risk in life

Back in October we were able to say a big 'THANK YOU' to all those who supported us and share with our church community what we experienced and the risks we took to follow the call to go to Thailand.
We wanted to let everyone have a glimpse of what Thailand was to us and this was the result...





The last video was a letter written from Dave and Louise who were the host missionaries in Thailand- we asked them to share what they risked in being over there... crazy to think that their response was not what they were doing but what they saw the people around them do.

GO-

It's been three months since I was in Thailand. I miss it desperately, especially since seeing and hearing the news of flooding. At the same time it has been exciting to see the videos that we had took in Thailand appear in different videos- hopefully encouraging people to partner with what is going on out there.
This video is one of two promo videos that is coming out. I'm excited to see what comes next.

act*ion

1 Program
6 Teams
5 Countries
--------------
the result

Glimpse of Thai

Now that the physical journey of Thailand 2011 is over- the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual one realllly begins. *(i say this as my body is rejecting everything that N.A. has to throw at it... and it isn't pretty folks!)
As I digest all the craziness that was these past 6 weeks here are some more photos to enjoy...

Post on the GO!

So... I'm sitting here in Vancouver Airport waiting to board the last plane of the journey- and i can't lie... as much as I'm happy to be on Canadian soil my hear is already missing Thailand. I loved the joy of the people *(like BaWao) - I loved the songthaew rides to church and our final trip to the airport *(yes we took a Songthaew to the airport!!!)- I loved bartering in the market- I loved building relationships with people- I LOVED pretending that i knew how to speak Thai when i really only knew 5 words)- and I REALLY LOVED experiencing God at work in their lives to the point of overflowing when they worshiped- It was an amazing experience and I don't think I fully understand all that I've learned while being away... But while I'm pondering life i feel like i should show you a glimpse of these last 30 days. These are some thank you videos that we made for the Thai and Burmese Churches...





now off to Winnipeg- I'm coming home - Coming Home- tell the world I'm COMING HOME!
[k]

Rak BaWao

Rak in Thai is LOVE.
Rak is also a word I would use to describe BaWao.
The moment you step into the community where Bethel Church is located you will be greeted by BaWao with love. Ba (grandma) Wao is overflowing with love and joy for all those around her. Her smile and laugh is infectious. She loves people through hugs and making food *(much like a Mennonite Omi). And seems to be a mother/grandmother to all.
Much like other great mothers/grandmothers BaWao thinks of herself last. She lives in a small, one room house that is slowly sinking into the swamp lands it was built in. Even getting into her house was a task as her entrance way was a few rotting pieces of wood in barely above water. So to bless BaWao, as she has blessed those around her, the ACTION team jumped in and started to rebuild the entrance to BaWao's house.
They built a new deck and stone path so that she could get in without getting wet and even put in a porch light so you could find your way in at night.
While they were building BaWao created a cashew chicken feast for lunch (even while being blessed by others she tries to find ways to help in return) and I was able to put my menno-cooking skills to work by helping along side her. Clearly language was a barrier for us, but in the land of cooking/BaWao- no words needed to communicate. We laughed as sauces were made and food was tested (and by that I mean dipping fingers into pots of deliciousness!)- i even picked up a few knife wielding skills along the way. And I got a chance to show here photos of my fam. and asked about hers.
After lunch it was back to work for the ACTION team and at the end of the day BaWao had a new entrance. A few days later the team was even able to plant a small front garden just to add a special touch to the place.
I share this story because not because of the way in which we were able to help BaWao- but rather that her life is a testimony of the transformational LOVE of God.
Although BaWao lives in a place no one would wish to live in *(with drug dealers, outcasts, and the poorest of the poor), in a house that is sinking into the ground, she is overflowing with LOVE. I see her walking with God and knowing what it is like to experience love from Him that she has no other choice then to share that love with others *(in her community, with foreigners, and with a menno girl in the kitchen).

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." 1 John 4:16

Rak BaWao for me was about seeing and experiencing a glimpse of how God is LOVE and how to live out that love.
I am blessed.

picture this....

Ever Wonder...

have you ever asked yourself... "i wonder what it looks like where Kristin is?!" - have you ever want to see this lovely place she speaks so highly of?! Welcome to the first ever tour of The Hope Center- media capital of Thailand! *(or at least the location of the media team)



hope you enjoy!

*(more posts to come! stay tuned)

home sweet home...

Nothing says home to me like food, family, and farming. While here in Thailand I haven't technically been home but there have been a few key things that makes it feel more like...

Baking fresh platz *(HUGE shout out to Mennonite Girls Can Cook)

Food is always more enjoyable with having family around... and we have the best "adopted" family here in Thailand! Thanks to the Sinclair-Peters for hosting us and letting us invade their house and clean out their cupboards! *(not to mention allowing us to tag along with the amazing mission work they have been doing here for the past 11 years!)
If you want to know more of what Dave, Louise and their wonderful kids are up to, or if you feel the call to support them in there ministry out here to both the Thai and Burmese people check out THIS! *In other side news yesterday at the Burmese Church another 10 people asked to accept Jesus into their life and God has opened up a new door into a factory to share about His love and mercy! WOO! Pray for continued sharing of the Word and discipleship of new believers.

The last thing that really has brought me home is the fact that Chanchoengsao is the land rice paddies (rice fields). The other day we were driving at mad speeds by some gorgeous fields and all I could think about was home- and how the fields are doing, how the weather is, and how the family is!

Photo courtesy of a Family Celebration Dinner- celebrating the beginning of summer, Nick and I leaving, and life in general.
Aprons were made with much love by Omi *aka mom;
as a way to remind us all to serve in whatever we do this summer.
I'm wishing i would have brought mine to Thailand, it would have come in handy with the platz!

I hope you are all doing well- a BIG hello to Emma, Lukas, Leah, Megan and of course Helen *(hope you're enjoying Simonhouse!) Mom & Dad- I will call ya soon! Barb & Dan, hope you're able to keep cool in your place! (or find a new place!?!) Andrew and Sher- Make wise choices! Nick- we will see you in Gretna!
Love you all!
*sorry I didn't get a picture of a rice combine yet... I'm hoping I can get one still.

Half time Show in Thailand!

Yesterday was our first official day off- and in accordance with having a day off I didn't post- but clearly the things I experienced need to be shared, as it isn't every day you get picked up by an elephant and live to tell about it. So here you have it folks: The Half Time show!

First up:
A stunning Songthaew drive... which was driving by the same guy Louise convinced to drive us to the Burmese factory for a worship night last Monday- He had to not only drive but sit through the worship and stay for the meal after. I'm pumped to keep running into him, and see how God uses this connection we've built.

Stop one: The Tiger Zoo *(which also has elephants, monkeys, scorpions, and pigs!?)
Highlight from here was most defiantly the 25 baht (about 75 cent) coconut drink, feeding a tiger, and having an elephant pick me up! I actually think i stopped breathing when it happened....

Stop two: A beach at a Ban San
Here we risked eating some sort of seafood on a stick- which tasted amazing! Pineapple on a stick- which was even more AMAZING! And an hour long 3 person bike ride- which we drove up and down the beach to the joy of many locals who laughed and pointed.

Stop three: a Market
and when i say market- you are probably invisioning a bartering, thai-knockoff brand, market- where I come home with a bazillion Prader sunglasses, and Guccci purses... this however was a Fish market... which smelled lovely, but made for some awesome photo ops!





















Final destination: Home
After the hour long ride home- we sat around as a joint team and talked about highs of the trip thus far and one thing we were thankful for. For myself since being here I've realized that I am and need to be even more thankful for those push and encourage me in my Christian walk back home. I've been blessed with a great number of people who speak into my life and have asked some amazing questions- and here with such a small Christian community/small base Christian leaders I've come to see in influence and impact that has had in my life. So to all of you in my life who have pushed/ encouraged/ supported/ spoke/ or prayed for me- THANK YOU!

And there you have the half time show! It was a fantastic day to relax and unwind *(and give our hosts a break from us). And experience some different aspects of Thai life.

Now lets see what happens in the second half of the game!
*(for more pictures from the day and first two weeks see here)

all in a day...

There are many ups and downs to being on the media team... this morning we were blessed to have the opportunity to wake up EARLY (5:30am) so we could reach our first shooting destination. Although the downside was the early start it was more than worth it as we found our selves weaving down the Khlong on the edge of Bangkok. It was an hour long ride of sheer photo/video BLISS

*(see here for more!)

From there it was a mad dash to a school to do a shoot of the other ACTION team teaching English in two classrooms. It was cool to see a few familiar faces of some church youth that we've been getting to know and even some of the teens that came out to the outreach from the previous weekend.

Even more exciting was being able to see and hang out with two of the youth that made a decision for Christ during that weekend outreach-

Mike (gr. 10) and Gague (gr. 10)

Both became Christians last weekend! Please pray for continued discipleship and desire to learn!

From school we got the news that a believer that Louise and Pastor Naat had lead to Christ a few weeks earlier wanted us to come and talk to her husband about Jesus... clearly we were not about to let that opportunity pass us up so we (all 15 of us) jumped in the 9 passenger van and drove to the woman's business. She owns a restaurant so we first enjoyed some Somtam *my FAVORITE Thai dish! and coconut drank... and after we refueled we started to share with her husband about how God has worked in our lives. Actually when Louise asked for people to share my heart began to race, I began to sweat *(more than I already was) and my mind became fixated on a part of my testimony I hadn't thought of in a LONG time ... it was one of those "Kristin... it's time to step out" moments...

After a few of us spoke Pastor Naat shared the gospel... and let me tell you the passion and excitement that comes out of this little woman blows me away every time I hear her share.

While she began to share not only did the woman's husband ask to receive Christ, but the two other ladies that had stopped to grab a bite to eat asked to receive Him as well! Talk about a moment from God...




Please welcome to the 3 newest believers in the Thai Church!!!

Pray they will find ways to connect in the Church and that God would stir up a desire to know Him personally.

And that draws to an end one very AMAZING day-

thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement...

LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.

Habakkuk 3:2

Keep sharing God's story!
[k]

pho-to

Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Do you see what I see?!

Being on the media team has it's advantages... I've been able to see and capture where God is working here in Thailand and how He uses both LONG TERM and short term missionaries in foreign places.
It has been just over a week of being here and GOD has been making Himself known in some very exciting ways like- through the evangelical heart of the Thai people, or the passion in worship of the Burmese, the prayers and expectancy for healing, or the more than 15 people we have seen come to Christ in the last 2 days! I especially have been impacted by watching the Thai youth that we get to see a couple times a week- for those that have made decisions to follow Christ are HUNGRY to know more and share what they know with their friends- for those who have never heard about Jesus they are curious to know and understand why a bunch of Farang (foreigners) are doing talking about Him.
This last week the other ACTION team here was able to spend 2 days with some youth teaching them English, sharing their testimonies and even singing some songs... this is a quick glimpse of the afternoon of the first day

which reminded me of this verse...
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-10

At the end of the second day 6 youth and one mother dedicated their life to Christ...
lets just say God gets ALLLLL the glory on that one!

Subway, a Songtaew, and Chicken feet!

Yesterday was a hugely productive day for the media team!
With the help of two of our new friends Naan and Doh (youth from the Thai Church)- we made our way via Van to the Airport to shoot a scene for an ACTION video. And when I say took a van to the Airport, I mean playing a game of sardines on an 1h long trip- I think at one point we had 23 ish people in a 16 passenger van.
Now some of you might be wondering about how filming in an Airport went... as if being a group of Farang (or Foreigners) doesn't make you stick out enough- carrying video equipment- and setting up shots shouldn't draw any extra attention right?! Well... the bad news was we did get asked to leave- but the good news was that they only asked us to leave at the end of the shoot John and I may have walked into a restricted area... OOOooops!? Other then that it was SMOOOTH sailing - and we were even able to pick up Subway to celebrate!
In the afternoon we joined up with the other action team and jumped on a songtaew- a pickup truck with seats in the back- and made the hour long trek to a Burmese neighbourhood to share the gospel and worship~ and let me tell you these people know how to worship! The team was able to help in the band, share testamonies, and perform a drama. At the end of the service Pastor Isaiah (a Burmese man) asked if there was anyone who wanted to receive Christ and 10-15 people came up!!! I say 10-15 because there was at least another 5-10 that came up at the same time to ask for healing- and after praying for all that were there we rejoiced as people were saved and healed!
To end of the JOY FILLED evening we celebrated with a meal at Mo's house... and what better way to celebrate than eat a big bowl of rice, Thai esque salad and Chicken feet- which... if you don't think about what you are eating actually tastes great!

Psalm 96
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Photos thus far...

New Friends...

Yesterday was our first official outreach day- lots of filming... lots of photos... and even time to spend getting to know some kids!
Here's to hoping today goes as well as yesterday- minus the heat exhaustion some of our team was facing.

Pray for quickly adapting bodies for the the media team so that we can keep up withe everything that is going on.

[k]

A welcomed here from Thailand...

As I landed in the Bangkok airport i received a welcome in a very unique way...
1. I was on of the only blond haired people to be seen so people tended to stop and stair.
2. the moment I stepped out of climate controlled buildings I was greeted by stifling heat and humidity... I haven't stopped sweating yet.
3. I received a very beautiful orchid
4. My ankles had somehow become swollen beyond recognition and i officially had my first ever case of cankles...Best part is... they're still growing.... eek!
Any suggestions!?

Action Media Team 2011

To get a more "normal look" of our team check out these amazing photos by our team photographer Rachel...

Geek Fleet Productions

Hey... just to give you a taste of what our geeky team is capable of... check this out

stay tuned for the next installment!

Dressing Classy!

*(this post started on Wednesday)
For anyone who knows me... knows that I LOVE the idea of being classy- for my roommates they know classiness is next to godliness and Audrey Hepburn is the epitome of class. In fact, I have a HUGE Audrey Hepburn canvas in my house and we joke that I ask her if she approves of my outfit. *(jokes on them... i actually do)
This morning we were asked to look at the armor of God (found in Ephesians 6:10-20). "Read over it and see which piece God wants you to put on" was the assignment... I sat and thought... it took a while. The things that stuck out though was the belt of truth *(the very first thing you need to put other wise ya lose your undergarments) and the second was feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace (I saw myself putting on my marathon running shoes- shoes that would carry me far and FAST- but once i laced them up I realized that these shoes were shoes of peace and that i wasn't running anywhere but that God was calling me to be ready but be peaceful- to be calm- to rely on Him). I shared with the group that I felt the word truth was for today and the feet was message that God wanted to teach me over time... This statement could not have been truer.

Truth Played out:
*(written today)
Looking back on that day I can see moments where TRUTH became visible to me.

• After the morning prayer time we had a session where we spent time talking about being attentive to listening to God's voice; in it we wrote a note as if it were written from God. It consisted of a promise from the Bible, a sentence explaining it, and a salutation. I wrote mine expecting it to be a note written to me. Instead, we were told to pass it 3 people down. When i received mine it said this "

Dear Child,
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Delight yourself in me and I will give you the desires of your heart"
I AM GOD- I do not lie.

God

• We spent the evening session talking about spiritual warfare. Typically when those things are discussed it's focus is on the weird things that can happen. Instead we talked about how at the root of spiritual warfare is the struggle between a Truth and a Lie. That when lies take over they become truth to us and deceive us. We spent time asking God what lies we believe about ourselves and what truths we need to be filled with. I started listening to my typical thoughts- thoughts that I thought were truth, but in reality were a lie. Thoughts that told me "I'm not good enough" or that "I need to prove myself to others", "That I need to live up expectations of others". As i wrote these lies down I couldn't believe how much of a truth they became to me. We wrote them down and pinned them to a cross. I remember wanting to to get rid of them, I felt sick thinking that I had believed them. But each time I wrote something down I wanted to keep the lie- I liked the comfort of it, I liked how I had a way to order my life, I like how I had rules to follow... but now that they were written down and I was freed of it I had no cover. I needed to start filling my life up with truth and cover myself in that- i needed new "rules"; ones that didn't hurt me or keep me down. Instead i needed truth to define my life- but this is a long process... and so the Truth telling begins.
  

One day- One word- I never anticipated that it would have been such a big deal when we were reading through the armor of God at 7:30 am.