Our work has begun!!!!! (Friday Update)

Hey Y'all, this is Paul (I know, a poet and he doesn't know it) coming at you this time around. After breakfast and group devotions, we were scheduled for free time, which some took to rest, others-"The Men" went shopping, yeah that's right, the men went shopping. We went to an authentic Thai Mall which by the way looks and feels like Walmart. Okay it wasn't an authentic Thai Mall. We rode in a "song towel" (not how it is spelled) which is a small pickup with bence seats and a roof, which is their version of a large people mover. After lunch, we met back at New Community (the building in which MTW Thailand is housed) for preparations for game night. This night was scheduled for the English students to come as well as their family and friends. Earlier, we had prayed for many to come because the month before no one showed. Our prayers were answered with a full house!!! Standing room only. I'm not much of a game person, but I have to confess, I had a blast! Here's the scoop, I along with 6 other Thai students are participating in a scavenger hunt that takes us out into the Thai night. Their fine, I'm just hoping I can keep up because if I stray too far and get separated, well you know. So down this street, thru an alley, down another street, to one of our teams apartments. Most of the items on our scavenger hunt list we found here. I did not get lost! We returned in our alloted time, as well as the other teams. The night was filled with food, fun, and interaction. The students were able to practice on us "Forang" (don't quote me on any of the spelling) which means foreigners. It will be a memory not forgotten! Earlier in the afternoon, the ladies got together with Kieow and Yu, two workers at New Community, to make flowers out of stocking like material, that was of different colors. They turned out beautiful, as you will see. The guys went to Mahathai village to prepare areas for concreting. A sidewalk, probably about 30 feet in lenth and 3 feet wide, was the major project at hand. The sidewalk is need due to this village is built in a marshy area that floods when it rains and this sidewalk will allow people as well as the children not to walk thru water on their way to school or when they leave the village. The water being a combination of runoff and sewage! Dave, head of the MTW staff, was in charge and we all said 'this guy is Randy Morris thru and thru', no project unattainable, a great character trait! We were to form these areas this day. A few more areas popped up while there to concrete, so those were formed as well. Just a note, Mahathai village is a poor area also called a slum. Most of the homes have 3 walls with a roof, open in the front and built out of materials found here and there. These are a proud people but not so proud that they won't accept help and friendly too! Dave has a special ministry and calling for this area, as he is always working here when he can. Our prayer for this area is for the Lord to soften hearts, build relationships thru the team, and bend the knee to Christ! Pray for our perseverance and boldness to strike up conversations with the Thai people, for our physical strength, and focus of the trip. Thank you for your continued support!!!!




Building a frame for the concrete pour tomorrow.

Flower making in the Mahatthai slums.

Reid still isn't happy.

English party at the office.

3 children from Mahatthai that helped with the work.