Greetings from Chiang Mai

We arrived in Chiang Mai about 9:30 this morning. Our flights were completely uneventful, even at security and customs. God is good! We're pretty tired, but hanging in there. So far, jet lag hasn't been too terrible.

We've spent the day getting settled, meeting with Mike and Becky Mann and the ITDP staff, eating incredible Thai food and doing some sightseeing. Tonight, we'll head to the night bazaar and then tomorrow morning, we head off to the village of Deh Bur Sae Lo Co!

Thank you for your prayers! About half of our team is sick, most with colds. Pray for healing and that they can persevere through that. Also, pray for safe travel to the village tomorrow. Pray for our witness and our hearts as we go - our desire is to bring glory to His name and to proclaim the gospel! Most likely this will be the last update until we return to Chiang Mai on January 9th. Blessings!
For the team,
Katie

24 Hour Countdown!

Tomorrow night, December 27th, at 9:30 pm, our team will board a flight to Thailand! A quick itinerary of our trip:

- December 27th: Board plane to Thailand
- December 29th: Arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand and spend the day exploring Chiang Mai and preparing to travel to the villages
- December 30th: Travel to the Mae Tung region. We will be staying in the village of Dae Bur Sa La Koh
- December 30th until January 9th: Work and outreach in the villages
- January 9th: Travel back to Chiang Mai
- January 11th: Arrive at LAX and travel back to SDCC

Pray for our packing, that we won't forget anything and will be able to fit everything in our suitcases, for healthy and safe traveling. Also pray that we will be able to get some rest on our 18 hour flight. Continue praying for ITDP staff as they prepare for us, and for the villagers, that God would be preparing their hearts even now to hear and respond to the gospel. Finally, pray that the Lord would continue to be preparing our hearts to faithfully serve and obey and share. Next time you hear from us, we will, Lord-willing, be in Thailand!
For the team,
Katie

13 Days!

Welcome to the official blog for the SDCC 2011-2012 Thailand Team!

Leaders: Steve Jenkins, Christine Roberts
Members: Destiny St. John, Kaitlen Laine, Katie Duffy, Hannah Shattuck, Laura Paniagua, Nikki Hylander, Sean Hogan, Charlie Borchard, Brian Johnson, Chris Johnson

In thirteen very short days, on December 27th, all twelve of us will be heading to the Mae-Tung region of Northern Thailand and will have the privilege of working with missionaries Mike and Becky Mann and the Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP). Our hope is that as we help meet the physical needs of the Karen people in Thailand, we will also have the opportunity to meet their spiritual needs as we share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. The village that our team will be working in has had a water project done before, but their source has dried up, so we will be trenching and laying new pipes from a new water source. Additionally, we will work on building a fifth grade classroom for the school in the village of Ma-Oh-Jo.

Even in just the last week, God's abundant provision has been very clear and we are excited to see what the Lord has for us as we move forward. Our desire is that His name would be glorified and made known. Ultimately, unless the Lord works through us, everything we do will be in vain. And so as we go, we covet your prayers.  

Some specific requests:
- For safe travel to Thailand and the villages. 
- For sustained health for the Team
- For the Team’s testimony in all they say & do
- For the villagers openness to the Gospel
- For the outreaches, VBS & medical care
- That indigenous Christians and ITDP staff may be encouraged in their faith
- For the spiritual unity of the Team, staff and villagers
- That each Team Member will deepen their faith
- For a new understanding of Global Missions
- That the Team members will deepen their understanding and obedience in becoming a “World Christian”

Thank you for your support and prayers!
For the team,
Katie