Yesterday morning, as the sun rose on a crisp December day here in Chiang Mai, the Bible School was a hive of activity. Excited last-minute preparations were hurriedly completed as three teams assembled, ready for the beginning of this year's Christmas Tour.
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| Staff and students gathering for the start of the tour |
Each group of 18 students and staff will be travelling to different Karen villages between now and their return on Boxing Day. This year, for the first time, they will be joined by a BMS Action Team! Rosie and Sarah are heading to Mae Hong Son, and Hannah and Hannah are joining the team going to Mae La Noi.
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| Hannah and Hannah with some of their team members |
With bags packed and woolly hats ready for the cold weather, each team gathered to pray for safety in travel, and for good opportunities to share the meaning of Christmas with all those they meet. While there is a strong evangelistic element to the tour, the teams will also aim to encourage and inspire each of the rural churches they visit too.
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| Let's pray... |
In amongst the bags were props for various dramas, a few guitars to accompany carol singing visits, and a pre-made picnic lunch of fried chicken and rice. There was not much room for extra baggage - one truck had 18 people in it!
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| One of the trucks getting loaded up |
Some of the villages which the teams are heading for are among the most remote places in Thailand. The views on yesterday's journey for Hannah and Hannah's team were incredible - unmade roads stretching up into beautifully untouched mountain forests and precariously perched villages.
I came back into Chiang Mai late last night, and the Bible School seems strangely quiet this morning. Please pray for the staff, students and especially for the Action Team as they adjust to life 'on tour'. You will be able to catch up with the Action Team's adventures on their blog once they are back within reach of the internet at
http://www.actionteamblogs.org/category/thailand/
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