Mission - T

Day 27 of 27 How do you end something so fun, so sweet, so unexpectedly amazing? Mission-T ends today but is it really ending or has it just started? My heart is filled with gladness and thanksgiving.  I said yes to Mission-T without expecting anything in return. I was confident that it will be a success because I know God is with me and will be with me every step of the way.  After 27 days, I feel like once again, I have been reborn or maybe untrapped from the comfort of my little dreams? I have taught for 19 years in the Philippines but I have never felt more loved, respected, appreciated and cared for than this month. Maybe because I taught adults this month? Sharing some of the thank you notes my Thai and Vietnamese learners sent me on our last day of class.  Out of a billion people in the world, I know it was God's plan I meet them and share Jesus to them.

Day 26 of 27 Today is but another extra wonderful and extra beautiful day in my life. Let some of these photos tell you why...  I will write more about it once my heart starts processing the most amazing 27 days of my life that was. ♥️♥️♥️ It was truly a September to remember!   

Day 25 of 27 Awww, so this is how it feels to revisit your first love.  What or who is your first love?  As for me, it's English. Teaching English.  I have spent my last 4 weeks here at Thailand volunteering as English teacher in a Christian ministry.  Today is our second to the last day in class and I spent some of my time writing thank you notes for my students.  This has been a super duper time for me! My heart is rejoicing and as much as I would really love to stay longer, I know I have to prepare my heart to go back to Cebu. Amen. 

Day 24 of 27 I want to share more about my elephant encounter yesterday. Once I posed with the elephant, I saw a giant tear drop on his right cheek. I was affected. I am not an animal lover but I know I am compassionate. (somehow) 😔 So I was telling my friend that it's okay to skip the elephant ride for two reasons, too expensive foreigner rate and my heart is sad to see them toil like that for the pleasure of two-legged human beings.  Then my friend tried to console me in a more elaborate way saying, "Those elephants do not go to heaven." There is a sadder dilemma here than that. It is much sadder to know that a lot more people in the world do not know Jesus and a lot of people have not repented and returned to Jesus. So, I stopped being sad for one sad tear drop for we sure can be sadder for those lost souls who have no Jesus. But the saddest part is if we do not do anything about it!  Sharing my elephely happy moments...⬇️

Day 23 of 27 It was a lovely weather to be out. Today was our month-end outreach at the Floating Market. The teachers and the students spent time together exploring the Floating Market. It was a very colorful day. Food, people, laughter and lots of things to buy as souvenirs delighted our senses.  After our time at the floating market, we dropped by Chang Puak Farm to see real elephants. The elephant ride was way too expensive for a volunteer teacher missionary like me so I skipped that. Instead, I posed with an elephant and gave my face away to be kissed for a hundred baht. Hmmm. I'm not sure if it was worth it! 😅 The highlight of the day was the fellowship at the park with singing, praying and my sharing. I was tasked to share my testimony on how I met Jesus in my life. Ate Su translated it to Thai so everyone will surely understand.  It was an incredibly fruitful Sunday.  Thank youuu, Jesus! 

Day 22 of 27 I have 5 days to go in this Wonderland. I cannot not visit the market, the Carbon-like market in Saphan Mai (but layu ra sa kabarato ug sa kadaghang baligya). Woke up early today to take the train with Rhesa. She planned to cook law-uy (Thai edition) and so she did. I ate joyfully. The rest of my photos were captured from my happy and ever-delighted heart since I stepped here 22 days ago.  Tomorrow is a big day for our center since it is our month-end outreach and fellowship with our English learners. Pray with us for a Jesus-filled time.  Amen.   

Day 21 of 27 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  Hebrews 10:39 Happy Birthday, Ate Rhesa!  Team Phahonyothin  Pizza birthday!  Today marks a special Friday as we celebrated Rhesa's birthday. Rhesa is my dearest missionary friend and sister in Christ whom I met at BTC-CGST. It was her consistent and persistent invitation that led me to decide to come to Thailand this month.  What a joy to celebrate her birthday today with a very simple yet full celebration. We started the day with her blowing candles from a tiny square cake I grabbed from 7-11 last night. After that, we had a prayer meeting at the English center. Together with the team, we had pizza for lunch. Then we went home and got ready for Rhesa's birthday wish: a pictorial session for free at a flower gallery at a nearby mall.  Rhesa has been in Thailand for almost 7 years now. Her big heart for these Thai unbelievers has grown t...

Day 20 of 27 I give God all the glory for letting me play this small part in helping reach some of the unreached peoples of the world. It is a non-negotiable command to go into the world and make disciples of all the people groups in the world. We all have one choice only.  The choice is to be the: Sender or the Goer What's yours?  Reading this book while staying here in Thailand for a short mission trip to volunteer and teach English to Thai and some Vietnamese unbelievers has become but another reaffirming and refreshing time for me.  My heart is grateful and expectant for what is to come. Amen. 

Day 19 of 27 From 8 days to go to 8 days left for Mission-T. 😭 Here is another list of 8 prayer points along with 8 photos I took from the Flower Market last night. Pray for God's mighty provision for Teacher Jane's last 8 days in Thailand.  Pray for the last 4 days of her English classes with Korn, Sona, Som, Rosie, Paula, Beeh, Em, Aom, Fang, Cherry, Nam, Japan and Oat. Pray for our outreach with students at Phahonyothin center on Sunday, September 24.  Pray for our month-end class fellowship and Literary Tea Party. May Jesus truly shine!  Pray for Santisuk Family in Bangkok, all branches and centers esp. Phahonyothin branch with Rhesa, Su, Me Un and Thong.  Pray for Teacher Jane's preparation to go back to Cebu. Pray that she will control her emotions well and understand that she can miss Thailand everyday but she cannot be back that soon.  Pray for all Mission-T blessers (those who gave their financial resources), supporters, encouragers and prayer warriors...

 Day 18 of 27 Welcome to ChinaTown. I had another fun day at the English Center. Little did I know that I will have another unexpected adventure in the evening. My friend's friends treated us to dinner at ChinaTown. They took us to three stalls for an appetizer, main course and dessert. I do not eat late so that means I broke judt but another life rule. It was a bright and colorful night at ChinaTown but deep within I know it was a dark place. Dark, because there is no real light. There is no Jesus, the light of the world. In fact, on our way home, we passed through an alley where women sit and wait for men who want instant pleasure for the night and who knows what else happens in that alley. At first I thought I only want to learn about the good stuff about Thailand but then I realized it is necessary to see the dark side of the place I have already really loved for the last 18 days.  Jesus, thank you for all that you have done for the Thai people. May they receive and welcom...

Day 17 of 27 Okay, I am honestly starting to feel sad. I have 10 days left for Mission-T.  I can think of crying in the rain but that cannot happen. Today, I got an umbrella from one of my learners here.  I got home at 9:30 ish pm tonight. It was another marvelous Monday learning English and reading the story of the demon-possessed man.   I also enjoyed Talk Time. Learners were asked to name  a favorite animal or thing and identify similar characteristics. Their answers were all interesting. Tomorrow I will welcome a bee, a cat, a lion, a panda, a panther, two rabbits, a monkey, a dog, a penguin and a cloud in class. Goodnight, Monday!       

 Day 16 of 27 Wow, what a glorious Sunday to respond and obey our only Master, Jesus Christ.  I was thrilled to share God's word today to fellow believers (Thai and Filipinos) at Santisuk Family Day. Matthew 18:1-4 Thank you, Jesus.  My heart is awesome glad! I rejoice in your greatness in my life and the life of my brothers and sisters here at Santisuk.  Who, then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  With Santisuk founder, Pastor Steve and his wife  Prayer Points: Pray for all the Santisuk English Centers here in Thailand. Pray for all their teachers, missionaries and workers.  Pray for a harvest like no other this 2023 and the years to come.  Amen. 

The Grand Palace Wat Pho Day 15 of 27 Yesterday was another day spent outside of the classroom. Thai learners believe they don't only learn English at the center but more so outside. A small team took me to some of the temples here in Bangkok. Many of my learners work on a Friday that is why I am thankful for these ladies who took their time to join me along with one of our teachers at the center, T. Thong.  My reflection: There is much kingdom work to do in Thailand. People really worship in their temples. I cannot count the number of doors I saw and those very well crafted figures they bowed to.  What brings luck?  Nothing!  Only God brings blessings!  In fact, He sent his one and only Son, Jesus to the world to die for our sins.  He is the only way.  No temple, no door, no human-made god can do that!  Give Him praise and glory today!   

Day 14 of 27 I am utterly grateful and I can keep thanking all my Mission-T blessers everyday!  I work and teach in the Philippines (a looot). In fact, I have worked as a teacher and as an adventurer for the last 19 years but you see I can only afford a trip for a day or 2 around the Philippines. So to come to Thailand for almost a month and volunteer to teach in an English Center as a missionary-teacher-volunteer is totally beyond my comprehension.  So here's the best part, I am completely convinced that I serve a God who majors the impossible.  He perfectly made this mission possible through your gifts and prayers.  Yes, you! ❤️🙏🎁 So, here I am, ready to respond to his sweet and gentle whispers to go wherever he wants me to!  Praying you all embrace the freedom to serve the God who created you all for his glory!  Amen.  ❤️Teacher Jane  

 This week we have been singing this song: Ho, ho, ho Hosanna Ha, ha Hallelujah He, he, he saved me I've got the joy of the Lord Ha, ha, ha, Happy Ho, ho, ho, ho Holy He, he, he loves me I've got the joy of the Lord Day 13 of 27 It has been two weeks of teaching English and sharing Jesus here at Santisuk English Center Phahonyothin Branch. I am ecstatic to be back to this 'first love' of teaching English . I am enjoying every moment. I am!!! Really!!! Thank youuu, Jesus, my God, my rewarder, my comforter, my protector, my Lord and Savior. Amen.