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On 11.10.2011 the thought arose to support the victims of the flood in Thailand, together with the „NACSEA“ Relief Samstag, 10.12.2011
Our District Apostle Urs Hebeisen promised to help with 1’000 USD for this action.
The congregation Hua Hin, some German and Swiss members as well as friends contributed actively by donations, so that until the beginning of the action 181’000 THB , that means about 5’838 USD or 4’309 Euro (state 03.11.2011) could be collected. After agreement with the local authorities and rescue teams, the start of our help action was fixed on 04.11.2011. First it was planned to go to Utha Thani, at about 400 km. But because the flood had moved southward, the rescue team asked us, if we could go to Phatum Thani Rangsit and Ayuttaya instead of Utha Thani. Both places are situated around the north of Bangkok (about 40 km). We agreed with that.
But first, some work had to be done, the packing into sacks. 2’300 sacks had been planned, but as other Thai Companies were ready to support us, there were finally 3’000 packs. So 15’000 bottles of drinking water, 6’000 kg of rice, 4’600 bags of dried noodles and 2’300 cans of preserved fish were bought.
On Friday 04.11.2011, all the goods were delivered on a market place and packed by the team of the Hua Hin congregation, the rescue team and collaboraters of P&A notary. The members of the Hua Hin congregation wore a T-shirt with the logo of our Church. The 6 tons of rice were packed in 2 kg bags, then the noodles and the fish cans added. From other local donors we received sanitary items, which we put into the packs. At 6 pm everything was packed and could be loaded on the trucks which were kindly put at our disposal by the Royal Thai Army.
On both sides of the trucks, a signboard had been fixed with the name of the main sponsors. Then all the helpers went home to refresh themselves and have a rest before the start of the convoy at 01.00 h in the night.
That meant still one hour of sleep until the meeting at midnight. Seven persons of the Hua Hin congregation came to the meeting point to accompany the convoy. The night-trip with 17 vehicles, as pick-ups, trucks, 4-drive cars and an ambulance stopped at the next gas station to fill up and check the vehicles.
After 35 km we had to make our first stop on the highway because one of the signboards had been unfastened by the wind. Some minutes later the trip continued in the direction of Pathum Thani Rangsit. At about 5 o’clock we reached our goal.
The leader of the rescue team asked me to help him to check the level of the water, a hazardous attempt to drive a pick-up in the deep water. After only 500 m we turned back because the water reached the door handles. So we looked for another road and checked if the trucks could join another rescue team that could continue to reach the meeting point by boats.
At about 7.30 pm the trucks started for the meeting point, also with the helpers on them in addition. For us an adventurous but tense experience, because everybody was fully motivated. At 8 o’clock the boats met us and we loaded the goods and the teams to distribute them. It was an unbelievable scenery. With the boats we went along flooded roads, some up to 2,5 meters of water.
It didn’t last a long time until we met the first people waiting on the upper floors of the houses. We threw the packs and the drinking water to them. An unbelievable feeling for all, as ALL people living there, in spite of their distress, were still smiling and were so thankful that somebody came to them and helped them. After about 3 hours on the boats, we returned to the trucks. There the other team already waited for us to go to the next goal, Ayuttaya.
The trip to there was very difficult. For the 50 km we needed about 3,5 hours, because the people had parked their cars and personal belongings on the higher situated roads and bridges in security. Some roads were already flooded and made also our progressing difficult.
Nevertheless, we all arrived safe and sound at the next meeting point. The trucks were unloaded and the goods loaded on 4 boats. All those who had not been on the boats at the first point went now on the boats so that the others could have some rest or a nap. Here also the same scenery as before. The way to the intervention place lead us over up to 3 m flooded rice-fields in order to reach the people in distress. They were all so thankful and happy for our help. The distribution ended at 6.30 pm at twilight on Saturday- Then we went back home.
We needed again about 3 hours to cover the 30 km long emergency area, because it is more difficult to drive on the flooded roads by night. 15 minutes after midnight on Sunday morning we arrived safely at our original place Hua Hin.
Exhausted but with a good feeling we fell on our beds. We had postponed the divine service for the departed on Sunday evening so that all the participants had enough time to get fit for the divine service.
It was a very intensive weekend and really beneficial after having seen the thankful faces of the people who got in distress.
We are going to invite soon all the participants for a special “thanksgiving service” with the purpose that the people become acquainted with our Church. We hope that with our modest action we have been able to bring a little help.
New Mission in Hua Hin Mittwoch, 10.08.2011
On Sunday, 17 July, the members in Hua Hin celebrated the first divine service in our new church in Hua Hin. This small missionary congregation was established in 2011 and is composed of a number of Swiss, German and Thai members who live and work in Hua Hin. It was a joyful gathering and everybody enjoyed the fellowship after the service. We wish this little missionary congration a blissful development. Sunday services will be held every second Sunday.
Easter with Akha Montag, 02.05.2011
In the north of Thailand, in the mountains, near the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos join, lives the people of the Akhas. They live from agriculture and have a culture going back to 15 generations. Since the ninety-eighties there is a congregation there, established by the missionary work of Apostle Horn and the then District Apostle Latorcai. To deepen the knowledge of Christendom and to teach the Gospel is a long process of development. But 2 years ago, a simple but nice church could be built. "We have supplied the material and every family appointed a worker", reported Apostle Wolf to the District Apostle on the occasion of his visit on 24th April. To celebrate Easter among the Akha people was a special experience. 8 confirmands had prepared themselves and brought their vow before God. The District Apostle and those who accompanied him were then invited for lunch. A pig had been specially slaughtered for this purpose. For this day of celebration many sisters attended the divine service in their traditional costumes. Some confirmands also stood in front of the altar in these special festive garments.
AYD 2011@Indonesia Mittwoch, 13.04.2011
From 1 - 3 April 2011 the youth of South-East Asia met in Indonesia. We left Bangkok for the airport of Jakarta on 31st March at midnight. When we arrived in Jakarta, we were nicely welcomed by a group of leaders who took us to the camp for registration. On the first day we were divided in two groups. The first group went snorkeling, planting corals and putting turtles into the sea. The second group played games and planted trees. On the second day, the youth of the different countries came together. The Chief-Apostle opened the camp. There was a parade of many countries. Everybody received a badge in order to do many activities, gain points and try to be the winner. In the afternoon there was anklung teaching and all youth, except those of Indonesia, could keep the instrument as souvenir. We all enjoyed very much playing this special instrument. In the evening there were many shows of each country, about culture and faith. Until late in the night we had a camp fire, introduced by District Apostle Hebeisen. The indonesian youth performed a play about the Rama story. On Sunday all got up early and prepared themselves for the divine service. Before the service everyone received a breast-pin as remembrance. After the service we celebrated Apostle Wolf's 50th birthday by singing all together "Happy Birthday!" Before leaving we also listened to a good-by song in indonesian language. We travelled back safely to Thailand. It was an experience to know better the youth of other countries. The motto of that day was: "We are one!" We are thankful to everybody for their financial help and hereby made this visit to Indonesia possible for us.
Children and Youth Camp 2010 Mittwoch, 10.11.2010
On October 23rd and 24th 2010 a children and youth camp took place in Chiangmai at the Wangtarn Resort. On Saturday 23rd 50 children and youth from Chiangrai, Nan, Payao, Isan, Bangkok and South-Thailand had gathered for this event. There was a Sunday School class for the children and a Confirmation class for the youth. In both classes they were introduced deeper in the knowledge of the New Apostolic faith. In the afternoon there were games and activities for adults and teenagers. Shows were performed by singing our hymns and playing the guitar. On Sunday 24th our Apostle Wolf conducted the divine service for the children and the youth. Then everyone went home and was happy.
Thanks Giving 2010 Mittwoch, 06.10.2010
This year is another year that all members and guests come with their happiness on thanks giving day. Every congregation in Thailand made a divine service for thanks giving which showed our love and faith to our heavenly Father. After a divine service in Chiang Mai, members and guests joint for their meal with happiness.
National Minister meeting 2010 Freitag, 17.09.2010
National Minister Meeting 2010 It took place in Chiangmai and was lead by District Apostle Hebeisen on 11th September 2010. District Elder Hans and Priest Kobi from Malaysia were also present. Changes in the liturgy were introduced. On Sunday a divine service was celebrated by District Apostle Hebeisen for all the ministers as well as the other guests and members.
Pentacost 2010 Samstag, 05.06.2010
341 Apsotles worldwide have gathered in Cape Town(South Africa). The service was transmitted by satellite and 1.2 million people were connected, some by Internet, too. The Chief Apostle served witht the words of Hebrews 12:1. In Chiang Mai we were connected by internet with an attendance of 20 people.
Confirmation teaching in Bangkok Samstag, 10.04.2010
On the 4th of April 2010,on Easter Day, the youth had the opportunity to have many activities with the young brother and sisters. Soon the children will be part of the youth. The children and the young people had many interesting and funny activities. They learned about important days as Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. After they learned about Confirmation. The children were very interested to know how important Confirmation is.
Visiting and teaching the children at Babonglang Chiangrai Samstag, 10.04.2010
During the long schol holiday some youth went to teach the children to many congregations. On 31st of March 2010, they had the opportunity to teach the children at Babonglang in the Chiangrai Province. They were happy to be visited. But the older children could not take part because they had to help their parents on the fields. The remaining children whi stayed in the village were happy to have somebody with who they could do something special in their everyday life.