Thai ’09 Journal 4

After a productive and delightful sojourn in Chiang Mai, I’m now at Asia-Pacific International University (formerly “Mission College”). The campus is one of the most beautiful in the system. I took some photos today (click here to see them), but they are not the best, because the day is overcast. That also prevented us seeing the historic solar eclipse – the longest of the century. It was best seen in Asia (especially in Shanghai, China). But I was hoping to get a bit of it. When the sun comes out again I’ll post a larger collection of the campus.

Today was preparation day for the expected rest of the team. I had a good meeting with the leaders with whom I’ll be working – smoothing out as many of the knots as possible. The 3 main projects are in place: We will lead out with the English Camp at the public High School. We will assist the disabled farmer with the reaping of his crops. And we will assist in the evenings at the Language Center in the town of Muak Lek. In all of these projects we will be partnering with students and employees of APIU. In the afternoons we will also assist with some ongoing Buddhist-sensitive “evangelism.” I’m anxious to see the nature of this enterprise.

I’m overjoyed as students, faculty and staff meet me, and the first thing that comes out their mouth is “Nothing is Impossible!” with my signature energetic hand movement. That was the theme song of my WOP 2 years ago – the theme of which was “From Unremarkable to Unimaginable.” We sang that oldie at the top of our voices and with all the energy the Thai community on campus could muster. It is a good feeling to realize that the impact of that week remains.