O(CF +MF) Thailand Mission trip 06

Hey! I found my password!

2006-12-24T08:37:00.000+11:00

So the big reason why the blog died? I forgot my password.

Yes, I know, 'what!? How could you?'

Call it choosing weird passwords for things I didn't expect to use often, like Blogger, at one point. To make it worse, I've clear forgotten it now, again. I think it's a slight variation of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...

Anyway, just so that this blog ends conclusively and because this is truly truly the last post ever of this blog (a year and 20 days after!)...

It went well, Thank God =)

Dorothy went on to slog on and continue her degree. She'd later graduate, and get whisked away by her adoring husband to the ends of the earth with their three children, where they continued their long term ministry in India, and the surrounding regions.

Aaron went again to Thailand for yet another mission trip with his family. He'd find himself going there again in years to come till he graduates, and settles down in a little home in Maesai with his very own, family.

Adeline ... well, is going on fine =). Her own future is to her own discretion, but it involves a hunky charming man and perhaps a life of faithful service, God-willing.

Louis finished his Honours in Psychology and decided to finish a PhD in another university, making the move to Illionois among the cornfields. Claiming to take 4 years, he finished on time, graduated, and met his wife at a Thai Chicken restaurant. Ironic, no?

Leigh and Raymond went back and continued to serve in their ministry, and are apparently moving on... somewhere, the information escapes me. They would decide, after a few years of service, that it was time to have children, and they did. We all rejoiced with them =)

Vut went to serve in the Thai army, where God carried him through safely. He's hoping to get his PR in Australia to rejoin with a 'friend'. But who knows, really?

Ming disappeared off the face of the earth, making surprise entrances and subtle exits here and there, and she normally does. She would later disappear entirely, with rumours of a husband and kids and a life of long term service in a third-world country (with a glad heart, I might add).

and Vinsant? Well, Vinsant went down under, and found that he'd hit another roadblock. He's trudging on, until the Lord calls him home.

---

The first sentence of all of them are true, most of the rest is fiction (possible non one day!)

There's only one place that details the trip, which is at tmt06.richx.org

Cheers
Vinsant

TMT06 Temporary Downtime

2005-12-04T02:01:00.000+11:00

The blog won't be shut down, but it's going into serious slow times. This is so because I shall be away from Melbourne, and most likely a computer that is capable of handling such a strenuous task such as blogging.

So we shall try and find someone to blog on my behalf. If you're interested (I'd reckon you'd preferably be a Carltoner), and preferably already have a blogspot or blogger account. Send me an email so that I can add you as a contributor to the blog.

So the reqs are
-OCF Carltoner
-Must have a blogger account (you can create one free, and rather hassle free too)
-Preferably can keep blogging
-... as well as update this blog while the team is in Thailand. We'll try and send you updates, and thats where this will go.

interested? Send me an email at vinsant.huang@gmail.com

Cheers
V

Guess who...?

2005-11-28T12:49:00.000+11:00

... is coming on the O(CF+MF) Thailand Mission Trip of 2006?

Raymond and Leigh!

Leigh has managed to secure leave, which in turn ~~tugs and drags on a chain that~~ gives Raymond the go ahead to come along as well!

So now the updated list of people who will be participating from OCF Carlton + NZ

Dorothy
Louis
Adeline
Aaron
Ming
Ray
Leigh
Vins (Khai)

Thank God that Leigh and Ray can come, and for Vut who is now in Thailand for teaching us about Thailand and it's language.

Cheers
V

-p.s. If you find my making fun of marriage offensive, please comment or send me an email at vinsant.huang@gmail.com. Please do understand that I do it out of fun, and am still single so am very far away from knowing what ~~pain~~ joy marriage can be.

And knowing all this, I think I just cemented my Single For Life status. =)

Love what's past.

2005-11-22T23:42:00.000+11:00

Past blog posts were so much more interesting no?

Efforts are being done to revive this hobbling excuse for a blog.

Bear with me.

Say Hi.

[roar] (Hi)

See? He's nice.

[roo-ar, whimper, huh, roar] (And you're just a tad lazy)

... Yep. He's nice.

Cheers
V, and the bear, in... well, the brothers house.

The author

2005-11-17T23:42:00.000+11:00

... has not repented from his lack of content. He apologizes sincerely, and will perform the sacred ritual of Hara-kiri as soon as he believes he is ready.

There are so many things he has been assured is not his fault, and he shall try to accept that, but the fault of a lack of content where he can always concoct something for his own little blogis simply not acceptable. henceforth, the author shalt... shalt....

Oooh. A dove.

The Gospel and the Shan

2005-11-14T01:47:00.000+11:00

The bible has already been translated into Tai, as the main language. There are efforts being made to expand that to the certain dialects, especially those that are more often used as a scriptoral and written language.

The Jesus film has been translated to Shan (!)

In 1962 all foreign missionaries were expelled from Burma after General Ne Win of the Burmese military staged a coup d´etat and took over control of the country. The Shan are traditionally resistant to Western influence and to the gospel, at least in part due to negative experiences during the British colonialization period. Christianity is seen as a Western religion. "To be Shan is to be Buddhist", they say of themselves. The idea of eternal life seems to them irrelevant, as the goal of Buddhism is to seek for passionless peace. A high illiteracy rate makes it difficult for Shan to read the scriptures, although it is not unusual for them to speak several languages (Chinese, Burmese, and Thai).

Doors to the Gospel

The concept of forgiveness is not known in Buddhism. The word they use to ask for forgiveness means, "please punish me", as the Shan believe that each individual must pay for his own sin and that there is no other atonement. Therefore the message for forgiveness in Christ is valuable to them.
The Shan Buddhists are waiting for the revelation of another (5th) god named "Maitrea", meaning "great world teacher". Buddha predicted that this god would bring the final revelation of the way of salvation. Serious Shan Buddhists keep an empty room in their houses, in expectation of the coming of this god.

Their culture and religion

2005-11-12T18:53:00.000+11:00

Welcome to part two of our case study on the Shan.

In this section, we will explore their culture and religion.

The main religion of the Shan is Theravada Buddhism, or the Buddhism of the fathers, which is mixed with Brahmanism and Animism. This is often associated with and/or connected to folk buddhism. There is no concept of an all-powerful, all-knowing God. There are four "gods," and a fifth one is expected.

The Shan believe in nats or spirits, which can cause good or evil in a person’s life and must be appeased. They also believe in reincarnation and that the good or evil done in one’s life will determine their status and fate in the next life. In order to atone for wrongs done, a person must participate in merit-building activities, such as suffering a punishment of some sort or doing good deeds such as giving to and worshipping the monks. The lowestform of life is to be an animal such as a dog or a cat, and the highest is to retire into a state of passionless peace.

All Shan boys about 12 years old enter the monkhood for a short period of time. Some become monks again later for a longer period of time. They believe that the way to happiness it to renounce the world and carnal desires. They also believe that the physical and the spiritual are closely intertwined.

The Shan have a rich cultural heritage and are a proud and sophisticated race. They are a gentle and peaceful people. Many of their customs are related to the Chinese and the Thai. They have their own centuries old literature, art, agriculture and history. Tattooing is common among Shan men. The tattoos are often Buddhist connotations or signs, placed there in an effort to ward off evil spirits and protect the person from danger. Tattooing is also considered a sign of manhood in Shan society.

Instead of shaking hands, the Shan usually greet with a "wai", or placing the palms together in front of the face. The one lowest in status should initiate the greeting. How high the palms are placed reflects the status of the person being greeted in relation to the person greeting. In addressing each other, the Shan use titles (such as "grandmother", "uncle", "little sister", etc.) to express the person’s status or relationship to others. It is not acceptable to show affection between the sexes in public.

There is a traditional Buddhist holiday every month. For example in mid-April there is Songkran (the Water Festival) that is celebrated by dumping buckets of water on anyone in sight. It is also the beginning of the Buddhist New Year. Chinese New Year is also celebrated in February. The candle-lighting festival takes place during the full moon of September. The purpose is to light candles to welcome the fourth god Goddama, who on that night came down from heaven to preach.

The clothing is usually colorful, women wear a wrap-around tube skirt called a longyi (or sarong) and snug fitting blouse, and traditionally wear their hair up in a bun. Men wear baggy trousers and a Chinese-style shirt, sometimes with a turban.

The Shan are clever silversmiths and weavers. They are also known for papermaking.

The staple food is rice with vegetables and meat, garlic and chili paste.

Shan society is a tightly structured hierarchy. Everyone has their place in the hierarchy, and it is important that they know where a newcomer fits in on that scale, as it sets the guidelines for the relationship.The village headman, called Bumong rules villages, and above him is the district headman, called Buheng. The headman has the right to judge everything and is usually an elder chosen by the people for his wisdom. Shan have a group (cooperative) identity, rather than an individualstic one. Families are closely knit and extended families live together. It is common to have many children. Monks and the monastery play a vital role in the village and are highly respected, teaching Buddhist ways and providing schooling for the children. There are several different leadership structures within Shan society: headmen, monks, the military, and saophas or princes. Men are dominant. In marriage customs, a boy’s parents ask a girl’s parents for permission to marry, and there is a dowry. Uneducated girls get married as young as 15 or 16. Educated people wait until they’re 18 or 20.

Most Shan are farmers (rice, vegetables, soybeans and fruit), some are miners (rubies and other precious stones) and tree cutters (teak). Old methods are used and little machinery is available. Before 1996 the Shan were responsible for up to 50% of the world’s opium production. After the surrender of their leader Khun Sa to the Burmese in Feb. 1996, the selling and growth of illegal opium has all but stopped among the Shan, who now have an active drug eradication policy. Khun Sa is now with the Burmese and is in charge of the opium production, often grown by various hilltribes. The Shan army is funded now instead by sympathetic businessmen (in Thailand) and by the remaining weapons and supplies from Khun Sa’s time.

In Burma the monetary unit is the kyat. In Thailand, the baht and in China the ren-men-bi.

Nathavut Wongvilakul

2005-11-11T01:18:00.000+11:00

Is not coming on the trip because he's found himself a good internship job. We thank God for His providence and we know that it'll work out still. Thank you to all those who prayed, God has answered in His own way.

Do continue to pray for Leigh, who has yet to acquire leave to go on the trip. If she doesn't go, Ray's not going either, which means a 6 man team.

If Gideon could defeat a huge army with 300 men, what can God do with 6? Only God knows =)

Cheers, (glug)
V

The Shan...

2005-11-10T16:33:00.000+11:00

... are nice people, I'm sure.

---

Joking aside (or am I?), the Shan are the main people group that we are going to help in ministering to.

They are known in Thailand as Tai Yai, which when translated means "elder brother of the Thai", as they are related in someways to the ethnic Thai.

Their home countries include Burma, the Yunnan province of China, Laos and Thailand. The Shan state is in Burma, with Taunggyi being the capital of the 32 districts within the Shan state. The symbol of the Shan is the Tiger, and their flag is as below.

The Shan flag consists of yellow, green and red stripes with a white circle in the middle. Yellow stands for Buddhism and that the Shan are part of the yellow race. Green symbolizes the verdant landscape, a warm climate and farming. Red symbolizes the Shan’s courage. The white disk is for the moon, the Shan’s pure and peaceful spirit. However, it is forbidden to use this flag in either Burma or Thailand.

There are 12 different subgroups of Shan people, each associated with where they were generally located. Tai Sa's for example, are generally from China, Thai Sipson Panna from the northern Shan state, and so on. However, all Shan will refer to themselves as Shan, and not either of the subgroup.

The Shan speak Tai, a variant of Thai (although less subtle than a missing h), which has 5 different tones. The Tai's in China has 6. Although there are dialects, they are more or less similiar, and based on Sanskrit.

According to Shan leaders there are 30 million Shan in the world. According to the Burmese military regime, there are 4 million Shan in the Shan State. and they comprise about 10% of the population in Burma. There are estimated to be about 2 million Shan in Thailand. It is impossible to get accurate statistics due to the difficult situation in Burma.

---

Come back either tomorrow or on Saturday to be updated on the culture and religion of the Shan.

Cheers
V

Answers to Objections to Missions

2005-11-09T17:45:00.000+11:00

by Pastor John Piper

1. “I am not smart enough.”

“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)

“Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)

2. “My body and my personality are not strong enough.”

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

“[Christ] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

3. “I am not a good speaker.”

“Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17)

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:10-12)

4. “I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers.”

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei—“mend” or “repair” your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)

5. “I am afraid I won’t be fruitful”

Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful.

“And [Jesus] said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

6. “There is plenty to do here.”

True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24:

“So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Paul] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain.”

How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.

7. “I am not married.”

The best spouse is found on the path of obedience. “An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10). The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.

8. “I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame.”

Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere. Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk: “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.

Oh, how precious is the freeing word of God,

Pastor John

---

I don't see how I am not married is a objection to missions somehow, but some of these will hopefully encourage you.

Soli Deo Gloria
V

Downtime explanation

2005-11-08T15:49:00.000+11:00

The tmt06 blog has experienced a serious downtime of...9(?) days due to the fact that the journalist of this weblog has experienced 1) a loss of password 2) a loss of computer 3) a loss of data. He apologizes for being sloppy, and being a complete klutz, and wonders just why God has chosen him to serve with the rest of the group who (to the journalist) seems so much better off, so much more appropriate, so much more suitable for spreading God's good news of salvation and hope.

But he has hope.

And that hope alone keeps him going in his race of life.

Vinsant' shall try and regularly update the tmt06 blog from now on.

Prayer Points

2005-10-31T11:15:00.000+11:00

Here are a few things that the group would like to pray about.

Our Thanksgivings
-Thank God for providing us with enough funds. At the moment our entire Thai trip (minus the cost of actually getting there) has been covered. So although we were looking to just be helped, God poured down, and boosted.

-Thank God that so far the team is getting along well, with little-or-no hiccups along the way.

-Thank God that Ray and Leigh had a fantastic time on their honeymoon in Brisbane.

-Thank God that Adeline has finished her Thesis.

Our Requests
-Pray for Leigh, who is trying to get leave to go on the trip. Previously she only had leave for just her honeymoon, so now trying to procure leave from her new job will be hard. Pray that her manager or HR guy will be understanding, and that Leigh will be able to come along.

-Rays attendance on the Thai trip is dependant on Leigh's ability to get leave because of the ~~ball and chai~~... ring around his finger, so pray for Ray too.

-Pray for those sitting for exams, and those who are still doing their assignments, and those who really should get down to their literature reviews, and data collection.

-Pray for Adeline and her sister Geraldine, who are going on holiday to Brisband and Sydney. Pray that God will keep them safe along the way.

-And as before, continue praying for Vut, that his parents will let him join us in spreading God's Gospel.

Soli Deo Gloria
Amen.

People Profile - Vinsant

2005-10-29T02:18:00.000+10:00

-Vinsant's photo could not be uploaded after repeated tries, the author believes it's a good thing. Blogspot must not like how I look, and I think I agree-

Name: Vinsant Huang Yen Khai
Also known as: Vinsant, Vins, Khai, Oi!

My name is Vinsant, or Khai; surname Huang – from Miri on the East coast of Malaysia. Currently in first year BDes – Games Graphics Programming and worshipping at Lygon St. Church of Christ and actively attending OCF Carlton and participating in the music ministry as a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and general tech guy.

I speak English, Chinese and Malay reasonably fluently, and I’ve had a hand in trying to learn French, Spanish, Thai and several Chinese dialects (all of these I can only remember and understand a very limited amount of.

My passion is God, and am interested in Photography (stills and moving images) I believe in the supremacy of film (positives and negatives), but have acquired a respect for digital images all the same. I enjoy Music, and writing – as well as a variety of sports. I have also been known to be a reasonable actor, and have also been trained to an extent as a Public Relations officer, which is handy because although I'm none too good at it, I want to be able to relate to others, and understand the various cultures around me.

Vinsant is the photography and video coordinator of the group, and also maintains this weblog, which apparently isn't too fond of him.

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So that ends the people profiles. But look out, there may be another one soon.

People Profile - Ming

2005-10-28T01:43:00.000+10:00

Name: Ong Doen Ming
Otherwise known as: Mingy, Doen Doen, Ming

I’m a 3^rd year medical student at Melbourne University from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I attend Lygon Street Christian Chapel. In church, I join the music ministry, help to follow-up newcomers, especially students. I’m also involved in the Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF). This is my 2^nd year helping to co-lead or lead a bible study group as well as being on the committee. I’ve been involved in the music ministry, in organising events with others, going out on university campuses in pairs to share the gospel, and other miscellaneous things within OCF. I speak fluent English and Malay, but not-so-fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien. My interests are quite wide. I’ve always been interested in areas involving outdoor fieldwork and wanted to understand people. I love music, chinese tea and playing sports with good company.

Ming is the First Aid woman, and Prayer and Devotions coordinator for the group.

---

Yes, I'm getting around to it, although I've left the least interesting till last. After the 4th, I might flood this blog torrentially, but at the moment, it'll continue slogging onwards at this pace.

Much Love.
V

Special People Profile

2005-10-26T01:24:00.000+10:00

Name: Nathavut Wongvilaikul
Otherwise known as: Vut, Nut, Nat Wong, That Thai guy

My name is Nathavut Wongvilaikul and I come from Thailand. I am currently doing my final year in Mechatronics and Computer Science. I join Lygon Street Christian Chapel every sunday. I am serving as an evangelistic officer with OCF and a kitchen hand for Church. I can speak Thai and English. My hobbies are Soccer, Table tennis, basketball, badminton, and most of the sports. I like to sing but I can't sing. My passion is to be a professional soccer player.

Vut is our culture guy, and fashion police. He has also been teaching us Thai.

This is a Special People Profile because it would be good to pray for him, because his place in the Thailand Mission trip is not set yet, because his parents are still a bit reluctant. Please pray that his parents will see why Vut wants to go, and learn to support that. Pray that Vut will understand why if he doesnt' go, and thank God that he has taught us so much as is.

We really thank God for you Vut, and we wish you all the best.

Another Interuption, and a Public Service Announcement

2005-10-25T01:15:00.000+10:00

Well, not much of one really.

I just did a bit of thinking, some people will immediatly think of poor, often black, children in third world countries, slaving away, thin and misreable, and in need of food and aid. While this is the case, and surely a cause for concern in the circles we travel, we forget whats close to home.

Never forget that the people around you are just as important to God, as those in other countries, third world or no. Inter-nation mission is surely important, but so is backyard evangelism. It may, in fact, be a bit harder too.

This is especially so in Australia and possibly in America, where Christianity is a given. We can safely assume that most of these people profess that Jesus Christ is their Lord, and that they are Christians, but take a look at their lives. While true that not all of them are hypocritical Sunday Christians, it's also true that these "Christians" exist in far more forms than just hypocritical Sunday Christians. There are those who think God's wrath is theirs to wield, there are those who listen to the parts they like, and discard what they don't, there are... well, many others.

So some of these people have a bit of a direction problem. They think the label is going to get them to heaven.

Truth is, it won't.

So while you pray for us, as we go to the ends of the earth (even though, technically, the earth has no ends, being a smooth contour n=infinity polygon), remember to pray that we'd be a witness to those around us as well, whether they realize they need it or not.

-

I will continue posting people profiles when I'm able.

And yes, I was once a big fan of Eminem.

People Profile - Raymond

2005-10-21T12:20:00.000+10:00

Name: Raymond Chen
Otherwise known as: Seymour, Homer, Raymond-Seymour, Homer's Seymour Raymond, Super Cereal Killer, David Walter (under an alias), ...

My name is Raymond Chen and I am currently working for bread and butter. I am from

Taiwan

originally, but migrated to

New Zealand

14 years ago. I attend Auckland Christian Mandarine Campus Church and I am working as IT consultant. I've been doing this since I graduated from Melb uni back in late 2002. I am a teacher at the youth fellowship of my church. I also give messages at children sunday school.

I can speak English, mandarine, Cantonese, some Danish and German. I enjoy playing rugby, rock climbing, travelling, and sports in general.

Raymond shares the same responsibilites as Leigh, rightfully, as they will wed tomorrow (Oct 22nd). Congratulations Raymond and Leigh, may the Lord bless your marriage and the fellowship you shall share till the end of your days.

People Profile - Leigh

2005-10-20T17:49:00.000+10:00

Name: Leigh Chan (pronounced Lee, not Lay-h, if you were wondering)
Otherwise known as: Hot Honey Lemon

My name is Leigh Chan and I’m from Hong Kong and I migrated to New Zealand in 1996 with my family. I was 16 when I came here. I finished study and have already worked for 2 years. I’m 26 this year.

I did Geography in the university of Auckland and I’m now working as a geospatial analyst at the defence force in new Zealand. I’ve been to Fiji for a very short termed (11 days) mission trip backed in 2001.I attend Auckland Christian Mandarin Campus Church in New Zealand and am also a youth teacher at the Living Water Fellowship (LWF). I’m currently the secretary of LWF.

Apart from youth ministry, I’ve been involved in the children ministry in our church for a few years now. I’m one of the song leaders in the worship team, and I deliver the message for the children, once a month.

I speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English, Cantonese is my mother tongue.I love music, hiking and tae po, I learned how to play the piano back in college but not very good at it… I love travelling too.

Leigh is in charge of the Childens Ministry, and in the organization of programs.

People Profile - Louis

2005-10-19T20:06:00.000+10:00

Name: Louis Tay
Also known as: Lou, that corny guy, cornea, ze frog.

I am an honours year student studying Psychology at the University of Melbourne. I come from Singapore and attend Bethesda Katong Church back home. In Melbourne, the church which I go to is Lygon Street Christian Chapel. I've been involved in youth ministry, Bible study leading, street-evangelism, worship leading and preaching. During my course at National University of Singapore, I have also helped organise a Campus Crusade camp/conference. The languages I am fluent in are English and Mandarin. I also understand a little Teochew and Hainanese. My main passion is to make the Word of God known to others. It is also exciting to be able to sing and worship lead. Something I particularly enjoy is speaking to people from different cultures and learning about them. Additionally, I like to read to gain knowledge.

Louis is the Treasurer, and Fund-raising coordinator of this Thailand Mission Trip group.

People Profile - Adeline

2005-10-18T00:45:00.000+10:00

-before we go into Adeline's profile. A short apology from the web editor, who has been busy with his project. It seems his group is going through countless trials, and is past due date (with extension from the lecturer). He apologizes for being caught up with what needs to be done, and has no excuses. He gladly allows himself to be put to rest in the gallows.

Did I say gallows? I meant Meadows. For the Lord is his shepard, he shan't be in want. The Lord lays him down in Meadows of Green, in all of the Lord's perfect comfort and strength.

---

Name: Adeline Tan
Otherwise known as: Ade (Eh-Duh), Lin, Lin-ade

Adeline is an honours student in the department of Physiology in the university of Melbourne, and received her Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2004. She has lived most of her life in Singapore, the land of the giant lawn ornament, I mean, the merlion, but has lived in various other places around Australia for a number of years.

She attends Faith Methodist Church in Singapore, and Lygon Street Church of Christ here in Melbourne, and serves in the childrens ministry.

She speaks fluent english and mandarin, and has a passion for children, musical instruments, arts and crafts, sports, and a number of outdoor activities.

Adeline will serve as Childrens Ministry coordinator, and the music coordinator on the Thailand Mission Trip.

We interrupt this people profile...

2005-10-15T13:04:00.000+10:00

... just because we don't want people screaming in superstition.

Yep, it's the thirteenth post, so who knows what may happen? eh? =)

The presentation yesterday went rather well, and we do hope you'll continue to pray for us, and perhaps consider missions yourself, short-term or long. I know I'm considering it.

People Profile - Aaron

2005-10-13T15:10:00.000+10:00

Name: Aaron Wong
Otherwise known as: Wonderboy, Aaron, Aa, Ron

Aaron is currently studying Medicine at the University of Melbourne and is currently in his second year. He originates from Kuching, Sarawak.

He currently serves at OCF Carlton and Lygon Street Church of Christ on the music team as a drummer, singer and the occasional guitar job. He also involves himself in the making of videos for purposes ranging from birthday celebrations, Camp Promotions, etc. He also serves as the editor for 2:7, OCF Carltons tri-quarterly magazine. He has served as an events planner on a number of occasions and has co-lead a bible study group.

He speaks English, Malay, Hokkien, and Foochow. Aaron enjoys spending his time playing music and sports, watching movies, reading books, and doing the shake, rattle and roll.

Aaron is in charge of Logistics, and will assist and work with Vinsant on Videography, and Photography, whilst on the trip.

People Profile - Dorothy

2005-10-12T18:37:00.000+10:00

Name: Dorothy Chan Wai Lin
Otherwise known as: Pi-Dot, Cik Titik, Dothority, Dot.

My name is Dorothy Chan Wai Lin and I’m a 4^th year medical student in Melbourne University. I’m from Malaysia and I attend Klang Chinese Methodist Church (KCMC) back home. Currently, I’m attending Lygon Church of Christ in Melbourne. In KCMC, I served as a Praise and Worship leader in Sunday school and was involved in Youth Ministry. In Lygon COC, I’m involved in dramas, welcome ministry, and am the mission coordinator for my bible study group in OCF Carlton. I speak English and Mandarin fluently. Besides that, I do speak Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Hock Chiew when I'm needed to. I’m currently learning Thai and hope to master it well before the mission trip!

I have a great interest in sports and do play basketball, netball, badminton, soccer, squash, table tennis, and captain ball fairly well. I enjoy dancing (especially Latin and Modern dances), traveling, shopping and cooking. My passion is to be a missionary doctor in future.

Dot is the leader of the Thailand Mission trip, and oversees everything, and is in charge of the arranging of events.

Missions Training Weekend

2005-10-10T21:54:00.000+10:00

I know. I have been neglecting this blog for awhile. If it's any consolation at all I've been neglecting my own. Goes to show how busy I am, doesn't it?

We went to Forest Edge (down East off the border of greater Melbourne as we know it), a campsite with a tendency to rain heavily (just for that weekend perhaps), and met some OMF people like Roger Drew and Magnus Linder, and other mission trips that focus on different places (and a couple of groups share the same destination as us, just at different dates). It was an enlightening time of learning, sharing, and oddball fun. We all enjoyed ourselves and learned things, and got to know our teammates better.

This Friday we'll be presenting ourselves (in a sense) to OCF Carlton, so thats something to look out for.

Move aside Gator and Powerade...

2005-09-28T23:21:00.000+10:00

... because Lin-ade has just joined the Tmt06 group!

Adeline Tan, an honors science student at the University of Melbourne has decided and gotten permission to join the Thailand Mission trip, and the group welcomes her with arms wide open.

"Ade's coming for the mission trip, while Ming closes her eyes and screams in horror" (edited slightly)

Adeline will be taking over Vinsant's job as Childrens Ministry coordinator, and Aaron's job as the Music coordinator. Both people did not seem to mind, and in fact seemed to experience an euphoria.

"Not that I wouldn't have minded having the job, but it does take a heavy burden off me as Adeline is really someone who is skilled in her ministry with children. I'm glad she's coming and I hope she serves God with all that she has, glorifying God where glory is due; as all of us should aim for as well" Vinsant said in a statement at his desk, while sketching random concepts for his final project.