Prison Ministry (from Feb 20)

A couple weeks ago, the other volunteers and I went to help the Bangkok Adventist Hospital team with prison ministries. Through gracious donations of care packages, supplies and time, we were able to help care for and minister to many prisoners. This prison has about 4,000 inmates, and supplies and even beds are scarce. If the prisoner has no family or friends to bring him new flip-flops or toiletries, he goes without. Our church ministry donated 2,000 care packages to those without family or friends. Also, we saw about 400 dental patients that day. There is next to no resource for them when having medical or dental problems, so we were thankful that God could use us to be a blessing. We also had a small worship program with the kids singing songs. We are praying that God would help strengthen our brothers in prison.

Triage for inmates. They are short-staffed, it seems and they help each other with this process.

Setting up tools and pharmacy.


The student missionaries I work with helping assist! Good job you guys!


Part of the sterilization process. The line behind doubled after lunch. Can you imagine *your* waiting room like this? Below, mother and daughter team as assistants. :)


Here we are in one section of the prison, with the piles of care packages. Even though it was quite hot, everyone was in a good mood for this gift giving process.


Many of the prisoners had been without shoes for quite some time. They looked happy to get new flip-flops!

Back at the dental station, here is the old auto-clave. We are praying for a new one, since it so old and we don't know how long it will last. In order to keep visiting prisons and doing this ministry, we must have sterile tools, since we cycle through them constantly — about ever 10 minutes. A replacement auto-clave costs about 2500USD. Please pray that God would touch someone's heart to help us with this need.


The kids cheered some of the prisoners with songs and a short worship service. :)

After lunch I got to help, and learned about the different tools. These guys are tough (and happy to see the dentist), but I still cringed for them every time we had to dig the roots out! :(

Inmates from another section receiving their care packages... I could hardly believe there were 4,000 at this prison. The men sleep in shifts since there aren't enough beds/mats. Please pray that God would comfort their hearts. And pray that we could continue to visit and help.

Rice Donation and Fun with Kids!

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This last Saturday we had a rice donation to a community in need. I put this picture first, of our prayer during church that morning. I believe when we pray, God truly answers in amazing ways. It is a blessing to, because here, before we have prayer together, we sing “As We Come to You in Prayer”— which is the same song we sing back at my home church! AND when we close the worship program, we sing “We Have this Hope,” that my friends at the Indonesian church always sing as a closing song... so I'm comforted with these little similarities. :) But I'm most thankful, that no matter where I am, God hears and answers prayer.

There was planning beforehand regarding which families were in the most need, family size, etc. Here are some of our church friends discussing with the community leaders how to organize things properly, so there wouldn't be confusion. And my friend documenting the whole event. :)


Getting hydrated to help out and serve!

God faithfully provided more than enough rice, canned foods — and even some goodies for the children! One of our ESL/Spanish teacher's mom and grandma lovingly wrapped small packages for the kids.
It was great to have musical talent too... I'm glad they could sing songs in Thai. I felt the people were greatly calmed and blessed.

One of the community leaders was so happy for this blessing. He was sharing how God used us to answer prayers to provide for the people of this community! I will be praying that God continues to provide for their needs and food — but also that He would provide spiritual food from the Bible too. :)


Are you ready to help out with a kids program?? Of course you are! :) I had a great time singing and playing with my friends – and I learned a new game too! Sorry, no pictures of the games... too busy playing!

“If you're happy and you know it say, ‘Amen!’”


Empty truck in the background.. me and my new friends. :)

We Call it, “Low-Income Housing” in the US

Last Sabbath, I got to visit an area where one of our pastors is working. The word he must have learned was “slums,” but I knew what he meant. I told him the nicer term for it. Really great opportunity to help serve this community... please pray that this project would be funded!

Apartment, SDA School, Photo-shoot (Jan 11)

After much internal debate, I've decided to go ahead and post to my blog. It's really the easiest — and I really dont' want to live my life with any unnecessary anxiety. So, whatever.

Here's the view from my amazing apartment, a few blocks from the neighborhood mosque! I really admire the Moslem commitment to prayer. They pray over 5 times a day — on a loudspeaker — and it helps remind me to wake up and pray too. I just wish it wasn't at 5:30am *every* morning.

I was so excited about screens on my windows, air conditioning, and a huge amazing bed! (the beds here are different that US sizes, so my queen-sized sheets don't fit exactly). Anyway, please pray for me and the coming media volunteers, since there was a mis-communication in housing funding. But, the building owner has been really understanding and patient.

The SDA school is close by my office, and area churches. I keep forgetting to bring my camera and take pictures of my office, etc. But anyway, the cafeteria food is *really* good, fresh and vegetarian – AND you can go back for seconds, and even thirds all for 50Baht (about $1.50 US)!



This last week, I've been working with the team on recording a testimony. After her conversion, this woman began to share her faith with everyone around her. As a result, many people have come to know how God answers prayer, and have also made decisions to follow Him. While affordable English classes are the main ministry of many of the area church plants, there is also a great vegetarian restaurant nearby too!

We shot video at a nearby temple where she used to work repairing clothes as a street vendor, and then later we went onto a makeup shop by the train station where she shared what God was doing in her life with a friend.




This is a (another) really great vegetarian restaurant near the language school/church. It has this really awesome mural on the side — Thai-style — of Jesus' second coming.


Media team planning (and eating).