Urban Outreach Camp

Wow! I don't even know where to start! Following a very long day of going on a field trip to talk with strangers, and then taking a test to complete module 2, I was wiped out. I was ready for at least a weekend break to recuperate and collect myself, and that surprisingly came in the form of an Urban outreach camp (aka jr. high retreat). I know, I know, for any parent or person who has ever had (the opportunity) to chaperon a jr. high retreat the words break, retreat, or recuperate do not register. It was an absolute blast though and it didn't include crowed streets, air pollution, or homework. For me this was perfect! Here's what happened...

With the combined forces of CWEFT, Concordia Lutheran Church-Phongphet, and LCMS-WM, we helped run a weekend camp entitled "Joy In Christ" for 25-30 children from the Bang Na area of Bangkok. This is considered one of the poorer slum areas of Bangkok. Many of the children are former students of the daycare there which is funded by CWEFT. Many of the daycare workers came also, and took primary responsibility for supervising the kids aged 8-15.

On Friday we several activities ranging from playing icebreaker games, singing songs, rotating through learning stations and listening to devotions. Here is a picture of Pastor Bob teaching the children about trust. This little boy was supposed to fall straight back and trust that Pastor Bob would catch him before he reached the ground. This led into a Bible study discussion about Jesus and Peter walking on the water and teaching the children to know that they can always trust Jesus. Afterwards they tried to act like they were walking on water in the swimming pool, only they were walking on a dividing wall that was submerged underwater and separated the deep end from the shallow end. That evening after supper, the different groups put on performances of different Bible stories. My group was the purple group and we acted out the story of the good samaritan. They really seemed to enjoy that. Saturday, we got up early for devotions with Diana who illustrated how just because we can't see everything, that it doesn't mean it's not there. She used a blank piece of paper and painted over it with water color, but all that showed was a cross. She explained that this is the same with Jesus. He is still with us even when we don't see him. Devotions were followed with yet another interesting breakfast of rice soup. It kind of tasted like chicken and rice, only mine had a little more pepper in it. The morning continued with bible study led by Pastor Taweep, and arts and crafts time where we all painter fans to keep. After lunch the retreat was over. The kids had a good time and even asked if it could go longer the next time we do another one. By 1pm we were headed back to Bangkok, and very excited about all that took place this weekend! For all the pictures from this weekend click here.

Preparations and Progress

A lot has happened since Dcs. Jennie announced what the T in CWEFT (Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation Thailand) means, thus placing me in my internship position.

Graduation was on May 3rd making me the second Karkan to finish college. Dad and Mom drove in from Ohio the day before and we went to Molly's for dinner where Dwight and Angela met us. They drove in from Buffalo in Dwight's new Crossover. The weekend was really nice with them. The graduation ceremony was neat to experience from the perspective of a graduate. Perhaps the neatest part I felt was walking down the hallway lined with all the faculty applauding us on either side (as well as Dr. Bertel's look of confusion wondering why I was graduating LOL). Bri Victor did a fabulous job giving the student address, and Dwight repaid me the compliment of yelling out "THAT"S MY SISTER" as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. Graduation was exciting, but at the same time it didn't seem real. Perhaps it's the understanding that really... I've only just begun. Unlike being full-speed on a roller coaster ride, I'm just gradually creeping my way up that first hill to the top.

In June I went to LCMS World Mission missionary orientation/training at Concordia St. Paul, MN which was UH-Mazing! All the information (including the tax filing stuff) was extremely beneficial and useful. We had some wonderful speakers and I met several new friends who will be leaving for all parts of the world in the coming months. I believe the number of new missionaries going out was like 46 of us all together. SO wonderful to see how God calls people from all over to serve Him in this way. To throw in a bit of humour some of us were mock-married when we discovered that the Mall of America even has a wedding chapel in it. My grandmother found out through facebook and called to see what was going on. (No worries, we all parted ways as just friends.) Our final week of training was spent with the lovely Char, Nancy, and Sharon who all taught us how to teach English as a Foreign Language. These women were so incredible. We had a blast and learned a lot from them.

As of an hour ago I have 5 weeks before I leave to move to Thailand. I have a plane reservation for August 25th and my visa is en route. Dang, who I'll be working with at the CWEFT office sent a brief itinerary of the first 3 months. To begin with Sarah and I will spend the first several nights in a hotel while we are "oriented" to Bangkok, the mission field in Thailand, and various other things as well. This involves a couple days with our field supervisor Pastor Bob Hedtke, a day trip to the Grand Palace, and worship in one of the local church plants. After that we move to an apartment near Bangkok Grace Polytechnic school for 3 months of Thai language study. During that time I'll be able to visit some of the different sites where CWEFT is working on projects throughout the country. On December 1st I will be getting an apartment nearby the CWEFT offices and I'll go from there.

I'm glad to say that so far everything seems to be progressing quite well. I have started to pack and give away things that aren't coming with me or going home with my parents. In regards to fundraising, I will say that I am one third of the way toward my total goal for the two years and I praise God for that! It's so incredibly humbling to see others being a means through which the Lord's work can be accomplished. Thank you so much to everyone who has given me their support and most especially their prayers.