Cultural Training, Team Building, and Fundraiser Prep!

Cultural Training, Team Building & Fundraiser Prep!

This past Sunday, our Thailand 2026 team gathered for a our second training session and team meeting. We were joined in person by Jon Easu and Faa Wall from the Lower Mainland, and pastor Chaloerm Saenwichai from Thailand. Jon and Chaloerm are Co-directors of Partners in Vision, which builds intentional, global church partnerships by planting churches in northern Thailand and neighboring regions, fostering mutual support and service with Canadian churches, and equipping leaders through evangelism and discipleship. Faa is a Thai-born Christian with a heart for connecting people, and she has joined Partners in Vision as a partnership facilitator, she helps Thai and Canadian churches understand each other, grow together, and serve well together. You can learn more about Partners in Vision and support them here: https://www.icms.org/piv

We got the chance to introduce ourselves to Jon, Faa (who will be coming with us to Lampang during Spring Break), and pastor Chaloerm and hear a bit about each of them and thier roles as well. It was so good to make those first time connections and reconnections with the three of them. Jon walked us through an exercise as a team to learn about some of our team dynamics, like how we tend to communicate, extroverted or introverted, and if we like spicy food (a few of us will be eating a lot of plain rice, haha). It was eye-opening to see where people land on those answers and gives us a great starting point to continue growing together as a team.

Faa and Chaloerm walked us through some of the cultural training (with hilarious adlibs by Jon) about Thai and Khmu customs. We learned how to introduce ourselves ("Sawasdee kha" (for females) or "Sawasdee krap" (for males)), how to respectfully interact with people, and about what to do and what not to in a thai bathroom (including a warning not to shower with a hose and nozzle connected to the toilet, haha). Though there is lots that can be learned about Thai culture and customs online, it was so valuable to hear about it first hand and in a very practical sense where we could ask all sorts of questions to help our understanding. We are continuing to grow as a team as we prep and are so thankful for the knowledge, insight, and connections with Chaloerm, Faa, and Jon.

We wrapped up the meeting by planning for our fundraiser happening this Friday—organizing roles, setup, hosting, and making sure this will be a fun and welcoming night for our whole church family, excited to see you there!

You're Invited! – Family Feud & Dessert Night

📅 Friday, November 28
⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM (doors open at 6)
📍 Westwood Church
💲 Entry by donation – all proceeds support the Thailand Team

Join us for a fun, family-friendly evening featuring a live Family Feud showdown, delicious desserts, and opportunities to support the team as we prepare to serve our sister church in Lampang. Whether you have signed up to compete on a team or want cheer from the crowd, we would love to see you there!

Fundraiser Details Meet the Team & Support Letters Trip Overview Prayer & Support

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support as we prepare, learn, grow, and step forward in faith together. Your encouragement truly means so much.