Rally!!

Juarez, Mexico... going back again!!  Our students got so much out of last year's spring break trip that they are already planning for this year's trip.  We will be taking students to work with Casas por Cristo where they will build a home for a very needy and deserving family.  This partnership gives our students the opportunity to serve and help people in THEIR country.  There is already a lot of excitement about trip, however, there is also a lot of money that has to be raised in order to make this happen.  Our students know and understand this and THEY planned and implemented their first fundraiser... it was great!  

Last Saturday, a holiday in Mexico I might add, 3 of our student leaders decided to host a Rally which ended up being a group scavenger hunt. Each group had a car and was given 2 hours to complete all the items on the list. (and of course each car had to pay to enter the Rally with the first place team winning the grand prize... that's right, Money!)  The day was filled with costumes, lots of pictures, hanging out with horses, driving all over town, decorating 

cars, getting stuck in traffic, random questions and great bonding.

I did participate in the event which was an absolute blast. All of our student really got into it and there was a lot of fellowship and friendships that developed in the course of the 2 hours everyone spent together in a car.  Oh, did I mention there was free food afterwards... that's always a great way to get college students interested in something.  

We don't know who is going to Juarez yet, but because 3 students are passionate about it there is already several hundred dollars waiting for them.  I can't wait to see what else God lays on these students hearts, to see their creativity come to life, and to experience them taking ownership of such an amazing trip!!

My name is Raef Chenery. For the last year I have been working at The Grapevine with Globalscope Thailand as their intern. My internship is nearly over and I was asked to share a few departing words about my time here. The following are some of my most memorable experiences in Thailand.


This is a picture taken at The Grapevine one night when we had four of our Thai students participate in a skit version of The Dating Game. It was a very funny night. One of the reasons I love this picture is because the three guys participating in this event are three of my closest friends here in Thailand: Milk, Bank, and Anas. I have spent a lot of time with each of them, and it is going to be very difficult to leave such good friendships behind. The Lord has done a lot in each of their lives.



This picture was taken last Christmas. I love this picture, just because it is a fun picture. I think we were at the airport dropping exchange students off to go home. That was my first Christmas away from home, and I was nervous that it was going to be very difficult. But the staff at Grapevine made me feel like Bangkok was my home, and the Thai students, being concerned for me, gave me extra attention during the holiday season. The holidays ended up being a time of great strength for many of my relationships here in Thailand, and I was grateful for every moment that I spent.


This picture was taken during a Thai holiday called SonKrong (That’s the best I can spell it with English letters). If you step outside, you risk being drenched in water and covered in a weird clay by anyone and everyone on the street. It was so much fun being part of the celebration. Unfortunately my wallet and keys got stolen. All the students came together though and helped me. In the end, a police officer had caught the thief and managed to return my stuff to me. If you don’t know about Bangkok, it is extremely unlikely that I would ever see my wallet again. The day was a blast though and another great opportunity to spend with students. Watching them come together to help me find my wallet was a blessing.

There’s much more I could say about a year with Grapevine, but I will close by just thanking God for every opportunity I have had to be a part of the ministry and the work God is doing through Grapevine in Thailand.