Last Day in Thailand

After English camp finished, we had one more day to spend in Thailand before our long flight home.

Thursday evening, we took Tuk-tuks (crazing-driving three-wheeled taxis) to the Baiyoke restaurant on the 82nd floor of a downtown Bangkok skyscraper.  The food was delicious and the view was amazing.  A couple of floors above the restaurant is a revolving observation deck which provided stunning vistas in all directions.

Early Friday morning, we got on a bus and drove to a floating market to shop for souvenirs.  We learned to let the Thai seller begin the price negotiation, then we counter with around one-third of the price.  After much haggling, you come to a final price that both parties are satisfied with.

We then drove to an elephant park.  What beautiful, magnificent creatures!  We fed them, rode them, and watched them perform amazing feats.



Finally, back to our hotel to prepare for a 3:15am departure for the Bangkok airport.

The neatest part of the day was the opportunity to hang out with Jeff & Jessica Gordon and their sweet children.  What an honor and privilege to serve alongside these precious servants of God!

Camp Wrapup

The final night of camp was "Skit Night" when each English class presented their own drama.  Watching Thai students do comedy in English is very funny.  We were all laughing so hard that we cried.

 "Fun" is something the Thai specialize in.  They like to just hang out and talk or play games together.  This was a very well-behaved group of students.  I can't remember another camp I have attended where the director did not have to lay down a bunch of rules.

Thursday morning was the last English class, bag-packing, and awards.  They announced the winning team (the "Green Boogers"), and we found out who our secret buddies were (other campers that had given us little gifts and encouraging notes all week).

We also watched the camp video which was completed just minutes prior:

Then came the sad task of saying goodbye.  After many hugs, we loaded onto buses and headed back to Bangkok.  What a wonderful and life-changing week we had!

Tip & Dorrie

The Reason for English Camp

The last night of English camp, Jeff Gordon brought the climax, the purpose of the camp - to introduce the Thai students to Jesus Christ.  In his message, Jeff shared three things about Jesus:
     Jesus is God
     Jesus is the Creator
     Jesus is our Savior

Jeff  & Tony with their class

All round the room, many were listening for the first time to the good news about Jesus.  Over the course of the whole week, ten students indicated that they had given their lives to Jesus!   Scores more said that they were interested in learning more about Jesus.  The missionaries and churches of Thailand will have much follow-up and discipling to do.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

Is Thailand Different than America?

One of the surprising things about this mission trip is the impression that - in the midst of stark contrasts - there is so much that is similar between Thailand and America.

First, the differences.  The food.  Rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner anyone?  And the spices - keep the Tums handy.  Are those fish?  I think I see eyes!  And there is food everywhere, day and night along the streets of Bangkok.  Odors, both pungent and fragrant waft by as you stroll through the neighborhood.

Of course, the language.  Thai is a beautiful, rich, tonal language, very expressive, and utterly incomprehensible to the western ear.


Traffic is crazy.  Motorcycles, taxis and Tuk-tuks abound.  Pedestrians beware!

Flora and fauna are diverse and exotic.  Wild horses mildly allow you to approach.  Monkeys, tigers, and elephants roam parts of the jungle.


The Buddhist temples are remarkable, as well as other unique aspects of Thai architecture.

Now the similarities.  Freedom is a central concept to both countries.  Thailand is a monarchy with a parliamentary government and is the leading economy is this region of Asia.

Western influences are everywhere:  7-11, Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut and KFC are all around the city.  Pepsi and Coke products are readily available.  Casual Thai clothing is similar as well.

Thailand has put much effort into making the English-speaking tourist comfortable.  Major street signs have English subtitles, and many Thai are fluent in English.

Wireless internet access is common, bridging the distance with America.  Add Skype video calls and mobile phone coverage, and you never really feel very far away from home.

Hopefully, in the near future, another similarity will be the number of Christian churches sharing the good news throughout Thailand.  Please pray that Jesus will be made famous among these wonderful, precious people.

Day Two of Camp (Tuesday, October 11)

Wan & Dorrie

Day two is here.  We spent the morning in English classes and working on our group skit.  The students are a lot of fun and love to act.  Each group of Thai students will perform a five minute skit at the Wednesday drama night.

Dech & Tony

This was a good afternoon for water games.  The sun finally showed up, making for a hot and muggy, tropical day.  Most of us went through at least two sets of clothes today.

In the evening meeting, Pastor Ek spoke from Matthew on Jesus' teachings concerning the end times, and from Revelation on the coming global financial system.  Both speakers have focused on troubling future events so far.  Wednesday night, Jeff Gordon will wrap up the meeting times as the final speaker.

Amanda & Erika

We were treated to some popcorn and a special concern by Christian musician Adam Hundley from San Fransisco, featuring some familiar songs and some new ones from his soon-to-be-released CD.  Adam has been leading the music this week, backed up by two members of Streams of Blessing church in Bangkok, and four members of New Hope church in New York.

God has been opening up many opportunities with the Thai students for individual and small group interaction about Jesus.  Many are hearing about Jesus for the very first time this week and are very receptive.  Please pray for them all to say "Yes" to having a personal relationship with Jesus.

Singer/songwriter Adam Hundley

English Camp!!!

What energy!  What excitement!  The bus and vans arrived from Bangkok full of students for this year's Word of Life Thailand English Camp.  The students were divided into Blue team and Green team, took an English proficiency test, and checked into their rooms.

A typical day at camp consists of many activities:  the game times (wild, crazy and fun); the English lessons (eight students, two teachers, and one bilingual helper); meal and snack times (lots of rice); and meeting time (challenging messages about who Jesus is).

The first message was from Pastor Ohm.  He referenced the current flooding in Thailand, the recent Japanese tsunami, and other global catastrophes, then talked about the end of time from the book of Revelation, and how important it is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The day goes by quickly, and before you know it, you are dropping into bed exhausted.

A Tropical Paradise (Monday, October 10)

The location for the 2011 Word of Life Thailand English Camp is the Wangree Resort in Nakhon Nayok.  Nestled against the mountains northeast of Bangkok, the setting is a lush, tropical paradise.  Everywhere you look there is breathtaking, natural beauty:  sparkling waterfalls and bubbling creeks; dense, green vegetation and tall, stately palms; bright sun and steep mountains.

There is man-made beauty as well.  The cabins and meeting places complement the scenic landscape.  Gently meandering paths beckon for a peaceful stroll in the early dawn.  Quiet gazebos encourage meditation.  This is truly a resort, a place to get away.

The students arrive around lunchtime today.  Please pray that in this place of peace, they will find the Prince of Peace.  "Come to me...and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You" (Isaiah 26:3, ESV).

A Thai Church Service (Sunday, October 9)

We had the privilege this morning of worshiping at Streams of Blessing church in Bangkok with Pastor Ohm.  They are a very friendly and welcoming church.

The Ohms

The singing was beautiful and the preaching challenging.  The message was interpreted into English for our benefit.

Following the service, we shared a delicious meal with the church family.  What a wonderful time spent with brothers and sisters around the world!

Around Bangkok (Saturday, October 8)

Jeff & Jackson Gordon took the day to show us around the great city of Bangkok.  After a yummy breakfast at our hotel, we hopped on the BTS Skytrain and went to the MBK, a seven story mall.  There we took care of money exchanging, did some shopping, and grabbed lunch.

We took a boat ride up the river (fast flowing - some bad flooding right now) to visit a beautiful Wat (Buddhist temple) and old palace.  The temple is lavishly ornate, and boasts a rare statue of Buddha.  Many were kneeling and praying before the statue.

Back at the hotel, Jeff Gordon brought us up to date on our itinerary for the weekend and delivered the final draft of the English lessons that we will be teaching at camp.

Dinner is out on the town tonight, whatever is in walking distance.  There is much local Thai cuisine to be had (the smell of food is ubiquitous); but for the less adventurous, there is also a Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza Hut nearby.

Thailand!!!

We made it!  We finally touched down in Bangkok about 11:30pm.  By the time we had gone through immigration, gotten our baggage, met up with the Gordons, and rode in the vans to our hotel, it was after 1:00am.

It is so neat to see Jeff & Jessie.  They are such a sweet, godly couple full of Jesus and His love.  We will enjoy spending time with them in Bangkok tomorrow.

We are staying at a Christian guest house/hotel in the southern part of the city.  It is nice (except for the occasional cockroach).

Well, we've Skype Julie, so now it's off to bed.   Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Long flight to Tokyo

That was one long flight to Tokyo - 6,000 miles!  We have arrived safely.  Dorrie's eyes are bloodshot.

One of the inflight movies was "Pirates of the Caribbean 4:  On Stranger Tides" which Dorrie and I enjoyed together.

I also listened on my mp3 player to some Ravi Zacharias and R.C. Sproul (much better than Jack Sparrow).

I am watching a beautiful Friday evening sunset at the Tokyo Narita airport (we didn't get to have a Thursday sunset!).

Our flight for Bangkok leaves shortly.  Excited to see the Gordons soon!

Layover in Minneapolis - St. Paul

After a (yawn) very early morning, arriving at the church at 3am, we checked in to the Albany airport and made it through security in plenty of time for our flight.  Everyone is excited and eager to get to Bangkok where the Gordons await our arrival tomorrow evening at 11:30pm.

Our longest layover is here in Minneapolis - St. Paul.  Dorrie and I are having fun riding the tram and walking around this huge airport.  Mom packed us plenty of yummies. :)  Dorrie is looking forward to her cappuccino before we board a 747 for Tokyo.

Jon Hopkins showed me how to tether my laptop to my smartphone (no free wifi at MSP).

We found out that the camp music leader had a change of schedule and is unable to come, so we have the privilege of leading the music.  Dorrie is going to get some quick bass guitar lessons too!

Naptime now.  Thanks for your prayers.

We are going to Thailand!

My daughter Dorrie and I have been given the opportunity to serve as short-term, volunteer missionaries to the country of Thailand from October 6-15, 2011.  We will be on a team of 13 people from our church, New Hope Community Church in Queensbury, NY (sharingnewhope.net).  Our team is going there to work with Jeff and Jessica Gordon, missionaries with Word of Life International (wolthailand.org), and friends of ours who came out of our church to establish a youth ministry in Thailand.  We will be assisting with their annual English Camp.  Thai youth come to the camp to improve their conversational English skills, but they will also hear about God’s love for them and their need for a Savior. 

Our greatest need is for others to be praying for us as we prepare to go and as we are there serving (please check out our prayer commitment form).  Please pray that:

·         God will prepare our hearts and those we will be serving

·         We will have safety in travel (24 hour plane trip)

·         God will provide everything we need to do His work there

·         His will is accomplished in all we say and do

·         The Love of Christ is evident through our lives to all the people we encounter

In addition to prayer support, we each need to raise the $2,000 cost of the trip.  We are confident that God will provide this.  Any help that you might provide would be greatly appreciated.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please click on the "Donate" button.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us in this mission effort through prayers and/or finances.  We are blessed to be able to be Jesus’ ambassadors to the sweet people of Thailand.

God bless you,

Jeff & Dorrie LeMaster