Agro-Tourism

Here we visited a village to determine the feasibility of them developing an Agro-tourism microenterprise. Results? Not good- they are too far from the city and the hike is beautiful, but too long a distance to the farms.



Here a villager is collecting naturally available herbs. Now that might have some potential...



Who likes hiking? I do!

Outreaches- Train the Leader

The Haven Foundation held a weekend of training for leaders, instructing us how to best utilize short-term teams to maximize impact upon the village. We personally visited homes and prayed with villagers in the afternoonon and had music, skits and messages in the evening. I had to show "the pros" how to put a skit together. It was hilarious!





Some might not have modern conveniences like a bathtub, but by golly they sure have satellite dishes!

Birthday Flight

In honor of our friend Keilin's birthday, we went to watch her takeflight!
She looked like she was walking on clouds. We couldn't tell if it was because the plane didn't seem to resemble a plane or because she was just plain excited!

Computer to the Good New Club

Thanks to Darrel of Trailing Edge Tech, in Nipomo, CA the Good News Club finally has a computer to assist with their teaching of English & the "Good News" to the kids in the camp!



He is one of the most responsible and honest computer guys and obviously has a heart for the kids! His service is excellent and comes highly recommended! His email is trailingedgetech@gmail.com

Commitment In the New Year

After taking a couple weeks of much needed rest, we're finally getting back into the swing of things! But this time we're being careful not to again pray the "busy prayer", for we saw what a toll it took on our bodies. Instead we're beginning to commit to only those things we have the time and ability to do well, rather than spreading ourselves so thin.

So far this year, we've committed to the following:

• Drama Team Formation
• Disaster Relief Team Training
• Development of effective University Outreaches
• Leading Outreaches to villages and refugee camps
• Thesis Research on "Mission Sustainability"
• Children's home complex and church expansion Project Engineering

Lori's and I have already started out with a bang!  She's already begun helping re-design and engineer the new children's home complex slated to be constructed this year, and last week I taught the newly formed disaster relief team on the topic of triage.  That is, the effective sorting of injured patients, a skill I had learned  while working in the ambulance and fire service.  

Over the next few days we'll be 'back posting' other highlights from last month that haven't yet been published.  

Thank you for your continued prayer and support.  To God be all the glory and honor.

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Deut 11:1

Christmas All Wrapped Up

Hi everyone,

Well, today is the day of departure.

Did the time pass quickly? Amazingly so.

Was it a great trip? Amazingly so.

Are we glad we came? Bet you guessed the answer to that one!

All the rest are still asleep, but since the Lord has awakened me early, it seemed like the perfect time to wrap up our past 33 days.

The highlight was most definitely being privileged to share Jesus with those precious village folk. Language has it's barriers, but the love of Christ has none... He has broken down every wall. Hand clasps, hugs, smiles, gestures and gifts given from the heart of God are all well-understood.... the bond is eternal. Each is held closely to our hearts and most definitely, the heart of our loving and living Lord Jesus.

The last stop was where a young leader had been led to initiate a Good News Club in March. It started out with a small number, of course. The Lord has multiplied those numbers. The number in attendance at our visit on Christmas Eve Day was about 300... which, praise God, would include some parents.

About a dozen teenagers are effectively serving as leaders for the Good News Club.

From Dec '09 Web

We five were joined by a Norwegian family of five whose talented, friendly, gifted children range in age from 12 to 17.


Also, an Australian family had a connection with a mutual friend and added a great dimension to a rich presentations in word and song...


The Lord gave us a violinist, guitarist, unicylist, and a simple and most powerful skit. 'His electricity' was in the air, I can still feel it and almost shiver with joy even now! Our talented 12 year old Norwegian boy even entertained with his unicyle!!! Seems everything on stage received response of great applause from those little ones which brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes, even now.

The Norwegian children and two of us found ourselves chatting late into the night on Christmas Eve. Together we laughed, sang, reminisced and gave thanks to our great God for the privilege to be part of this last outreach. The upshot??? This was the BEST Christmas ever!

The night before, 10 of us had packaged over a thousand little gifts... hygiene packages, small toys, sweet treats, candy canes, umbrellas (for Thailand's intense rain or shine), sports equipment, etc. At day's end, untold number of little hands excitedly reached out to eagerly receive the smallest of gifts. No wondering who was most blessed... we are quite cetain that it was us. When Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive", He surely was correct (yes, I agree, "He IS ALWAYS correct.)


Oh, to the Bethany Lutheran ladies............there was such need for the baby layette that we divided it to share with three new mommies in attendance. Yes, pictures taken for you.


Just a little aside. The Norwegians and we were blessed to be housed in an empty rental home sleeping on mattresses, some screaming throughout those cold showers and having a super time. What could be the backyard to the building is a large tin shed on a small plot of barren land beside a little pond. Early one morning, Hank and I were standing out on the balcony and noticed a little lady drawing water from the pond with a bucket.


We called it to Anders and Lori's attention. Anders said, "I think we have extra gifts which we can take to her." We looked for and found the little path leading us to her. The only interpreter we had was Jesus love. She pointed to our balcony and we nodded yes. How she smiled at those gifts, especially the umbrella. Oh, the shed? You guessed it, it is her home... and not only HER home, other younger people are living there. At the very last moments of our 3 day stay, we took a bag fruit to her. What a privilege it was to be part of even such a little gesture.


Your prayers for all of the above are coveted. Though the people remain nameless to us... He knows their name, He knows each tear that falls and we can pray that they will know Him one day!

Much love in our living and Loving Lord Jesus,

Hank, Arlene, Anders, Lori and Laurie

See December Photo Album for more pictures

Flash Fire!

We went to Anders & Lori's church again this eve. It was devoted to Thai, but Anders and a group of about 8 did an amazing and powerful skit. It really gave the message of the Good News ....... in pantomime. Excellent! There was also a sermon, but in Thai.



Once again we pack up and head for a village. Soon as we return, we'll have one day to pack for home! Hank is ready, he said. I believe this is our record of being away.

Dear friend Nan (nahn) left by bus tonight for Bangkok. Lori and Hank drove her to the bus stop. She promises to visit in CA. I think she will do just that.


Oh,, we met one of A and L's professors. This was the first faculty member of Payap Univ. that they met when inquiring about the MBA program. Get this. He was a sponsored child with Compassion International. He is the first Karen (a tribe) to achieve his PhD. Someone we would love to have as a friend.

Anders and Lori had their final final today. This professor had them writing for 6 hours straight! They were totally worn to a frazzle.

Lastly, while they were at school, Hank, Laurie and I were home after morning church. I volunteered to make egg salad sandwiches for lunch so began to place the eggs in water and turned on the gas burner. Flash, fire! I screamed for Hank, turned off the burner, Laurie ran in first and threw a pitcher of water on it. Hank came flying downstairs and by now we had a sheet of fire starting to go up the screen. Something was feeding the fire. Almost simultaneously, Hank saw that the hose connection was loose while the neighbor jumped the fence and turned off the propane tank. How thankful we were that within 3 min. it was over, with a couple of damaged screens and smoke stain near ceiling. Thankfully also, that we were all here and acted as a team.........great neighbor included. Now, A and L will have a marvelous opportunity to gift him and his family.

Well, all are in bed except Anders and I. Within minutes, it'll be only him...:~)