Pua Mission Trip—May/Jun 24
Ever wonder what the quarterly trips to Kathy’s Home in Pua are like? Ethan gives a helpful account of the latest trip and encourages us with his heart for the gospel and the people of God. We praise God for His mighty work!
Before the Camp
The team gathered two weeks before the trip to pray and plan. Uncle Siew Kim disseminated the logistical information and informed us of our roles in the camp. We prayed and asked God to guide us in this camp. Despite this trip being my second to Pua, I felt uncertain about how the camp would go, and whether I would be capable enough to teach a class alone. Nonetheless, I prayerfully trusted God in the preparation process and trusted that He would bring us through the difficulties and setbacks we may encounter in the camp.
Day 1: Thursday, 30 May 2024
It was a generally uneventful day of travelling as we made our way to Bangkok, we were greeted with heavy rain upon arrival. After we settled at the hotel, we discussed our plans for the camp and spent time getting to know each other better. We thank God for the safe flight and commute to the airport despite the torrent of rain.
Day 2: Friday, 31 May 2024
Making Our Way to Pua
Our team came from various locations, and we finally met each other as a whole at Nan Airport. From there, we meandered along the winding roads of Northern Thailand and finally arrived safely at Pua. Soon after, we made our way to Kathy’s Home.
(Clockwise from top left): Xiu Hui, Kang Wei, Ethan, William, Karen, Meei Fang, Narola, Mak, Kim Song, Wei Quan, Noel, Kayla, Elliot, Jia Yin, Abie, Jia Xi and Siew Kim. We had the joy of welcoming 3 newcomers to the team (Xiu Hui, Wei Quan and Abie) and 3 young ones (Jia Yin, Jia Xi and Kayla) who livened up the trip.
Leading in Songs
I was tasked to teach the students a new song for the camp. Elliot and I decided to lead in the song “His Mercy is More”. It was a timely reminder of God’s mercy for all of us, “Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!... Praise the Lord!” The students managed to grasp the melody and lyrics of the song quite quickly. This was followed by a familiar song “Jesus, Strong and Kind”. The song prompts us to come to Jesus, as He is the only One who satisfies, in Him, we find true refuge (Matt 11:28). I could hear the conviction in the students’ voices despite my nerves up front. I was encouraged and it made me slightly emotional. I am sure the rest of the team was encouraged by their voices.
First of Five English Lessons
Having experienced teaching basic English back in Singapore, I was excited to have the opportunity to teach English in Pua. It was a challenge to get ideas and points across to the children due to the language barrier. Some use of Google Translate was needed to allow the students to understand the English vocabulary. I thank God for the children’s patience in this situation, and their willingness to learn this foreign language.
Day 3: Saturday, 1 June 2024
Morning Devotion
Heavy downpours in our slumber transcended into the early morning, an apt setting for the devotion Uncle Siew Kim led us through. Psalm 88 is one of the most depressing psalms, where affliction does not seem to cease. However, the psalmist recognises God’s sovereignty in all things, even in seemingly dire situations, he never ceases to cry out to our Lord who hears our prayers. The psalmist clung to the hope that God has the power to save amid much affliction. Uncle Siew Kim encouraged us to recognise God’s power and sovereignty in our lives and to trust in God’s plan while we serve in Kathy’s Home.
Session 2 and Games
We proceeded with the programme for the morning, revising the songs they learned the previous night. We then started with our first English lesson of the day. This was soon followed by a lunch break to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming games. By incorporating games into the programme, we aimed to rejuvenate everyone from the otherwise mundane English lessons. We started with the game Dog and Bone, where each student was assigned a number. However, some students were unfamiliar with numbers in English, but it was encouraging to see students helping each other. Subsequently, we played animal charades, then I challenged the students to complete the lyrics for “Jesus, Strong and Kind”. Although most students were shy, some outgoing and confident students participated zealously in the games. I was pleasantly surprised that the students demonstrated great teamwork and camaraderie among themselves. The team was delighted to witness the students enjoying themselves in the chaos.
Session 3 and Market Visit
After the games, we headed back to the classrooms for our final lesson of the day. Afterward, we headed to the weekend night market nearby. This was a great learning opportunity for the students to learn the names of various foods in English. We sat in a circle under the shade of a tree, shared food amongst ourselves, and had limited but wholesome conversations. This cemented the relationships between the teachers and the students and was one of the highlights of this trip so far.
Spending Time with the Students
During free time after lessons, the students organised various activities, including table tennis, football, playing music and card games. The team was cordially invited to participate with them, and we had a great time getting to know the children.
Day 4: Sunday, 2 June 2024
Morning Devotion
Amid the racket generated by cicadas that morning, Aunty Karen led us through the book of James. She first went through James 2:14-26, in which James emphasises that faith apart from works is dead, further on in verse 22, James wrote that Abraham’s faith was completed by his works. Aunty Karen quoted from Ephesians 2:8, that our salvation is not by works, but it is God’s gracious gift for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. She encouraged us to ask God for wisdom whenever we lack it (James 1:5), and God will not find fault! She shared her experiences serving God in various ways and how He was faithful even in her ministry. The testimony of her service to the Lord was an encouragement for all of us before we commenced Day 3 of the camp.
Sunday Service
Newcomers in Pua followed Mak to attend a church service at a Hmong village, while the rest of the team attended Sunday service at Kathy’s Home. Three students led everyone in worship songs that most of the team found unfamiliar but were rich in the gospel. During the offertory, the students sang the Hmong rendition of the hymn “The Steadfast Love of the Lord” from Lamentations 3:22-23.
Uncle William’s Message
Uncle William preached from Genesis 1:27, how God made men and women in His own image, and what that entails for the student's life. Uncle William encouraged them to glorify God in their studies and treat their bodies well, as we are His creation. With his experience, Uncle William engaged the students effectively by asking frequent questions and delivering his message concisely.
Five-Star Chicken Lunch
This was the second opportunity in the camp where the team got to dine with the students. We settled down in the canteen and tucked in. The students were mostly not from my group, therefore we had a brief time of getting to know each other’s names.
Break Camp
The camp finally ended, and we said our final goodbyes in anticipation of the team’s next trip in August. I believe both the team and the students learned much from each other during these 2.5 days.
Reflections
Throughout the camp, we thank God for His blessings and providence:
Excellent Thai delicacies.
A tranquil and well-kept resort in the heart of nature.
God kept us healthy throughout the camp; nobody fell ill.
Edifying fellowship and encouragement.
However, we also faced minor inconveniences:
Contaminated, murky tap water.
The rather long travel duration.
Swarms of mosquitos biting our extremities.
Uncomfortable heat and humidity.
I’m afraid that I tend to adopt a consumerist mindset, satiating the desires of my mortal body, and so often I neglect the transient nature of these worldly wants. It was tempting to be bothered and unhappy with these inconveniences, and craving for comfort and rest that awaits. What is eternal, however, is God’s kingdom. Are we working to build His kingdom? Are we laying up treasures in Heaven? Or are we laying up treasures in this temporal world where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal (Matt 6:19-21)?
I was challenged as God’s servant to be concerned about the salvation of our target audience, rather than my comfort.
Although we thank God for His blessings, I was challenged as God’s servant to be concerned about the salvation of our target audience, rather than my comfort. As a servant of God in Pua, my primary concern for the children in Kathy’s Home should be their salvation in Jesus Christ. I pray that each of them will receive Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Pray for the subsequent teams from New York and Singapore that they would bring forth the gospel to the children and that the Spirit will soften their hearts to receive Jesus.
Our Gospel Reach Is Not Limited to Pua
Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone is our responsibility, including those at home in Singapore. You do not have to go to Pua to do missions. Jesus calls His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19-20). It could be colleagues at work, friends in school, unbelieving family members, or even people on the street! Building relationships with people in church, and encouraging them in their faith in Christ is equally important to ensure we do not deviate from the gospel.
Insecurities
Before the camp, I harboured doubts regarding my teaching and song-leading skills. I was concerned that I was going to bore the students out. I was also worried that my efforts in preparation would be in vain. I doubted the students would grasp the lyrics to the new song I prepared. As someone who is quiet and reserved in nature, I was afraid of the awkwardness while standing up front leading in song. Like a torch in a pitch-black room, those doubts explicitly exposed where I placed my trust and derived my self-worth. I trusted in myself and sought the approval of others. This is one area that I’m still struggling with; to work for the Lord and not for man (Col 3:23-24). Ultimately, God uses everyone, including eccentric and introverted people like myself, to build His kingdom, so I should seek to please God in whatever I do!
The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (Psalm 34:22)
Thanksgiving for the Camp
Thank God for good food, comfortable lodging, and good weather during the camp.
Thank God for the 3 children in the team, they filled the atmosphere with cheerful noise during the camp which livened up the mood. The students appreciated their presence.
Thank God for safe travels, on the roads and in the skies.
Thank God for good health, nobody fell sick.
Thank God for the faithful regulars of the team, who have served faithfully for many years, and guided everyone along the way.
Prayer Needs for Kathy’s Home
Pray for Mak and Narola, that God will grant them strength to continue doing His work amongst the people in Pua, and that many will turn to Jesus as a result of their ministry.
Pray for the students in Kathy’s Home, that they will all receive the gospel. Pray for the students who are already Christians, that they will not influenced by the outside world and deviate from Christ. Pray for fruitful communities where they can worship and grow after leaving Kathy’s Home.
Pray for ministry workers in Kathy’s Home: Noel and Pastor Supachat. Pastor Supachat pastors a church in a Hmong village while Noel is currently studying Thai in Bangkok as she prepares for her ministry at Kathy’s Home. Pray for wisdom and strength as they continue to do God’s work.
Upcoming Trips
The dates for the trips for the rest of 2024 are as follows (inclusive of travels):
29 Aug–2 Sep
28 Nov–2 Dec
If you are interested in joining one of those dates, please speak to Beh (9788 6171) or Siew Kim (9752 5589). It's always advisable to make up your mind early, especially for the popular December trip.
You can visit the Facebook page of Kathy's Home for more photos and updates!