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Hello friends, sorry didn't have internet access this week, but it was a good one. This camp ran much better logistically but the kids and teachers were really different than the first one. This week the people we were serving in a much more religiously conservative, and the kids had much less experience in speaking English. We came into the camp with great expectations even knowing this one would be harder. We have so many barriers to overcome here especially concerning something that is a part of they're normal education system. First we are not normal, then there's culture, religion, expectations, and all the other personal barriers we all have. To be honest this week was quite an interesting challenge, my individual team seemed to be as cold as ice to me at first. First I thought it was shyness, so I ramped up the energy. That didn't work so I got a local teacher to sit in with the team, I thought it might be a lack of English problem (For one individual it was), but nope... The teacher actually gave up, and thats only the first full day! So there I was with a bunch of friendly but quiet kids. It's not awkward for this people group to sit in silence together, but it was for me; some of them had started to talk. So what do I do after trying to think of every way to crack them; I prayed. Prayed for ideas, prayed for the kids, and then I got an idea(HS)! Pray against any spirit that would bind they're mouths shut; like the spirit of fear, and a number of the alike. From then barriers came and life between us became rich; we shared stories, pictures, laughs, and ended in hugs and email exchanges. I must say that love and my God go along (sounds cliche). Think about it, your generosity, prayers, and love got me and this team here. And his power opened the door to share his love with 14 year olds half way around the world who have never had any contact with a believer. Amazing! So not including the 8790 mile trip from LA to here, we have been 2284 miles in this country the last 2 weeks. But the success of this trip can not be estimated in any figure. We will never know the difference our love made; your love and generosity, and the love our team showed. I am praying that God expands the memory of these camps in the minds and hearts of these kids, and it have great influence on their lives. And 3 things they know, we were spiritual people, we follow God, and that we didn't follow their God. I hope their curiosity and questions grow, and that we will be there on journey with them. God willing.... | | |
|     I’m in the airport in KK, writing you, as to let you know what happened this week. I lead the Yellow team this week, the smallest, and the greatest team. When we first started the week they were so shy and reserved that I was panicking. But over time they really came alive! Strengths finder was awesome, a few of the kids on my team really gained confidence in who they where created to be. One kid named Izayan who is the shiest kid I have ever meet wouldn’t say anything in front the group, classic INTP kid, so we talked one on one. He told me about his dreams of becoming a world famous research scientist, which totally makes cense.
Over the last two days they had to come up with two min dramas and perform it too. I was so proud, they were unbelievable, and I didn’t really do anything but direct ideas. A girl named Amy with Ideation lead the way, and I talk to her about having big dreams about being an artist in a place that doesn’t appreciate the arts. The kids are so different here, they are so respectful, receptive, kind, and want to learn. The students didn’t want us to leave, some even cried. A lot of them got our emails, and or want to be our Facebook friends (for real)… We are going to rest in KL for the weekend, go to a wedding, prep for next week, and hopefully adventure a little. It was great, we are going to work to make the next week even better. More to Come, Clayton | | |
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We started out Monday morning being told that we needed to be ready for the bus at 9 am, and it actually arrived at 11:30 am, so we go to explore and stack up on a few more snacks before going out to the middle of nowhere. The bus had some of the kids on it and they were really quiet. We got to the camp, which is right next to the South China Sea. All of the kids had arrived and we tried to mingle with them during teatime. (Oh they are big on eating so we get breakfast, lunch, dinner and quite a few tea times in they’re as well!) We had wanted to play ultimate Frisbee with them that night, but the weather had other plans, because it started to pour rain like I have never seen before. But the kids seemed to start to warm up to us and know more English than a lot of them let on! With all of our crazy camp songs, and ridiculousness it seemed that we had them laughing with us in no time. We played a game of I’ve never which seemed to be a big hit, and lots of close calls with people flying across the room to try and get into a chair. Oh and they really seemed to be creative with coming up with team chants. My group still keeps calling me teacher, and I seem to have a really talkative group, which makes it interesting. We ended the evening and said goodnight to the turtles that were swimming in the rain, and we’re very happy that we did not have to be up at 4:45am like the Muslim children who had to do their prayers at that time.
This morning started as well with a tentative schedule trying to figure out where and when we should play ultimate Frisbee with the kids. So at 8am we hit cow dung filled (okay I am exaggerating a little!) field and started teaching all the kids how to throw the Frisbee and some of us getting pelted with the Frisbee’s in the process. Then the games began with all of the playing with the spirit of the game. But we were really glad that we played it early because the rain had started again. We started explaining Strengths to them through skits, and as we went through them Alice, Sarah and myself explained how each strength is like a super power. So now after a fun filled day with helping our kids come up with great skits we will be able to see the great ideas tonight after dinner. We are having a lot of fun getting to know the kids and helping them to feel okay about being creative and unique; that’s not really encouraged in this culture. Be it’s always fun to see people come alive. Talk to you again soon.
Moving Forward Together
Clayton Bray and Southeast Asia Team
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| Hello from Southeast Asia!
It has been a crazy ride, and after days of travel we are on the Island! Everything has gone well except the airline lost my luggage, so the reason I haven’t written yet is due to fact my computer is lost for now. We called the airline today and there’s no sign of it. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m I am pretty upset about it. But honestly I think the enemy is doing all he can to discourage me this last week from a broken nose to lost luggage (it’s really hard to find clothes my size here, especially under garments). So we move on to the mission, because this is not about us anyway.
Anywho, along with our Mosaic group is two American college students Craig from Florida and Aaron from Tennessee; and Anthony and Sharon, a career M team who is here. Sharon was telling us that she meet her first native believer 18 months after she moved here; needless to say there are fewer believers here but how great it is to be here. So far the team is meshing well, and working hard to prepare the schedule and all the details for the camp this week. The bases for the camps are for English conversation but we are using Gallop Strengths finder, drama, songs and Ultimate Frisbee as a platform. We from Mosaic are teaching the others Gallop Strengths Finder and translating each strength into a skit for the kids to understand. A goal for the camp is that the kids understand they’re God created uniqueness through strengths and to do character building through ultimate Frisbee. It is beautiful here and the people are so nice and receptive. We took a short trip out to another island yesterday for a swim and lunch, and got back to prep. Things are turning out awesome, and I am so excited about what we are doing. More to come, please join us in prayer.
Moving Forward Together,
Clayton Bray
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