Singapore snap shots

Christmas tree pic outside one of the many shopping malls in Singapore.

A view of downtown Singapore atop our tour bus
Cluadia and me atop the tour bus

Singapore Christmas gathering with Tulsa friends

Small world...during our Christmas break in Singapore, we met up with some BSF friends from Tulsa who were visiting their daughter Megan, who lives and works in Singapore. Claudia and I knew Paul and Sarah Welch through our work with BSF in Tulsa. Paul, attends the mens' BSF class on Monday nights as a class member and Sarah is the Class Administrator for the Tuesday morning class. Their daughter Megan works for Crocs in Singapore. We met up with the Welch's on Christmas eve to attend a Christmas candle light service at the St Johns-St Margaret Church (an Anglican church). The service was from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am (Christmas morning).

Candle light service; picture of the congregation at St Johns -St Margaret

Early Christmas morning after the church service. From left to right:Gary, Caitlin, Claudia, Sarah Welch (background), daughter Jennifer (foreground), daughter Megan (background), Ed (foreground, Paul's father)and Paul Welch.

A Trip to Prison...

Wanted to let you know that on Tuesday, I went with a local prison ministry group to teach English in a nearby prison for men. The men in the the low security prison (2000+) are primarily there for drug related arrests. Of course, while teaching English, you can share the Bible, your faith or other means to introduce the men to Christ.

I partnered with a Thai woman (Nelda) in the beginners English class of 5 young Thai men. However, during Nelda's teaching, I was given an opportunity to share my testimony and why I was in Thailand. Later in the class, Nelda asked the men their questions and thoughts about Christmas. What is it for? What does it mean?

Most of their questions or responses were about "gifts", Santa Claus (which is a gift giver) and the Christmas tree (ie. ever green or everlasting life). Nelda gave me an opportunity to answer their questions, so I began telling them (she translated) of God giving us the perfect "gift" of Christ and that Christ gave us the "gift" of new life through his death. And, as I ended, Nelda and I prayed with 2 young men to receive the "gift" of salvation through faith/belief in Jesus Christ.

How's that for an English class! Praise the Lord!

International School of Bangkok (ISB)

Here are a few pics I took today of Caitlin's school.

Caitlin's ISBTouch Rugby team in action

Today, Cailtin's touch rugby team for girls at ISB (International School of Bangkok) played today with an opposing International school. Here are a few pics.

Caitlin waiting to get in the game


Caitlin with team mate before the game


warm up drill


huddle with the coach (Joni) during the quarter break

Caitlin in game action

Christmas Thai style

Christmas displays at a nearby shopping center. It doesn't feel like Christmas since today's high was 90 degrees F.

Notice Santa's sleigh has done away with reindeer and has various animals such as an elephant and a red-nosed giraffe.

Weekend Church Retreat; Nov 21-23

Last weekend, Claudia, Caitlin and I attended a weekend retreat with the Chaengwattana Community church. We stayed near Khao Yai National Park and on Saturday we hiked in the Park on one of the many trails.