The value of relationships has really come home to me over the past couple of days. Having been here a few times now there are many people who know me, and it helps the relationship develop a little deeper each time we meet. I have seen this at the ta Rua church, having preached there again the other day, within the local community, even last night booking a tour for some of our group for Saturday down at Khao San Road last night, made all the easier as I am recognized, known, and hopefully trusted.
This has really hit home teaching at Glua Prik each day, we had 28 kids in our class this morning, all between the ages of 5-9 years. Most of them I taught earlier in the year, so there is a lot of trust and fun had. I am reminded that Jesus spent time building relationships, he just didn’t do the “preaching tour” thingy, but invested his life into some. The relationships here continue to blossom, so too does Jesus continue to reveal himself to me through the people I meet, especially the poor of the slum…
The past couple of days have been a great blur, arriving in to Bangkok from Chiang Mai late Saturday morning, meeting many others over from Oz as well as catching up with Thai friends. I preached Sunday morning again at the Ta Rua church, a real privilege, with great interpreting from Rod, I really value Foothills partnership with the local church here in the slum. Then on the run for the day, orientation for English teaching, playing (or attempting to) soccer in the late arvo and finishing with a Manchester United v Liverpool Thai footy experience in the evening.
This morning started our English teaching and I have gone back to
Glua Prik, the community that I was at earlier this year in April. Was a great morning, especially with many of the kids yelling at the tops of their voices Sawadee Barro. Looking forward to the rest of the week. Another highlight though is seeing many of the Aussies here get their eyes opened up to what God is doing here, and having their worlds turned upside down. More to come soon, off to a Thai festival tonight…
Back from 3 days of trekking through the mountains of northern Thailand. What an amazing experience. Great views, fantastic people, hard walk. Spent 2 nights sleeping in 2 different villages, walked up some full on mountains, but am proud to say that I was the oldest on the trek, everyone else besides Rory were in their 20’s, and also was one of the fittest. All of that swimming, paper delivery with the boys and cricket training has paid off.
Would loved to have spent much more time up in this part of the world, beautiful and away from the pollution of Bangkok, also got to see some Muay Thai, another cultural experience not to be missed
Rory and I flew out from Melbourne last night and arrived in Bangkok this morning. We are now about to board a domestic flight to head up to Chang Mai until Saturday morning where we will join the rest of the 20 crew who have come over for the next ESL
UNOH camp,teaching Engligh in the slums of Klong Toey, which I am coordinating. We are a little weary but excited about the next few days, nothing is booked, so it is all one big adventure lying ahead. Gotta go, flight is calling, unsecured wireless is a beautiful thing.
First BIG day of cricket for the season, 7.15am dropped Rory at his game to WATCH, due to injury and went with Jack to under 13's. Jack came into bat at 2 wickets down for 3 and 10 overs later departed 23 retired, a great effort considering he made the grand total of 9 for all of last season. Ended up with the man of the match and a great boost to the confidence, and a win to boot.
My seniors game started at 12.30, we bowled and 40 overs is a long time, took a catch, grassed another one, bowled 3 overs (no wides or no balls, major achievement) and took 1 for 9. We were chasing 150 and were never in the hunt, I batted at 6, came in at 4 for 30 after 30 overs on a hat trick. Saw off that, hit some nice shots, got to 5 and with the adrenahlin pumping full on ran myself out in a very embarrassing way, stranded halfway down the pitch, ah la Simon Katich style...
Still a very succesful re entry to the cricket field, and what's better, didn't feel too bad today at all... just a little tired. Now a 2 week break before the next onslaught, I'm sure the Australian selectors were out in the paddock somewhere watching...
In my spare time over the past 6 weeks I have been off to cricket training with our local club
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club. I have been co coaching Jack's team, the under 13's but also training with the seniors, and tommorrow make my long awaited return to cricket after 23 years in the wilderness. It was with great excitement last night when the teams were read out that there was my name, in the 6ths. Unfortunately the main motivation for all of this was to play with Rory, who plays under 17's in the morning and seniors in the afternoons, but he tore some ankle ligaments earlier this week skateboarding so will have to sit the day out. Jack also returns after just getting his
plaster caste off last week, with still limited movement and strength in his right arm. The last few weeks have been a bit of a battle with the back and general soreness for me, using muscles that i forgot I had, but that will all be worth it tomorrow when I step out onto the field. Just tell Freddie he better be afraid...
Recently all the family headed down to Tasmania for a couple of days. It was the first time we had EVER flown together as a family since Ella has been around. The reason was to go and visit Helen's grandy, who is turning 92 and wants to "go home". We spent some good time with him listening to his stories, I especialy loved the cricket and footy ones. he is a man of God who never misses a morning taking his Bible out, reading and praying and committing his life to following Jesus. All in all a great family time, even detoured off the main track to the little town of Barrington, I was keen to explore but the others weren't so keen, maybe it had something to do with the sleet sideways rain. Where's their sense of adventure...
