Thailand Tales

'Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to  provide the poor wanderer with shelter.'     (Isa 58:6-7)

The story begins with Somboon, a young village boy from the jungles of Northern Thailand.  Somboon finishes his schooling in Chang Mai and goes on to study at university in Australia. Finding himself in a strange and different world he begins searching, for help, for friendship, for a lifeline. Eventually Somboon finds a spiritual lifeline, ashgrove. Over time he begins to share about his vision for his people, the Karen, to be won for the Lord. He speaks of the desire of the Karen Baptist Convention to educate their young people so that they will hear the gospel, as well as wanting to bring an end to the poverty cycle. ashgrove listens to Somboon and realised that together this vision may become a reality.

In January 2011, a team of 15 ashgrovians will set out to help achieve Somboon's vision.  They will be challenged personally, culturally and spiritually. They will work to help the Karen People of Thailand and continue building the friendship which exists between the two churches. This trip will not be easy for the participants as they will be part of a very different culture.

The Karen live mostly in the jungles and mountain regions of Northern Thailand. They are an unwanted people who live below the poverty line; even many Christians don't see them Karen as being legitimate. The majority of the Karen practice Animism as Buddhism with about 30% being Christian.

Due to the fact that most jungle villages don't have schools, hostels are needed for the children to live in while they attend a local Thai government school. The ashgrove team will travel to Chiang Mai and Omkoi to help finish building a kitchen, toilet block and work in the gardens in order to see one of these hostels become self sufficient. During their time the team will also go to a nearby village to provide basic medical checkups and serve the local village.

ashgrove's willingness to serve is a great encouragement to the Karen who are striving continually to reach their people with the Gospel. It creates such an impact to know that they are wanted, that people from Australia care for them enough to visit and help. This trip will also help to encourage Somboon and Pirawan as they see ashgrove helping to make the dream a reality.

How can you help?

Prayer:

All the team needs your prayers. We encourage you to meet with one of the participants and ask them how you can pray for them. When we are away, please pray that God would meet with all the team and that each would see God at work in the Karen as well as their own lives.

Financially:

Sausage Sizzle - This Sunday after both services the team will be doing a sausage sizzle. Make a donation and help support the team by buying a sausage.

Comfort Class Movie - On Tuesday 14^th of December  the team is hosting a movie event - to watch Narnia the Voyage of the Dawn Trader in Gold Class comfort. Part of the proceeds will go to the finances of the team. Check out  The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and save the date in your diaries!
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