Flood Relief

The end of March, steady rains hit southern Thailand for about 5 days. In Khao Phanom district, the rains on Phanom Benja Mountain caused mudslides and tons of water to sweep through the district. Several sections of the district were underwater for almost a week. Eleven Thais died here. The swiftly running water swept rubber & palm oil trees, houses, vehicles, furniture and people away in its current.

We heard some really sad stories. Most found out the run-off water was coming & were rescued by boats from roofs and second floors. Other people had time to flee and take their trucks or motorcycles to higher ground. The water rose to between 1 & 2 meters. Other people, once the waters receded, slept on bamboo shelters back at their homes while cleaning up their muddy houses. Families were waiting for electricity & water to be restored. Some tried to wash their mattresses and dry them on the road or tree stumps. Furniture had to be discarded because it was damaged beyond repair. Refrigerators & washing machines could be seen in yards drying after being cleaned. Some waded through small amounts of standing water to cut their rubber trees or get the fruit from their palm oil trees so they would have an income.

Much aid was sent by the Thai government, royal family, & private donations to the really badly affected areas. Lesser amounts of aid reached other sections. Because our funds were limited, we had to choose where to best spend our resources. Once the waters were down, we went out to find out where to help. Through our church, Krabi Baptist, we had made up around 358 bags with food/personal use items from Disaster Relief Funds (and another 100 bags were distributed from Thai Baptist Funds). In addition, foldable mattresses, pillows, lightweight blankets and even doors were distributed. Two cooked meals were also served in flood villages. During those meals, the gospel was related in sermonettes, songs, music and church members serving the Thais in the two villages. Another meal is scheduled for next month, as well.

Long Distance Bike Race

Phuket Bicycle Riders sponsored a race of 62+ miles. Urged on by his fellow bike riders in Krabi, Richard wanted to see if he could actually ride the 62 miles in the heat. The race began at the Sarasin Bridge between Phuket & PhangNga Provinces. It followed the beach in PhanNga Province before doubling back on the main road into Phuket. The riders went to the 2 Sisters Heroine Monument and returned to the Sarasin Bridge. Over 150 bikers started the competition, but Richard was among the about 50 riders who actually finished.

World Team

A volunteer team from America came to help a few days. They did a variety of things from passing out food bags for flood relief, washing church fence, prayer walking and encouraging new Christians with their testimonies. We were encouraged by young adults, who were taking a year off to go around the world and see where God is working.

Thai New Year

This is the beginning of the Buddhist lunar year. It is the year 2554. During this time, Thais travel upcountry and every train, plane, & boat is filled to capacity as they travel. One hundred eighty-eight people died on the roads during the holiday. The 3 day celebration brought many out to splash/spray & throw water and welcome the summer months. If you’re fortunate enough to be close, people spread powder to help you feel cool. Originally, elders had water gently poured on their shoulders to bless them and children had fun splashing water in the intense heat. This has now turned into a full-fledged water fight.
We attended a party in the evening and had fun eating Mexican food with Thais, Russians, & Americans.
Then on Friday we traveled to the province of Satun for a meeting with our team.

Prayer & Praise

1. Praise God for the opportunity to participate in flood relief for those who had lost so much in the southern flood/mudslides in Krabi.
2. Praise God for the help of Krabi Baptist members in buying & bagging up the food to be given away in the disaster relief .
3. Pray that Thais in Khao Phanom will come to belief in Jesus Christ’s salvation.
4. Continue praying for Tik, & Duang-jai (whose husbands are Christian) to come to know Jesus as Savior.
5. Pray for us to sell possessions that we don’t need before September and our return to the U.S.
6. Pray for a pastor/leader to be found to take over the work in Khao Phanom with the church there.

Flooding

Thirty-four+ districts (counties) in the south have been affected by flooding. This weather has seen lower temperatures and flooding in our hot season. Waves have reached 6-12 feet high in both the Andaman Sea & Thai Gulf and stranded tourists on islands. Fishing boats couldn’t go out because of the high waves.

Travel on the Thai mainland has been affected too. The north-south Highway was cut in several places because of the flooding. Landslides washed away homes, household goods, vehicles, and killed some Thais (23 by the latest count). Because of the flooding, electricity was cut or erratic. Public water was polluted by the flood waters. Those who could flee to higher ground did and took refuge in homes of relative/friends, schools and Buddhist temples.

Thais here can not work their rubber trees. Thus, they have no income because of the rain. Most don’t have any savings. Crops are affected and the price of food stuffs has risen, just as it was a few months ago when the sugar & rice prices rose because of flooding in Thailand’s central region. Pray for the lives of those affected by the flooding. Pray for us to have wisdom in our disaster relief work through Krabi Baptist Church to produce people for God’s kingdom.

Annual Meeting

We attended a meeting with our fellow “m”s in the north of our country. We helped behind the scenes with office & other activities that needed to be done for the meeting. It was fun to be able to sing songs & worship in our own language. Many seminars were held to help with ideas in how to evangelize better, as well. A group of volunteers from Mississippi came to help with the children’s programs and they did a super job! Seniors graduating from High School were recognized and a gift sent with them to help with their re-entry to the USA. A skit/spoof, kind words from our supervisor, and a gift were given us in recognition of our leaving Thailand later this year & retirement late next year.

Prayer & Praise

1. Praise God for Ravi, an Indian working in Khao Phanom, who is coming to worship with our small group.
2. Praise God for the refreshment, & learning which took place at our annual meeting of “m”s this month
3. Pray for those affected by the flooding to be able to pick up their lives without much problem.
4. Pray that God will give us wisdom in our ministries to those affected by flooding will bring some into God’s kingdom.
5. Pray for the people of Khao Phanom to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
6. Pray for those Thais in Khao Phanom, who claim the name “Christian” to come worship with our group on Sundays.
7. Continue praying for Tik, & Duang-jai (whose husbands are Christian) to come to know Jesus as Savior.