Country Overview
Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its combination of natural beauty, temples, renowned hospitality, and cuisine. The large-scale sex industry which flourishes in Bangkok contributes to the high incidence of HIV infection - a major concern for the Thai government. Thailand was one of the countries devastated by the 2004 tsunami which left thousands injured, missing or dead, and hundreds of thousands homeless.

Quick Facts
Area · 199,614 sq miles
Population · 65,000,000
Religion · 95% Buddhist, 4% Muslim
Language · Thai
Life expectancy · 66 years (men), 74 years (women)

Our Partners
Thai Faith and Music Foundation (TFMF)
The work of the Thai Faith and Music Foundation was begun in December, 1994, when Ruth and Inchai Srisuwan moved from Udon Thani, where they had headed the music department of the Center for Church Planting and Church Growth, to Bangkok, where they began working with people living in the chumchons ("neighborhoods" in Thai, although "slum" is the more commonly used term for the poorer areas that the Foundation works in). These are areas of organized but "unofficial" (e.g. no land ownership) settlement by poor people, mostly those who have moved to the city to find work, a majority of whom are from the northeast.

TFMF works with children and youth (aged 6-20) in the slums of the Huay Kwang area of Bangkok.  The TFMF staff are divided into teams, concentrating on the areas of music and dance, athletics, and English. Every evening the teams go out to the slums to lead and teach, with each team visiting each neighborhood once or twice a week. TFMF aims: to promote and encourage the youth of the chumchons to appreciate Thai music; to foster self-esteem, discipline and holistic well-being within the youth of the chumchons through the provision of social welfare and education; to provide opportunities for youth to develop an understanding of the Christian faith; and to work positively with other community organizations for the welfare of chumchon members.

CCENT
The Center for Church Enablement in Northern Thailand (CCENT) was established in 1996 by a team of 7 Thai staff. These individuals were working with the Thailand Covenant Church and the Issaan Development Foundation (IDF) in northeast Thailand but felt a call to return to their home region, the north. The desire of this group was to begin to do what the Thailand Covenant Church was already doing in the northeast, that is, to contextualize the gospel into their own unique cultural forms.

CCENT’s aim is to "enable" the existing churches in northern Thailand to grow and reach non-Christians by presenting them with a culturally relevant way in which to express their faith in Christ. In order to do this, the team at CCENT has done extensive research on the traditional music, instruments and dance forms of the north.

CCENT has also provided sustainable development for the area through the Chiang Mai Development Farm, which was established in 1999. It has grown from its original size of 4 acres of land and is now over 11 acres. The farm was set up as a business to generate support for the ministries of the Center for Church Enablement in Northern Thailand (CCENT).  It also provides jobs and food for people throughout the region. 

Trip Description
This trip is an amazing opportunity to live out the Gospel.  There will be opportunities to befriend Thai people and learn about their culture, music, and the way they worship Jesus.  This is an opportunity for you to be the alien that is welcomed in to a hospitable and kind home.  Students will spend time in Bangkok serving alongside TFMF in the chumchons.  We will then fly to Chiang Mai to work at CCENT’s fish farm.  We will stay with host families in their homes.  We will learn about sustainable development, contextualizing the gospel, and Thai culture. 

This trip is for students who want to “seek first the Kingdom of God” and are interested in integrating prayer, action, and Christian discipleship into their lives.  If you want to be intentional about your faith and how it influences the way you live, and if you want to be a part of a small team of 6-9 students, you are encouraged to apply.  This trip is highly relational and an intense cultural immersion experience, so it is important that you are committed to learn some of the Thai language and about Thai culture before you arrive in “the land of the free”.

Team Preparation
All Thailand GP team members must commit to attending all preparation meetings during second semester, usually one hour a week for 8 weeks as well as the group training on January 27, 2009.  During these meetings you will develop as a team, learn about Thai culture and language, and study social justice issues facing the country.  You will also dedicate time to fundraising both individually and as a team.  All team members must pay for their entire trip by May 1, 2009.

In order to be a part of the Thai GP team you will need a passport that expires no less than six months after your intended visit.  Those who already have a viable passport, or have applied for a passport at the time of interview will be given preference over those who have not taken action to apply for a passport.  Also, the price of the passport, vaccinations, and other personal expenses are not covered in the cost of the trip.

Important Dates
September 14^th – Global Partnership Expo 9:30PM
November 10^th – Spring and Summer GP trip applications due
November 9^th-17^th – GP Interviews
November 16^th-22^nd – GP auction online
November 19^th – Spring and Summer GP teams announced
December 2^nd - Fundraising Meeting 6:00PM
January 17^th – Mandatory all-day GP team retreat
May 1^st – All donations/payments due
May 3^rd – Commissioning of Summer GP Teams at collegelife
May 10^th-27^th  – GP trip to Thailand