Some of our Yummy Favs.

Here are just a few of the yummy enjoyments we have here in Thailand...

Bubble Tea

Taro balls in warm coconut milk.

Tom Kha Gai

Pad Brio Waan Gai ( sweet and sour fried veggies with chicken)

Sour green mango salad.

Mangoes with sticky rice and coconut milk

Pad Krapow Gai

Cha Nome Yen in a bag (Cold Milk Tea)

Tom Yum Goong

Northern Thailand Trip

2 weeks ago we returned from a 2 week teambuilding trip up in Northern Thailand near a city called Chang Rai. Our purpose was to harvest a rare valuable wood called teak. This land with all the trees was donated to the ministry several years back. Much of the wood will be sold to help with the ministry’s vision to expand and church plant throughout Asia and the rest of the wood will be kept to assist building projects within the ministry. As soon as we arrived at the site we started a small fire to clear out a camping area. But the hot and dry weather combined with strong winds blew the fire out of control.

The students and I fought hard in the heat to stop the fire from spreading onto other peoples land threatening their crops and even some homes. Many students were running back and forth with buckets of water but it was way out of control so one of our leaders and I agreed on creating a dirt path perimeter a hundred feet back to cut the fire off. Eventually we had all students working on raking out a dirt path which seemed to be working. As the fire was weakening the fire fighters showed up and put out the rest of the fire. What happened in the beginning was that the fire was pretty much out and the students looking after it got distracted for a minute and then it just took off. At the end of that day exhausted and covered in soot I thought to myself “what a way to test our team dynamics!” Part of the focus of this trip is in fact team and character building. At the beginning the students were running all over the place throwing water almost everywhere but near the end we pulled it together and began to overcome the situation. So many life lessons came out of that experience about leadership and team work. The fire ended up being a great thing because it cleared all the brush and vines providing easy access to cut down the teak trees so we burned the rest of our property under good and experienced supervision. No one was injured throughout the trip.

The rest of the trip consisted of hard work: cutting down heavy teak logs and lugging them down the hill into a pile from 6 am to 5 pm. The trip was a great time to get away from everything so we can focus on our spiritual growth. It was an awesome opportunity to glean from our leader’s knowledge, wisdom and experience.My wife and I are looking forward to our return to Canada but it doesn’t mean that it is the end of our service to God overseas for who knows where He may lead us to next whether it be short-term or life-term. Please keep us in your prayers about God’s direction in our lives that we make the right choices according to His will for our next step in life and the steps to follow.

God Bless,

Josh

It's No Longer I that Live!

Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

RE Focus Your Focus!

Went to be a blessing and was blessed- OKAY so let’s roll back a couple of months, back into December. I (Bekah) was so wonderfully blessed with a visit from my friend Cathleen from Canada, what a true joy it was for me to have her here with me in Thailand. I had the opportunity to show her around the ministry here and to introduce her to my wonderful Thailand family. Part of her visit here consisted of us and two other missionaries travelling over to one of our bordering countries called Cambodia to do some ministry outreach work with Joel Reimer in Poi Pet; Poi Pet is nicknamed “the armpit of Cambodia”, I think that gives you a vague idea of what Poi Pet is like if you can imagine it. We were given the opportunity to minister at a few home churches where we helped lead worship, preach and teach Sunday school. We even brought over balloons and made balloon animals for the children which brought so much joy to the children’s hearts and smiles to their faces. Visiting the Aids clinic in Poi Pet was one of the highlights of our Cambodian trip. We were so blessed to minister with the people in the clinic and to give them hope and everlasting life. Ministering in the Aids Clinic was really hard for me, not because I don’t have any compassion, that’s not it at all, it’s because I have too much compassion and I didn’t know how to handle it. It was so heard seeing all these women and men lying on their death beds waiting for their time to die, their friends and families would drop them off at these clinics and leave them alone to die. People with diseases such as aids are considered outcasts in the Buddhist religion. All of us were moved with compassion for all these men and women; we grew close with them and ministered into their lives the hope of Jesus Christ. We bought food and drinks for those in the clinic and provided what we could with what we had to offer. Children always seem to move my heart wherever I go and I can’t help but love on them. God pressed on my heart to buy clothes for these four children in the clinic that were playing amongst themselves while their parents were sick and lying in bed. They were so thankful for what was given to them. On top of ministering to the women we girls decided to paint all the women’s fingernails in the clinic which they in turn LOVED! We walked into that clinic wanting to be a blessing and walked out being blessed, how truly amazing it was for us to minister within the aids clinic.

What little blessings these Khmer children were

Location: Aids Clinic Poi Pet,Cambodia!!

YAY!! New clothes =)

Ministering at a home church in Poi Pet, Cambodia

Children are the future of any nation!

Bekah with Cathleen in Sriracha,Thailand=)

I will NOT be SILENT!- Throughout our mission trip in Cambodia we travelled out a little further from Poi Pet to Siem Reap for a 2 night and one day stay to see the world famous ‘Angkor Wat’ and other such historical ruins surrounding it (a must see!). As evening began to approach our 1st night we decided to hit up the Night Market closest to our Guest House. At this Night Market we discovered a Fish Massage pool (sounds crazy I know)!! Basically you sit on the edge of a round tub/pool and dangle your feet in all while these tiny fish nibble at your feet, gross I know and madly ticklish. After a few pass by’s we decided to give it a try! It seriously took me about 20mins to suck it up and stick my feet in the water but I was determined to get my 3 American dollars worth! The girl running the Fish Massage pool came and sat beside me and said with a smile “I knew you’d come back and try it!” This simple little comment sparked our amazing God ordained conversation. We got deep in an endless conversation about life and God all while these fish were continuously nibbling at my feet. Before ending the evening I was blessed with the opportunity to pray with this beautiful Khmer woman. Sometimes all we have to do is just put our feet in the water, we just have to be there and HE will do the rest! You see, we are all here to do a call back, to call back those souls that the enemy seeks to take their breath, we are called to stand in the gap for Him, He has enabled us with everything we need, let’s not waste His breath and not be silent! - - Psalm 150:6 says “ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” I want that very breath that was breathed in me to bring glory to His name, I want to let everything that I say and do bring honour to His name.

Fish Massage in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

Fish Massage Employee- Such a God divine day!

Making the Transition- After 4 years of working in the English Outreach Center God began pressing on my heart to change direction. As I prayed and sought after God I was really feeling led to work alongside of Kathy (Kathy is the new editor of Continuum Magazine) in the Continuum Magazine department. I arranged a meeting with Dr. Al and Terry Purvis, and Pastor Matt and Becky Watson (our core leaders here in Sriracha) at the end of December to discuss with them my strong desire to make a transition into the Continuum Magazine department. I shared with them my hearts desires and my passion for graphics and they loved what I had to say. They wanted to see me walking in my giftings and why not now! So I am happy to be the new member of the Magazine team heading up the graphics department for the remainder of my time here in Thailand. If you would like to receive a copy of our latest issue please feel free to email me at bekah@continuummedia.com and I’ll be happy to get you connected.

Reach STRATEGICALLY, Teach PASSIONATELY, Mobilize FOR GLOBAL CONQUEST --Victory Asia Leaders Seminar 2010 (February 4th, 5th & 6th)- February began with a busy start. We had leaders gather here at our mission base for some powerful and effective leadership training. Dr.’s George and Hazel Hill (founders of Victory Churches International) along with some other great leaders from Canada came to our Leaders Seminar with powerful and insightful messages to hearten and encourage our Asian leaders. Awesome messages went forth that stirred the hearts of our leaders from our 9 Asian nations.

It goes without saying that hard work goes into preparing for these conferences. Josh was one of our main camera men that was capturing footage of the conference for Continuum TV, long hours standing behind a camera and all for a purpose. I, on the other hand, also did a lot of behind the scene work such as designing and creating banners to set the ambiance for the seminar. Lots of late nights sitting in front of a computer was well worth it to see God’s vision proclaimed over southeast Asia, hearts being stirred for His greater purpose.

More to Come- Josh is currently on a 2 week north trip with his VBCI classmates and will be returning back Feb. 27th! So more updates to come. Josh’s VBCI studies are going well, he is the top in his class, what can I say.. I’m a pretty proud wife =) I have seen so much spiritual growth in my husbands life and it does not go unseen. God has truly blessed me with a remarkable husband that I am proud and blessed to call my own!

Almost There- Living sacrificially is an incredible challenge for us and I’m sure for us all! Josh and I want to thank all of you who support us prayerfully and financially as TOGETHER we expand the harvest. We are ALMOST there, all we have owing on Josh’s college tuition is a mere $400can and by our faith and yours we will see this PAID. Again THANK YOU, you are the ones who have gotten us to where we are at today and so thanks again for giving into our calling.

Bittersweet Goodbyes - April 29th is creeping up on us way too fast!! As hard as it is for us to wave goodbye to Thailand and jump on a plane back to Canada we know in our hearts God is directing us back onto Canadian soil. Would you please pray, not only for our personal needs being met here in Thailand but also that our personal needs will be met back in Canada. We will be traveling back to Canada April 29th- Establishing ourselves back in Canada is a time of faith for us – we will be starting from scratch as a married couple. Would you pray that the Lord will provide anything that is needed for our transition off the mission field to Canada (jobs, a place to live etc.)? We have witnessed God do miracle after miracle here at the Heart of Thailand, as well as personal miracles. We believe that the Lord will do what is needed again.

So Sorry- I apologize for the late update as it does get busy for us in and around this ministry (not using this as an excuse =P). I pray that our blog update blesses you and encourages you to keep praying for Thailand. We love you guys and are excited to see you all in the up and coming months!! Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

-Bekah

New Blog Post Coming SOON!

This has been a very busy time for Josh and I so we apologize for not updating our blog. We assure you that a new update will be coming soon.

Thank you,

Bekah

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and as I looked round my tent,

I couldn't believe all the money I'd spent

For trains and dolls, for trinkets and toys

Some for the girls and some for the boys.

I looked round once more to be sure things were right;

The kids were all in bed for the night.

I set up the track for the train I bought Ted,

The train went round twice and the battery went dead.

I put on my cap, my gloves, and my coat;

I went to Ames and over to Zayre.

You guessed it my friend, no batteries there!

As I left the store a thought came to me,

I had one in the remote of the color TV.

Well, I placed that remote in my wife's favourite chair

I was ready for Christmas with hours to spare.

When out came my wife and punched that remote

And then said to me, "The TV's broke!"

So on with the coat, the gloves, and the cap

Out in the cold about ready to snap.

I went to K-Mart and stood in that line

From 8:35 'til a quarter past nine.

As I came to the checkout, my heart leaped with glee --

There was that one lonesome battery just waiting for me.

When from my behind I seen this hand slip

And grab that battery with a real tight grip.

I wheeled around and what did I see?

This giant of a man glaring down at me.

Well, I remembered an ad I had seen on TV

Buy a Big Mac, get your batteries free.

So, I bought me a burger I didn't want...

They were out of batteries, so on with hunt.

I finally found one at ServiStar,

Paid for my purchase and made for my car.

When I entered the door of my humble shack,

My wife said, "What's this battery for I found in a sack?"

I was out there in the press, the push, and the greed

To buy me a battery I didn't even need.

At last I relaxed in my easy chair,

When this still small voice came out of somewhere.

"You're ready for Christmas with toys, tinsel, and tree

You've got it all together, but what about me?"

I fell on my knees and cried, "God, what have I done?"

I got caught up in the madness and neglected your Son.

The best gift of all you've given for free

Your Son, Jesus Christ, for sinners like me.

You sent Him to suffer the shame and the loss,

To shed his life's blood for me on the cross.

Well friend, I'll never forget I rest 'neath the sod,

The greatest of gifts is given by God.

-by Pastor Jim Kamerer

Taken By Love

He Has Made Me Glad- Words cannot even describe how wonderful these past few months have been for Josh and I. Living for Him is what it all boils down to! I’m going to do my best to condense our last few months experience into one blog entry, hopefully I cover all points =) Sorry for such a delayed post.

Such joy in the slums of Manila, Philippines.

October English Camp (Oct. 5th-23rd) – What a great success! Our English Camp was a 3 week long teaching program filled with action packed fun =) Our students learnt about different countries, dances, drama’s, and arts. Friday’s were our field trips days where we’d take our students swimming, to the zoo or an afternoon at the movies enjoyed with a bucket of lip-smacking popcorn! We had on average 16 kids attend our program. Lots of planning and long hours go into preparing for these English camps! Much thanks & credit is given to our bible college students for their help and commitment to the English Outreach Center, we couldn’t have done it without them.

Designed 2 Worship (Manila, Philippines Oct. 23rd- 28th) - Myself and a friend attended a Worship Conference in Manila, Philippines late October. What a great opportunity it was for us to learn about the importance of worship and how we can effectively set the bar! We are all designed to worship Him; God has placed inside each and every one of us the call to worship our Lord. Sincere worship takes place in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). In other words, true worship is not just a physical or mental activity; it is a spiritual exercise - an appropriate response to how God has revealed himself to us, particularly through his son Jesus. Worship involves heartfelt interaction between the human spirit and God’s Holy Spirit. True worship requires us to act in response to God's character and presence by conveying gratefulness for who He is and what He has done for us. Genuine worship requires a faith commitment and a profession that He alone is God which means that we acknowledge that He is the Lord - the Leader and supreme authority in our lives.

Tabitha and I met this bubbly girl named Cates while we were attending the conference.

If All My World Was Swept Away, Would You Be Enough For Me? If I Lost It All Would My Hands Be Lifed, To The God Who Gives And Takes Away? If You Take It All, This Life You've Given, Still My Heart Will Sing To You!-- Kutless, I’m Still Yours- I was also given the opportunity to see one of the major areas where typhoon Ondoy hit back on Sept. 26th,2009. The devastation in this area was heart wrenching but yet in the mist of this devastation the people remained hopeful. They lost practically everything they had but were still smiling through the midst of it all. We handed out bags of food to the families that lost basically everything. While there, I was blessed with the opportunity of meeting this one little girl name Angelica (it’s a lot prettier when she says it =) ). She’s a 10 year old girl, beautiful as all-get-out, a beautiful smile that could light up your whole world, a loving touch, heart warming eyes, a gentle voice and a welcoming hug that never wants to let go. My heart couldn’t help but run over with love for her. As I began to ask her questions I really got to know her on a personal level, I asked her various questions such as where her mom was and her response was a finger pointing towards the sky saying ‘she’s in heaven’, I asked her where her dad was, she said she didn’t really know ‘I think he’s in province’, and then I asked her if she had any brothers or sisters and she said that she didn’t have any. Angelica and I walked hand in hand around the slum-village where she lived talking, laughing, and having fun together, what a blessing children truly are! I’ve really come to the realization during these past 5 years of my life that we take so much for granted. We sometimes fail to appreciate the simplest things in our lives that bring us so much joy.

Angelica and I (Manila, Philippines October 27th, 2009)

God Let Us Be A Generation That Seeks Your Face- This past fall has been very busy for Josh in studies and responsibilities.

The students have outreach ministry every Tuesday night, where they go out and practice effective ways of ministering the gospel. Over the past 2 months the Lord has led them to a group of Burmese construction workers and their families that are camped right near the college. They have been very receptive to their visits. The students often sit with them and talk about the differences between our culture, foods, religion and so on. They love watching Mr. Bean with them at the college and playing games like musical chairs. We hope to lead many of these people to a relationship with God and get them connected with the local Thai churches here in Sriracha.

Over a few weeks ago the students and Josh just returned from a 2 week long trip from down south in Thailand. The focus of the trip was team and character building. For the first week Pastor Asamy from the Hua Hin Cornerstone Church took them in and spent most of their days working on the church property. They helped build a children’s outreach center for the church. They laid cement, roofed, landscaped and so on. The hot sun beating down on them and the incredible humidity caused them to consume litres of water and take refuge in the nearest shade often. In between those hard working days they took a day and went ministering to three secular schools and a Roman Catholic high school. The kids would assemble in their largest room and the VBCI students would put on skits that illustrate God’s love and what He has done for us. The students would explain their meaning and share the gospel with them. It was a break from class for the kids so they put in lots of laughs for them too. Josh said that when he’d look at all these kids in front of him his heart would wrench for them not because of the poverty that many of them live in but because most have never heard about Jesus Christ before and the harsh reality they will face having never been subjected to the truth. When you walk into these classrooms you will always find an idol on display and with food sacrifices in front of it. You don’t only see the demonic Buddhist oppression they live under but you can sense it in your spirit too. But praise God that this country has freedom of religion and that the schools would welcome us in to share contrary to what they teach and raise these kids on. It is definitely a miracle. This Christmas the students and some missionaries will be returning to these schools to put on a Christmas show.

The students and Josh laying down fiber glass roof shingles on the children’s center building in Hua Hin.

After a week in Hua Hin the students ventured on a long and hot train ride for 12 hrs to Nakhon Si Thammarat. For those who read are blogs and updates last year, this is the same city Josh visited in the fall of 2008. There they stayed at a Victory Church and helped relocate the church to a new building.

We are so humbled and honoured to be doing the work of God here in Thailand. Nothing that we do here would accumulate to any value if it weren’t for God and the prayers and support of our family and friends back at home. We want to thank the Asbury Free Methodist Church in Perth, Gilead Fellowship in Picton, The Healing House in Picton, The First Baptist Church in Picton and our family and friends for your continued prayers and support.

Please keep us in your prayers that the Lord leads us, provides for us and continues to use us. Pray for the kids of Thailand and that God makes a huge impact on the ones we minister to. We look forward to keeping you updated on what is happening with Bekah and I here in Thailand. Please feel free to e-mail us if you would like to get in contact.

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” Philemon 1:3

If you feel led to give into our calling then we encourage you to partner with us and to become a monthly supporter by giving through Gilead Fellowship Church or with A&D World Missions. Tax receipts are made through both parties.
To get in contact with Gilead Fellowship:

Gilead Fellowship
Box 99, Bloomfield, ON
K0K 1G0
Or call (613)-476-2622

Make check payable to: Gilead Fellowship Church, on the memo line write; Josh and Rebekah Baker Missions Thailand.

God Bless,

Bekah & Josh.