Friday morning, March 26, we loaded into a van, truck, and car and headed for Phang Nga town, and then on to the Idin Resort for our retreat.
Once we all arrived, there were 32 of us – 18 of us, 8 Thai youth from the Phang Nga Church, and the 6 Thai leaders. We arrived just in time for lunch. After lunch we spent time getting to know each other through games and competitions. The first get to know activity had 18 statements about people. The students had to find the different people with those qualities, and have them initial their sheet.
After that, the students were divided into three teams of 8 and sent out with a photographer to rein act 25 photo opportunities. Lots of teamwork and laughter. Pon, our Thai girl from Chiang Rai, slide down a rope while she was coming out of a tree, and receive sever rope burn, so after band aiding her hands to the best of my ability, Yui and I drove into Phang Nga town to the hospital to have Pon’s hands looked at and dressed. Pon received first degree burns on both hands, so she had her hands cleaned, had antibiotic cream applied as well as fresh band aids. She was also given a Tetanus shot and given three types of medication to take. She had a lot of pain, but once we returned back to the retreat center and she rested, she felt much better. Having to be spoon fed for supper, and our other meals have been interesting, as well as a time for teasing and laughter. She will go into the hospital on Saturday and Sunday to have fresh medication and Band-Aids applied. We are thankful that she could receive quick and excellent care. PTL!
After supper, we had time for some games, praise and worship led by our three Thais, Pon, A, and Mailo. While we were doing this, a storm came up, tons of rain, lightening, and the great thing – all the power went out. They brought out the candles and we continued our worship time with candle light, which was amazing. Our team presented some of their skits, and the Phang Nga Church Youth, performed their presentations that they have been working on. They are leaving for Northern Thailand on Friday to do a Mission’s Trip for three weeks, so it was great to share our experiences and hear about their trip.
After that – lots of teenage fun, and language and culture was not a problem. Bonding happened!!
This morning we had breakfast, and then did two games, had team meetings, had time for devotions and journaling, and then after lunch off to the waterfall for a time of fun in the sun. Some of us stayed behind – and yes, a wonderful down pour of tropical rain at Idin, but not 20 minutes away at the waterfall.
We headed back to Phang Nga town, and while the team walked a local market area, Pon went to the hospital to have her hands looked at and dressed. The healing of her wounds is coming along amazingly, and her hands no longer have to be wrapped completely.
We had supper at a local market in Klok Kloi, and choosing from about 100 stands, we sure experienced a vast variety of Thai foods.
The evening ended with the sharing of a testimony, and the presentation of a devotion on the Body of Christ. Our times in the evening are such a wonderful time of sharing and prayer!
