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Last Update :March 13th' 09 |
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 Visitor #5891 |
TBMF NewsletterAugust 2003 New Faces in High Places First ABMS changed their name to Global interAction . Now they are changing the name of their General Director. In February, Ian Hawley will retire making way for Keith Jobberns to take on the position. This change will take place in February of next year. Chris Pittendrigh who has been the person we in Thailand have seen the most from Melbourne is slated to retire next year as well. On the other side of the equator the organization is still called International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, but the name of the Executive Director has changed to Hector Cortez. Hector has already started and reports say made a good impression at the annual Missions Conference earlier this month in the US . Hector is replacing John Sundquist who is also retiring. New Contact Info Jan & Larry Martin report they now have a “real” telephone that comes complete with wires that attach it to the wall. Their home phone number is now: 054 761 155. In the TBMF address list the old e-mail address for the Bangkok Christian Guest House is given. The address should be: reservations@bcgh.org There have been a few bugs with the new e-mail system so if you don't get a reply within a couple days, don't be afraid to telephone to confirm they got the message. Medical News We've been back two months and now there have been two cases of appendicitis within TBMF. I don't think it qualifies as an epidemic yet, but in a slow news month it deserves a mention. First Cathy Gravitis had an appendectomy in Bangkok , and now Ellen Burnette has had one in Chiang Mai. According to a shop owner here in Chiang Mai, it is well known that the small seeds in guava and egg plants are the root cause of an appendicitis . She didn't get into great detail, but the theory is that all those little seeds pass through the stomach and most of the digestive system. But before they can make a clean escape, the seeds take a sharp turn into the appendix and collect there. No wonder it hurts. The poor little appendage almost explodes with all those little seeds collected there. I thought about adding this medical information as an appendix to the newsletter. But I understand that no one really knows what an appendix is good for so I thought I'd better work it into the main body of the text. Medical Knowledge from Alabama To help Ellen feel better, I came across some other little known medical facts from her home state. Following below are questions and answers from high school students taking their university qualifying exams in Mobile , Alabama in 2001. This came from the internet so it has to be true. Q: What is the fibula? A: A small lie Q: What does varicose mean? A: Nearby Q: What is a terminal illness? A: Being sick at the airport Arrivals The biggest news is about the smallest arrival. On July 18 at 1:19 pm Zoe Hrangchal arrived weighing 3.3 kg and measuring 51 cm in length. Proud parents are Mauna & Villy . None of the other arrivals were willing to divulge their weight and height but the Osatos have returned from their annual trip back to Japan . The Pegueros have also returned to Chiang Mai after a short home assignment time back in the US . Lisa Widell and Maria Cedersjo arrived as the latest representatives of the Swedish Baptist Youth Federation. They are replacing Arvid and Gustav and will be mainly based in Chiang Mai teaching English at the Pwo Karen Hostel and helping at the Youth Center . They will also spend some time periodically in Mae Sariang . They have started taking some Thai lessons and will be in Thailand for 1 year. Jonathon and Michelle Kelly have come as volunteers from Melbourne , Australia . They will be in Thailand for about 6 months and are learning Thai along with Lisa and Maria. They have both been in Thailand before on short trips. Next month they will head to Nan and help out the work of Larry and Jan Martin . East meets West, An Engaging Story Most of you know Bi, the secretary here in the TBMF office. In western style, Bi has been wearing a new diamond ring on her left hand signifying her engagement to Bill Clark. In a mixture of Lahu and western style, the engagement was made official by a family party involving a Lahu tea ceremony. Bill is teaching ESL at the Chiang Mai International School . Stay tuned for wedding details. More Knowledge from Alabama Did I mention that Alabama is also the home state of Lamon & Pat Brown? Q: How do you keep milk from going sour? A: Keep it in the cow. Q: What are steroids? A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs Q: How is dew formed? A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them sweat CCT Retreat If you've not registered yet for the CCT retreat you've missed the cheaper rate but can still go. Contact the CCT Ecumenical office to register. The dates of the retreat are October 21 – 23 at the Kata Beach Resort in Phuket . Meetings and Events August 25 Christian Mission Cottages Committee 9:00 am at TBMF August 26 Conference Planning Committee 8:30 am at TBMF August 26 Coordinating Committee 1:00 pm at TBMF August 27 Bangkok Christian Guest House Board 9:00 am at BCGH September 12 Volunteer & Tour Committee 3:00 pm at KRCH September 13 Kwai River Christian Hospital Board 10:00 am at KRCH September 17 CCT Missionary Leaders Meeting 10:00 am Chiang Mai September 23 Union Language School Board 1:00 pm at ULS October 4 CSC Committee 9:00 am at TBMF October 21 – 23 CCT Ecumenical Retreat Phuket Finally, Some Cross Cultural Knowledge From Alabama Q: What is a seizure? A: A Roman emperor. Q: What is a turbine? A: Something an Arab wears on his head Q: What's a Hindu? A: It lays eggs |