TBMF Newsletter

September 2004

Greetings! It seems like it has been a while since we last put out a newsletter. We've made plans to write one, but things kept coming up. I'd blame it on having too many interruptions, but then we read this…. A pastor once expressed his frustration about all the interruptions until God seemed to say, “I know about your agenda for the day, but all those interruptions ?... That was me! So you see, its not our fault!

Coming & Going

We'll talk about going first. Since June a number of people have left for various lengths of time. Gam & Alice Shae left to retire in the US . They are settling in to Penney Farms and hopefully dodging the hurricanes in Florida in the US . Ascanio, Yanira and the Peguero family left Thailand and are settling down to life in Texas in the US . Kim Brown left in early July for a one year period in the US but she'll be coming back briefly at the end of September to renew her visa. The Osato Family also left in June for a stop in Japan , but then going on for a year of study at Fuller Seminary in the US . Delaying their departure for the US was the news that Emi's grandmother had died so we offer our sympathy to Emi and her family. Swedish Baptist Youth volunteers Maria Cedersjo and Maria Widell left Thailand , heading back to Sweden in July.

As for coming, Mike and Becky Mann and family arrived back in Chiang Mai in August. The kids hopped off the plane and went straight to school. Mom & dad hopped off the plane, went home and took a nap. Pete and Lizz Maycock are new BMS missionaries that also arrived in August. They are living in Bangkok and have just finished their first module at Union Language School in Bangkok . The Maycocks will be based in Chiang Mai, working with the Karen youth after completing language study. Lee & Lyn and Rebecca Morris came back from a year in Australia , and after a tour of available housing in Chiang Mai, found a place to live and have settled back in and are working at Baan Handicrafts once again. Roland & Astrid Bartholome and their children returned from Germany in July and have settled back to work in the northern end of greater Bangkok .

Paul & Cathy Gravitis and their daughters have been both coming and going. They have left Bangkok and moved into a new home in Chiang Mai. Near a market area, they will begin outreach work.

A number of shorter term missionaries and volunteers have also arrived recently. Martin and Charlotta Morck have come to Chiang Mai as Swedish Baptist Youth volunteers replacing Maria and Lisa. They are currently studying Thai at the AUA. The Morcks will be joined by Lena Andersson also from the Swedish Baptist Youth who will be going to Mae Sairang . From the Baptist Union of Norway Katrine Birkeland has come to work with the New Life Center , Lahu and Pwo Karen. She is also currently studying Thai. Charlotte Stein and her daughter Marlena from Oregon in the US have arrived in Chiang Mai and will study Thai until the new school term starts. Then they will go help teach at the United Village School and Family Learning Center in Chiang Rai . Rev. Mary Wood from Ohio has returned for a second stint helping teach at the Bible school at the Mae La refugee camp near Mae Sot.

Stranger than Fiction

According to a recent review, the new Honda Odyssey mini van as sold in the USA can seat 7 people but has 15 cup holders. If each of the 7 people have a cup in each hand, who is to hold the last cup? Are people in America really that thirsty?

Important Dates for 2005

The TBMF Conference for 2005 will be held April 4 – 8 at the Royal Ping resort. The Royal Ping is 50 km north of Chiang Mai on the road to Chiang Dao and Fang. Bob Santilli , who many of you met at the Consultation last February has agreed to be the speaker and a team from BMS will be leading the children's program.

The CCT Ecumenical Retreat for 2005 will be held October 17 – 20, 2005 and will also be held somewhere in northern Thailand . A decision should be made soon as to the venue.

Important Dates for 2004

The CCT Biennial meeting will be held this October 18 – 22 at the Dara School in Chiang Mai. It gets started with a special service and dinner marking the 70 th anniversary of the CCT in the afternoon of the 18th. The regular meetings start on the 19 th . Each morning features a Bible study on the theme “Christ Living Within Me” from 8:30 – 10:00 . The afternoons are mostly reports from various leaders and programs. The meetings close with communion on the 22 nd starting at 10:30 . A visit would be worthwhile if you can make it.

Definition

Vegetarian - An old American Indian word meaning “lousy hunter”.

New BUS Representative

Last newsletter we reported that Gunnel Andreasson was leaving the position of International Secretary for the Baptist Union of Sweden. Since then we have learned that former BUS and TBMF missionary Jonas Thorangen has been named as Gunnel's replacement. He has already begun to work in this new role and will be in Thailand this week.

Youth to Hong Kong

Postponed for a year or so because of Sars , the Baptist World Alliance finally got to hold their youth conference in Hong Kong in August. TBMF was well represented with the entire Osato family, and missionary kids Jordan Dieselberg, Rachael Fox, Anna Yawan and Sean Binkley attending. Also from Thailand were groups representing the Sgaw Karen, Pwo Karen, Lahu , Akha and New Life Center . All reports were that it was an awesome event. Eiji Osato was elected as President of the BWA Youth Department so congratulations to Eiji.

Return of the Coats'

Former IM and TBMF missionaries Bob and Pat Coats helped a group from their home church, Ridgeview Baptist in Danville , Illinois , lead the children's and youth program at the TBMF conference August 3 – 7. Bob and Pat also had some family reunion time and the Ridgeview team got to see some other parts of Thailand while they were here too. Thanks to the entire team for coming and doing such a great job with the kids. Special thanks also goes to Pastor Dave Garver for leading the Bible studies.

More Stranger than Fiction

Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador and “cat gut” comes from sheep and horses.

Notable Dates

September 21 – 30: Visit by Jonas Thorangen , BUS

September 23 – October 3: Visit by Stan Murray, IM

September 23 & 24: Karen Baptist Convention Executive Committee and Phak 19 meeting

September 25: Kwai River Christian Hospital Board meeting at KRCH

September 28: Union Language School board meeting

October 9: CSC Committee Meeting

October 18 – 22: CCT 70 th Anniversary Celebration and Biennial

October 25 – 30: Burmese Border Consortium Donors Meeting, 20 th Anniversary and First TBBC Members' Meeting

November 8: Conference Planning Meeting at TBMF

November 13: Christian Service Foundation Meeting at Maitrichit Church

November 16: Coordinating Committee Meeting at TBMF

Final Stranger than Fiction

King George the VI's first name was Albert and Chinese gooseberries come from New Zealand .