Dear friends; My heart is so full and grateful to receive what is happening all over the world with the CCCS projects. August 15 is the due date for the second report of the projects and already before that date we have pages of news to share. We want you to know what your gifts are doing, not only for the children but the directors and teachers who are working with them. The encouragement to the teachers helps them feel a part of making a difference in their world, sharing the love of Jesus and giving children the chance to grow intellectually. We are working in the poorest countries and we can see the growth and change. Guatemala, our first country, has grown from one small boarding school to 5 schools and 11 additional scholarship sites, all run by Christians, many educated through the scholarship program.
Bangladesh: From Monotosh Banargee living in Bangladesh we read: “We are thanking God and you because we are able to run our education program. Six primary schools in Jessore, Bagerhat, and Gopalgon district are running well although we face lack of funds, especially during the rainy season. We pray for funds to purchase land for more schools, and we ask your prayers for us so that God gives us knowledge and strength to do His work. We thank Pastor Elieo Bairgee of POBLO for his faithful support.”
El Salvador: Mariana Mendez from Pasaquina, El Salvador was raised by Rev. Ciro Mejia in Guatemala so she could finish high school. Upon graduation she became a teacher and married Rev. Mauro Recinos. They returned to Pasaquina and in thankfulness started Monte Sion Lutheran School which goes through the 9th grade and three village elementary schools. Her husband died several years ago and this has become her life, caring for over the 200 children she serves in these rural villages. Marina cares for the whole child, providing medicines, snacks, school supplies and the transportation for the teachers who travel to the villages. She enclosed many thanks yous and I will include only one as most stories are similar. “My name is Jesús Adonay Rivera and I am 12 years old. I live with my grandmother and I have a scholarship to go to the colegio. Thanks to God and to you I am studying in Monte Sion School. May God bless you.”
Guatemala City: A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church started in 2000 and has focused on children. With CCCS help they have started “Kids Club” and meet with the children every Saturday. Areceli Bonilla, a social worker and member of the church, works with the parents and mentors the children who have CCCS scholarships. In the last three years Dr. Elry Orozco has taken over a Kids Club in one of the poorest barrios, Amatitlan. He mentors over 50 children with scholarships who now the opportunity to go to school. (My daughter Ann, a physician, is at Amatitlan this week with her son Andrew and 9 from Messiah Church in Seattle, doing a Health Clinic and a Vacation Bible School)
Sierra Leone: Eric Quee, director of the CCCS scholarship program in Sierra Leone, rejoices for the new motor bike donated from the KS LWML to give him a way to get from village to village to visit the CCCS schools. He reports 15 schools in the Kono Dist, 7 in the Kailahun District, 3 in Bo Dst. and 92 teachers for a total of 2861 pupils making an average of 31 students per classroom. Their request is for better buildings for the students, teaching and learning materials and funds to support teachers to attend training colleges.
Venezuela: Maturin, Christ the King 9th grade school is celebrating its fifteenth year. It started as a pre-school and the CCCS has watched it grow. Alaska, the daughter of Luis Aristimuño, the director, is among the students who went from pre-school to graduation from the 9th grade. To continue with a scholarship program for that many years, accountability is essential.
In 2006 David and Luz Maria Ernst began a pre-school in Caramuco, a growing area of the State of Barrinas. Their pre-school has received wide community support and at their graduation the President of the Community Council and Director of all the pre-schools in the area were in attendance. David writes that the public schools for first grade are full and they are dreaming and praying to open an elementary school. For the CCCS our joy is that all the children are being taught the love of Jesus.
The above are tiny snippets of projects in only 5 countries and there are now 21 with 18,000 children.
Your prayers and support have made this possible. We thank you.
Edie Jorns, Project Director, CCCS
Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to me.”
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thailand Update
Dear Friends,
Here in Cambodia this computer has a mind of its own. I will not fix anything. Just think of being in a strange country and not knowing anything.
I have learned two important words, AU Koon, which means ‘thank you’. The people appreciate that you can say that much. Many People here know some English, especially those in the gift shops. Today at the airport, a two year old came up to us and said, "Hello, hello."
Wednesday we flew into Cambodia. We spent the morning visiting the daycare by the slum and touring the flats that had been rebuilt after the slum fire this past February. The people are very appreciative.
We left Bangkok after lunch in the airport. We, Edie Jorns and I, ate at Auntie Anne’s pretzel shop. They played American popular music in the restaurant, just like Lukas and I listen to in the car at home, only Lukas would have made me switch it when Taylor Swifts song came on. I had just heard Paul and Jessie's wedding dance song in another shop as we passed by in the airport and I got to really missing my kids!
We had just flown in from Northern Thailand the day before and now we were on the plane again to Cambodia. That is the way you have to do things when you have lots to see and not much time. We stayed at the Le President Hotel. There is lots of new construction since I was there two years ago. Most of the buildings have a beautiful style architecture, a kind of European influence. LOTS AND Lots of motorcycles!!! They are using more cars also and parking is done with leaving the car in neutral so that they can move your car down to get another one out. It is like a huge sliding puzzle. I was glad that I did not have to park or drive.
When we arrived, our host Pastor Vanerith told us that his wife had just given birth to a baby girl on Tuesday. He took us to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia office and gave us an update on their activities. It is really exciting. They just had ordination for several pastors and deaconesses a few months ago. These were students that we had in our classes two years ago.
After we had a wonderful supper, served family style of typical Khmer dishes, Pastor took Jeff and his wife Cheryl and me to see his new baby daughter. They were in kind of a clinic, where they had some support but not what we think of as a neonatal unit. Mother and daughter, little Ruth, were doing fine. Grandma was staying there with them.
Yesterday we drove down to the south of Cambodia and visited two churches. It took all day because of the road construction, but it was worth it. We saw lots of the country side, houses built on stilts, children in uniforms riding bikes to school up dusty county roads, two to a bike, skinny cows, rice paddies, and lots and lots of motorcycles.
At the first church we visited, about 30 people there waited for us in a cement church that also serves as a school. Many of my former students were there and we had a great reunion. I gave out many of the crosses that our children had colored. Three of the people gave their stories of their faith and ministry.
After a wonderful lunch at a restaurant that was built over a channel, we went on to the other church. It was nearly dusk when we arrived and we learned that 70 people had waited to see us but had to leave as we were hours behind schedule. We had a great visit with three former students. They asked when I could return and teach again. I said that only the Lord knows His plans. We arrived back at the hotel at about 9:00.
This morning, we went to a high school that had been used as a torture center during the 1976-1979 reign of the Khmer Rouge, a communist revolt. We saw a movie explaining the sad time where 2,000,000 Cambodians lost their lives at the hands of their own countrymen. We then traveled to the killing fields where the soldiers put to death and left tens of thousands in mass graves. It was very somber.
It gives perspective. The Cambodian church is really growing as the people search for joy and meaning in life. This afternoon we got on the plane again and traveled to Seim Reep, Cambodia. We will visit the Ankor Wat tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers. It is a full trip. I can’t wait to tell you all about it and show my many photos. Much love, Dawn
Here in Cambodia this computer has a mind of its own. I will not fix anything. Just think of being in a strange country and not knowing anything.
I have learned two important words, AU Koon, which means ‘thank you’. The people appreciate that you can say that much. Many People here know some English, especially those in the gift shops. Today at the airport, a two year old came up to us and said, "Hello, hello."
Wednesday we flew into Cambodia. We spent the morning visiting the daycare by the slum and touring the flats that had been rebuilt after the slum fire this past February. The people are very appreciative.
We left Bangkok after lunch in the airport. We, Edie Jorns and I, ate at Auntie Anne’s pretzel shop. They played American popular music in the restaurant, just like Lukas and I listen to in the car at home, only Lukas would have made me switch it when Taylor Swifts song came on. I had just heard Paul and Jessie's wedding dance song in another shop as we passed by in the airport and I got to really missing my kids!
We had just flown in from Northern Thailand the day before and now we were on the plane again to Cambodia. That is the way you have to do things when you have lots to see and not much time. We stayed at the Le President Hotel. There is lots of new construction since I was there two years ago. Most of the buildings have a beautiful style architecture, a kind of European influence. LOTS AND Lots of motorcycles!!! They are using more cars also and parking is done with leaving the car in neutral so that they can move your car down to get another one out. It is like a huge sliding puzzle. I was glad that I did not have to park or drive.
When we arrived, our host Pastor Vanerith told us that his wife had just given birth to a baby girl on Tuesday. He took us to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia office and gave us an update on their activities. It is really exciting. They just had ordination for several pastors and deaconesses a few months ago. These were students that we had in our classes two years ago.
After we had a wonderful supper, served family style of typical Khmer dishes, Pastor took Jeff and his wife Cheryl and me to see his new baby daughter. They were in kind of a clinic, where they had some support but not what we think of as a neonatal unit. Mother and daughter, little Ruth, were doing fine. Grandma was staying there with them.
Yesterday we drove down to the south of Cambodia and visited two churches. It took all day because of the road construction, but it was worth it. We saw lots of the country side, houses built on stilts, children in uniforms riding bikes to school up dusty county roads, two to a bike, skinny cows, rice paddies, and lots and lots of motorcycles.
At the first church we visited, about 30 people there waited for us in a cement church that also serves as a school. Many of my former students were there and we had a great reunion. I gave out many of the crosses that our children had colored. Three of the people gave their stories of their faith and ministry.
After a wonderful lunch at a restaurant that was built over a channel, we went on to the other church. It was nearly dusk when we arrived and we learned that 70 people had waited to see us but had to leave as we were hours behind schedule. We had a great visit with three former students. They asked when I could return and teach again. I said that only the Lord knows His plans. We arrived back at the hotel at about 9:00.
This morning, we went to a high school that had been used as a torture center during the 1976-1979 reign of the Khmer Rouge, a communist revolt. We saw a movie explaining the sad time where 2,000,000 Cambodians lost their lives at the hands of their own countrymen. We then traveled to the killing fields where the soldiers put to death and left tens of thousands in mass graves. It was very somber.
It gives perspective. The Cambodian church is really growing as the people search for joy and meaning in life. This afternoon we got on the plane again and traveled to Seim Reep, Cambodia. We will visit the Ankor Wat tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers. It is a full trip. I can’t wait to tell you all about it and show my many photos. Much love, Dawn
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thailand Trip Update
Hi All,
I am once again on a hotel computer. This time it is free with helpful tech support.
Our guide, Pastor Jeff Ehlers has packed our days full.
Last Sunday we attended Bible class and witnessed the daughter of teacher Goi Fischer as she became God's child in holy Baptism. We had a potluck at the church and enjoyed Thai food.
We went shopping in a covered market where I got some souvenirs. Then we went to see an upscale mall and toured the areas of the buildings burned during the riots last month.
On Monday we met with Dang, the head of Concordia Welfare and Education foundation, Thailand and had a great discussion on missions in the LCMS and how it works best. Wish the Mission leaders from St. Louis LCMS would have been there!!!! Then we ate lunch and took a river tour down the river that flows though Bangkok.
They to the Airport to fly to Chaingrai, in northern Thailand. by bus it would have been 12 hours.
We spent the night at a YMCA international hotel and at breakfast met Tim and Michelle Miller, missioneries in Thailand for the last 20 years. LCMS used information about them in their world mission for kids pages. It was an honor to meet them.
Then we went north about an hour stopping to tour the temple of the giant scoripian. Then back in the vans to the training seminar near the golden triangle. This Lutheran training seminar was attended by over 20 men and woman interested in learning more about the Lutheran faith and to become better church leaders. We gave some toothbrushes and pencils and crosses colored by our school children to many there. They were greatly encouraged that we would come from the US to say that we are praying for them.
They we went on a boat tour down the Mekong River where we had a short shopping stop over in Laos. You could buy pickled cobras in a bottle and opium pipes. I handed out crosses colored by the childern to the village children and they kept coming back for more, inviting their friends to also come. I can't wait until I am home to post pictures.
We flew back to Bangkok and got to our hotel at midnight. Today we tour the Bangna Slum and the daycare we serve there then it is back on the plane to go to Cambodia. We will tour the Ankor Wat (another in country flight) and see several Christian churches. I have seen so many temples (hundreds of them) that it will be refreshing to tour Christian churches!!!
I'll write again when we have internet. Thank you for your prayers. We are all healthy, considering our hetic pace. Can't wait to get home next Wednesday.
Thanks for your prayers, they mean more than you know!
Much love,
Dawn Mueller, CCCS Board Member
I am once again on a hotel computer. This time it is free with helpful tech support.
Our guide, Pastor Jeff Ehlers has packed our days full.
Last Sunday we attended Bible class and witnessed the daughter of teacher Goi Fischer as she became God's child in holy Baptism. We had a potluck at the church and enjoyed Thai food.
We went shopping in a covered market where I got some souvenirs. Then we went to see an upscale mall and toured the areas of the buildings burned during the riots last month.
On Monday we met with Dang, the head of Concordia Welfare and Education foundation, Thailand and had a great discussion on missions in the LCMS and how it works best. Wish the Mission leaders from St. Louis LCMS would have been there!!!! Then we ate lunch and took a river tour down the river that flows though Bangkok.
They to the Airport to fly to Chaingrai, in northern Thailand. by bus it would have been 12 hours.
We spent the night at a YMCA international hotel and at breakfast met Tim and Michelle Miller, missioneries in Thailand for the last 20 years. LCMS used information about them in their world mission for kids pages. It was an honor to meet them.
Then we went north about an hour stopping to tour the temple of the giant scoripian. Then back in the vans to the training seminar near the golden triangle. This Lutheran training seminar was attended by over 20 men and woman interested in learning more about the Lutheran faith and to become better church leaders. We gave some toothbrushes and pencils and crosses colored by our school children to many there. They were greatly encouraged that we would come from the US to say that we are praying for them.
They we went on a boat tour down the Mekong River where we had a short shopping stop over in Laos. You could buy pickled cobras in a bottle and opium pipes. I handed out crosses colored by the childern to the village children and they kept coming back for more, inviting their friends to also come. I can't wait until I am home to post pictures.
We flew back to Bangkok and got to our hotel at midnight. Today we tour the Bangna Slum and the daycare we serve there then it is back on the plane to go to Cambodia. We will tour the Ankor Wat (another in country flight) and see several Christian churches. I have seen so many temples (hundreds of them) that it will be refreshing to tour Christian churches!!!
I'll write again when we have internet. Thank you for your prayers. We are all healthy, considering our hetic pace. Can't wait to get home next Wednesday.
Thanks for your prayers, they mean more than you know!
Much love,
Dawn Mueller, CCCS Board Member
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday and Tuesday in Thailand
Dear Family and friends,
Wish that you were here to see everything for yourself!
I just got finished with an ESL class with three teenage Thai girls. Their teacher, Ar, invited me in their class. I also had a few minutes in Robin's class, both times giving the students a chance to practice English conversation. The Thai people are so friendly, even though I only know four phrases, I can get by.
Our first stop yesterday was to visit with Goi, who taught the preschool at PhongPhet. In April she had her first baby and we got to meet little Calah. On Sunday I will get to see sweet Calah's Baptism.
My friend, Dang and her friend Oi and I also went to the summer palace of the king. Rama V had it built for a summer home. Think the King and I. They would travel up the river and get away from the big city. There are houses for his wives and their children and places to meet with the government officals. It was very beautiful and I will post photos on facebook later.
We later went to a park where they have display homes showing how different Thai families lived. The structures were made of teak wood, on stilts with a large deck. The homes would have two buildings, one for sleeping and visiting and a seperate one for cooking, like a summer kitchen. Dang said that she remembers visiting her grandmother in a traditional Thai home. Again, perhaps I can post some on facebook.
When we got back, I went with Robin for her weekly walk with one of her students. This woman is a hairdresser and each Monday night, she and Robin talk a walk around Beverly Hills. In the midst of lots of traffic and four story buildings, there is a new ritzy subdivision going up. They look at the progress of the huge houses. They have been doing the walk for years. The mansions are amazing. Most are very modern, Frank Lloyd Wright style. One very cool thing is that they transplant huge, 20 foot tropical trees in the yards. Robin said that they grow, due to the humid climate and high water table, they put down roots quickly. After the walk, Robin and I caught a late supper at the Pizza Kitchen and had one of the best Pizza's ever!
Today was a special day. Dang took me to BangNa Slum and the Daycare near there. They have about 40 kids enrolled. There were 8 new students about 2 1/2 years old. Many of them were crying, missing their parents. I gave them each a cross colored by the students of my school that say, "God loves you" in Thai. Then the little ones colored a cross for me to take home. We stayed and helped with with lunch. After the kids eat, they get a shower, three little kids at a time, get a dish pan of water dumped on them. This helps to cool them off and some are not bathed at home. Then they go up to the sleeping room, All 25 kids in the same room, the littlest ones in a crib, the rest with a pillow on the wooden floor.
While the kids slept, I had a chance to encourage the staff. Dang translated for me as I told them that they had the most important job in the world, to bring Jesus to these little ones. In April, the deaconess who had served as a teacher returned to the states. Sarah had done most of the teaching. I wanted them to know that Jesus will be with them as they continue to tell the good news.
In February the Slum had a huge fire. Twenty homes were destroyed, displacing 25 families. It was indeed a miracle that no one was hurt or killed. The firmen had put their hoses on the second floor of the daycare to fight the flames. Dang, Moaw and Leck, showed me the new buildings. We were able
visit some of the people whose homes were being rebuilt. Two of the ladies were very grateful and thank me for their prayers.
On the way home we stopped at a shoping mall that had 8 stories. It was amazing. They had several icecream shops with beautiful displays! I almost tried some but I was still full from lunch.
When I got back to Concordia Gospel Ministries Center, I had a chance to check my email and facebook. It is great to be able to connect with home.!!!!
Now it is late and I am ready to sign off. Keep praying for me and the people of Thailand.
Your sister in Christ,
Dawn
Wish that you were here to see everything for yourself!
I just got finished with an ESL class with three teenage Thai girls. Their teacher, Ar, invited me in their class. I also had a few minutes in Robin's class, both times giving the students a chance to practice English conversation. The Thai people are so friendly, even though I only know four phrases, I can get by.
Our first stop yesterday was to visit with Goi, who taught the preschool at PhongPhet. In April she had her first baby and we got to meet little Calah. On Sunday I will get to see sweet Calah's Baptism.
My friend, Dang and her friend Oi and I also went to the summer palace of the king. Rama V had it built for a summer home. Think the King and I. They would travel up the river and get away from the big city. There are houses for his wives and their children and places to meet with the government officals. It was very beautiful and I will post photos on facebook later.
We later went to a park where they have display homes showing how different Thai families lived. The structures were made of teak wood, on stilts with a large deck. The homes would have two buildings, one for sleeping and visiting and a seperate one for cooking, like a summer kitchen. Dang said that she remembers visiting her grandmother in a traditional Thai home. Again, perhaps I can post some on facebook.
When we got back, I went with Robin for her weekly walk with one of her students. This woman is a hairdresser and each Monday night, she and Robin talk a walk around Beverly Hills. In the midst of lots of traffic and four story buildings, there is a new ritzy subdivision going up. They look at the progress of the huge houses. They have been doing the walk for years. The mansions are amazing. Most are very modern, Frank Lloyd Wright style. One very cool thing is that they transplant huge, 20 foot tropical trees in the yards. Robin said that they grow, due to the humid climate and high water table, they put down roots quickly. After the walk, Robin and I caught a late supper at the Pizza Kitchen and had one of the best Pizza's ever!
Today was a special day. Dang took me to BangNa Slum and the Daycare near there. They have about 40 kids enrolled. There were 8 new students about 2 1/2 years old. Many of them were crying, missing their parents. I gave them each a cross colored by the students of my school that say, "God loves you" in Thai. Then the little ones colored a cross for me to take home. We stayed and helped with with lunch. After the kids eat, they get a shower, three little kids at a time, get a dish pan of water dumped on them. This helps to cool them off and some are not bathed at home. Then they go up to the sleeping room, All 25 kids in the same room, the littlest ones in a crib, the rest with a pillow on the wooden floor.
While the kids slept, I had a chance to encourage the staff. Dang translated for me as I told them that they had the most important job in the world, to bring Jesus to these little ones. In April, the deaconess who had served as a teacher returned to the states. Sarah had done most of the teaching. I wanted them to know that Jesus will be with them as they continue to tell the good news.
In February the Slum had a huge fire. Twenty homes were destroyed, displacing 25 families. It was indeed a miracle that no one was hurt or killed. The firmen had put their hoses on the second floor of the daycare to fight the flames. Dang, Moaw and Leck, showed me the new buildings. We were able
visit some of the people whose homes were being rebuilt. Two of the ladies were very grateful and thank me for their prayers.
On the way home we stopped at a shoping mall that had 8 stories. It was amazing. They had several icecream shops with beautiful displays! I almost tried some but I was still full from lunch.
When I got back to Concordia Gospel Ministries Center, I had a chance to check my email and facebook. It is great to be able to connect with home.!!!!
Now it is late and I am ready to sign off. Keep praying for me and the people of Thailand.
Your sister in Christ,
Dawn
Monday, June 7, 2010
CCCS Thailand Days 2-3
Family and Friends,
I am staying at nice apartment on the third floor of the Concordia Gospel Ministries building in Bangkok. It is divided into three sections. On the bottom layer there is a lobby in the center that goes to the rear of the building. There are two small classrooms for teaching English which are used by Robin and Ar. Ar and her husband Joe, run the CGM center. The office is on the side of Ar's class room and the kitchen extends beyond Robin's classroom. Each section has a stairway that goes all the way up to the third floor, so that there are three stairways in the center, one from the kitchen, one from the office and one from the lobby. It is 18 steps from the front of the lobby to the rear and 7 steps across the lobby. I hope that you can understand that it is quite small, but the high ceilings and big windows make it seem larger. The dimensions are the same for each section. On the second floor, there is the worship area for Journey Into Light church. This is where we had our seminars two years ago. This extends over the section for the lobby and Robin's teaching rooms and the kitchen area. Over the office and Ar's area is the office for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. This is the group that translates Christian reading material into Thai.
The third floor has two apartments, each with the same dimensions as the lobby. One is Robin's apartment, one I am using. I am not sure but think there is one more apartment that can be reached from the stairway from the kitchen. I don't want to be nosy so I'm not going to explore. There is a small courtyard off the kitchen where you can wash dishes or cook outside. Clothing can also be dried here as nobody has a clothes dryer.
The apartment where I am staying has a bedroom that overlooks the parking lot. There are windows and doors that go out to a small balcony. robin warned me not to open the doors without looking for snakes. Even though it is the third floor, one time years ago, python had been found on the balcony! It is hot and humid, but I have an air conditioner in the bedroom. There is a very large bed, desk, easy chair, TV wardrobe with dresser, and fan.
It is very comfortable.
There is a table, washing machine, Microwave, ironing board, refrigerator, etc. for me to use. There is also a sink and some dishes.
The bathroom is very unusual. The toilet is right in the middle of the shower area. I suppose that you could clean the potty while you shower! You have to remember to move the toilet paper so that it doesn't get wet when you shower. The hot water heater only heats water for the shower. You turn it on a minute before your shower and it heats quickly.
Saturday, I awoke and took my time getting stuff settled and unpacked. I ate a breakfast bar from Robin and then came down to join her in her classes. She allowed me to take some time telling who I was. I gave each of the students, a cross that had been made by Unity school in East St. Louis. I showed the kids photos of the Unity kids and told them that they had been praying for them during the trouble undergone by the Thai government at the end of May. It was great fun to be able to tell them about the kids I teach. I sang the Shrinking Song for them. They colored some crosses for me to take back to Unity School.
In all, I was able to take part in five classes, three for Robin and two for Ar. I especially enjoyed working with the little children and the pretty girls that were excited to hear that I had a handsome 15 year old son at home!
After class, Robin and I went shopping to two big shopping centers. The closer one is called Big C. It is like a super Wal-mart and shopping mall put together. I bought a new blouse, tank top and pair of shorts for about $18. I also bought some bananas and bottled water and some kleenex. Robin bought some ingredients for a Mexican style supper and we went to her room to eat and watch a movie. I was falling asleep during the movie, but she kept rewinding it so that I could watch the whole thing. It was called, "While You Were Sleeping," I guess I took the title too literally.
I was able to talk to my sweet heart for a little bit which made me have sweet dreams.
I awoke on Sunday moring very refreshed. I straightened my room and took a shower. I also had time to pray my usual Sunday morning prayers for all of the pastors, schools, family and friends. I ate another breakfast bar and some bananas.
Bible class was held in Ar's English classroom. It was lead by Dennis, who is the husband of Boom, the director of the Thai Lutheran hour office. It was a great study on Matthew 8 the healing of the Centurian's servant. There were about a dozen people there. Dennis speaks English so it was translated into Thai by Pastor Sompong, who also translated two years ago for Tim and me.
Then we had Sunday School, there were two kids, the grandson of Pastor Sompong and another girl. They also colored some crosses for me to take home to Unity School. I went upstairs to worship. My friend, Dang, who had picked my up from the airport, translated for me. It was great to have a liturgy that I could follow. It was a communion service and everyone went to the front of the church and made a circle for communion. It was good to see people that I remembered from 2 years ago.
There was supposed to be a potluck, but plans changed at the last minute. some had brought food, so the pastor's wife went to get some more cooked rice and we had lunch. Robin had made a cake with strawberries on top. It was very good.
After lunch, Pastor Sompong and his wife and a friend of theirs took me to the river where we caught a boat tour. On the way, we saw lots of venders selling wonderful things, turtles, sunglasses, jewelry, food, and so on. The boat held about 50 people with about 20 visible life jackets. To embark and disembark, you simply step over the side of the boat. I was glad that I didn't loose my shoes in the river. There were two stops, both where you could buy special Thai sweets, candy and cookies. Both places had areas where you could watch them make the special treats. Pastor's wife bought some candy that looked like little fruits but was made from soybeans. They tasted sweet.
Pastor Sompong explained that there were many temples beside the river so that people could bring offerings to the monks more easily. In the United States you see many steeples with crosses, here you see many spires of temples.
It was cloudy and soon the clouds opened up. On the boats they put down the plastic sides from roof. At first I thought, leave them open, it would be great to get a little wet. Then it poured. The two young men who walked on the narrow sides of the boat to put down the clear plastic sides were drenched. I was thankful that their bare feet stayed firm and they did not slide over board.
When we got back to Pastor's truck, there were about two inches of water in the truck bed. We emptied it and then returned back to the CGM center where I have been working on this email ever since. Poor Robin just returned from the dentist, Imagine a Sunday 5:30 pm appointment. and said that her root canal went quite well.
I better sign off. More tomorrow.
Thanks for all of your prayers.
Dawn
I am staying at nice apartment on the third floor of the Concordia Gospel Ministries building in Bangkok. It is divided into three sections. On the bottom layer there is a lobby in the center that goes to the rear of the building. There are two small classrooms for teaching English which are used by Robin and Ar. Ar and her husband Joe, run the CGM center. The office is on the side of Ar's class room and the kitchen extends beyond Robin's classroom. Each section has a stairway that goes all the way up to the third floor, so that there are three stairways in the center, one from the kitchen, one from the office and one from the lobby. It is 18 steps from the front of the lobby to the rear and 7 steps across the lobby. I hope that you can understand that it is quite small, but the high ceilings and big windows make it seem larger. The dimensions are the same for each section. On the second floor, there is the worship area for Journey Into Light church. This is where we had our seminars two years ago. This extends over the section for the lobby and Robin's teaching rooms and the kitchen area. Over the office and Ar's area is the office for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. This is the group that translates Christian reading material into Thai.
The third floor has two apartments, each with the same dimensions as the lobby. One is Robin's apartment, one I am using. I am not sure but think there is one more apartment that can be reached from the stairway from the kitchen. I don't want to be nosy so I'm not going to explore. There is a small courtyard off the kitchen where you can wash dishes or cook outside. Clothing can also be dried here as nobody has a clothes dryer.
The apartment where I am staying has a bedroom that overlooks the parking lot. There are windows and doors that go out to a small balcony. robin warned me not to open the doors without looking for snakes. Even though it is the third floor, one time years ago, python had been found on the balcony! It is hot and humid, but I have an air conditioner in the bedroom. There is a very large bed, desk, easy chair, TV wardrobe with dresser, and fan.
It is very comfortable.
There is a table, washing machine, Microwave, ironing board, refrigerator, etc. for me to use. There is also a sink and some dishes.
The bathroom is very unusual. The toilet is right in the middle of the shower area. I suppose that you could clean the potty while you shower! You have to remember to move the toilet paper so that it doesn't get wet when you shower. The hot water heater only heats water for the shower. You turn it on a minute before your shower and it heats quickly.
Saturday, I awoke and took my time getting stuff settled and unpacked. I ate a breakfast bar from Robin and then came down to join her in her classes. She allowed me to take some time telling who I was. I gave each of the students, a cross that had been made by Unity school in East St. Louis. I showed the kids photos of the Unity kids and told them that they had been praying for them during the trouble undergone by the Thai government at the end of May. It was great fun to be able to tell them about the kids I teach. I sang the Shrinking Song for them. They colored some crosses for me to take back to Unity School.
In all, I was able to take part in five classes, three for Robin and two for Ar. I especially enjoyed working with the little children and the pretty girls that were excited to hear that I had a handsome 15 year old son at home!
After class, Robin and I went shopping to two big shopping centers. The closer one is called Big C. It is like a super Wal-mart and shopping mall put together. I bought a new blouse, tank top and pair of shorts for about $18. I also bought some bananas and bottled water and some kleenex. Robin bought some ingredients for a Mexican style supper and we went to her room to eat and watch a movie. I was falling asleep during the movie, but she kept rewinding it so that I could watch the whole thing. It was called, "While You Were Sleeping," I guess I took the title too literally.
I was able to talk to my sweet heart for a little bit which made me have sweet dreams.
I awoke on Sunday moring very refreshed. I straightened my room and took a shower. I also had time to pray my usual Sunday morning prayers for all of the pastors, schools, family and friends. I ate another breakfast bar and some bananas.
Bible class was held in Ar's English classroom. It was lead by Dennis, who is the husband of Boom, the director of the Thai Lutheran hour office. It was a great study on Matthew 8 the healing of the Centurian's servant. There were about a dozen people there. Dennis speaks English so it was translated into Thai by Pastor Sompong, who also translated two years ago for Tim and me.
Then we had Sunday School, there were two kids, the grandson of Pastor Sompong and another girl. They also colored some crosses for me to take home to Unity School. I went upstairs to worship. My friend, Dang, who had picked my up from the airport, translated for me. It was great to have a liturgy that I could follow. It was a communion service and everyone went to the front of the church and made a circle for communion. It was good to see people that I remembered from 2 years ago.
There was supposed to be a potluck, but plans changed at the last minute. some had brought food, so the pastor's wife went to get some more cooked rice and we had lunch. Robin had made a cake with strawberries on top. It was very good.
After lunch, Pastor Sompong and his wife and a friend of theirs took me to the river where we caught a boat tour. On the way, we saw lots of venders selling wonderful things, turtles, sunglasses, jewelry, food, and so on. The boat held about 50 people with about 20 visible life jackets. To embark and disembark, you simply step over the side of the boat. I was glad that I didn't loose my shoes in the river. There were two stops, both where you could buy special Thai sweets, candy and cookies. Both places had areas where you could watch them make the special treats. Pastor's wife bought some candy that looked like little fruits but was made from soybeans. They tasted sweet.
Pastor Sompong explained that there were many temples beside the river so that people could bring offerings to the monks more easily. In the United States you see many steeples with crosses, here you see many spires of temples.
It was cloudy and soon the clouds opened up. On the boats they put down the plastic sides from roof. At first I thought, leave them open, it would be great to get a little wet. Then it poured. The two young men who walked on the narrow sides of the boat to put down the clear plastic sides were drenched. I was thankful that their bare feet stayed firm and they did not slide over board.
When we got back to Pastor's truck, there were about two inches of water in the truck bed. We emptied it and then returned back to the CGM center where I have been working on this email ever since. Poor Robin just returned from the dentist, Imagine a Sunday 5:30 pm appointment. and said that her root canal went quite well.
I better sign off. More tomorrow.
Thanks for all of your prayers.
Dawn
CCCS Thailand
Dear Family and Friends,
I am safe and sound in Bangkok. I have been here almost 40 hours and having a great time.
It took a long time to be able to relax. Lukas and Jacob kept asking on Wednesday, "Aren't you ready to leave yet?" There seemed to be just one more phone call, one more e-mail, one more telephone call, one more snail mail letter, one more write up for a meeting that I would be missing, one more meeting....and so on. Finally at 5:30 pm, on Wednesday, we were able to leave town for Chicago where I would catch my plane to Thailand on Thursday morning.
Tim and I packed up the car and headed north. It was supposed to be one last hot date before we parted for almost three weeks. To save time, we ate supper on the way. We hit the drive though at Culver's, very nice butter burgers for Tim and a wonderful salad for me. They gave us an extra strawberry shake which was fantastic. I was very tense, from the hectic last 10 days, with the wrap up of the school year and trying to think of everything that I would need. One special moment that helped me loosen up a bit was reading funny cards at a gas station. Most had goofy photographs of animals, babies or old people with great punch lines. Finally we reached the Comfort Inn near the O'hare Airport. Morning came quickly.
At the airport, we followed sign to International departures. The signs were very emphatic that you must drop off the passenger before you park. So we got out at terminal 5. While Tim was parking the car, I discovered that my airline leaves at terminal 1 in a different building. When Tim met me, we took the tram to the proper terminal. There were lots of people at the All Nippon Airways desk. Tim helped me with my heavy suitcases and calmly made out the labels to attach to my checked bags. All of the passengers that were supposed to travel the day before were there because the was a problem and their airplane had to turn back to Tokyo. They were rescheduled to fly with us. I was assigned to sit in the business class section. I understood them to say that they were taking two planes that would leave at almost the same time for the same destination. I thought that I would board the second plane that was supposed to board its passengers 5 minutes later. Boarding time was delayed a bit. Finally everyone got up to board. When the area was almost empty, I asked when the second plane was supposed to board, I was told that there was only one plane, and that I was to board immediately. I'm glad that I asked. Otherwise, I might have missed the plane all together!
Business class is amazing! The seats are so spacious! When I was seated, I couldn't even reach the seat ahead of me without leaning forward a great deal. My seat mates helped me figure out how to set up the personal screen and how to put up the table. In the pocket ahead of me there was a pair of blue terry cloth slippers to put on with a note on the bag that said, "Please feel free to take home." There was even had a shoe horn and bag for the slippers so that your other belongings wouldn't get dirty. They brought everyone a knit sweater and a comforter so that you wouldn't get cold. The pillow was large and had a real cloth pillow case. The food was awesome too. They brought a special drink to everyone, I'm not sure what it was but it was great. For dinner, they brought an appetizer of some kind of bean paste with a tomato and artichoke with a little stick to eat it. The main course was served with a personal table cloth, two silver spoons, two forks, a knife and chopsticks. There was a salad, two rolls, pasta with mushrooms, and smoked fish with scallops and shrimp. Fresh fruit followed for desert. Hot tea was then brought with a green cube. It looked like green fudge, but tasted a little like fish. The stewardess said, "If you want anymore food, just let us know and we will bring it."
There were dozens of movies from which to choose, I think that I watched four, Mama Mia, What happened to the Morgan's, a video of building the skywalk at the Grand Canyon, and Rain Man. I started watching Big Fish but we landed before I finished. It was hard to sleep even though the seat folded down into a bed! The were buttons to press to position your seat, even one that when pushed gave you a back massage.
They even had packaged toothbrushes and tooth paste and mouth wash in the bathroom for after your meal. I ordered noodles for my other meal and ice cream for desert. It took a couple of hours but finally into the second movie, I finally said to myself, "Relax, You are on Holiday!"
At Tokyo, I found the new gate easily and enjoyed looking in a few shops. I read the USA Today that I was given on the airplane. I rode economy class in the second airplane, in tight quarters. I got to sit by the window, but only got up once so that I didn't disturb the man next to the aisle. I watched a few more movies, finishing Big Fish and also watching one that I had watched with Tim, the Bucket List, two years ago on our previous trip.
Once we got to Bangkok, I found the immigration station and showed my passport. I found the baggage claim and loaded my heavy suitcases. My friend Dang was to pick me up. Like a fool, I had left all the contact telephone numbers at home. God is good and Dang found me with no trouble. It was 24 hours since I left Chicago. About 11:00 p.m. Thai time.
We drove to the Concordia Gospel Ministries where I would be staying. My friend, Robin who teaches English as a Second Language, helped me get settled in.
I soon went to bed.
Time to sign off,
Dawn
I am safe and sound in Bangkok. I have been here almost 40 hours and having a great time.
It took a long time to be able to relax. Lukas and Jacob kept asking on Wednesday, "Aren't you ready to leave yet?" There seemed to be just one more phone call, one more e-mail, one more telephone call, one more snail mail letter, one more write up for a meeting that I would be missing, one more meeting....and so on. Finally at 5:30 pm, on Wednesday, we were able to leave town for Chicago where I would catch my plane to Thailand on Thursday morning.
Tim and I packed up the car and headed north. It was supposed to be one last hot date before we parted for almost three weeks. To save time, we ate supper on the way. We hit the drive though at Culver's, very nice butter burgers for Tim and a wonderful salad for me. They gave us an extra strawberry shake which was fantastic. I was very tense, from the hectic last 10 days, with the wrap up of the school year and trying to think of everything that I would need. One special moment that helped me loosen up a bit was reading funny cards at a gas station. Most had goofy photographs of animals, babies or old people with great punch lines. Finally we reached the Comfort Inn near the O'hare Airport. Morning came quickly.
At the airport, we followed sign to International departures. The signs were very emphatic that you must drop off the passenger before you park. So we got out at terminal 5. While Tim was parking the car, I discovered that my airline leaves at terminal 1 in a different building. When Tim met me, we took the tram to the proper terminal. There were lots of people at the All Nippon Airways desk. Tim helped me with my heavy suitcases and calmly made out the labels to attach to my checked bags. All of the passengers that were supposed to travel the day before were there because the was a problem and their airplane had to turn back to Tokyo. They were rescheduled to fly with us. I was assigned to sit in the business class section. I understood them to say that they were taking two planes that would leave at almost the same time for the same destination. I thought that I would board the second plane that was supposed to board its passengers 5 minutes later. Boarding time was delayed a bit. Finally everyone got up to board. When the area was almost empty, I asked when the second plane was supposed to board, I was told that there was only one plane, and that I was to board immediately. I'm glad that I asked. Otherwise, I might have missed the plane all together!
Business class is amazing! The seats are so spacious! When I was seated, I couldn't even reach the seat ahead of me without leaning forward a great deal. My seat mates helped me figure out how to set up the personal screen and how to put up the table. In the pocket ahead of me there was a pair of blue terry cloth slippers to put on with a note on the bag that said, "Please feel free to take home." There was even had a shoe horn and bag for the slippers so that your other belongings wouldn't get dirty. They brought everyone a knit sweater and a comforter so that you wouldn't get cold. The pillow was large and had a real cloth pillow case. The food was awesome too. They brought a special drink to everyone, I'm not sure what it was but it was great. For dinner, they brought an appetizer of some kind of bean paste with a tomato and artichoke with a little stick to eat it. The main course was served with a personal table cloth, two silver spoons, two forks, a knife and chopsticks. There was a salad, two rolls, pasta with mushrooms, and smoked fish with scallops and shrimp. Fresh fruit followed for desert. Hot tea was then brought with a green cube. It looked like green fudge, but tasted a little like fish. The stewardess said, "If you want anymore food, just let us know and we will bring it."
There were dozens of movies from which to choose, I think that I watched four, Mama Mia, What happened to the Morgan's, a video of building the skywalk at the Grand Canyon, and Rain Man. I started watching Big Fish but we landed before I finished. It was hard to sleep even though the seat folded down into a bed! The were buttons to press to position your seat, even one that when pushed gave you a back massage.
They even had packaged toothbrushes and tooth paste and mouth wash in the bathroom for after your meal. I ordered noodles for my other meal and ice cream for desert. It took a couple of hours but finally into the second movie, I finally said to myself, "Relax, You are on Holiday!"
At Tokyo, I found the new gate easily and enjoyed looking in a few shops. I read the USA Today that I was given on the airplane. I rode economy class in the second airplane, in tight quarters. I got to sit by the window, but only got up once so that I didn't disturb the man next to the aisle. I watched a few more movies, finishing Big Fish and also watching one that I had watched with Tim, the Bucket List, two years ago on our previous trip.
Once we got to Bangkok, I found the immigration station and showed my passport. I found the baggage claim and loaded my heavy suitcases. My friend Dang was to pick me up. Like a fool, I had left all the contact telephone numbers at home. God is good and Dang found me with no trouble. It was 24 hours since I left Chicago. About 11:00 p.m. Thai time.
We drove to the Concordia Gospel Ministries where I would be staying. My friend, Robin who teaches English as a Second Language, helped me get settled in.
I soon went to bed.
Time to sign off,
Dawn
Friday, May 14, 2010
CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN CONCERN SOCIETY
Staying in Touch May 7, 2010
It was an exciting weekend when the CCCS had their annual Board Retreat at the new Kansas District Retreat Center outside of Herington, Kansas. It’s new, it’s beautiful, it is perfect for a group like ours as well as individuals. Many, many worked hard with Laborers for Christ to build this building on a lake in the middle of Kansas. Yes, it is quiet, close to the small town of Herington where there are two Lutheran Churches, one in the town and one in the country. It will be a blessing to many.
The significant thing to me is how Lutherans can work together to do the Lord’s work.
Laborers for Christ do a specific task to help while the CCCS has a different task. It takes us all. In June Dawn Mueller, the CCCS liaison to Cambodia and Thailand, and I are going with the Garuna Foundation to these two countries where the CCCS has new projects. Dawn and I are taking the large Sunday School pictures from Concordia Publishing House with us as how they covet Christian Materials. The Garuna Foundation has the goal of training Pastors and teaching Lay people. Several times a year they go to these countries with teams on teaching engagements. Since the official formation of the Thailand Lutheran Church in 2004 the membership has grown to over 500 baptized members and the number is growing. The newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia was officially accepted by the Government in January of 2009. The Church will adopt their new constitution on May 14th of this year. They have a formal membership of over 1200 baptized members. They are starting schools and the CCCS has accepted the challenge of helping with school fees and uniforms. Christian Education is the CCCS mission.
Rev. Amos Bolay is the newly elected President of the Unified Lutheran Church of Liberia and the Chairman of their CCCS committee. The CCCS programs are managed by a four member committee and all are volunteers. All the CCCS funds are strictly used for the schools and scholarship beneficiaries. Ten Lutheran Schools and 14 scholarship sites totaling 4,500 students are being served. Last month the Orphan Grain Train delivered a container with text books and other educational supplies to the schools. This is possible because the language of Liberia is English. Rev.Bolay sent many pictures of the students using the books and of the new shelves which proudly display them.
It was gratifying to see in the May-June issue, page 6, of The Lutheran Laymen a picture of volunteers working at the CCCS supported Lutheran School in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. Christ the Savior Lutheran School was the second project of the CCCS in Guatemala and is serving over 250 students. The principal of the school is a former student from the Zacapa Boarding Home which was the first CCCS project.
Through the Lutheran Hour Overseas projects the CCCS is able to provide funds for materials in the 6 Little Bible Schools in Cuba. Without the Lutheran Hour, outreach to Cuba would be almost impossible. Through the Lutheran Hour the CCCS also provides funds for Christian Education in Paraguay and Uruguay. Uruguay, with only 6 % Christian, is the most secular country in South America.
It takes us all working together. We thank each of you for your part. Our best way of “sharing the love of Jesus with children around the world through Christian Education” is telling others one by one. Call the CCCS office, 785 357 7688, for more information or brochures and materials to share with others or you can check the web-site www.cccskids.org.
As Rev. Ciro Mejia, the first National Lutheran Pastor in Central America, states in every letter to us, “Dios es siempre permanente fiel.” (God is always, permanently faithful) We thank you all.
Edie Jorns, CCCS Projects Director
Staying in Touch May 7, 2010
It was an exciting weekend when the CCCS had their annual Board Retreat at the new Kansas District Retreat Center outside of Herington, Kansas. It’s new, it’s beautiful, it is perfect for a group like ours as well as individuals. Many, many worked hard with Laborers for Christ to build this building on a lake in the middle of Kansas. Yes, it is quiet, close to the small town of Herington where there are two Lutheran Churches, one in the town and one in the country. It will be a blessing to many.
The significant thing to me is how Lutherans can work together to do the Lord’s work.
Laborers for Christ do a specific task to help while the CCCS has a different task. It takes us all. In June Dawn Mueller, the CCCS liaison to Cambodia and Thailand, and I are going with the Garuna Foundation to these two countries where the CCCS has new projects. Dawn and I are taking the large Sunday School pictures from Concordia Publishing House with us as how they covet Christian Materials. The Garuna Foundation has the goal of training Pastors and teaching Lay people. Several times a year they go to these countries with teams on teaching engagements. Since the official formation of the Thailand Lutheran Church in 2004 the membership has grown to over 500 baptized members and the number is growing. The newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia was officially accepted by the Government in January of 2009. The Church will adopt their new constitution on May 14th of this year. They have a formal membership of over 1200 baptized members. They are starting schools and the CCCS has accepted the challenge of helping with school fees and uniforms. Christian Education is the CCCS mission.
Rev. Amos Bolay is the newly elected President of the Unified Lutheran Church of Liberia and the Chairman of their CCCS committee. The CCCS programs are managed by a four member committee and all are volunteers. All the CCCS funds are strictly used for the schools and scholarship beneficiaries. Ten Lutheran Schools and 14 scholarship sites totaling 4,500 students are being served. Last month the Orphan Grain Train delivered a container with text books and other educational supplies to the schools. This is possible because the language of Liberia is English. Rev.Bolay sent many pictures of the students using the books and of the new shelves which proudly display them.
It was gratifying to see in the May-June issue, page 6, of The Lutheran Laymen a picture of volunteers working at the CCCS supported Lutheran School in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. Christ the Savior Lutheran School was the second project of the CCCS in Guatemala and is serving over 250 students. The principal of the school is a former student from the Zacapa Boarding Home which was the first CCCS project.
Through the Lutheran Hour Overseas projects the CCCS is able to provide funds for materials in the 6 Little Bible Schools in Cuba. Without the Lutheran Hour, outreach to Cuba would be almost impossible. Through the Lutheran Hour the CCCS also provides funds for Christian Education in Paraguay and Uruguay. Uruguay, with only 6 % Christian, is the most secular country in South America.
It takes us all working together. We thank each of you for your part. Our best way of “sharing the love of Jesus with children around the world through Christian Education” is telling others one by one. Call the CCCS office, 785 357 7688, for more information or brochures and materials to share with others or you can check the web-site www.cccskids.org.
As Rev. Ciro Mejia, the first National Lutheran Pastor in Central America, states in every letter to us, “Dios es siempre permanente fiel.” (God is always, permanently faithful) We thank you all.
Edie Jorns, CCCS Projects Director
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
