Boat Sails In

Boat has finally arrived! This week we catch up with Boat for a quick chat to learn firstly, how she came by the name Boat and also what is in store for her during her time at ashgrove...

Is your name really Boat?

No. My name is really Phikun Arkniyarn. I got the nickname 'Boat' because my father's name is Noah and the first three letters of my last name are Ark.

Haha. That is a great story! So Boat, tell us a little about yourself...

My mum is an English teacher, so she taught me English and then I went to America for high school for four years. This was a change for me as my parents were fairly protective; however in America I had the freedom to go the mall by myself and be more independent. I then went back to Thailand and studied Bio Medical Science at uni in Bangkok.

Wow! And so what did you do after you finished uni?

I have been working as a translator for midwives and pharmacist in an NGO refugee camp.

And do you live in one of the villages that the Thailand Mission Team visited, or somewhere else?

No, I live in the city of Chang Mai. So when we went to the villages as part of the mission trip, it was my first time at them.

So now you are in Australia. What will you are doing while you are here?

I am here for six months to learn about ashgrove and how it does mission. This week I am helping out in Playcentre, and on Friday nights I go to Genesis, which is fun even if I am a bit old for it! During my time here I also plan to learn skills that I can take home and use with my church in Thailand.

And finally, what are three things you really want to do during your stay here in Australia?

Umm... Go to the zoo and see all the native animals. Learn how to write a fundraising proposal so that I can help my home church raise money for a new building. And I guess just have a good time and enjoy my stay.