back on Canadian soil!!

Hello All
Just though we'd let you know we've arrived back in Canada. We've gathered our bags and are going to hopefully get a hotel shuttle soon.
You'll hear more from us another time... for now - off to the hotel.
Janelle

Homeward Bound

Hello all,

   We're doing our last good-byes, a meal, and heading to the airport. Thought you'd appreciate seeing some flight info:

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES

MU 0206

Duration: 4hr(s) 20min(s) 

CNX CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

PVG SHANGHAI PUDONG, CHINA

Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320 JET Distance (in Miles): 1661   

Departing At: 3:35pm

Arriving At: 8:55pm 

____________________________

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES
MU 0597
Duration: 10hr(s) 20min(s)

PVG SHANGHAI PUDONG, CHINA

YVR VANCOUVER BC, CANADA

Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A332 JET Distance (in Miles): 5615  

Departing At: 11:50pm
Arriving At: 7:10 PM 

_____________________________OVERNIGHT IN VANCOUVER

WESTJET WS 0448 Duration: 2hr(s) 39min(s)	YVR YWG VANCOUVER BC, CAN  -  WINNIPEG MB, CANADA		Aircraft: BOEING 737-700 JET Distance (in Miles): 1163 Stop(s): 0
	Departing At: 9:15am Term inal: MAIN TERMINAL	Arriving At: 1:54pm

Day "Jet" (Nine. The last of our days here in Thailand)

The last full day in Thailand and we used it to experience some of what Thailand and Southeast Asia is known for: Elephants and Tigers.

We were accompanied with a couple of the Centre's short term English teachers whom we have come to be friends with and began the day at the Elephant camp. We fed elephants bananas, watched the trainers bath them in a river, rode them, and watched a show where the elephants played soccer; painted pictures; threw darts; etc. It was quite a new and wild experience for everyone. Most of us had never felt their leathery, hairy skin and elephants became a greater reality for us who have had little if any real experience with them in the past. What grander among the beasts of the earth over which man has been given dominion.

After lunch we visited the tigers. The big ones could be watched outside and above a fenced area where they scrapped and swaggared and acted remarkably similar to the household feline pet. There was another area with younger, much smaller tigers that the youth walked amidst and were able to pet. It was that kind of 'once in a lifetime' experience that everyone had with a great smile on their faces. What majesty of the animal kingdom creation.

Afterwards we rested up a bit and were taken to a place for dinner with traditional Thai dancing. Near the end of the show, after all other dinner guests had already left, the performers came down and asked us to dance with them which many of us did and we all had a great laugh over. 

While it may be seen that the day was all spent on our selves, doing 'the tourist thing,' we felt honoured to witness this other viewpoint of the works of God in this area of the world, to see how ALL of creation has been formed for, and to proclaim, the glory of the Lord. Elephants are also a huge part of Thailand's culture and heritage. It's beautiful how something so simple can help build our understanding of another place and another people. It can allow for a point of connection and means to start a conversation. 

Sighs are in the air as people begin to pack. This was a very valuable trip for all who came and I pray it has been valuable also to those of you who have been supporting this work of God in various ways, but through prayer most significantly. Thank you oh so much and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Mark

Weekend Reflections

     The weekend was good for the group, nobody got too badly hurt and everyone came back healthy. Some of the things I really enjoyed about the english camp were how the people changed from the beginning of the camp to the end. In Thai culture it is not widely accepted to speak of personal things and feelings, but some of the people really began to open up in the camp environment, which was great to see because its unhealthy trying to act happy all the time when you're really not. While we were waiting to leave the camp, there was a monk in full orange robe on an iPhone 6, killing the flies around him (which is hilariously non-Budist).

     Coming back to Chang Mai actually felt surprisingly good, having coffee and being in a place that I kind of knew, without the bugs made me feel refreshed. The big activity today was going to the walking market. It was fun, and there were many beautiful things, but there was a lot of sadness in it. The beggars that were there were likely not there on their own accord and were enslaved by someone more powerful. It really showed the sad parts of Thailand with various types of slavery that we only saw a small portion of. 

      After the market I did something that really made me happy; I did something somewhat independent. Dependancy is something I struggle with at home, so leaving the taxi truck alone and walking into the market then bartering for a backpack (that I got for a decent price) and then going to get a coffee after that was different of me. The ride back from the market was exhilarating, first I should explain that the taxies in Thailand are a bit different. They are usually red, modified pickup trucks with passenger areas in the back with an area where you stand near the hitch. Those twenty minutes on the back that taxi were an incredible way of experiencing Chang Mai. I could see everything, and it was a magical experience. 

     At 9:30 we came back to the hotel and did our debrief, which I really like because I can talk honestly group and its usually hilarious (because I'm there).

by Aiden

Weekend Pics

Friday

I am having a really great day today.  I woke up at 6:30, which strange enough was sleeping in.  Breakfast was yogurt and granola.  We are now all out of granola. (It came from home - cereal is really expensive here) We weren't quite finished painting the room in The Centre so I got to paint again!  We actually had orange paint today instead of the cheese whiz coloured paint yesterday.  Painting went fairly quickly compared to the other painting days.  I cannot paint without getting paint on my elbows, knees, feet, hands, hair and glasses.  Luckily, I had time to clean myself up before we went to lunch.

We ate lunch at Sam's favourite place.  I don't know what the actual name of the restaurant is, but it we all call it Sam's favourite place.  The people there know us as regular customers.  Every time we walk past the restaurant they have smiles waiting for us.  I ate PadThai.  It was so good!  I was little surprised at how much I liked it!  For those of you who know me well, you are not going to believe this.  I tried squid!  Just one small bite, but it was pretty good.  Mark had a meal with the squid and I had to try it just so that I could say I have tried squid. 

We then went to the centre for a staff meeting.  We prayed together about the english camp coming up.  I am learning what a difference prayer can make.  God is moving here. 

I am going to be tired tonight, because Robyn and I had a late night last night.  We were both feeling tired, but as soon as we lay down to sleep...  We were not sleepy in the slightest.  We were laughing so much and having amazing conversations. We ended up staying awake until about 11:00 before deciding that maybe we should take some gravel to help us sleep.  Robyn had the chewable kind that tasted like orange, but it made our tongues go numb.  We fell asleep shortly after.  

I love all the plants here.  Hedges shaped like elephants; I mean, how cool is that!  I am getting used to the heat here, although sometimes it is overwhelming.  We are going to the english camp later today.  I am going to see the jungle!  Mornings are my favourite time of day.  The temperature is a little cooler and I love to hear the birds sing.  

Thank you for praying for me.  I have really felt God here and have grown in my faith.  The team is getting along well. Time is flying by.  I love you all.   

Jolene

Note from Janelle: You will not be hearing from us until Sunday night (our time - which is your morning) because we are going off to English camp. We will be driving about an hour and a half up into the mountains to a 'resort/camp' type place. We are very much looking forward to being there, and hanging out with the students. Please continue pray for us  - I know lots of you are - please don't stop! Pray that God would use this weekend to soften hearts. This is a very difficult place for the gospel to break in - but with God - all things are possible. Pray that He would save, and that seeds would be planted, or that seeds would be watered. 

On another note - we want to praise God for the incredible team God has given us! I'm not sure we've ever had a group that has been this flexible, or so willing to participate or try anything. Our team unity is great, and there has been no whining. Even jet lag has not really been an issue (other than waking up really early in the morning and maybe needing an extra coffee here or there. My guess is the way home might be a different story) But praise the Lord, it is so clearly Him, and His sustaining grace. 

Oh  - and it's dry season, so really smoky and smoggy, and even the waterfall at the camp has completely dried up. I've beeb praying for rain, and praying that it would rain on Friday afternoon, (which it currently is) and as I write this - it is now raining. The smell of rain is delicious! Thrilling. 

Look for our next post Sunday!

the centre- where we spend lots of time

 Breakfast at the lake/reservoir on the university campus the other morning

 Early morning run for Doug, Braedy Mark and Janelle around the university

the street we walk a lot of times every day - that the centre is on