Raising Support

Raising support is one of the jobs that comes with the territory of missions work. I haven't met anyone who likes it. Who wants to go around asking for money? (Actually some people don't believe in asking for money, but that's another story).

I have been trying to hand out my first prayer letter in person (for the most part). The cool thing about handing it out in person is that it gives me a reason to connect with a lot of people that I haven't seen in a long time. The pseudo-alterior motive has been great. I say pseudo-alterior because I really do want to visit people, but when there is no particular reason to, I tend to let things slide. Giving them a prayer letter in person is reason enough to pay them a visit.

Jon

Reflections

Well I haven't written in a very long time, but this entry was actually supposed to be written shortly after I got back from Thailand. Ah, apathy. I just wanted to mention a few things that came to me as I reflected on my time in Thailand....
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When we got down south, Ricky Sanchez gave us a tour of some of the hardest hit areas of Southern Thailand. He took us to the Wat where they had brought hundreds of dead bodies, to be identified. (A Wat is a Buddhist place of worship). It was there I thought, wow, they brought the dead to the Wat. The place that housed death spiritually, was now a place that housed death physically.
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Team life was really cool. We were from all over North America, brought together by a common purpose and a common faith (and a common denomination). What made it especially unique is that we came as individuals. And because of that, we got to know each other far better than if we were within the context of our families. For myself, I could approach people on the team without feeling like I was infringing on a family unit or "couple time". I think we got to know each other far better than if we had been there with our families. Don't get me wrong, family is a good thing, I just wanted to point out the uniqueness of the experience.
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I was really struck by Ricky's persistance in prayer. He knows prayer works because he's seen it happen over and over again (praying for people until they come to Christ). That is really cool, and it encouraged me to pray for my unsaved friends.
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When I was in Bankok, checking in for my flight home, the passport reader wasn't reading my passport. It read everyone else's passport, and my passport is good condition but it wouldn't read mine. I thought to myself, "I know if I pray it will work". Normally I always have some skepticism about the prayer working, but this time I just knew God would answer. Sure enough, I prayed "Lord please let it read my passport", and right away it read my passport successfully. I said to myself "Wow, that's so cool. Thanks God!" Prayer does work.

Jon

Going Back

I'm going back to Thailand! Before I left Thailand in March, I already wanted to go back, and now it has become a reality. I just purchased my tickets in faith that I will be able to raise enough money to cover my costs there. I leave 3 months to the day.... January 11, 2006 and return May 17th. I will be up in Chang Mai, Northern Thailand for the first 2-3 months and then I'll go down to Chonburi, central Thailand for the remainder of the time.

What will I be doing? I don't exactly know. That's probably not the answer that potential supporters are looking for, but it's the truth. I'll probably be teaching English, learning Thai, doing any computer/technical work that needs to be done, including creating promotional videos (camera work and video editing) for the missionaries, and also just generally helping out in whatever. I am going as a servant. I am there to work, not to relax on some beach.

Russel Schmidt and his family are working amoung the Kamu people in Northern Thailand. I will be primarily working with him for the first couple of months. We'll see.

When it comes to a giant step of faith like this, I am the first to be very critical of the entire trip: The people you work with are your mission field. What about all the unsaved people in Canada? Why don't you take care of your own country first? Are you sure you were called to Thailand? Are you sure this isn't just an excuse to quit your job? You're an introvert, do you really think you have what it takes to be a missionary and lead people to Christ? They've already got technical people over there, what they need is people who love people. Your prayers are puny, maybe you're not as spiritually prepared as you think you are. I could go on....but you get the idea. These are the things that cloud my mind. I actually believe (most of the time) that these are just attacks of the Enemy, trying to discourage me from going.

The one I really struggle with is "Are you sure you were called to Thailand????" I pray that this is God prompting me, because it doesn't make sense. Missions feels so out of character for me, yet God planted this trip in my heart before the previous trip was over. Philippians 2:13 says "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." I think God is working in me. The other assurance is that even though I don't really know what I'm getting myself into, I have peace about it (and there's been plenty of opportunity to not have peace about it :-)

Please pray that God's will be done and Name be glorified through this trip.

Jon

Home

Well, I'm home. The flight was uneventful which is good. I acually managed to stay in my seat for the entire flight from Narita (Tokyo) to Vancouver. The last 2 hours were difficult but I thought "well I've been seated this long, I can last to the end". I don't think I will try that again.

It was neat to come home, but I think I'd rather be in Thailand. When I'm over there, I can lead a simple life. Over here, I've got so much stuff, and I use it when I'm here but when I'm away I find I don't really need it.

There are so many things I'm going to miss about Thailand. I think the biggest thing is the people. They are so friendly and gentle. If you try to speak Thai to them, they appreciate that you are trying. They are very polite and courtious and forgiving. They rarely get mad, and they don't leave me with the impression that they are just trying to suppress their rage. Nor do I get the impression that their courtesy is only because they have to (which is more than I can say for a lot of North American courtesy). And the girls are so sweet, and they're so cute when they say "kah" (those who have been to Thailand probably know what I'm talking about).

I use the example of the servers at the resort resaurant where we ate morning and evening. The servers were always there because even though we were the only people staying at the resort, and even though we only ate there twice a day, the restaurant was technically open all day. I talked to the servers there a couple of times. They were all in their early 20's. I would ask them how to say Thai words and then I would try to say it, and they would laugh and I would laugh (but they were very patient and actually taught me a number of words and phrases). I would also talk in English to them (for their benefit and mine) to find out more about them. It was just a lot of fun. They never ignored me or told me that they were too busy to talk or anything like that. When we left in the vans on the last day, we passed by the restaurant and they were waving goodbye. I know that is a small gesture, and maybe it was because we had been there for so long and we were helping the Thai people, but that really touched me. It was so cool that they're actions were sincere, not just a front because we were paying customers.

For those who have never been to Thailand or have only stayed in the tourist areas, I must say that the touristy areas contain a different breed of Thai people. They are very aggressive in getting you to buy their overpriced merchandise, or taking their taxi or their tuk tuk. They will call you "my friend" and tell you "for you, special deal". Thank goodness, that's not the kind of people we were surrounded by on a daily basis!!!

Enough rambling. The short of it is that my life has been changed. I want to do whatever God wants me to do. So what's next? My job is boring and work is slow. For the record, this was a God-given job, and I am very thankful for it. But I think I have worn it out and it is time to move on. Now I'm just trying to figure out what He wants me to do next. I've thought of going back to Thailand but I would want to make sure that's where God wants me. Whatever.

Jon

Almost Done

I've been trying to get computer time for the last 4 days but I've been so busy that I haven't been able to get to the computers before 9pm (which is when they close).

On Sunday we had a day off. Some people went snorkeling, I decided not to go (me and snorkel masks haven't gotten along in the past). So I'll tell you about my day. Those who didn't go snorkeling went to Phuket Island (which is pretty big!). We didn't go to Phuket town, but we went to one of about 20 beaches which has its own little tourist town (not sure of the name). It was also hit by the tsunami but they are rebuilding fast. They had a starbucks and a mcdonalds but the McDonalds was still being rebuilt (we were so dissappointed), so we ate at starbucks. Going in there was like walking into North America, it was exactly the same style and layout. And almost the same prices too! (Starbucks coffee is expensive no matter where you go). Anyway, we wandered around the town, picking up various souveniers which were really overpriced! Fortunatelly we knew how to work them down quite a bit.

Overall I really didn't like the town. It had a totally different feel than the rest of Thailand. It seemed very much like they were catering to the rich white males, of which there were many. Every other guy had a Thai "girlfriend". The streets had a lot of shops but also a lot of bars, with Thai girls that would take your arm and try to pull you into their bar. Obviously there is a lot of money in that kind of thing but I really think it gives white males a bad reputation if that's how they see us. The whole town had a sex feel to it, even pictures of topless women were around if you looked the wrong way or picked up the wrong postcard. It made me appreciate the fact that we weren't staying in that kind of place!

The rest of the week has been going well. No major injuries or sicknesses to speak of. Everyone is working hard. With a group this size, that's probably because of a lot of prayer. So thanks again for your prayers.

It was a chilly 22 degrees when I woke up this morning. Some people said it was finally "barable" but I actually didn't like it. But it warmed up pretty quick and it averages about 35 during the day (my thermometer gets up to 54 when I leave it in the sun). Tomorow is our last work day, then we are off to Bankok for a day or two. If anyone is wanting Thailand souveniers, I am taking orders now (apparently we will have shopping time but no guarantee that I will be able to check my email). Don't leave me a comment, rather, email me jonknoll@hotmail.com

Jon

Half way-ish

wow. We're already half way through the trip. It has gone by fast, but the houses are showing progress. Most of the houses have a lot of help from friends and family. I guess the coolest site for us is site 5 because it is just our team and the foreman (who is Thai). Site 5 is being built for a widow who married a local guy. But since she was not originally from the island, it seems that nobody on the island is willing to help her. So everyday it's just us doing all the work. And so we've made that site priority #1 because after we leave, it may take a long time for it to be finished (if we don't finish it).

I have not yet said anything about how we are doing spiritually. I must say this is a really cool team to work with. Everyone is humble. Nobody is bossy and trying to run the show. Everyone has a servant attitude and is willing to work wherever and doing whatever. We have team meetings every morning and evening where we pray and sing together. It is cool to be part of such a spiritually mature team. We really enjoy each other's company and even though our ages span some 40 years, we all get along just fine.

Typical day:

6:30am get up

7:00 breakfast

7:30 team time

8:00 get in vans and go to job sites

12:00 break for lunch

1:00ish back to work

3:30ish drive back to the resort, swim, relax

6:00pm dinner (awesome food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

7:00ish team time

8:15ish done for the day.

that's all i got time for today. People are waiting to use the computer! Thanks for praying. This is a very unified team and we are all healthy. Praise God.

Jon

Working Hard / Hardly Working

Wow does it ever get hot! I actually get exhausted just standing around in the sun, and working is even more taxing on the body. It's a real change from sitting at a computer, one that I'm not used to. Yesterday we were hauling sand from the sand pile at the front of the lot to the house in the back of the lot (about 100 feet). We used a cart/wheelbarrow and boy was the sun ever hot. I don't think I've ever drank that much water without having to go to the bathroom. Today was not so busy for me. I think I was a third wheel to what we were doing, but to be honest I was tired just from surviving the heat that I didn't mind not working hard. I just learned our resort has a website http://www.kohkhokhao-resort.com/index.html. I haven't had time to check it out yet, (internet is expensive and I only have 15 minutes till supper.

There is so much to mention and not a lot of time (on the internet anyway). I was wondering why the other teams only put in a 5-6 hour day including an hour lunch. Now I know. That's about all we can handle. Us farongs (foreigners) are not used to the heat. We are back to the resort by about 3:30 or 4:00 and then we can relax till 6:00 when we have dinner. I usually alternate between swimming in the ocean and swimming in the pool. I'm not sure which one is warmer, I think the ocean is. The sun sets at 6:30 sharp and it's dark by 7:00 and then the mosquitoes come out. I was concerned about Malaria before I came, but really there's no concern about malaria over here. And for what few mosquitoes there are, I would feel ripped off if I had to take pills for them. A couple of squirts of bug spray and I'm good to go. No daytime mosquitoes to speak of.

Ok, I gotta run, I still have email to check before I gotta get out of here. For those who have been in Thailand you know that the going rate for internet is 15baht/hr ($0.50 CDN). Over here it's 80baht/hr ($2.70 CDN). I'll try to keep you posted (I only found out where the internet stuff was this afternoon). Pictures might be a bit more difficult since they are very time consuming.

Jon

I made it

well here I sit in a nice air conditioned internet cafe, right beside my good friend Reg. Our flight was uneventful but it was really cool to have personal TVs in each seat! And they have cameras facing forward and facing down, so we could watch the takeoff and landing (and anything else we were flying over). Vancouver to Narita (Tokyo) was filled completely, such that I was not sitting with my other team members, but Narita to Bankok was very empty so we each took a middle aisle and lay down and slept for most of the flight. Very cool.

Speaking of cool, Thailand is not. But we have an air conditioned hotel for now. We are currently in Bang Saen (Chonburi) which is an hour and a half east of Bankok. It is the same city we were in last August. We just had our orientation and a really neat meeting with Team 3 where they told us what to expect and how things work down there. It was really good. It was also the first time I had met some of my own team members. Currently I don't quite know who is on my team and who is on the previous team (usually the ones who act like they know what is going on seem to be from the previous team, and the ones who are kind of unsure about themselves right now are on my team :-). I was surprise to meet Mr. Harv Wiens (he was on team 3). For those of you who don't know, he was one of my teachers in high school. It was neat to see him again.

We have church from 4-6pm today which should be really good (and air conditioned). And then tomorrow afternoon we fly out to Phuket. That's all for now.

Jon

Getting Ready

As I write this, it is quarter to 4 in the morning (I was talking to Reg over in Thailand). Soon I will be off. I'm excited, but I don't know if it has really hit me yet. I'm actually going!! Well that's all I got for now. More to come when in Thailand (if I can get to an internet cafe).

Jon