Baptism Service, Service Day at the Mercy House & A Law Faculty BBQ

Baptism Service: Sunday June 19th, 2011

This was one of the sweetest and most touching things I witnessed thus far.  Twelve students and one elderly man publicly displayed their reliance on Christ as their Savior.  The Campus Outreach Thailand staff & families had been laboring & ministering to these students and one elderly man for quite some time and to see them display to a Buddhist world that they are no longer trusting in themselves or Buddha for salvation but are placing their hope in Jesus Christ was amazing to watch and partake in.  How sweet it has been for me to see more clearly that no barriers exist when it comes to the power of an Almighty God who "... causes us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading..."(1 Pet. 1:3-4)   Witnessing this service deepened my faith and understanding of how vital the message of Jesus Christ is needed in all places at all times to all people.

Here are some pictures of the Baptism Service...

Here's the thirteen Thai Christians who are getting baptized in front of the church congregation.  The tallest one in the blue t-shirt shared with the church his personal testimony of how he came to a saving faith in Christ.

Here's Guy, one of the COT staff facilitating the baptism outside the church. Very powerful!

Service Day at the Mercy House: Monday June 20th, 2011
Almost every Monday here we have a "Vision Trip."  These trips are meant to open our eyes to see the need of the love in Christ displayed to all people (not just college students / our peers :) ).  This past Monday we went a second time to the Khon Kaen House of Mercy, which is an organization that helps orphaned children who are HIV+, either inherited from their parents, prostituted, or from dirty needles.  The House of Mercy is dedicated to caring for these children medically, physically, and emotionally while sharing / teaching them the message of Jesus throughout their stay at the shelter.  The staff of this organization expressed that they needed help with some maintenance issues, such as fence repair, landscaping needs, electrical repair, and several other cleaning needs.  In order to make the most out of this trip, we invited approximately 20-25 Thai engineering students that we and the COT staff have been building relationships with, to come with us on our "vision trip."  This was awesome, not only for the extra hands & skills that these engineering students brought with them, but their willingness to come with us gave us another great opportunity to get even closer relationally with them as we hope to share and see them come to know the motivation for why we live & serve, Jesus.

Here are some pictures from the trip...

The front gate of the Mercy House

Two of the engineering students welding / repairing the fence.

Here's one of the children's rooms are the Mercy House

Me & Nun replacing one of the mosquito nets.

Some engineering guys re-wiring one of many broken fans at the Mercy House

All of us taking a break for lunch, getting to know one another better.

After the repairs were done we took some time to play soccer.  

I was the goalie until I got pulled for poor performance. :(  

Group pic of us before we left.  

Law Faculty BBQ: Thursday June 23rd
Every year the COT staff host a BBQ event for several of the "faculty's" or majors at NEU.  This past Thursday we hosted a BBQ for the Law faculty.  The purpose of these BBQ are for us to serve and show our love for the students at NEU.  During this BBQ we performed some an American dance competition.  This competition integrated the following shows "America's Got Talent", "Dancing with the Stars", and movies such as, "You Got Served," and "Stomp the Yard." :)  Not really, it was just a men vs. women dance competition.  + a "Cupid Shuffle" dance lesson from us.  It was a blast humiliating ourselves and seeing the Law students laugh at us and attempt to learn the "Cupid Shuffle"- (just in case you forgot what this dance is, a helpful reminder/hint is that it's on every DJ's mix for weddings, formals and/or proms.)  After the dancing segment of the BBQ party, the COT staff shared briefly who Campus Outreach is and how we want to get to know and serve them throughout their college experience.  We then ate some pork BBQ with our new Law friends as we got know one another, and play games together as we hope to establish lasting relationships with them in hope of sharing and seeing them come to know Christ.

Here are some pictures of the BBQ...

The law students singled me out during one of their own dance routines.  Yeah, my look says it all --"What am I doing?, why is everyone laughing?, I'm confused?, who cares lets go for it!"

Men vs. Women Dance competition

The men look like they had the competition "in the bag" but the Thai students voted for the girls.  I still think we won.

Here we are teaching the Cupid Shuffle

Here's everyones attempt at the Cupid Shuffle...We either don't know the Cupid Shuffle, or we're horrible teachers.

 Eating and getting to know one another.

Playing Jenga

Courtney playing "spoons" with plastic cups!

We're having a blast! Thank you for your prayers and support.  Please take the next 5 minutes to pray that God would save these students through the relationships being built here.