The Ultimate ROAD Trip 2007 begins!

Yes, the ROAD TRIP bit finally begins!

Later today, the team of 10 students and 5 staff will be leaving for a 2-week concert road trip. Not all the staff going. I am one of those 'left behind'. heh) We have made a decision that we will not hold any concerts in Hatyai, due to the recent spate of bomb scares. However, we still feel strongly that God has called us to be His light in the land of Thailand during this time. So they will be spending the first few days in Nakhon Sri Thamarrat, before taking a coach up to Bangkok, where they will spend the remainder of the trip.

It wasn't an easy decision to make, but even right after we made that decision, God has confirmed the work of our hands in so so many ways. One of which being that we went into the decision to go Bangkok, with only ONE potential gig up for the team. But over the past few days, God has confirmed that for us, and added in 2 gigs. So there are now a total of 3 confirmed gigs in Bkk! Wow. Also, a few of the students' parents had been very anxious the week before, and even considered pulling their children out of the trip, but as God encouraged their hearts, they have agreed to trust God with us, and allow their darlings to go! =D

As we have spent the past 4 weeks in intensive band preparation, do pray that we would also be ready spiritually, emotionally and mentally, to engage in God's work. Due to the late changes in schedules and flight plans, there are many details to be worked through, and this can be very draining, especially for the staff.

Here are some personal prayer requests from the team.

Simon Seow - staff mentor
1. The joy of the Lord as I serve Him
2. Pray for Lillian & kids, for them to lean on the Lord in my absence
3. Pray for opportunities to minister God's grace & love to the Thais & to the team.

Daniel Ho - staff, team leader and program ic
1. Strength to get through this season
2. Able to lead the team well
3. Wisdom in decision making

Eeleen Lin - staff, assistant team leader and advancer/finance
1. To keep my eyes on the Lord in all circumstances
2. Physical health and strengthm esp for stomach (no diarrhoea!)
3. To lead the team from a place of intimacy with Jesus.

Manson Koh - staff, band director
1. Health
2. Spiritual protection
3. Safety
4. God's love being demonstrated in the team.

Evon Ee - staff, assistant finance
1. Keep my heart close to God even amidst the hectic travelling.
2. Wisdom to handle huge amount of money on the road as a few of us are the main finance peeps for transport and day to day things for the whole team. I am one of them.
3. God will watch over my family even more so while I am away.

Liow Ee Jun - student, bassist
1. Pray for my parents to have peace in me going to Thailand and to know that my life is in God's hands so they need not worry
2. Pray for me to love the Thai people and to do my best to bring forth the Gospel there
3. Pray for me to strong both physically and spiritually to endure a tiring schedule and to have joy in what i'm doing everyday.

Jeremy Wee - student, drummer
1. Smooth deferment from reservist
2. Guard my heart n mind against spiritual attacks
3. Safety

Paul Wong - student, acoustic guitar
1) Good health. I always fall sick when I enter into a new environment.
2) Peace for my family and friends and assurance that God will keep me safe.
3) To grasp a deeper revelation of the Father's heart through TURT

Joshua Tay - student, electric guitar
1. Pray for my health during this period that i will not fall sick
2. To be spirit-filled at all times
3. Pray for family members back home who may be anxious.
 
Mark Szto - student, electric guitar
Please pray: I think I'm slightly panickky about raising money for the China trip (another trip he is going on after TURT!) , particularly cos I think I need about 1k more than I thought I need.

Crystal Soh - student, keyboards
1. to be able to handle the hygiene standards there
2. for family not to worry while i'm there
3. for God to teach me and use me the way He wants to(:

Michelle Lim - student, sound tech
1. Strength to sustain throughout the road trip
2. God's peace to be with my family and friends
3. To come back feeling that God has changed my life!

Michelle Cheam - student, vocalist
1. For my family that God's protection would be on them.
2. For my testimony that God would work through me to touch the people there.

Evangeline Lee - student, vocalist
1. Peace for family members and friends
2. Safety
3. Tons and tons of seeds sown into His kingdom
4. For us to know Christ more as we make Him known.

Matthew Low - student, vocalist
1)remember all my lyrics and testimony
2)throat no problem ha
3)Focus on GOD


For those who want to see the team off at the airport or receive them when they return, here are their flight details:

Departure from SIN to Hatyai on 10 June 2007
Flight no TR138 (Budget terminal)
Departs SIN at 14:00 Singapore time
Please note that Hatyai is one hour behind Singapore.

Arrival from BKK to SIN on 22 June 2007
Flight no TR109 (Budget terminal)
Arrives SIN at 23:30 Singapore time