It's me (Mike) again . . . .

Hello –

I spoke with Kim this morning (Sat 2/23) it was her Saturday night and she was going to bed early (10:00pm) her time for once. She said that they have been very, very busy almost non-stop. She also told me that the internet service at the hotel was down until Monday.

So, you get to hear from Dad on duty. I am actually enjoying myself quite a bit. I told Kim this morning that without her here to distract them, the kids actually enjoy hanging out with their daddy. My week has not been any less busy but it has been a very good time. I have caught up on the laundry and only managed to eat out twice this week. One was a planned treat and the other was I was too lazy to make anything. But, enough about me and my domestic bliss.

Kim said that from here on out the trip was to be all about the card making and teaching the ladies a trade. They have seen many sights, smelled many smells, laughed, cried, worshipped and had a tremendous time of fellowship. I can’t wait for them to get home and for them to have time to put all of their thoughts and feelings together. Keep praying for them because I know that they need and appreciate it.

What a story....

We started the day by going to a place called night light. We first went to a devotion (in Thai) for the girls/women at night light. Hearing the girls sing was like a choir. They had great voices. After the service we went to the "working house". This is a place where the girls go to make jewelry/cards/sew. About 1/2 of the girls are believers. The girls are so sweet and smile all the time. This is where we heard the testimony of a girl. We will tell the complete story of her when we return but the start was being SOLD at 6 years old for $500. It was absolutely heart breaking. What Christ has done in her life is amazing. After hearing her story I just felt so greatful for what we have in the U.S. but I also really realized how greatful I feel for being rescued too, by the blood of Jesus. After that we went to lunch . We had to slum it today with a buffet at the Hyatt. It was probaby the most elaborate buffets I have seen. Now dont go thinking we are on a mission and shouldnt be eating so well. The cost of things here is unreal. This buffet would have cost at least $70pp in the US but it was $20. Plus it is Kellis birthday today. It was a treat. After lunch we went to The Well. This is the place we are going to make the cards. We met the woman Judy who started The Well and talked with her about all the card things. We are going to look for consumable supplies with them tomorrow. Janelle is going tomorrow on outreach (we think) . The more we see young girls with older men it is very disturbing. Tonight we went on a dinner cruise(I know what your thinking, remember we are in Thailand) . On the cruise there was a very young Thai girl with an older (sorry to say my age) man(what looked like american). We tried to watch them while trying not to be obvious. At one point when the girls who were doing a Thai dance were dancing we saw her start to cry. Janelle and I both asked Becky do you think she is wishing she was one of them. Becky said probably. The mind set of these girls is one of no worth. With the buddist religion they also think they deserve nothing better because they must have been bad in a past life. It is very sad. When we got back to the hotel as we were walking in a very young(13?) year old and a 68? year old man. You almost have to see it to believe it. But you really dont want to see it. Becky had our families write letters to us (before we left) to give to us here. We receive them today. Thank you. There are so many babies and little kids around. Makes me miss mine even more. Thank you all for your prayers. I keep forgetting to tell you all what a praise that none of us have been sick. Becky has a sinus and cough thing going so please pray for healing for her as she will be going to Turkey to be the speaker at a conference. Her voice is scratchy from her coughing too.

God is so big

Hey everyone it is 5am here Thursday morning. Yesterday was a very draining day. We were up at 4. I was up at 2 and couldnt sleep. We went to Pattaya to a place called Tamar house. This is a place where girls who have been rescued from prostitution go to learn a "trade" such as baking, card making, sewing and cosmetology(I know I spelled that wrong). They also have english as a second language which is how the girls are mostly introduced to Tamar. They are all also taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we first arrived they were getting ready for a church/prayer service. We met 2 ladies from New Zealand who had just arrived. A group of kids from Ywam. It is some mission organization. A girl from Austrailia, A man and his wife who have lived there 2 years from none other than Arkansas(dont know what town) and the Thai and Chinese people from the town. The man who ran the service (whom we called Cliff) was also from the states(or so he sounded) but has lived there for 6 years. (Side bar) When the Dubais joined our small group it made me think a little different. To hear their testimonies of knowing God in Romania and as young people fearing persecution really made me grasp how big God really is. Their faith being so strong. That being said ... to be in a group of all different people , from all over this world singing together (in different languages) the songs we sing at our church in Livonia Michigan praising our BIG GOD- was awesome.
We had some testimony time, a small "sermon", and prayer time. This service is usually the time when all the ministries that are working in Pattaya come together to pray for each other. It actually was so much like being at Berean. We will share more about these prayer requests when we get home(unless one of the others blog it now) When the service was over we toured the facilities. We then headed back to Bangkok. We arrived at the hotel for about an hour (change and freshin up) then out to dinner. When we arrived back home I dont even know if anyone tried to call home. I think I fell asleep before Janelle even shut off the light. I actually slept for 8 hours straight. I would post the weather like Cliff did but we are not outside much. And the 80-85 might not be nice to post(ha ha). The traffic still amazes us. There are no less than 6 types of vechicles. Cars ,vans, tuctuc(sp) motorcycles,mopeds , I would call walkers vehicles too. They drive so fast cut each other off but never get angry. Even little kids ride on motorcycles. It is like me driving down 275 with Cash in front of me with no helment. I have pictures to prove it. Sorry if this is rambling --so many things to write about and quite a few emotions. We are going to the Well today and Night Light tonight. I think Janelle is going out with the women to the bars so please pray for protection for her especially. One prayer request for me would be about the language barrier. If I communicated with people I find it much easier to be loving(touchy too). That is what these girls need and I almost freeze up because I cant have a real conversation with them..I know Christs love will cover all but please pray.

Ate Thai food and still alive...

Our day started with breakfast at the hotel. It was buffet style. Janelle and I had grilled tomatoes and pad something. We then went to a mall like place. It was like a flea market at Twelve Oaks. Then we went to a jewelry store (rubies,sapphires and the such) are inexpensive here. We were able to ask Becky about things we would see and ask questions if we thought of anything. Her brother David was a guide with us as he and his family live here full time. The people are very friendly, and there are ALOT of people. The streets are sooooooooo crowed. But the Gibbs would fit right in because they drive on the wrong side of the road. We walked to dinner tonight and it is an amazing sight to see. The people are everywhere. They cook on the side of the road (good pictures of whole fish on the grill) and everyone eats out. It is to expensive to have a stove and pay for electricity and oil to cook themselves. We are advised to not eat the roadside food. However the most sad thing I saw today was the budda shrines that are up all over A few really big ones that people are bowing and praying to. They buy prayers on the road and flowers then bow and read the prayer. You just want to yell I know the real God.
With that being said tomorow is a long day. We catch our van at 5:45 am and take a 3 hr ride to Pattaya. There we will visit a safe house. I will post details about that hopefully tomorrow night. Thank you for your prayers. Hi Mom I will see you soon.

The Eagle Has Landed . . . .

That was the txt message that I recieved about 1:10 pm est. (2/18).

THIS IS MIKE BY THE WAY.

They arrived safe and sound in Bangkok and got to their hotel around 2:30 am their time. They are twelve hours ahead of us.

I would like to add at this time, that my wife has an insanely hard job and I can never give her enough credit for the 'job' she does. WOW. School drop off, pre-school drop off, pre-school pickup, pre-school birthday party, volleyball game uh, nope, cancelled, school pickup, 'quick' trip to Meijer, dinner, bath time, prayer time, nite, nites. I am DONE and it is only the first day! Enough about me though.

Kim called tonight about eight o'clock. They were getting up and showering for the day. (We had just finished dinner and reading Ephesians 6:10-20) Their Tuesday was to be spent acclimating to the time change and touring a shopping center looking for supplies. I of course, asked Kim to come home. She has been gone long enough and she should come home now. They were also going to figure out their hotel and the business center and internet connectivity so that they could begin updating their blogs. Kim sounded great and she said that the plane trip was long but not super terrible. Karen can send and recieve txt messages on her cell phone.

What an awesome privilage it must be for them to serve in this way. Kim said that they will update the blogs on their evenings so we should be able to check them on our mornings and see the updates. That also means that you will not have to suffer through too many more of my updates. I think I am going to start my own blog to journal this trip from my perspective.

The first day has been awesome. The anxiety of travel and such has passed and it is now onto the real work of the trip. Please keep them in your prayers and keep reading and praying through Ephesians 6:10-20 on their behalf. That's it for now, I think that it is about time for Reagan to come down and say that her hair hurts, or maybe it is Gibby and a stomach ache. :-)

The night before.....

I can't believe it is finally here. I have certainly gotten better with e-mail. The last few nights have been fun e-mailing each other. I am getting ready to get in bed with my chicklins and watch Little House on the Prairie. They have been excited to watch it . I will leave everyone with the scripture Becky (the missionary we are going with)has asked us to read daily.

THE ARMOR OF GOD

Ephesians 6:10-20

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should

Prayer Card . . . .

This is the prayer card that our church distributed for prayer support for our trip. Please pray for us and check back for updates!