinlee, the director of Tribal Outreach, would like to ask for your kindness in granting visas to Mr. Brian Menefee and his three children. This man has the ability and a good record in community development and Church works. He is a valuable person to our work here in helping and developing children at our tribal children hostel at Matang district Chriahngmai province. I and the organization here have activities in helping and providing education to poor tribal children who live in far away mountain villages and assist them for better future according to the philosophy of our majestic the king’s sustainable and sufficiency life. We teach kids how to read, write, think and have good ethics and skill and pride in their culture and heritage. As we are aware of the social problem of the tribal people in the north of Thailand and the moving into major cities that create social problems. The children can be helped and we can provide helps to these children and one day the youth will grow up to be the strength of society for development and bring good society, safety, progress, and beautiful environments to the country.
As for now, our organization has been emphasizing life sufficiency and sustainable philosophy. We put high regards of the value of inner peace and happiness. We promote planting everything we eat and eat everything we plant, putting refrigerator in the back yard. That is putting garden and fish and frog ponds in the back yard. Building house with materials available. Making water purifiers and teaching English and other local language along with ethics. Our organization is happy that Mr. Brian is coming to help without expecting any thing in return. And ready to learn the Thai way of life and learning local wisdoms as well.
To: Chief Officer of Thai Royal Consulate and who it may concern.
I, Jarern Sinlee, the director of Tribal Outreach, would like to ask for your kindness in granting visas to Mr. Brian Menefee and his three children. This man has the ability and a good record in community development and Church works. He is a valuable person to our work here in helping and developing children at our tribal children hostel at Matang district Chriahngmai province. I and the organization here have activities in helping and providing education to poor tribal children who live in far away mountain villages and assist them for better future according to the philosophy of our majestic the king’s sustainable and sufficiency life. We teach kids how to read, write, think and have good ethics and skill and pride in their culture and heritage. As we are aware of the social problem of the tribal people in the north of Thailand and the moving into major cities that create social problems. The children can be helped and we can provide helps to these children and one day the youth will grow up to be the strength of society for development and bring good society, safety, progress, and beautiful environments to the country.
As for now, our organization has been emphasizing life sufficiency and sustainable philosophy. We put high regards of the value of inner peace and happiness. We promote planting everything we eat and eat everything we plant, putting refrigerator in the back yard. That is putting garden and fish and frog ponds in the back yard. Building house with materials available. Making water purifiers and teaching English and other local language along with ethics. Our organization is happy that Mr. Brian is coming to help without expecting any thing in return. And ready to learn the Thai way of life and learning local wisdoms as well.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Kids mess'n around
Here's a video of Keen showing his skills on the rip stick.
He can even go up hill without tou
ching the ground like on a traditional skate board.
ching the ground like on a traditional skate board.The girls made $6 selling handmade jewelry and book marks in the parking lot of the town grocery store.
Note the sign on the side of the grocery store, "We serve a great God."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
All that and a bag of chips
A dear friend told me a few months ago that I had a chip on my shoulder, but I don't think it was a very fair observation. Truth is, since she pointed it out, I've found a pile of chips on my shoulders, and they've been weighing me down and smothering me.
It started toward the end of last year's trip to southeast Asia. After witnessing the imbalance in the global Church and experiencing the needs of our ignored brothers ans sisters, I was faced with the question of "What do I do now?"
But I'm afraid my empathy for one continent turned to bitterness toward another, and my longing to do the right thing turned in to an ego driven determination. "Brother, I'm on a mission of love from God, so don't stand in my way or I'll calmly attack you, your lifestyle, and your worldview with scripture and statistics that will make you cower to my wisdom and humble perspective."
Somehow in my pursuit of justice, I became the judge.
It started toward the end of last year's trip to southeast Asia. After witnessing the imbalance in the global Church and experiencing the needs of our ignored brothers ans sisters, I was faced with the question of "What do I do now?"
But I'm afraid my empathy for one continent turned to bitterness toward another, and my longing to do the right thing turned in to an ego driven determination. "Brother, I'm on a mission of love from God, so don't stand in my way or I'll calmly attack you, your lifestyle, and your worldview with scripture and statistics that will make you cower to my wisdom and humble perspective."
Somehow in my pursuit of justice, I became the judge.
 | 02. Nuisance The Boy vs The Cynic by John Reuben | ||
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Saturday, February 14, 2009
I'm not into the hip hop or rap thing at all, but my friend Aaron Ward (aka A.ward) has the Word that makes me want to get up and shout. This kid was a fellow student at the Kansas City College and Bible School. So he didn't fit in the traditional "holiness" mold, he is a man of God, a world changer.
Rock on A.ward. Preach it in rhyme, even if it's a crime, 'cause we've got limited time.
Here's a free link to his last album.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
We're not in Kansas anymore, Todo
I think I'm in the land of the poppy fields. It's that place in OZ where the witch has cast her spell, and it slows our journey as we stop to do nothing. It feels like I've been watching grass grow for weeks. I'm so bored, so trapped. We're waiting, waiting on money mostly. We aren't currently involved in any real ministries and have virtually no social life, and it's killing us. It's like cabin fever to the max.
I know, I should live in the moment. Seize the day! Life is ministry! Be in the now! But my heart and mind just aren't here. I never really left Thailand. God has shown me where He wants us. I am only physically here taking care of physical things. Watching the clock, watching the calendar, waiting for the sale on the house to close, waiting for the tax return, getting things in order.
There's also something about being back in your parent's house. Even though they don't live here, I still feel like a dependent. Often, when I sleep, I am a child in my dreams.
Is there a fast forward button we can push to get through this transition time?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Update from Ahtapa
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
January 15, 2009
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I hope you all are doing fine as our good Lord is watching over you. Leah and I are doing fine. The Lord has blessed us so much this year. Our kids have grown up and we praise God for their good health. We also thank God for watching over us and providing us everything we need and reminding always that He is the source of life and sustainer.
We pray for you and think of you very often. We enjoy reading every letter you write to us. We are excited to hear about your family and your activities and the changing of seasons. You have very beautiful seasons. White snow in the winter, green in the summer, and beautiful falls. We can just think and have picture of your beautiful countryside. We remember driving through miles and miles beautiful farms. Sometimes we saw buffalo standing out in the field; we thought they were just statues but they were not. It was good that we did not stop and go out to pet them. I do not know how much snow you have this year. I hope you all had good Christmas. Leah and I hope you had great time with your family and friends in celebrating the Lord Jesus. I think you are the happiest people of God with the Love and Joy of the Lord in you. We pray for you that you have good health.
We thank God so much for the brothers and sisters in Christ we have and knowing that many people are praying for us all the time. That gives us so much encouragement. We also realize how much God loves all of us and hears our prayers. He has opened opportunities for us to serve Him and to see His Great Kingdom and many, many people being added into His Kingdom. We met Doctor Garry Weedman of Johnson Bible College the other day at the Golden Triangle Christian Leadership seminar. It was my privilege to meet him in person and to serve him as his translator. He is a man of God and he is a humble man but filled with spiritual wisdom. Leah and I also were blessed to meet Jose Garman. He is known as missionary to the prisoners.
It was a good seminar and it was a real blessing for me to meet Brother Ken Odor, a son-in-Law of Lavern Morse, a long time missionary in Asia. Ken is following the steps of his father-in-law in that he personally is getting very active in the mission work, with deep passion. It was a very big honor for me to translate the greetings he brought from Laverne Morse to brothers and sisters who came from the countries around Golden Triangle. Laverne is father to these mountain evangelists. Laverne is father to many national Christian preachers. Hearing words from him brought back many good memories. This is a man of faith and a man of Love for the Lord and for the lost souls out there. He would go to bring the gospel out to people caring less about circumstances and cost. His name in Lisu is Joseph. He has lived the life up to that name. He is a man of vision and he is a man of good planning and strategy. He cares and will work until his last breath to bring the gospel out to the lost, and he is making sure that God's flock gets fed with spiritual food. There are many missionaries and great preachers but there is only one Laverne. LAVERNE is loved and respected by many. I am one of them.
Up there I also met with brother Russell who is so gifted in language. He is speaking Burmese and Thai as well. He is a new Missionary from Las Vegas working with the unreached people in Burma. He and I became friends very quickly. We both have the heart for spreading out the gospel. We love languages and cultures and we love organic farming. This was a God appointed time and place to meet these men of God, the ordinary priests of God.
Leah and I pray that we will be able to come back to visit USA again in this coming May. We will come to our son Christopher’s high school graduation in Alabama. We look forward to seeing you again and Pray that we will a blessing to you. I hope to visit you while passing through and ask you assist me on my journey after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
God has been so good to us with our work here. The kids are learning the Bible very well, and the home school is going well. We are calling ourselves the Asian Gospel Academy. We have eight kids that study English every day. They make A’s and B’s with very few C’s. The smaller ones are going to public school. There are many kids who want to come to enroll already. We are working on the school status right now. Please keep us in your prayers.
We hope to send two more young men to the Philippines for supervisor training. They will be going on February 28, 2009. The training will last for two weeks.
We will be very busy from now on with our outreach program, and God knows what we need. Our two trucks are getting in bad shape and God has blessed us with brothers and sisters in Christ who donated money toward a new truck. We got $9000 dollars last Sunday from the Church in Roger Heights, Michigan. We are praying that we will get another $20000.00 for a new 4x4 Toyota pickup truck. For the kind of work that we are doing, we need a truck that we can depend on in season and out of season. We have to go on mountain roads where it is very muddy, slippery, and steep. We are still helping people out in the delta area of Myanmar where thousands and thousands of people are still in need of food. There are 72 kids who are under our care right now. Most of them do not have parents. Some have a mother but no father. Family members and parents were killed by the storm. I looked at pictures of dead bodies and my heart was torn. I do not like to send pictures to friends because they look so bad.
I have to stop for now. I pray that God will continue to bless you all with his wonderful blessing. Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
With Love in Christ,
Your brother and sister
Ahtapa and Leah
Please pray for our new missionary Brian Menefee with his preparation. Brian and family are from Kentucky, USA and Racky Burgos is from the Philippines.
January 15, 2009
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I hope you all are doing fine as our good Lord is watching over you. Leah and I are doing fine. The Lord has blessed us so much this year. Our kids have grown up and we praise God for their good health. We also thank God for watching over us and providing us everything we need and reminding always that He is the source of life and sustainer.
We pray for you and think of you very often. We enjoy reading every letter you write to us. We are excited to hear about your family and your activities and the changing of seasons. You have very beautiful seasons. White snow in the winter, green in the summer, and beautiful falls. We can just think and have picture of your beautiful countryside. We remember driving through miles and miles beautiful farms. Sometimes we saw buffalo standing out in the field; we thought they were just statues but they were not. It was good that we did not stop and go out to pet them. I do not know how much snow you have this year. I hope you all had good Christmas. Leah and I hope you had great time with your family and friends in celebrating the Lord Jesus. I think you are the happiest people of God with the Love and Joy of the Lord in you. We pray for you that you have good health.
We thank God so much for the brothers and sisters in Christ we have and knowing that many people are praying for us all the time. That gives us so much encouragement. We also realize how much God loves all of us and hears our prayers. He has opened opportunities for us to serve Him and to see His Great Kingdom and many, many people being added into His Kingdom. We met Doctor Garry Weedman of Johnson Bible College the other day at the Golden Triangle Christian Leadership seminar. It was my privilege to meet him in person and to serve him as his translator. He is a man of God and he is a humble man but filled with spiritual wisdom. Leah and I also were blessed to meet Jose Garman. He is known as missionary to the prisoners.
It was a good seminar and it was a real blessing for me to meet Brother Ken Odor, a son-in-Law of Lavern Morse, a long time missionary in Asia. Ken is following the steps of his father-in-law in that he personally is getting very active in the mission work, with deep passion. It was a very big honor for me to translate the greetings he brought from Laverne Morse to brothers and sisters who came from the countries around Golden Triangle. Laverne is father to these mountain evangelists. Laverne is father to many national Christian preachers. Hearing words from him brought back many good memories. This is a man of faith and a man of Love for the Lord and for the lost souls out there. He would go to bring the gospel out to people caring less about circumstances and cost. His name in Lisu is Joseph. He has lived the life up to that name. He is a man of vision and he is a man of good planning and strategy. He cares and will work until his last breath to bring the gospel out to the lost, and he is making sure that God's flock gets fed with spiritual food. There are many missionaries and great preachers but there is only one Laverne. LAVERNE is loved and respected by many. I am one of them.
Up there I also met with brother Russell who is so gifted in language. He is speaking Burmese and Thai as well. He is a new Missionary from Las Vegas working with the unreached people in Burma. He and I became friends very quickly. We both have the heart for spreading out the gospel. We love languages and cultures and we love organic farming. This was a God appointed time and place to meet these men of God, the ordinary priests of God.
Leah and I pray that we will be able to come back to visit USA again in this coming May. We will come to our son Christopher’s high school graduation in Alabama. We look forward to seeing you again and Pray that we will a blessing to you. I hope to visit you while passing through and ask you assist me on my journey after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
God has been so good to us with our work here. The kids are learning the Bible very well, and the home school is going well. We are calling ourselves the Asian Gospel Academy. We have eight kids that study English every day. They make A’s and B’s with very few C’s. The smaller ones are going to public school. There are many kids who want to come to enroll already. We are working on the school status right now. Please keep us in your prayers.
We hope to send two more young men to the Philippines for supervisor training. They will be going on February 28, 2009. The training will last for two weeks.
We will be very busy from now on with our outreach program, and God knows what we need. Our two trucks are getting in bad shape and God has blessed us with brothers and sisters in Christ who donated money toward a new truck. We got $9000 dollars last Sunday from the Church in Roger Heights, Michigan. We are praying that we will get another $20000.00 for a new 4x4 Toyota pickup truck. For the kind of work that we are doing, we need a truck that we can depend on in season and out of season. We have to go on mountain roads where it is very muddy, slippery, and steep. We are still helping people out in the delta area of Myanmar where thousands and thousands of people are still in need of food. There are 72 kids who are under our care right now. Most of them do not have parents. Some have a mother but no father. Family members and parents were killed by the storm. I looked at pictures of dead bodies and my heart was torn. I do not like to send pictures to friends because they look so bad.
I have to stop for now. I pray that God will continue to bless you all with his wonderful blessing. Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
With Love in Christ,
Your brother and sister
Ahtapa and Leah
Please pray for our new missionary Brian Menefee with his preparation. Brian and family are from Kentucky, USA and Racky Burgos is from the Philippines.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
God has already called us; now we need to call on God
The AG magazine, "TPE," published a great article of an interview with Greg Mundis, the Assemblies of God Regional director of Europe.
"We need a sovereign act of God, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit,... These things are not generated out of a strategy room in some missions agency, but out of the very throne room of God."
"[Such a move] must come from God, but man works together with God as He moves. We need a church that is praying, a church that is humble, and church that is repentant, and a church that is reaching beyond its own paradigms and borders to touch the lost."
"We need a sovereign act of God, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit,... These things are not generated out of a strategy room in some missions agency, but out of the very throne room of God."
"[Such a move] must come from God, but man works together with God as He moves. We need a church that is praying, a church that is humble, and church that is repentant, and a church that is reaching beyond its own paradigms and borders to touch the lost."
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