TBMF Newsletter

July 2003

Though it is old news to many who might receive this, the Binkleys are back in Thailand and producing this newsletter. Many thanks go to Edy for doing such a great job filling in for us while we were back in the US . It is always great to have Edy around but I guess we should let her be retired some too.

Marcia and I have come back to Thailand equipped with notebook computers that we'll be using and we've been combining mail lists from computers old and new onto these new computers. We've tried this before and it has never gone very smoothly. Our record remains intact as this transition isn't going all that smoothly either. For some reason, among other problems, our group lists never transfer and we wind up re-creating them. That means we may get some obsolete or incorrect addresses mixed in or we may include someone who has no clue why they would receive an e-mail like this or who would otherwise not like to receive it. If that's you please let us know and we'll be happy to take you off the list.

Hellos and Goodbyes

It looks like there have been a lot more good byes than hellos lately. The Pegueros and Osatos have said good bye for fairly short periods, scheduled to be gone for the summer. John & Vicki Rees have left for and intermediate time period. Karen Smith , Lee, Lyn & Rebecca Morris, the Bartholomes and the Mike & Becky Mann family have left for a year back in the “home country”. The Runnegrunds and Thorangens are leaving us indefinitely joining the Skepptstedts who left a little earlier. Gustaf and Arvid , the Swedish volunteers with the Swedish Baptist Youth Federation, also left so TBMF is “ Swedeless ” for the time being.

Saying hello are Jan & Larry Martin returning from their year split between the US and Australia . Jacqui Wells is now back from the UK . In August, we'll be saying hello to two new Swedish young people coming for a year under the Swedish Baptist Youth Federation.

Jan & Larry Martin returned to Thailand homeless. That has now been rectified though and they now have an address. It is:

PO Box 18

Baan Luang , Nan 55190

The actual house address is:

47 Muu 2

T. Suad

A. Baan Luang

J. Nan 55190

The Thorangens also left an address in Sweden . It is:

Dalbobranten 15

128 68 Skondal ( Two little dots go over the ‘o' in Skondal if you can convince your computer to do that)

Sweden

Trials of a not-so-smart- cook

Bob wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said “serve without dressing”. So I didn't dress. What a surprise when Bob brought a friend home for supper.

CCT Retreat

Don't forget to register for the CCT Retreat. If you want TBMF to send in the payment for you, complete the form and send it to the office by July 21. We'll send one check for TBMF. You can register later on your own if you'd like but do it by July 31 st to get the reduced rate.

Anyone with a used computer?

Gam Shae just called and asked if anyone has a used computer they would like to donate or sell reasonably to the Kachin Church he helps serve in Chiang Mai. If you have or know of something, please let Gam know.

Bangkok Christian Guest House is Back Open

The Bangkok Christian Guest House is now back open and in full operation. Many thanks go to former ABMS and TBMF missionaries, Ray & Nantana Burman who have signed on as managers. They have had a ton of work getting the finishing touches done on the building, working out the many “bugs” that come along with new construction and hiring and training new staff. It is a very different building, sparkling clean and new, bright, the same convenient location and still the most reasonable place to stay in that area of Bangkok. Discounts are given to groups on mission study tours, a little better discount is given to full time Christian and NGO workers, and the best discount is given to TBMF/CCT missionaries. Contact the Guest House at: reservations@bcgh.org for rates, information or reservations.

A Stray Thought: Everyone has a photographic memory. Some, just don't have any film.

Chiang Mai International School 50 Year Reunion

Anyone who was a student or a teacher at CMIS (or its earlier forms) during the past 50 years is invited to sign up now for a CMIS Alumni & Friends Group. CMIS is also interested in knowing if you can attend a 50 th year Reunion Weekend planned for January 2 – 4, 2004 . The TBMF Office has copies of a sign – up form if you would like to be put on a mailing list to receive news of the 50 th Anniversary. Or, you should be able to get the form off the CMIS website: www.cmis.ac.th

Big Events Coming Up

A piece of recent correspondence said that The Baptist Youth World Conference that was postponed due to SARS concerns has been re-scheduled for August 4 – 8, 2004 in Hong Kong . It seems that we were scheduled to host a number of visitors before and after this conference when it was to be held this year. It might be wise if we anticipate a similar rush of visitors next year.

A little further down the road, Bonny Resu informed us at our TBMF Conference that Chiang Mai was recently selected to host the 7 th Asian Baptist Congress in 2007 . Bonny suggested that TBMF will likely be needed to help make preparations and arrangements. This should be an exciting opportunity for our local partners all over Thailand and the region, but probably a lot of work for us all too.

Getting Humbled – After the church service a little boy told the pastor, “When I grow up I am going to give you some money.” “Well thank you said the pastor, but why?” “Because my daddy said you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had.”

Meetings & Events

July 31 Discounted registration due for CCT Ecumenical Retreat

August 18 Language & Orientation Committee at TBMF 3:00 pm

August 25 Christian Mission Cottages Committee at TBMF 9:00 am

August 26 Conference Planning Committee at TBMF 8:30 am

August 26 Coordinating Committee at TBMF 1:00 pm

August 28 Bangkok Christian Guest House Board at BCGH 9:00 am

September 12 Volunteer & Tour Committee at Huay Malai 3:00 pm

September 13 Kwai River Christian Hospital Baord at KRCH 10:00 am

September 24 Union Language School Board at ULS 1:30 pm

Closing Thought

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is.