Protected: thailand trip information
Created on Mar 25 2006 | Tagged as:
This area is specifically for those going on the trip in June:
FINALIZED TRIP DATE: June 20 – July 4 
Application for the 2006 Summer Thailand Trip
Brief description of the Thailand trip.
Trip Preparation: More will be added to this page each week…
1. Obtain a Passport – Passport Form Submit paperwork to designated location by April 15th.
- Passport Photo – Costco
- Proof of Citizenship- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Identity – Drivers License
- Fees – $97 (Some locations my charge a processing fee also)
Locations to submit paperwork by April 15th:
- Tualatin City Hall -Call to find times – 503.692.2000
- Beaverton City Hall – Times 12:30 – 3:30 M-F – 503.526.2509
- Search page for any location by zip code
Please send an email when this is complete so we can maintain a record of your progress.
2. Contact doctor or travel clinic by April 15th through your medical provider.
- Check about overseas coverage – Make sure you have adequate care.
- Schedule a time for all necessary shots – Communicate to your doctor or travel clinic the locations we will be visiting, and they will tell you what shots you need. Specifically request Malaria pills. Be sure you have medication from your doctor for diarrhea.
We are potentially traveling to the following specific locations:
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Burriram, Thailand
Please send an email when this is complete so we can maintain a record of your progress.
3. Develop a support letter and send it by April 21
- Use the template and suggestions provided to create a personalized support letter to send to potential supporting partners. Make sure your letter communicates the heart of the trip and not just the details of the trip. SAMPLE LETTER The pledge form includes instructions on the process of writing a check for support and where to send it.
- Include a PLEDGE FORM with each of your letters. The file is available here for download. We will also have copies available in the school office.
- All letters must be submitted through email for approval before they can be sent
- Develop a large list of potential supporters. Please avoid sending the letter to a broad audience within the Westside community. Please submit all of the names of people you plan to contact within the Westside community by email, and we will maintain a corporate list. This is to avoid over contacting one person.
- Don’t forget to include all of the ways a supporter can partner in addition to helping with the cost of your trip. In addition to raising support for the trip we would like each person going to find a pledge to sponsor at least one child. Turn in all filled out sponsor forms to the office, or have your supporter mail them back to the school.
Please send an email when this is complete so we can maintain a record of your progress.
4. Student actors needed over spring break:
- We will be creating a promotional video over spring break to send with support letters. We need a few student “actors” who are going on the trip to play a role in that video. Send a message if you are interested.
5. Non-refundable deposit due. We will need a $100 deposit brought to the office by April 10th. The purpose of this deposit is to hold your spot. The school will be fronting money as expenses become due. This deposit shows us that you are serious about going on the trip.
6. Dress Code – No tank tops, no sleeveless shirts, not short shorts, they need to be below the knees. No pictures of guns, provocative words or political statements on clothing. Please be subtle and modest in your choice of clothing. We are trying not to draw attention with what we are wearing.
7. Sample Packing List:
Packing List for Thailand Trip
June 10th – July 4th
Toiletries:
Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Hair Gel, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
Deodorant, Shaving Cream, Toothpaste, Razor, Toothbrush Medication for diarrhea, Band-Aids, Travel hand sanitizer, Tylenol, Thin Towel
Electronics:
Digital Camera,Power Converter – Unless your electronics can handle 220v , Ipod, various power cords
Clothing:
Nikes/shoes, sandals- Something you could wear with slacks or dress,
6 Pairs of shorts, t-shirts, underwear, and socks, 1 pair of thin slacks and a collared shirt or nicer dress for girls, 1 Hat
Misc.:
Journal, Books and Magazines, Sunglasses, Pen, Passport and Drivers License, Plane Tickets, Cash, Bible, Printed Itinerary, Undergarment wallet, Small Backpack
Two Bags full of children’s clothes to check on the flight
8. Verse to Memorize- Micah 6:8
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously–take God seriously.
9. Developing the right attitude: Prayer
10. Gary Haugen- Unfamilar Passions of God – Sermon
| Launch in external player |
11. Team Meetings:
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 (Pringle’s) 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner
- Who are you? Why are you going?
- Developing the right attitude: Prayer / Flexibility
- Information: check website…packing…dress…shots…passport
- Prayer partners 1
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 (Porter) 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner
- Developing the Right Attitude:
- Missionaries…
- Justice Mission
- Information: Support letters
- Prayer partners 2
- Hand out Meyers / Briggs
Monday, May 8, 2006 (Howells) 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner
- Developing the right attitude:
- Meyers / Briggs (Karen Howells)
- Prayer partners 3
Monday, May 22, 2006 (Gaslin) 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner
- Invisible Children
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 (Sears) 6:00 p.m.
- Dinner
- Families Welcome
- Information: Itinerary…
Notes from Thailand Team Meeting #1 @ Pringle’s House:
- We asked the question of the team: Why are you hear? Why are you going to Thailand?
- Developing the Right Attitude: Prayer / Flexibility…Can we keep Christ in mind all throughout the day? Steve read from Frank Laubach’s Letters By A Modern Mystic who sought to live his life as an “experiment of filling every minute full of the thought of God” and “to be as wide open toward people and their need, as I am toward God. Windows open outward as well as upward! Windows expecially open downward where people need most!”
- Video: Completed promotional video shown to group
- Reminder about the Website: packing lists, passports, immunizations, support letters, etc… We had a discussion about packing in a carryon and then taking two checked bags full of clothes for children
- Listen to Gary Haugen’s message on web
- Memorize Micah 6:8
- Prayer partners coming in email
Notes from Thailand Team Meeting #2 @ Porter’s House:
- Head: most sacred and never touched.
- Foot: Least sacred. Care must be taken where the foot is pointed; always away from others. Shoes: removed prior to entering a house. Never raise a foot over a person’s body (like stepping over them), especially their head. When walking through people sitting on the ground in a home or church, walk with back bent and your head down…this shows respect for another one’s head.
Sacred Institutions:
- Monarchy: It is illegal to say anything derrogitory regarding the royal family
- Objects that bare the image of the king: Care should be taken with the currency. Stamps should not be licked; use the sponge provided.
- Budhism: Avoid references that are derrogitory. In regard to the monks care should be taken not to bump into them; especially by women. Monks are forbidden to touch a woman or receive anything from them.
Greetings:
- When encountering another person the proper greeting and sign of respect is the Wai. In general those who are younger will initiate the Wai.
Hello/Goodbye
sawat-dee
Men: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/swsdiim2.wav
Women: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/swsdiif.wav
Thank You
Men: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/thankm.wav
Women: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/thankf.wav
Excuse me, I am sorry
Men: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/sorrym.wav
Women: http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/phsound/sorryf.wav
For more phrases go to http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/thphrase.htm#self
- Handed out Meyers/Briggs Personality Inventory: Please get this back to Mr. Howells as soon as possible so that Karen Howells can compile the information that will be helpful for our next meeting.
- DVD’s are here and will be available later in the week.
- Be sure to memorize Micah 6:8
- Mr. Sears gave an update on the status of partnerships in Thailand. Looks like we will be able to meet some of the children, see property for future orphanage, and connection to Charles Harvey and Grace Ministries.
- Charles will be in Portland May 29 and 30. Open house at Sears’ home on the 29th to meet Charles. Charles will be speaking in chapel on Tuesday.
on 25 Mar 2006 at 12:43 pm 1 Andy said …
March 25th
Hello All,
I have developed a page on my blog that we will use as a resource center and communication tool for those going on the trip. We are hoping that we can distribute most of the information you will need through this site and email communication. If you have questions please feel free to write or call. To access the “team only” site go to:
http://www.compassionquest.com/thailand
and click on the picture of the four children or the sub page link at the top of the side bar. It will then ask for a password and it is:
humility
There may be things on this page that would be confusing or not needed for others who are visiting the site to just learn more about what we are doing. So this page is special, just for you. Feel free to comment on this page if you have questions or thoughts that others may benefit from. There are things on the site now that you may want to begin working on soon. ACTION ITEM: There is a request on the site that you respond after completing each step. This will help us know how you are progressing. If you already have a passport please respond with that information also.
As things come up we will be posting new information for you to this page, so you may want to check it periodically.
I am so pumped!! I am so glad you are all going to be a part of this amazing experience. I will be praying for each of you!
We are thinking that we will do filming for the promotional video on Thursday. ACTION ITEM: Please respond to this message ASAP if you are planning to be a part of this as an actor or production team member. I was thinking we may want to do some shots outside before it gets dark. So, if a few of you are available a little earlier in the day on Thursday, let me know. All other participants can join us for a meal at our home around 5:30 pm. Let me know if this works for you. Don’t feel bad if you can’t join us – the filming will primarily be focused on our students.
23330 SW Red Fern Place
Sherwood OR 97140
99W toward Newberg to Sunset Lt. on Sunset ( YMCA on corner). Go one mile to Red Fern and turn left.
You may want to wait to send out support letters until we have the video done. Our goal is to have copies available to you for sending by April 10th. We can purchase the DVD’s for $1.50 per copy. This copy will include our video and the Remember Nhu documentary in an attractive case. I am thinking that if each of us could picks up the cost for the copies we want to send. I am going to order about 70 copies for the letter Marta and I will be sending. This may be a small investment that could reap a larger dividend. ACTION ITEM: Please let me know how many you would like to order ASAP so we can get the right number ordered.
Looking forward to serving with you!
Andrew Sears
on 28 Mar 2006 at 9:32 am 2 Carolyn Quatier said …
Hi Andy,
As I said before, I have a passport. We will start the process for shots and Em’s passport now.
Thanks,
Hope you are getting some needed rest.
Carolyn
on 28 Mar 2006 at 9:38 am 3 Carolyn Quatier said …
One more thing,
do we have the actual dates for the trip yet?
Carolyn
on 28 Mar 2006 at 9:03 pm 4 Andy Sears said …
Yes,
The date is set for June 20th – July 4th. I will make that more clear on the page above.
Andy
on 31 Mar 2006 at 4:21 pm 5 Gaslin said …
Hi, Andy. I spoke with my pastor about presenting our mision trip and the opportunities to financially support the orphanage (building and monthly pledges) to our small congregation. He is very supportive. Is there a shorter version of the Remember Nhu video suitable for presenting during our worship service?
Thanks. Becky
on 01 Apr 2006 at 7:57 am 6 Andy said …
Becky,
That is so cool! I would be glad to help you in any way. There is not a shorter version of the DVD, but we could set it up to show parts of it. I also have a DVD set to music that is from our trip that is about 4 minutes long that you could use. I also have a PowerPoint presentation that you could manipulate to fit your needs as well. Let me know what you need and I will do my best to make it happen. God bless you for talking with your pastor! That is very encouraging!
Andy
on 02 Apr 2006 at 8:46 pm 7 Kara Rhodes said …
Andy,
Is it too late to order copies of the DVD? If not, when do you need to know how many I would like?
As for other housekeeping items, I have a passport and will begin working on shots this week. I’ll let you know when that’s done.
Thanks,
Kara
on 02 Apr 2006 at 9:57 pm 8 Andy said …
Kara,
It is great to hear from you. I look forward to introducing you to the team. It is not too late to order DVDs? I have actually had very little response from people over spring break. I don’t think people are checking their email over vacation. Thanks for the update on the shots and passport.
Andy
on 11 Apr 2006 at 1:19 pm 9 Steve said …
Hello Thailand Team:
I am getting really excited to begin our journey that will take us not only across the sea and deep into another culture but will also take us deep into the heart. It is my prayer that 0ur hearts will touch the very heart of God on this journey which will continue far beyond our July 4th return. Our first team meeting will be tomorrow night as I said last week. We will meet at our home at 6:30. Our address is 7380 SW Florence Lane, Portland, Oregon, 97223. The cross street is 80th. We live in the Garden Home neighborhood…map quest it…our phone number 503-245-6125…come hungry, we’ll have dinner together. Bring a Bible and pen and paper….
Feel free to email if you have questions.
Steve Pringle
Bible Department / Dean of Students
Westside Christian High School
503.697.4711 x. 311
pringle@westsidechristianhs.org
on 14 Apr 2006 at 12:14 pm 10 Brittney Jensen said …
Hey! Ok, well I made my appointments for my shots! They will be taken care of on Monday and Tuesday! I also will have my Passport sent in by monday at the latest! I am super excited that everything is going as planned! Thanks a bunch!!
*Brittney*
on 14 Apr 2006 at 10:01 pm 11 Andy said …
That is great Brittney! I am so glad you are going on this trip. I am getting excited also. Have a great Easter weekend.
on 16 Apr 2006 at 7:04 pm 12 Jessi-Ann said …
Hi Mr. Sears,
Just wanted you to know that I have ordered my passport. I have all my shots, I only need to take typhoid medicine two weeks before we go. I have my envelopes addressed and I’m just waiting on the DVD’s to send out my letters. Does anyone have an extra hiking backpack I can use for the trip?
Thanks,
Jessi
on 17 Apr 2006 at 3:08 pm 13 David said …
Hi Mr. Sears,
Just wanted to let you know that I have ordered my passport.
on 17 Apr 2006 at 5:48 pm 14 brittney said …
Mr. Sears,
Hey! Well, today i went in for my shots so i am all taken care of! I just have an appointment tomorrow for my typhoid shot and then the pills i need! I will be getting my picture taken on wednesday and will have my passport stuff turned in by thursday afternoon! I am super excited that everything is coming together!! I also wanted to let you know that I finished my support letter and hopefully my dad sent it to you today via email….if not ill send it again tonight just in case!! Well, I hope everything is going smooth for everyone else! Thanks for everything!
*Brittney*
on 22 Apr 2006 at 10:33 am 15 Brittney said …
Hey Mr. Sears! ok, well i have ran into a dilema but i know it is going to work out! I went to apply for my passport and there is something wrong with my birth certificate so i have to order a new one! It is going to take up to 3 weeks to just get my birth cirtificate…but for the passport part we are just going to pay the extra and get it over night or whatever! I just wanted to let you know, but i am sure it will all work out! My dad is staying on top of the whole ordering the new one, so i am sure it will be fine I just wont apply for a little bit! Well, i hope everyone is getting really excited because i sure am!!!
on 22 Apr 2006 at 3:30 pm 16 Gaslin said …
We’ve got two problems with the sample support letter:
Under the numbered items:
#2 Omit “with”
#4 It should read “Sponsors will receive a picture of their child.”
on 23 Apr 2006 at 9:40 am 17 Andy said …
I just sent a message for Steve to resend the letter. I will make the changes to the online letter later today or first thing tomorrow. Thanks for catching it.