From English Camp through Church Planting

A few of the university students who attended English Camp.

How is English Camp related to church planting you may ask?

Our team came to Thailand to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches, but you may have noticed, a lot of our activities go by different names.  We have kids programs, teach weekly English classes, meet for small group Bible study, share hobbies like baking, travel with students, and help with English camps.  However, without a doubt, I believe these activities and church planting are connected.

To begin with, a church is composed of people.  And before people are Christ followers, they are just lost people. "Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10  These are the people we pass everyday on the street, the people who we go traveling with, the people who come to English camp.

New friends!

English Camp is a lake stocked with fish, a lake full of people who may be seeking a hope and Savior that they don't even know exists.  And for a weekend, we have their full attention.  Through lessons, activities, and discussions we share our experiences and the truth of the Word that we have seen proven in our lives. Through games, meals, and traveling together, we build relationships that open up conversations about what it means to follow Christ.

Our hope is that from these relationships, students will get involved in Bible studies, desire to follow God, and come to church.  Then maybe God will give some of them a heart to take His Word to other areas of Thailand, teaching, preaching, and church planting.  

I know some of that seems a long way off, but at one point, planting a church in Bangkok seemed a long way off too.  But God.  Nothing is too big, too far off, too impossible of an idea.  God has already made the Bangkok church happen!  I'm excited to be a part of the stepping stones of future disciples, leaders and churches, whether that's through building relationships in Bangkok or going fishing at English camp.

 

Working on a group invention...and only using English.

Teamwork, silly games, and lots of English practice.

Making fun memories as we pretend to eat the biggest wax ice cream cone that we have ever seen.

Wan Makha Bucha

Buddhist temple near my house.

Many Thais celebrated Wan Makha Bucha on Friday.  It also happened to be Valentine's day, but the two holidays don't always line up.  Wan Makha Bucha falls on the full moon day of the third month in the lunar calendar (usually in February).

Part of making merit on this holiday is making a donation.  Money stapled to ribbons hanging from a string outside the temple.

Jacky, an English student, explained it as a Buddhist holiday commemorating the day that 1,250 monks spontaneously gathered from far and wide to be taught by Buddha. On the same day 45 years later, Buddha gave his final teachings and achieved Nirvana. 

Other people make merit by lighting candles and incense.

Nowadays, Thai Buddhists go to temples in the evening of this holiday to pay respect and make merit. In remembrance of the monks' long journey, people will walk around the outer perimeter of the temple three times.

Does that bring to mind a story? I'm always on the lookout for connections between our daily conversations and Biblical truth.  Bible stories are a great way to share that truth.

So I shared with Jacky (and whoever else was listening), the story of Joshua leading his army around the walls of Jericho. When I got to the part about the wall falling down, Jacky said, "Wow! That's amazing!"

"Yes! God does a lot of amazing things!" Was my response.

Jacky, my other Thai friends, and most of our English students have already heard us share about Jesus and his life-changing sacrifice.  However, opportunities show God's character through stories like these makes Christ more real. 

"Is it a true story?"  Jacky asked.

After I assured him that all stories from the Bible are completely true, Jacky was quiet for a moment.  I could see him pondering and prayed for God to continue to work in his heart.

Beyond English Class

English students making cupcakes

University students wander in after a day of classes, some grab a game off the shelf to kill time before English starts, others relax on the couch and let their eyes close for a few minutes. 

Working professionals jump off motorbike taxis outside, making it through the door just before the evening rain starts falling.

Kids, with voices bouncing off the walls,  run to the back table for a fun lesson with Taam.

People from the cafe peek inside to see what all the commotion is about.  

English nights are crazy.

But with new students coming in almost every week, the craze is worth it.  New students mean new relationships and the possibility for these students to know who gave them their language. 

From English class many students will get involved with our Friday night activities, like making cupcakes (last week), a talent show, or engineering night.  And then from there they may be willing to join a small group Bible study or come to church. English class is just a small dot on the map, but one that draws in many people. 

In the quiet moments, usually after class as we head out to grab dinner together, God puts words to the craziness.

"This place seems more like a family than an English center."  Wat commented.

My heart smiled.  Even when we get caught up in the details, God is working. 

Our delicious cupcakes!

Blessings in the Spur of the Moment

The night before English Camp started the university students and I gathered together.  "The camp will be for about 180 students in ninth-grade who speak almost no English."  We were told by the leader who invited us.  "What will you do with them?"  

If it were up to me, that question would have sent my stress level over my head.   Instead, the university students jumped into brainstorming mode, turning the next two hours into a laughter-filled conversation that resulted in activities, games, songs, and lessons for camp.  

To teach the kids that they don't need to be afraid of making mistakes, I translated the camp rules into Thai.  They laughed at my mistakes, but we made a deal.  If I was going to try to speak Thai, they had to try to speak English.

Thai students are used to lining up and listening.  We tried not to keep them in this position for too long.

Some classrooms look very similar to a classroom in you would find in the States.

The school grounds look a little different though.

Practicing teamwork (using English!)

At one station, students learned about Thai herbs.

 

 

Vocabulary and art can go hand in hand.

Making people bookmarks helped us practice our colors and body parts.

See the picture of the king in on the right side of the whiteboard?  His picture is in every classroom. 

Camp wouldn't have been complete without some silly songs.  We also taught the students some worship songs. 

By the end of camp, students were asking for my Facebook name and taking tons of pictures.

Maybe the most encouraging part is that the school's English teacher is a Christian.  He will be at the school all year long and is connected with a Thai church in the area. 

May God work through these students and this community to make his name great in Chachoengsao!
 .

Chachoengsao...Where?

Tuk Tuk in the rain.  We are taking a pickup truck to Chachoengsao.  Hopefully the rain will hold off until we get there.

 
I've found my life's adventure with God is sometimes like my average trip in Thailand.  It usually begins with a side conversation ending with something along the lines of, "Will you join us?"

"Sure."  Then I hesitate.  What did I just agree to?   "Umm, I mean... Where?  When?  How much will it cost?  Who else is going?  When will we return?  How are we getting there?  What do I need to bring?"

 "Chachoengsao."

"Bless you!"

"I didn't sneeze."

"Come again?"

"Chachoengsao, a province about three hours east of Bangkok, for an English camp and to visit a children's home." My friend clarified.

"Okay.  Sounds good to me." I agreed.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

About five years ago, God asked a similar question of me, "Will you join My work in Thailand?"

My response was about the same,  "Sure."  Then hesitation as my mind began to process what I had just agreed.  I tried to stay afloat in the details of my drowning thoughts.   

Thailand?  When?  How much will it cost?  Who will I go with?  How long will I stay?  A ONE-WAY ticket!?  What do I need to prepare?

By His grace, I made it to Thailand.  I didn't know all the details, but as deciding points came and went, I always had the answers I needed or enough direction to make a choice in faith.

"Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, 

what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 

waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God..." 

2 Peter 3:11-12

 
Other than Chachoengsao (and I'm still trying to figure out where that is), I have no idea what God has planned for this week's adventures.  But I know we want to use our time well.  This may be the first time these kids have heard of Jesus.  The seeds we sow may be the seeds that God grows into a well-rooted ceder tree. 

As Gif and I discussed yesterday, we will be flexible and ready to say "yes" when God gives the opportunity. We know the outline, a children's home and English camp.  And God knows the rest. 
 

Kids' stories aren't just for kids!

The silly girls I live with...wouldn't trade them for anything.  :)

"Julia!  Can I come visit you?"  Wi asked, opening my door before sound could leave my mouth. 

"Ooh, your room is hot too."  Wi said, as she came in.  "What are you doing?"

"Translating a Bible story to teach the children at church on Sunday."

"Can I read too?"

"Sure."  I responded, handing her the teacher's book of stories. 

We sat on my bed, fans blowing the hot air around the room and flapping the pages of our books.  Wi read story after story out loud but to herself, insisting I get my work done and only occasionally stopping to ask how to pronounce a word or its meaning.  I occasionally did the same, asking the difference between two verbs that seemed interchangeable or the correct phrasing for a sentence.

After a while, Wi turned to another story.  "This one is from Genesis 26."  She stated.  "What's a 'well' and why were Isaac's ne-i-ber-s...a-r-gu-ing?" She asked, but quickly followed with, "I'll read and find out." 

Soft murmuring came from the other side of my bed.  Her petite finger ran across the lines of the story, brow intermittently wrinkling under her short, black bangs as she stopped to examine a word. 

"Hmmm."

I looked up, noticing Wi was finished with the story.  "So, why were Isaac's neighbors arguing?" I inquired.

"They wanted Isaac's well. But Isaac didn't want to ar-gue, so he built another one and then another one. He wanted to be their friend."

We sat quietly for a moment.

"I'm going to go now."  Wi stated, rather abruptly.  She paused, seeming to think about the stories she had been reading.  "God encouraged me to not argue with my friends."

"Good." I said, marveling at the way God just used a kid's bible story and my prep time to remind us of a lesson we often forget, even as adults. 

The door closed, and I was left alone to translate the rest of the story for Sunday school.

"Ar-gue?"  Wi called back, checking to make sure she was remembering her new word.

"Argue." I confirmed, smile widening across my face. 

Beach and Baptism

Friends from English class joined us at Bang Saen beach. 

Although not the same as the famous southern Thailand beaches, at an hour and a half away from Bangkok, this one is a perfect one-day get away. 

Under our tent-city, we could order food, buy beach toys, or just sit and relax.  

We couldn't enjoy the beach without enjoying some good sea-food...squid, muscles, and papaya salad!  (Can you guess my favorite...?)

Friends of all ages joined us, from an "Aunty" who has been retired for many years (third from the right) to Josiah, who at one and a half years old, we still had to keep from eating sand. 

The highlight of the day was definitely the N, who put her faith in Christ last week, was baptized!  It was perfect timing to make her proclamation to the world in God's beautiful creation.

Kyle, N, and me...so happy for the privelage to celebrate this special day together.

The Tennessee interns were very excited to celebrate with us too.

"I feel good." N told me afterward.  "I have peace in my heart."

Luckily Josiah didn't know that this man was selling cotton candy, otherwise he might not have let him keep going.  :)

New Fuel

I opened English class with a question to get students sharing.  "Tell me something exciting you did this past week, and if nothing exciting happened, tell me why your week was boring."

"My week was boring because I had to study every day."
"Celebrating my birthday with my friends was exciting."
"Boring.  I had to work and did nothing fun."
"I went to Kyle's house and learned about the Bible."  "It was exciting because it was my first time."

Unknowingly, this last student made my day.  He made every task in my week seem more meaningful.  He reminded me that God is working through all the responsibilities.

The small group and student Bible study Kyle and I are a part of has admittedly fallen under the "chore" category occasionally.  We have both taken our turn at being discouraged about students' inconsistency, other priorities they put first, or silence when we ask questions that dare to touch their heart.  A statement like this is fuel to keep pushing forward. 

The following Sunday, this student came to church for the first time.  As David, our new pastor, introduced himself and his family, he shared part of his testimony.  "I don't remember what the pastor preached about the first time I sat in church.  But I knew God was drawing me to himself."  I pray this is part of this student's testimony someday soon.

Uarn's Journey Continued

 No-bake cooking night with friends from English class at UniteBKK.

Uarn's story started a few weeks ago.  Start here to read from the beginning. 

"I believe in God but my dad won't let me."  Uarn shared during conversation time after English class.  I put down our English worksheet.  No amount of English is more important than this. 

It just so happened (in a completely God way which means not as a coincidence), that the three people sitting closest to us were Thai Christians who had also com to English class.  Uarn knew this was a place she could find out more about this God who loves her.  She admitted, however, "It doesn't look like a church." 

As she shared her desire to "see" God, Mii opened up a Bible and pointed to a section for Uarn to read.   After reading the story to herself, she looked up in awe. 

"Have you ever read the story of Zacchaeus before?"  One of the others asked.

"No..." Uarn said contemplating what she had read with a smile on her face.  Then her smile faded.  "My dad won't let me read the Bible.  I want to be a Christian.  I believe in God, and I love God."  Passion streamed through Uarn's young voice.

"If you really believe in your heart, than you are a Christian already.  It doesn't matter what your ID card says.  God knows your heart." Mii encouraged Uarn.  She shared how Jesus sought out Zacchaeus and wanted to spend time with him even though he was a sinner, just like he wants to spend time with Uarn. 

We are praying that Uarn can keep coming to English classes and hopefully to church and small group Bible study.  How amazing it would be to see this high school student grow in her passion for God and begin planting seeds of the gospel throughout her circles of influence--with her family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, and teachers. 

American vs. English English

After emptying a day's worth of rubbish bins, the dustman ran across the zebra crossing to the chemist’s shop.  A lorry coming out of the car park nearly hit him.  After taking the lift to the 4^th floor and picking up some pills, he walked back on the pavement to his car.  The pills went in the boot, and he grabbed the spanner to check the gearbox before heading to his flat.  His estate car was old but still ran well.  He took the motorway home, past the cinema, over a flyover and through the roadworks on a dual carriageway.  Sometimes he takes the underground home, but today he had errands to run.   

 Can you decipher the British English version? 

If you're having trouble, below is the story in American English.  I've learned quite a lot of British English while being in Thailand.  It is often what is taught in schools here.  Most of the time it's just interesting to see the differences.  Not wrong or right, I tell my students, just different.   

I also warn my students that people in the States might be confused if they ask where to find the loo, lift, hoover, maize, nappies, off-license, or a push-chair.
(restroom, elevator, vacuum cleaner, corn, diapers, liquor store, and stroller)

After emptying a day's worth of garbage cans,  the garbage man ran across the crosswalk to the pharmacy.  A truck coming out of the parking lot nearly hit him.  After taking the elevator to the 4^th floor and picking up some pills, he walked back on the sidewalk to his car.  The pills went in the trunk, and he grabbed the wrench to check the transmission before heading to his apartment.  His station wagon was old but still ran well.  He took the freeway home, past the movie theater, over an overpass and through a construction zone on a divided highway.  Sometimes he takes the subway home, but today he had errands to run. 

Still Learning

 Wi and friends preparing to harvest the tops of these plants 

(not really sure what kind of plant they are.)

"What season is April in?" Wi asked me.
"Spring."
"No." Wi responded, laughing.  "Summer."

I shot a puzzled look up to the top of the wall where our rooms meet with a screen.  We were both getting ready for bed, while she took the opportunity to practice English by asking me "simple" questions. 

"How many seasons are there?" She asked next.
"4" I said, without giving it a second thought.
"No, 3."

I began to feel like a little kid in kindergarten, thinking I have all the right answers and yet getting corrected every time. 

She tried again. "What's the first day of the week?"
"Sunday." I said confidently.
"No. It's Monday."

"What's the last day of the week?"
"Sunday?"  I responded hesitantly.
"Correct!" She shouted encouragingly.

James 4:6 is a good reminder, "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"  As comfortable as living in Thailand becomes, I still have a lot to learn.  Humility is one of the most important characteristics of a learner.

Thankful Day

Thanksgiving Day English Class

pumpkin pie, red juice, and thankful hearts

"On Thanksgiving in America, everyone shares one thing they are thankful for, so we're going to do that today in English class."  I explained and gave an example, "I am thankful for patient Thai friends to teach me Thai."

The students followed with,

I am thankful for....

                          "living here at BJD."

"learning English."

    "my close friend from America."

"my teacher."

"my father and mother and my friends."

"safe airplanes."

           "lunch."

"no floods in our area."

Following our thoughts of thankfulness, we were thankful for the delicious taste of pumpkin pie.  

 

English Camp

 

 We spent the day with 35 students, one teacher, and 3 alumni who were helping with the camp. 

 Our focus was conversation.  One activity included each table of students coming up with a question to ask "the foreigner."

 

This teacher has been teaching at the school for 28 years.  She is now the counselor and helps students think about and apply for university.

 At the beginning of the day, students were very hesitant to talk to me.  Sun said they are scared of foreigners.  I laughed and asked, "Am I sacary looking?"

 By the end of the day, I don't think I was as scary to the students. How could a teacher like this be scary? :)

 Op and Sun in front of another school building.  Op and her husband (below) do campus ministry in Bangkok. 

Supot went to this school as a kid.  He was really grateful to have the opportunity to come back and pour into the students.

 Listening attentively.   Even the teacher (bottom right) was repeating the practice conversations after me. 

 The students were quite attentive while Sun shared about her journey to know Christ.  She also invited any students who might study in Bangkok to come visit us at Baan Jai Diaow.  Wouldn't that be awesome if God used this English camp to bring more students to live at the dorm with us?!

 

I was so grateful Sun's exams were finished (the day before we left), so she could join me.  It was a great experience for her, challenging, out of her comfort zone, but so good.

 Here's the school.  About 3,000 students between the ages of 12 and 18 are enrolled.

We enjoyed lunch together, but before eating we all had to raise our arms, crossed at chest level and repeat in loud voices after the leader something that included, "I will eat all my food and not waist any."