Rachel's Viewfinder

Yes, it’s true! The Bogans are going to Thailand!

Earlier this year, traveling to Thailand was only a possibility. SIM’s next communications gathering was looming in the near future. Only two people would be sent from the US office. But there are seven people on the Media Productions Team. Who would go?

Shortly after we got married, Robo and I started the application process for our passports. I had mine since I was fourteen, but needed to change it to my married name. Robo had never been on a plane, much less left the US. Not knowing how long the process would take, we got our passports in order. Then we waited.

In May, our department director took us out to dinner. He wanted to see how things were doing between us work and marriage-wise. He also had a few questions. He wanted to send the most strategic people to Thailand for the communications gathering. So how did we think we fit? How would the team benefit from our going?

As a Communications Specialist, working with video, online media, newsletters and other print materials, with my primary focus having been missionaries, I didn’t think it was super important that I be there. After all, the gathering would fall just before the fall SIMCO (SIM Candidate Orientation). But as we talked, Robo brought up something. As the Digital Wrangler, he has been tasked with building a new website for the US office of SIM. On the docket to discuss in Thailand was SIM branding. That would dictate all sorts of things for the website. And Robo needs that information to complete his task on schedule.

Our director nodded and smiled. He didn’t promise anything that night. But he said to start getting ready.

In late June, we were finally given the green light. It was official! We were going to Thailand. So began getting vaccinations, making arrangements for travel, and accommodating food allergies. In the middle of this process, our director had an idea. What if we went early to Thailand and filmed a video?

The flurry of activity began all over again. Robo started communicating with the Thailand personnel about doing a video. They were all excited. Thailand has not had much video coverage from SIM yet. Many missionaries use media tools produced by other sending agencies to communicate about their ministries. A new, SIM-produced tool was a welcome opportunity.

It’s now the end of September. Robo and I are leaving for Thailand in two more short weeks. Two weeks! I can’t believe our trip is nearly here!

Prayer Requests:

Our Thailand trip is from October 10-24. Please pray for us as we travel. We will be flying from Charlotte, to New York, to Frankfurt, to Singapore, to Chiang Mai, Thailand. That’s a LOT of flying! We’re both excited. This will also be a new experience for Robo. As I mentioned earlier, he’s never been on a plane, and never been out of the US. Talk about a new adventure!

Pray for our video shoot. Neither of us has filmed a video outside of the US. This will present many new challenges for us. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity as we work in a new and different culture. Pray for our equipment that everything would work well. Pray also for us as we acclimate to Thailand!

Pray also for SIM’s communication gathering. Called SIM Connect, twenty-four people from fourteen different countries are converging in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We will be discussing SIM’s communication needs and resources. Pray for wisdom and community as we work together, discuss and encourage each other. Pray also for what comes out of this gathering. Pray we move together in unity and with purpose.

How you can be involved:

We have just a little while longer to get ready for Thailand. You can help! Find a random fact about Thailand (you can use Google!) and post it as a comment to this post! And keep checking the blog. We have videos, photos and more planned to come!

(Originally posted on www.rachelandrobo.com )