Isaac and Brendon dropped the team at Chiang Mai airport thursday morning and stayed another day, Brendon visited friends working with HIV education while Isaac spent time with a friend at the university thursday afternoon.
Our early morning flight friday got us to south Thailand by midday where we met up with a friend to spend 2 days experiencing the culture of the south. We spent the afternoon touring the town where his family had lived, meeting lots of old friends, drinking endless cups of sweet tea, exploring the night markets (we are quite possibly the only white faces here). The openness and hospitality has been amazing. Its now 9:30 and the place is still alive...and we head to yet another friend for a cup of strong, sweet tea! Back to our accommodation and another chat in the street with freshly baked bread then sweet sticky rice. Its definitely hotter and more humid here than Chiang Mai and the hills and we're definitely out of our comfort zone but taking the new experience in our stride!

Team Thailand blog - team 1
Visited maungthong church today to hear about their outreach to troubled teens sent to remand centres. The church runs a halfway house for the boys once they have finished their sentence and if they have accepted Christ into their lives. We visited the two bedroom house and heard the testimony of 2 boys aged 15 & 18 yrs and how Jesus had changed their lives. We prayed for them and the ministry.
It is now later in the evening at Bangkok international airport and to quote a popular song " we're leaving, on a jetplane, don't know when we'll be back again..." With Gods blessing and if it be His will, then some of us and/ or others from mabc will be back again to continue the work our team has started this trip. Again thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Pray the rest of the team travels safely when they return home. See you in about 13 hours (terra firma NZ time, Saturday 17:00). Although we may be some time at customs, what with the selection machetes being purchased by the men and having been in the Thai mountains with animals. Who bought a scrubbing brush for cleaning their footwear, not many. Toothbrushes are really handy as a substitute. See you soon, team Thailand- team 1.

Team Thailand blog - team 1, (Brendon & Isaac= team 2) left Brendon and Isaac In Chiangmai to catch up with another contact for a day or 2.
Team 1 said farewell to the itdp team who have been fabulous. This essential ends this stage of the mission. On to Bangkok to see what other out reaches are doing in the Thailand. Team  1 Arrived Bangkok from Chiangmai about 11ish  thursday local time. Sam was able to share with a Dutch couple about our pre-school project , and about salvation thru gods grace.  Craig managed to get his swiss army knife through security after discovering it in his carryon luggage- oops!  Caught the train into the city centre, welcome to the fetid heat of Bangkok in all its glory. Went to rahab house and listened to Alex s story of how god is at work . They have brought so many broken women off the street and helped them find hope in Jesus .  Had a look at the rahab office in the redlight area and Had a good prayer season before the girls of our team   headed out to give valentines day chocolates and to speak to sex workers in the redlight  clubs with the rahab team . Giving the small gifts away to these girls who were SO hungry for grace was so moving- their faces just lit up when they were approached and greet like another person should be greeted, and then even more appreciative when given the small gifts. A few were slightly hesitant at first but just a little gesture of affirmation and they were happy to receive. God was at work last night with the evangelists able to have meaningful conversations.
Visiting other brighthope partners for the day and then off to the airport for the long trip home. So this will probably be the last blog from Thailand before we see you at the airport on Saturday.  We have just about depleted all the inspirational letters that you supplied for us at the outset. Your words to us have been very up lifting and greatly received. Thank you all for your support, prayers and love. Brendon, Isaac, Gabi will be returning a few days later, and of course don't forget Zara who is staying on for another 8 months in the mission field. So keep praying for her.

Hi all,
Were back in Chiang Mai after a 9 hr road trip, approximately half of the 273km on dirt roads. It poured with rain last night shortly after we finished our work but the road was good this morning! Despite a spectacular lighnting display, Emily and Jennifer were seen dancing in the rain!
At the end of our work, we had completed the roof and lower external block walls of the preschool building, school toilet block and 6 individual Toilets for households in the community. But far more importantly we ran childrens programmes each afternoon, played takraw with the local young guns, ran medical clinics, contributed to the church service Sunday, learnt some Karen and communicated with out host families, worked alongside and generally engaged with the community here. So much so that the past few evenings weve had so many kids and people hanging round its been difficult to have team meetings!
Last night we put on a cultural show...a shirtless haka (guys of course), pokarekare ana and a bunch of other songs, very well received !
We ended up canning our team meeting because there were so many of the community hanging around. We took lots of polaroid photos to leave with the community...exchanging gifts and keepsakes.
And the local cuisine has been amazing - we were even fed snake and wild cat! Both tasted great in soup!!!
Leaving this morning created mixed emotions...sadness at leaving our new friends, questions like "have we done enough?", excitement at heading back toward nz to the families and friends we are really missing!!!
Tomorrow, we visit the elephants and tigers and then debrief with itdp for the afternoon. Thursday morning back to Bangkok to visit Rahab ministries while Brendon and Isaac catch up with friends in Chiang Mai.
Were dragging our feet a little but in great spirits and looking forward to a shower and soft bed tonight....;)

Last day here at Krey Mo Kee! How time flies and it seems like longer with what we've taken on!
Yesterday- Sunday-was great! We had a wonderful tri-lingual  service with Karen, Thai and English. Kevin shared from 1 Thess 1: 4-10, encouraging the church in their faith as the situations were similar (previous idol worshippers who have now accepted Christ but are young believers requiring encouragement). Fen and Zara shared their testimonies. We shared some songs and it was especially awesome when we were singing Amazing Grace, which they new in Karen!

In the afternoon, we visited a finished water  supply project at kraw lor bur, done by the cbc team June 4 to 14 2012. Simple but effective, with tap stands and toilets throughout the village. We will miss this place, people and Gods work here but we will be happy to be back home (Sam). All the men shot muzzle loader rifles at targets and were shown traditional hunting methods. Mark and Brendon  took out the best shot award. Fun ! Then at takraw we were awarded honorary runners up (Isacc, Brendon, Craig, Mark)  lost  25-9 so not a completely thrashing!

Today is our last work day before we hit the road back to Chiang Mai tomorrow morning. The school toilets are complete, most block walls are finished, roof is half on. Although the building will require further funding to complete, it is mostly closed in and provides a great asset and has brought the community together.

Fens last medical clinic today also, then we will begin the goodbyes tonight ahead of tomorrow morning.

We are missing our families, and look forward to seeing everyone again!

Goh li agae MAB
Good morning and greetings from Krey Mo Kee village, Northwest Thailand.
We are blessed to be here to work alongside and encourage our Karen friends and the team from Inter Tribal Development Programme.
Its very hot during the day, making working conditions trying - it would be nice to sit under a tree with an ice cold drink and sleep or read! But were privileged to be here and our  minor discomfort doesn't compare to the reality of what these people lack . While digging, sawing, mixing concrete, laying blocks, seeing patients, teaching kids, we are building incredible relationships with people. As a team, we have been reading through and discussing 1 Thessalonians and it has been an amazing encouragement to find the church thriving here as did Paul and Silas when Timothy brought back news in 3:7-9.
Work on the school building and village toilets is progressing well and you can all be encouraged at the appreciation shown by this community to MAB for funding the first stage of this building.
As you read this, we will still be asleep (6 hrs behind) but today we will worship with the christian community, share songs and testimony - and Kevin was asked to preach :)
In the afternoon we will spend time with the community, the pastor and hope to interview him and his family, and other believers.
Thank you so much for you prayer and support - this really is a community effort.
I have asked the team to give you a brief thought/observation/prayer request:
I have really enjoyed getting to know some of the children, playing games and reading stories with them.

The village people have such contagious joy. The children are not so shy anymore and are warming up to us. As we walk around the village they run up to us and hold our hands.

Sam was on light duties today as the day before he pulled a muscle moving concrete n posts n built 2 toilets with mark . He spent today carving the mabc toilet sign . Our chef which sam has called " mr krump " gave him a thai back massage as a gift. Lovely.

It's been humbling to know that we have been part of God's  plan to partner with the church here. Be encouraged by that!

Came home to find our host waiting for us. We tried to chat then I got a family photo out from my Bible. He ran off to get his bible then the 3 of us prayed together in our own languages! So neat to be so united in Christ despite us not being able to speak to each other.

More good progress on the school and toilets, expect the roof tiles to go on the school building tomorrow!
Another medical clinic in Krey Mo Kee today with Fen seeing about 20 patients.
Pray for strength and endurance, its hard mixing concrete and digging in this heat! God has granted us good sleep so far but we have 3 more days in the village and lots to do.
The team are doing exceptionally well, aside from blisters and minor muscle strains, but please pray for continued good health.