Angel Tree

Those of you who've attended First Baptist Church of Stockton know all about our annual Caring Christmas Tree gift-giving; here at International Church of Bangkok, we've started a similar tradition, only we've dubbed our trees "Angel Trees." ICB gives financial support to 14 ministry partners here in Thailand, and each month focus on a different ministry partner with a newsletter write-up and visit to or from the partner. I have been on the Outreach Committee for the last two years, and last year I chose to be liaison for Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation (concordiathailand.org). Because they have a daycare in the slums in Bang Na (a suburb of Bkk), we chose to place them as our December partner so they would be the recipients of our Angel Tree gifts.

ICB Sunday school classes helped us make the angels way back in September

They did such a good job!

Each angel was then labeled with a child's name from Concordia's Daycare program, and hung on our  little trees at church during November and early December. Members chose angels, signed the gift tags, and sponsored the gift it would be attached to. The angel ornament then went home with them to be placed on their tree as a reminder to pray for that child and the community. 

Clipped wing?

Singing?

Pastor Stewart and Laura's daughter Anna helped us cut the ribbons to tie to the gifts

Writing the Christmas present tags

Labeling gifts

Khun Dang giving her presentation at ICB evening service

Mary and Joseph :D

adjusting his ram mask

Pastor Stewart's daughter Anna was the "star"

The kids sang a song for us

Group picture

Enjoying their chocolate candies

Heading into the slum community where the daycare children live

Giving gifts to members of the community

Heading deeper into the slums

We prayed for this woman(older, on the left), as she lost her husband and son in a car accident, and this is now where she lives, in the small 'room' behind that open door

One of the worries for the slum community - that bit of highway jutting out to the left there - if the city ever decides to extend that, the community would all be demolished, displacing all the inhabitants

Me and Khun Dang

Resolutions

I resolve to take my plans to God before anyone else.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  -Philippians 4:6

I resolve to focus on where God is leading me and what He wants me to do instead of what others think I should be doing with my life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  -Proverbs 3:5,6

I resolve to surrender to His will and stop pushing my own agenda.
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."  -Luke 22:42

I resolve to be a better example of Christ's love and patience.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  -Colossians 3:12

I resolve to hold myself accountable for my actions, and to take responsibility when I've hurt someone.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  -Matthew 12:36

I resolve not to pursue any romantic relationships. This does not mean I am not open to being pursued, but any man wanting to do so has got a helluva lot of work to do at this point because I'm feeling pretty bitter and fed up right now.
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?  -Proverbs 20:6

I resolve not to cry over men who do not deserve my tears.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  -Revelations 21:4

I resolve to guard my heart.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  -Proverbs 4:23

PTN Christmas

 Christmas Activities at Phraharuthai Nonthaburi School

Mew(L) and Baitong, two of my gorgeous P6 girls

Aipon, Ping, Gun, and Pond

Am(looking up)

Ferris Wheel? Check.        Carousel? Check. 

Prize Table? Check. 

Holiday Beggar's Society.

Beggar's Society meets once a month at the Antique Cafe on Soi 31, and on Dec 12 we met for our Holiday gathering and sang Christmas songs! :D Had a great time, got some more homemade pesto, and bought a painting.

One of my Christmas gifts to myself :D