Sept. 1, 2010
Today is Sunday July 18. I woke early, about 4:30 to finish my sermon and prepare to leave by 7:15 to pick up Somsong for the ride to Suwit’s church in Khonkeon. We loaded him, Jansi, and Orney and drove uneventfully to KK where we were met by Pastor Suwit. His church is a store front building and actually pretty cool. Enough room for 80 – 100 Thai people, a small altar and pulpit and space for a band. They had a nice band. Sunday school started at 9:30 and Barb spoke about her travels and calling. She spoke well and the people seemed to be engaged. At 10:30 church started with songs led by Thawit and the band. The projector didn’t work. Even technical issues know no continental bounds! They sang really well. I recognized the tunes to Majesty and How Great Thou Art. They all prayed out loud at the same time and it looked / felt like an American Assembly of God style service. The ladies danced a little bit and some young girls were waving flags. We took an offering, had a few announcements, and introduced pretty much everybody in the room.
When we arrived that morning there was a pickup load of folks unloading. They were rural folks from a village 4 hours away. There were 30 men, women and children who rode in this mini-Datsun for 4 hours leaving at 4am to hear this American preach and see our American team! Most Americans won’t drive across the street to hear me or any other preacher – let alone 4 hours at 4am with 30 people in a pickup truck with their shoes off! Unbelievable.
Barb had a wonderful young woman interpret for her. “Ning” was her name. She is the sister to “Neng” one of Suwit’s budding young pastors. Their dad is a leader in another local village, and he and his family were in church today as well. Ning lives and works in Bangkok helping NE Thailand people (her people) get university scholarships. THEN – she rides the bus 6 hours every Friday evening to help her father and brother and Suwit lead their churches. Then on Sun. she rides 6 hours back to Bangkok! She was really spunky – had a great smile and reminded me of Yoko! I tried to convince her to marry Jordan – even offered to put her in my suitcase and ship her directly to Nashville. I even told her he had a scooter! (Very popular with the young-uns in Thailand and Nashville!)
I preached about 45 minutes and concluded at 11:45. I hope it went well. I was really nervous – but Suwit and I seemed to work together well. We developed a pretty good rhythm I thought. I really like him and especially like the way he is working with his young pastors – male and female. I spoke about God’s call. 1) God calls us first individually. 2) God calls us to a community. 3) God’s call is ultimately a kingdom call. Got more “amen’s” than in U.S.

Aug. 31st, 2010
At the end of Sukit’s and Thawit’s visit she read Somsong some scripture, sang him a couple songs – and prayed fervently with Somsong. It seemed a bit over the top since we’d already completed 1 ½ hours of Bible Study earlier in the day. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to make sure my teaching hadn’t screwed him up – or impress me / us with her ministry to Somsong. I’m grateful for her more present ministry – but I still struggle with knowing exactly what’s going on. Before she left she made a fairly dramatic point of letting me know that she has taken in and is caring for one of the boys who come with them. I appreciate that – but again wonder about her motive. Good for the kid(s) hopefully.
After they left the crew began breaking up. Greg and I were offered clean bath towels and soap to take a “shower” in the outhouse / bathroom / shower-house. Greg obliged and I was taken somewhat aback. He later told me it is an honor to be invited to shower at someone’s house and means that you’ve been accepted and included as one of the family. I screwed that up!!
After the rest of the team (except Somsong, Barb, Dave and I) went to town to market. Somsong, Barb, Dave and I began talking using the computer with the I Google program that translates what S.S. types into English and what we type into Thai, rather instantly. We looked at my boy’s website, face book and other stuff till the crew returned. We ate more great and fresh fruit. Everything was so delicious. I’m toying with the idea to smuggle some of the Mango steins home for Susan to try. Greg says it’s not even the best season for them. I can hardly believe that. We ate fried shrimp, roasted chicken, rice soup, salad and some jello type stuff. It was all good – but I’m really full! I had sort of planned to not eat tonight – but guess that got blown up. My being overweight has become a great source of humor for them. Ok with me – I love the food and the laughter!
Back to motel at about 8:30. Showered and wrote this great day’s activities and now ready for sleep at 9:45. Need to work on my sermon some more – but can’t stay awake so will have to wait till tomorrow. God help me be prepared and faithful. AMEN

Aug. 27th, 2010
Sat. July 17th. As you can tell I’ve got my days mixed up. Kind of nice actually not to know what day it is! The cool morning didn’t last very long! As the sun rose so did the temperature. It was overcast and probably high in 90’s today, with periods when the humidity really shoots up – like right after dark, the wind drops and humidity rises and its pretty sticky.
We left our cabana motel at 9. Stopped at a store for some stuff, made our way to Somsong’s to spend the day and help Barbara celebrate her 55th Birthday. I can’t think of any other place she’d more love to be than right here! We ate a nice breakfast of rice with vegetables and bread I bought. I think they have really toned down the food heat for us. I like the chili burn – but know that too much would (pardon the pun) “smoke” me! We then visited and greeted family and friends. Jansi is Somsong’s sister and his primary care giver. She is an absolute, radiant saint. She never gets rattled, runs the household, cooks for everyone AND takes great care of Somsong. I can’t admire her any more. She does get some help (at least while we are here) from some friends/neighbors/relatives.
Late morning we decided to study the Bible. Everybody who wanted just sat around and read the Bible. Somsong got out his computer and read out loud from that. Dave and Diane and I all read. We stopped after each paragraph and discussed what we were reading. We started in John 1. Somsong grasps the truths pretty well and understands what he reads. His mom and son were also reading whatever they wanted. It was an absolutely amazing experience to share with him through Greg – back to Greg – then back to me. Greg loved it – but struggled with some of the more spiritual words; translating them into Thai. I had my hands on a Thai – English Spiritual terms dictionary in Romeyan book store and couldn’t figure out why/how I’d ever use it – so didn’t buy it. Regret that now! We spent over an hour and a half talking about all kinds of things. Somsong understood that God and Jesus made everything; he caught on to the concept of grace as Greg explained an act of the King pardoning someone. He was especially pleased to know that even with his handicaps he was not hopeless and is not worthless! He has a voice and God will use him to spread the good news to many people – already is!
We concluded and shortly thereafter Sukit and Thawit showed up with his wife and 4 kids to celebrate Barb’s BD. I played soccer with the kids while they ate – visited – laughed. It is hard to imagine that much outrageous laughter in this place and especially considering Somsong’s condition. In spite of all the “stuff” we think they don’t have – there is joy in this place and joy in their lives – like so many of us don’t have! I don’t doubt the source!!

Aug. 26th, 2010
A continuation from July 23rd, 2010; our Thailand adventure. We finally prepared to leave Somsong’s about 7pm. The family was insisting that we stay for supper and Barb quickly agreed. The team thought maybe it was too much for Jansi to cook for all of us – so we declined and after lengthy goodbye’s he headed for our motel. We stopped at a little Thai local restaurant and Greg ordered and we ate more great food. Had good conversation but we were all a bit punchy and tired. We talked with the owner about his fold up window/walls and he informed us his brother made them. His brother was the cook too! He agreed that they would help us work on building them for Somsong’s house! Could be a major answer to prayer and another contact in the community.
On the short walk home to our motel, a young woman was depositing her trash by the street. She engaged us in English after overhearing us talk (too loudly, probably). We found out she was a nurse at the local hospital and worked with Somsong when he was admitted there! She agreed to go with us to treat Somsong on Mon. at 9am. She also has a brother in a close village who has polio – who is a paraplegic and in a wheel chair. We hope to get him and Somsong together. What an amazing “serendipitous” encounter!
In the parking lot of the motel we met a young Swedish/Finnish man who is teaching English in another school in Phuwaing! He invited us to come to his school too!
Was another great amazing day. Hardly think all these encounters were mere chance! Greg is impressed with out kindness and commitment to come all this way. He is such a blessing!
I retired to cool shower and sleep on hard bed. It was fine. Had a bit of trouble setting the AC but slept well and woke refreshed! Was a nice “cool” morning on Sat. Well – relatively cool anyway! Dave and I had a good chat in the parking lot. All in all things are going well! Thank you God for leading us. Continue to do so. Amen.

Aug. 24th, 2010
Just back from a wonderful week of God, Golf, Guys camp in the beautiful Black Hills of SD. Followed by a great day of prairie dog control efforts in the equally beautiful Badlands of western SD. Followed by some trying days helping my mother make a life adjustment from independent to assisted living. She is failing quickly, and we will all be relieved to have her residing in a safe place. I’ll be back with the continuation of my Thailand journey in the immediate future. Thanks for so many appreciative comments, glad you are enjoying the Thai adventures. Thanks for your prayers for my mom. Thanks to the amazing staff at Legacy UMC for covering for me.