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Life in a Northern Town

(of Thailand)

2011 - Life and celebrations

My name is Shayne Rochfort and I am a servant of God, volunteering in

Hangdong, Thailand! I am helping support an amazing team in their work in the

local schools and community. My main role involves everything and anything.

Highlights -

Visits from my family

and friends

School of Promise

English Camp

The River Partner’s

Conference

Catching up with spe-

cial friends

One Year Anniversary

Getting my One year

Visa

Early rainy season

Songkran - Thai New

year

First things first, one thing you could do to

stay in the loop with my “goings on”, is

check out my Facebook page or follow me

on Twitter(@shayneinthailan). I love getting

responses or encouragements from around

the world, it really helps at times.

After a busy few months and the end of the

Thai school year, I was planning some much

needed downtime and make some prepara-

tions for the next few months. This changed

before it began!

One beautiful Monday morning I was begin-

ning my day off, with a bit of work in the

yard. I was just about finished cleaning the

drains and along comes one of my col-

leagues and he told me about a chance to

help out some teachers, who work at the

School of Promise run an English camp. The

School of Promise is just around the corner

and several of our River team’s kids are stu-

dents there. The teachers were planning on

having about 15 students and teaching one

class then having one off, unfortunately for

them they actually had nearly 30 students

and were both teaching classes fulltime. I

went down to see where I could help and it

was chaos. Whilst there were plans in place,

everything was a challenge because not

many of the students knew each other, or

the rules, but after a few days the teachers,

Amy and Emily, had everything going like

clockwork, nice!!! I spent most of my time

following the class of sixteen 5-8 year olds. I

grew to love them all. Each lunch break I

would supervise and try and give the teach-

ers a short break. So for the next few

weeks, whenever I had the chance, I was

helping with the camp.

I had a couple of very special weekends

coming up at the end of March and begin-

ning of April. My other parents, Alan and

Sue, came to visit on their way to Kenya, it

was so awesome to see them and to be

blessed by them. Alan shared in a couple of

our River team meetings and for me, just

being able to show a little of what our team

does in Hangdong was special. They are

amazing people and I love them and their

family so much.

Just the very next weekend, my Dad and

Shirley came to visit and again I was so ex-

cited to share my life and work with them

for a short while. We went out for dinner a

couple of times and it was very nice. I just

loved being able to show them my world

and for them to meet my friends here. Two

awesome weekends and then Songkran, life

just couldn’t get any better than this!

I know we all love a waterfight!!! But

Songkran in Chiang Mai is just something

that is the king of all waterfights. What a fun

day!!! Many of our team headed off into the

Old City, which is surrounded by a moat,

however during Songkran, we all try and

empty the moat and pour the water over

anything that moves. Songkran celebrates

the Thai New Year and “wetting” someone

is symbolic

of washing

the old and

preparing

for the new

(and so

much fun).

Volume 1 Issue 7

Most Photos by Isaac Yeo

May our attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something thing to be grasped but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to

the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8

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Above - The River Team.

Right - A - Z at Kids Club.

Far Right - a couple of

“my boys”

FOR THOSE OF YOU

WHO PRAY:

Please pray that I am

able to raise the necessary support that I need to continue my work in Thailand.

Praise for God’s blessing through The River Team - every week there are amazing

things for God happening through our team. We have seen blessings and opportu-

nities “down South”, things that just should not happen (watch this space).

Please pray for the whole River Team - We are heading into a bunch of new

things. Our coffee shop is getting busier. Please continue to pray for God appoint-

ments with those in the community, here in Hangdong and in all our places!!!

Life in a Northern Town (of Thailand)

PO Box 11

HANGDONG

CHIANGMAI 50230

THAILAND

Phone +66801202074

Email -

schoolies2@yahoo.com

Skype - slr_legend

The River Training and Convention Centre

Any questions please do not hesitate to send me an email, schoolies2@yahoo.com or give me a call.

River Partner’s Conference

I am committed to being in Thai-

land and with The River Team in

a full time capacity. I would like to

let you know that if you are able to

support me in my work, then you

can do so through One Mission

Society. While I was in Australia, I

joined One Mission Society so

that everyone can have a way of

partnering in my ministry here in

northern Thailand. There are

many ways you can support me,

through prayer as well as finan-

cially.

Please go to the One Mission So-

ciety website for more details or

email me, schoolies2@yahoo.com .

My prayer card with all the details

is available at

http://tinyurl.com/33ppyxc .

Supporting Shayne

The Team I am part of, is based in Hangdong, just south of Chiang Mai, but we have 50-60 others who work with us in their villages, either directly as River Team or as partners. In April, we had the opportunity to bring most of our people together and to connect with them and spend the week preparing and encourag-ing them in their work. So many stories were shared of lives be-ing changed in their areas, it was awesome to hear these testi-monies. Our local River team blessed many of the participants,

by helping cover the costs for some who needed assistance. Our people don’t have much themselves, but have huge hearts. During the conference, the afternoon ses-sions were led by our local leaders. These sessions were to give practical help and infor-mation on many of our weekly activities, to give our partners some ideas to take home with them. The nightly celebrations were full of life and after Kids Club and lunch on Saturday, our family headed off home to put into practice what they had been learning all week.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew

their strength. They will soar on wings

like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be

faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV