PayPal Donate Button

My friend suggested that I should setup a PayPal account. According to him, it is the most convenient way to send money. He does need to go to the bank and wait,  So I did setup an account. This post is a test if the pasted html code for donate button will work on blogger. I have been trying to do it on WP and it seems that WP is removing the code when the post is published. You could not even put it on the sidebar as text/html widget.

It seems to work here, if you have a paypal account you can donate to our ministry by clicking the button.

Blessings to all!!!

New Perspectives in Missiological Anthropology

I have not been reading theology books lately. I don't have any desire to read books about mission. Nowadays, I read books for entertainment or to get myself to sleep. So I guess, it is time for me to pick up a book and try to finish it. I'm reading Church and Cultures: New Perspectives in Missiological Anthropology written by Louis J. Luzbetak. He is formerly editor of the international journal Anthropos , studied cultural anthropology of the Universities of Fribourg and Vienna. He received his doctorate in anthropology from Fribourg. He has taught anthropology at the Catholic University of America and linguistic at Georgetown University. Church mission has always been the focal point of his teaching and research. He is at present in the service of the Pontifical Council for Culture Vatican City.

His theology and mission obviously comes from the Catholic perspective. Which is more of a strength rather than otherwise. It is evident that the Catholic Church has more experience and relatively more success than the evangelical mission endeavors.

Here is the summary of the chapters of the book from the preace:

Chapter 1 lays the theological foundation, for missiological anthropology. This explores the solid rock on which the application of anthropology to mission  must be based.

Chapter 2 describes in detail is meant by "Missiological Anthropology." He discusses in detail how missiology and anthropology blends. He further states that the scope and purpose of the book is missiological whereas the process and analysis is anthropological.

In chapter 3 he examines the failures and successes of the past.  He looks closely at the theory and the history when this theory is applied. At the same time, the theoretical presentation serves as a preview of the theory that is to come. It also serves to clarify some of the terminology that will be used in the chapters to follow.

He entitled chapter 4 as the "Signs of Times," looks at the present and the future of mission to see what challenges await missiological anthropology. It also provides the basic theological parameters within which present-day mission anthropology must be applied.

Chapter 5 examines the recent anthropological developments in regard to the concept of culture. IHe then formulates this knowledge into a working missiological model. In Chapter 6, he looks at culture as a system and in the next chapter, he examines the  the dynamic of culture. It should be noted that traditional accomodation generally passed over such important considerations; on the other hand, inculturation (incarnation, contextualization, "evangelization" of cultures--all synonymous) may not do so.  Chapters 5,6, and 7 are the heart of inculturational theory. Corresponding missiological application are made throughout these chapters as to illustrate the relevancy of the anthropological theory discussed. Chapter 8 is an epilogue. Here the anthropological theory of the early chapters is synthesized in the light of the nature and misson of the Church.

It looks like an excellent reading for those who are involved in mission.  Cross-cultural Christian workers have a lot to learn from this book specifically with regards to making the message of the gospel  clearer through understanding the target people culture.

Welcome 2012: A Prayer Update

Greetings in Christ name! Happy 2012!  Although many people welcome the new year with apprehension, we on the other hand, welcome it with  joyful anticipation for what God will do around us, with us, for us and through us this year.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before your, Lord they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. - Ps. 86:9-10

With your prayers and support you are so much a part of everything that God is doing in this part of Thailand. Thank you very much.  We want to share with you some of the activity highlights this month.

Ministry to the children of Tachilek (Burma)

Few days before Christmas, we received a call from Angela telling us that Samrung, Tilek's brother was sick. She assumed that he was sick because he was missing his brother. Sam rung was staying in a children's home in Tachilek.  So she brought Sam Rung to be with his brother hoping he would get better. But when we saw him, we were certain that he was very sick. We took him to the clinic and the doctor said that we should bring him to the hospital at once. There he was found to be suffering from chronic TB.

Sam Rung is in the isolation room in the hospital
with his room mates being tested for TB three weeks later.

This caused deep concerns for health officers, to prevent a breakout they asked us to bring the other children that share the room with Sam Rung. We brought a total of 16 children to the hospital to be tested and if found positive, and thankfully all of them are found out to be negative. It was in God's timing that a team from Displaced Orphans International (DOI) was in town doing medical mission. They kindly extended financial assistance for the children's TB test. We thanks the Lord for his provision and the opportunity to minister to these children.

Ministry with Teams

The year started with us working with two teams. The other is the 11-person YWAM team from Maddison and medical professionals from Displaced Orphans International (DOI).

The YWAM team wanted to minister to the hilltribe children so we brought them to the village that is close to our heart, Ban Kok Noi. We drove them to the mountain. Narlin and I have the chance to be reacquainted with people we befriended two years ago when we held our English camp there. We also gave gifts to them. We took the opportunity to visit the village leader. They also minister with children home in Tachilek and to our children.

The kids with the YWAM team from Maddison.

We were giving a small gift to Ban Kok Noi village leader when he requested to
be photographed. He invited us to come back and teach English.

Moreover, the Displaced Orphans International (DOI) Foundation was able to connect with us through a friend of a friend. They told us about their medical mission in Tachilek and their desire to come in our home to bless us and our children. They did medical and dental exams to the children. Narlin and I were treated with the best dental care in the hotel. We experienced the best missionary care in a while. We felt so special. Our hearts are full of gratitude to the teams that truly blessed our lives.

Teaching Ministry

We praise the Lord for what He is doing with Narlin's teaching ministry. Although, our Bible teaching and discipleship training may take another year to kick off, Narlin's teaching ministry is getting momentum. She is now teaching conversational English to the municipal employees and teachers at Wat Pohweehan Municipal school. It is a big blessing to be part of the municipal school family.

The school wants to employ Narlin as fulltime English teacher but we believe that being a volunteer give her better opportunity to share the gospel in the school and to have more time with the ministry. Moreover, the school is looking for more English teachers and our prayers is that the Lord will use our relationship with the school in acommodating kingdom workers in the future.

Rainbow Children

The children are busy with the school and with learning music. But we took advantage of the New Year holiday to camped out at Ban Than Luam Forest Park. They enjoyed the camp that we decided to continue it to our backyard. Playing and eating out were so much fun.

By theway, the children are really enjoying learning to play violin, guitar and piano. We are short of musical instruments to use for practice, if you have old violin or guitar, you may consider donating it to us. =)

Narlin with the kids after hiking to the mountain

Prayer Concerns

We thank the Lord for the opportunity to network and work with other mission organizations and ministries.  We pray that this networking would bring more people to a relationship with our Lord Jesus.

We praise and thank the Lord for his promised provisions that makes us not to worry about our financial needs. Thank you for your love, prayers and support.

Please continue to pray for our plan to have a English language/Discipleship/ Leadership Training and Resource Center. This will also serve as home stay for coming missions teams and Angela's place (most of the time she is in Burma) in Mae Sai.

Please continue to pray for our children's education. Not only for the financial matter but the difficulties and technicalities of home schooling.

Pray for our "adopted" children's national identity. The school recommends them for Thai ID llast year but it is taking unusually long time for the approval.

We are expecting a very busy summer with organizing camps, trainings and teaching. We are also expecting several mission teams to come at about the same time to help us with these activities. Pray that God will use the teams to share the gospel. Pray for wisdom and strength.

Please pray for another year extension of our visa and house stay. Pray that just like the previous years, the process will go on smoothly again. There is so much development in our neighborhood that the owner of our house might be tempted to sell the property.

Once again, we thank you for your untiring support and prayers. We always feel your love for us. 

King Over the Flood

As the children were singing one of their favorite songs, we could not help but remember what is happening to Thailand.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

The unusually long and heavy rainy season is taking its toll upon Thailand. So far, 60 out of 77 provinces are being affected and over 300 people have died because of the floodings.  As of now, in spite of occassional rainshowers, Mae Sai has not been affected yet. Please pray for Thailand.

Once again, we want to thank you for your love and untiring prayers. Also for your financial help to God's ministry here in Mae Sai. We are sharing to you our update and prayer concerns. Through you, we are experiencing God's provisions for all our needs.

Children Ministry
When MaEng and Nuch left, we found ourselves doing all the house works, errands and looking after for the children We have to stop doing other things (for the mean time) and focus on the 11 children that God has put under our care. Our own children step on the plate and help with the work. After more than a month, we gradually adjusted to the situation.

The school term is over and several Christian organizations are holding  English camps. Since last year our children are being invited to one or two of these camps. Apparently, their presence helps the teachers to encourage other children to learn speak English.

The children are having music lessons. The older girls are plearning to play the violin and the older boys are learning to play the guitar. Tina is taking piano lessons. They enjoy doing it because they love music.

Moreover, the kids are doing well at the school. One of them was sent to Mae Chan as the school  representative in a competition.  The school is recommending the children to acquire Thai citizenship. Please continue to pray for this concern.

Teaching Ministry
Narlin will resume volunteer teaching at Wat Poweehan Municipal School in November while Joey occasionally is being invited to teach the Bible in seminars and Christian gatherings. 

Wat Poweehan School needs more volunteer English teachers and we are praying that more Christians can come and fill the needs. In relation to this, we are still dreaming of establishing a language learning center that can also be used as theology resource center.  We need your prayer for more resources and people to partner with

Evangelism and Church Involvement
At present, we considered Grace Church to be our home church. We attend worship service there and the children are members of its Sunday school. We are involve in some of its activities. On other Sundays, we are worshipping at the Thai church in our neighborhood. The Thai Pastor gives us opportunity to get involved in its ministry like preaching and teaching the choir.

Furthermore, we started an international worship with other Filipino missionaries. We are holding our worship service once a month. As of this time,  missionaries from other  countries have joined us. We envisioned this fellowship to be a channel of evangelism for those who speak and interested to learn English. Please pray that this fellowship will be used by God to reach out for our target people.

Ministry Vehicle Update
Once again, we thank you for helping us to pray for the ministry vehicle. Narlin is calling  it a miracle truck because we could not have it otherwise. Our sincere gratitude for those who contibrute.  We will install a song taew (canopy with two rows of seat) on its flatbed as soon as we have the opportunity. Please continue to pray for we still need to pay the balance to our loan to Grace Church amounting to 30,000 baht (approx U$ 1,000).

More Prayer Requests
Narlin will go home in 15 days to get her mother to stay with us. Her mom wants to spend time with us and her granchildren. Pray for traveling mercy and provisions.

Pray for our own children's education. Home schooling is really difficult and they do struggles.  Pray for inspiration and provisions.

Pray for everybody's health here. The weather is changing from hot to cold season but the rain is still falling. Everybody at times or anotherare having colds and fever. 

Join us in prayer of thanksgiving for people like you whom God uses to provide for His workers and their ministries. Our sincere thanks.

You are beautiful

This is the another story written by my sister, Nori.  She had spent time with the children and they told her their stories. This is her reflections and it  is posted as it is.

Dina has complete parents and she is very proud of that. She also has 1 big brother, one younger brother, one big sister, 2 younger sisters, one of which is still baby. Her big brother (most likely in her early teens) is now being trained in the military. Dina and her younger brother escaped the possibility of being recruited for military training that is why both of them ended in children homes. Dina is here in Mae Sai while her Sam Soon is in “My Father’s House” in Tachilek.

If you will ask Dina, “when are you going home?” “My father comes to get me when in Christmas time. So, I just wait for him until he comes back.” Her eyes glistens as she says that. She has full hope that she is coming home very soon. All she has to do is wait for Christmastime. Her stay with the Dela Pazes is just temporary, it is not going to be forever. In fact she proudly says that her father is a saya and her mom is a sayarma (both of them are school teachers in Wa, Burma).

This is the reality of it all. These Dek-deks are here in the care of the Dela Pazes simply to escape the military training that is required of every child that turns 8 years old. This is why parents do everything in order to take their children out of their place–to help them escape their distressing predicament. Maybe, their parents have this hope in their hearts that one day, everything will be fine and they can get their children from their adoptive homes or shelter and they can be reunited to have a better life as a family.

Some of these parents cross the border and work as truck drivers and they bring their children and just drop them off at the gates of a shelter where they believe their children will be taken cared of. others work for some businesses and then bring their children to the (Day Care) and then leave them there for good. It seems heartless but actually, they count it as a better option. What they see within themselves are their limitations and things that they cannot do. They have dreams for their children–they do not want them to end up like their parents. They have high hopes or for some others– they have grown tired of handling much responsibilities but with limited capabilities…

i suddenly realized how much these Dek-dek’s parents are suffering and overcoming all sorts of sorrows in being separated from their kids just to see them enjoy a hopefully much better life than what they can offer. Most of us would think that being together and being there for your children are wonderful things to do–seeing them grow and watching them turn into a beautiful gal or handsome guy are most fulfilling. But for these parents , it is harder and much more complicated.

Dina is an exotic beauty. She is tall and slim. I can see a possible beauty queen or a fashion model, z teacher like her parents, a doctor, a nurse, or even a business woman. I know her parents can see other possibilities for her too. That’s why they can sacrifice being separated from her. It looks like they are giving her up but actually they wanted for her to gain more and to be exposed to a brighter and bigger world.

I believe God has a better dream for her. She needs to recognize that dream. She needs to start learning about the Great God who had made her and had given her big dreams and chances of fulfilling those dreams. Being here in this house where she is being nurtured in the Word of God, in prayer life, church work, and hosting missionaries in their home, contribute to Dina’s life and preparation for the future. How long will she be here? How much more sacrifices can her parents afford? No one knows… but for sure, she has a family and a home to call her own…

Let us pray for Dina and let us share in making all God’s implanted dream for her come true.

I love you forever

Nori, my younger sister had spent three summers with us. Helping us with the mission works that we could no longer handle during summer. She had spent many hours with the children and she had written her reflections. I just posted as it is. I should have posted this long time ago here but really couldn’t find the time to do so. This is the first installment of several stories.

*********************

I was reading Grace Cho’s God’s Favorite Face and except for Chai, all the other Dek-dek are chattering as they compare their noses, eyebrows, lips, hair… the noise was so deafening that i had to sssshhh! them. Yex Chai was in a very pensive mood… actually, she was sort of melancholic. In a matter of split second, i tried to analyze what was happening to this girl.

Possibility 1. Separation Anxiety. Lola Linda, Auntie Selma, Tita Dadai, and Eb-Eb has left the other day and they have gone back to the Philippines. The AVSTM big brothers had left the day after. The kids have been counting days and we are also going home with Ross.

For some days, the house was full… 28 people plus one dog… Narlin and Joey slept on the living room for two weeks or so. They planned to buy a tent and set it up in the yard, but after the earthquake, the tent available in town were all sold in one day.

Summer is a busy time for missions. A lot of groups come in to spend time with the Dek-dek. The house is practically full. There was too much commotion and each meal is like a feast. MaEng is always busy in the kitchen plus take note of the cleaning, washing, marketing, groceries, etc. and the planning that goes behind each menu. The washing machine is running everyday.

But summer is almost over. Rainy days start to set in. Schools in Thailand will open on the third week of May. The busy-ness will soon end. The visitors are going home group by group.

Possibility 2. Yex Chai is missing her mommy, this is how the Dek-dek explained it. The other day, while waiting for the music to be downloaded for their interpretive dance lesson with Kuya Ross, I read Robert Munsch’s “I love you forever”. It is a story about a mother and her son. Featured in there are the most important yet crucial stages in the life of the child and the way the mother would carry the baby (as a real baby, a toddler, a child, a teenager, an adult, etc) and the song she always sang for him. I tried to put a tune to the song. It does not sound so right, and it is not at all original. I have taken a chorus of some song, but i cannot even remember which one is it.

The lyrics of the song goes like this, “I love you forever, I like you for always… As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” Since the song was repeated several times, the children were able to memorize it all at once. They sang it while preparing the table for lunch, while washing the dishes, during their silent moment as they take their nap, as soon as they woke up, and practically every lull moment.Yex Chai proudly told me that she has memorized it and that she can sing it.

Most likely, the children are correct in their diagnosis. Or, it is also possible that all of them started thinking about their parents and their home. Some of them literally felt so homesick afterward. But maybe, Yex Chai felt it more. I suddenly reckon that someone hugged me from behind and asked me, “can I call you mommy?” and i just replied with another question, “Why? do you want to call me mommy like Ycoi?” “Yes!” Others said, “we want to call you mommy too.” But I never heard anyone call me mommy yet…

I stopped reading the story, and i signaled Yex Chai to come closer… She was in tears and was almost sobbing. I felt her forehead, “no fever Yex Chai, but what seems to be the problem”. As she tried to control her sob, I immediately hugged her close… and let her sit on my lap… and as i held her, i cradled her a bit… kept her there… and continued reading the book. Then the Dek-Dek started talking again relentlessly.

That night, after the devotional time, and as we close in prayer, the Dek-dek remembered to pray for Yex Chai and for their own parents back home. All these times that i was with them and that we are having our prayer time, i only hear them pray for Tatay and Nanay (Joey and Narlin). While they were away, i even hear the Dek-Dek prayed for them in their supposedly silent individual prayer before they sleep. But I hope this night as they felt that nagging loneliness may it help them see that their real parents need their prayers too…parents whose hearts miss the little one whom they will love forever, they will like for all time, and whom they will call “baby” for as long as they live.