THAILAND  CULTURAL CHALLENGE

A fun part of travelling the world is emersing ourselves into the culture.

As a group of photo-journalists fighting injustice we see a lot of the "bad" things happening.

During busy times with the team and ministry it is nice to go off and have an adventure to recharge the batteries and elate the soul :)

We made a list of 22 items for our team to try while in Thailand.

Whichever team member completes the most items in the challenge (with photo evidence) wins an item from a local cafe.  The culture challenge winner for Thailand was: SARAH GNEIDIG!

The following are some photos of me doing fun things (not necessarily in the culture challenge).

 One fine day Sarah and I went fishing with Luke Moon, one of our speakers during our lecture phase here in Thailand.  
It took Sarah about 20 minutes to reel in this big guy, and I reeled in one about the same size.

One fine day we visited a waterfall.  A hired driver took us around to three different locations.  First we rode elephants, second we visited this lovely waterfall, and third we took a bamboo raft down a river.  To make this particular day even better, we ate at a restaurant which served REAL Heinz ketchup.  

When the day couldn't get any more thrilling, it DID!   The ladies of our team went to the night market to watch the Cabaret show.  Sarah and Rachel had develped friendships with the ladyboys in the show.  BEST part of the day, was when Rachel appeared on stage and danced/acted during one of their songs.  This day was also Sarah's birthday.  The whole day was unforgettable.

On the same day as the fishing day, I rented a scooter for 120baht.  Thats about $5usd.  Oh what fun!!

One fine day, Rachel and I stood on this bamboo bridge (obviously).  

This was where we met a whole bunch of kids!!

One fine day, I fought against the worlds superheros.  And pluto.  

That makes me a villan.  Snap!  Didn't see that coming, did you?

On Cass's birthday we went to pet some tigers.  It's a real tiger.  
My facial expression says it all.

One fine day Dave and I wore Thai pants, and ate Pad Thai.

We rode elephants.  Intense.

Good morning from Jakarta, Indonesia!!!

We spent the entire day traveling yesterday.  My apologies for skipping a blog post.

To make it up to you by posting photos from our "Culture Challenge" when there is better internet.  I would like to post my “photo of the day” from yesterday.

Passengers at the Singapore airport look on as David Maracle, happily skips his way through the terminal on Thursday, May 16th.  As part of the PhotogenX track team, he is often behind the scenes working sound or the projector or on his computer, but occasionally fun moments like this can be captured on camera.  We even spent some time playing around with a frizbee, a bouncy ball and hacky sac to kill some time.

Bangkok stop.

PhotogenX on the streets of Bangkok.

David Maracle sports an interesting facial expression as I capture this shot of the PhotogenX track team in the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  Our team of 8 had just endured a "night bus ride" from Chiangmai to Bangkok and were battling the "grumpiness" due to lack of sleep, and lack of hired transportation to our temporary home.  We all survived though.

PRAYER NEEDED:  My house, which almost fully funds my missions work with the Track team needs prayer.  There has been many issues with tenants.

Please pray that God will clear out the bad, and bring in the good.

There are also two empty rooms which need new tenants.

Pray that God will bless my house so that I can continue to lead this team.

Wall Art

Day THREE!!

Welcome to my third consecutive blog post!! How exciting!

This morning for my 'photo a day challenge' I took a photo of our team sitting on the side of the road with all our luggage, stranded.  We had driven through the night from Chiangmai to Bangkok, a 12hr trip.  The bus stopped on a random street, and a man tells us, "last stop!" So, there we were, tired eyed and laden with suitcases and back packs.  Photo opportunity.  However, Andrew has my computer and I cannot load that photo at the moment.  But I will :)

Instead I am using photos from my iPad for this post.

Our team got the opportunity to participate in so many ministry opportunities.  As I mentioned before, we lived one street down from the popular "bar" street in the red light district so most of our ministries were in that area.  Team members developed relationships with girls and people at the bars, the ladyboys, and a Buddhist monk.  I got to see first hand the power of God's love in my students as they took every opportunity to love and display God's love to those they met.

We also participated in a flash mob dance in which the gospel was presented, and tracts were handed out.

I was so happy when Emmi said I could paint on any wall I wanted.  She said That God has blessed her with so many artists to make her place look cool, but I felt like the blessing went both ways because painting makes me so happy!  Every moment was enjoyable.

Enjoy looking at them.

Psalm 37:5&6.

In the kitchen area.

Vintage map in the conference room.

There you have it!  Remember everyone, do everything as unto The Lord.

Zion Cafe'

For the past five weeks our team has been staying 

on the fourth floor at Zion Cafe.

Emmi Khanthana is the owner and operator of the Zion Cafe.  

She has an incredible but sad story.

Here is something I wrote for the back of her menu.

As you are sitting at Zion Cafe sipping a tasty cup of java, you might want to know that what you are drinking is much more than a cup of coffee.
As much as your beverage brings you warmth and joy while perhaps satisfying a craving, Zion cafe is bringing life and joy to a society craving for hope and a brighter future.
Have you ever felt hopelessly lost, with nowhere to turn?
This cafe  is a story of how one person overcame hopelessness and now helps others who are stuck in the same place she once was.

This building is not only a coffee shop; it's a place filled with love, acceptance and hope for the hopeless.  Here people will be shown a way out of their circumstances.  English classes, Bible studies, and lessons in general life skills are offered to help them succeed.  Full time staff and volunteers come from all around the world to be a part of making this dream a reality.

So, as you enjoy your drink at Zion Cafe, take a moment to think about those in hopeless places.  You have helped them build hope for a better place.  Thank you.

The Cafe is absolutely beautiful.

It recently transitioned buildings to be close to the red light district.

Emmi has a heart to help prostitutes build a different life for themselves.

She gets volunteers coming from all over the world to help with spreading

 light into the darkness.

Visit here -

www.lighthouseinaction.org

to read more about her story 

and the Lighthouse ministry.

Mother's Day.

Mom... Happy Mother's Day

My mom is... a hard worker  

a master of home-made health remedies  

a person of reason  an encourager  a joyful soul  

a mentor  a boss

an adventurer  a person of true BEAUTY  

an interior decorater

a gardener  a master chef  a generous person  one who helps

a fashionable lady  a risk taker  one who creates laughter

an example  a loving wife  an organizer

a leader  a person who thinks of others first

a creative person  an inspiration

a mom to many more people than just your kids

I love you mom.

Goals.

Let's be honest.
I would like to admit something.
Blogging updates are not my thing.
I absolutely love the idea of them.
And I believe it's good to keep people informed.


To the people who actually read my blog out there, thank you.
To those who endure my writings, thank you.

In blogging, and in life, I like to do everything to the best of my ability.


SO - I have made a few personal goals:

1 - Blog Better 
   - Quality information about our team, everyday life & our ministry.

2 - Blog MORE
   - To get into the routine, I will blog everyday for the next three weeks.

3  - Better Photos
    - Practice makes perfect, so expect a photo a day

4  - Run a half marathon
    - Self discipline & training from my coach Wayne Collins


Thats it folks.  There you have it.

Today my camera dropped to the sidewalk from off my shoulder. It was aweful. I was having troubles getting it to work properly, as it took a hard blow. A little piece even fell off the corner near the back. At this moment of dispair I relized that this camera is a gift from God, and a priveldge and I haven't used it near enough. Turns out, the camera still works and everything is alright. Sometimes clumsy moments like this help us to not take things for granted.