Middle School students enjoyed making cultural foods and eating them. And they learned Korean history first-hand from nationals. Early USA missionaries arrived in 1885, then the ‘Pyongyang Great Revival’ began in 1907 — thousands trusted Christ!

“A dark period in Korea was under Japan’s rule from 1910-1945. Japanese killed many pastors and Christians, who would not bow to idols,” GIS parent Grace Shim said. “Yet revival grew, driven by missionaries’ commitment to prayer and Bible study.”

GIS Korean Representative Deborah Kim added, “After five years of freedom, Korea was at war June 25, 1950, then split; the North become communist. General MacArthur’s strategy helped the South remain free. Today the two are quite different in politics, economics and freedom. South Korea uses English words for new technologies like ‘TV’ and ‘computer,’ in contrast to the North that refuses.”

Rev. Dr. Sang-Bok David Kim is deeply involved in training evangelists and is retired pastor of Halleluiah Church. He founded Torch Trinity Graduate University (TTGU) in Seoul, with 41 professors and students from 30 countries — the first in Korea to instruct in English.

“TTGU exists to train Christians to proclaim Jesus’ Gospel for salvation. They’ll go into fierce spiritual battles against the powers of darkness, which enslave people under unbearable oppression. They’ll save ‘patients with gun-shot wounds from the battles of life,’” Pastor Kim said.

He was involved with ‘Global Consultation of World Evangelization 1995,’ with 4,200 delegates from 185 countries, seeking to reach 12,000 unreached people groups for Christ. Today’s statistics show South Korea sends out the most foreign missionaries — and Pastor Kim is Grace Shim’s father.

Dozens of men, women and children waited outside a remote Karen village church, where months before a flash flood destroyed their only crop. When GIS first graders heard about this need, they partnered with mountainside Christians to help. They sacrificially gave small change, so dozens of impoverished, unbelieving families could experience God’s love with 1200 pounds of rice!

“I saved my money to buy Bake Sale cookies. But I’d rather buy rice instead,” one little girl said.

A few days earlier the pastor visited first grade teacher Angela Futch’s class. He was deeply touched, listening to them explain how they raised the money. Some washed cars; others donated their own birthday gifts of cash. One group sold Fruit Loop® necklaces and Kool-Aid®.

“They raised 10,200 baht, which bought 12 huge rice bags, nearly 100 lbs. each! Praise God!” Futch said.

These pint-sized students exceeded their original goal by 700 percent, after they heard Superintendent Don Williams’ challenge to “Find ways to exercise your faith.” Their efforts yielded valuable lessons for the first graders and blessings for a hill tribe village.

The pastor showed people a photo of the children who sacrificed for people they never met. Then Futch and her family helped distribute rice, edible expressions of love.

Our soccer guys roared through the recent four-day tournament in Taiwan. They ripped apart four games and tied two, outscoring opponents 18-1 in six tussles with Malaysian, Hong Kong, Philippine and Taiwan schools. Pouncing on Faith Academy in the final, GIS Thailand won 5-0, led by coaches Scott Hackett and Chris Cole.

“They’ve been blessed by God with opportunities and talent,” Cole said. “This group really loves each other and loves playing the game! We dealt with lots of injuries and rain early in the season. But it turned them into a team that worked hard — with humility. And they’re learning to honor and glorify God, specifically in soccer.

“The tournament was exciting and satisfying. I’m pleased how the team improved after early season struggles. As coaches, we knew they were talented, but they grew by working through difficult things and lots of adversity. It’s the first tournament win for GIS outside of Thailand. We are all grateful to God for the opportunity and for His strength to win!”

“Our 7th and 8th graders collected sixteen boxes of clothing, rice, cooking oil and noodle packs for Blessing Ayutthaya Church to distribute,” teacher Freddie Wagner said. “That church flooded a month, near ancient historical sites we visit yearly. Girls in 7th grade Bible study scrubbed cars at coordinator Esther Rudresh’s house. They were humbled at the large cash donations to buy 13 huge 10 kilo rice bags, which Spiritual Director Mike Wood shipped to Bangkok on a bus.”

“I’m thankful GIS helped; it’s always hard knowing exactly how to help. Packing relief bags showed our love and concern for flooded families,” ESD teacher Lindsay Hardin said.

“It was fun to help; I’m glad we did,” junior Evan Miyakawa said.

Our Ayutthaya contact was Khun Aphinya, past assistant to founder Gene Foltz, a key in getting approval to open GIS in 1999. Now in England, she prays for family here and ways to impact Thailand.

“Staff, parents and students gave 50,000 baht ($1,500) to fill 200 relief totes. The Gathering church filled another 100. Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship also donated 50,000 baht; their 75 teens packed 200 more water, toiletry and food bags then prayed for hungry families. OMF Bangkok received the 3,000 pounds of supplies, for local churches to distribute in neighborhoods,” Wood said.

“I’m so thankful GIS is very aware of local needs! Our teens worked hard and were excited to focus on the mission,” teacher Brett Hardin said.

“I like helping other people!” middle-schooler Ethan Wood agreed.

GIS students often serve. Teens sorted and packed supplies, understanding Christianity is more than a heart issue — it’s becoming Christ’s hands and feet! They showed their faith-walk by assisting.

“I only helped move bags, but I was struck that many groups put food together quickly. The cooperation was contagious!” librarian Judy Long said.

“Christ’s body in action is amazing! The media called flooding a “fresh water” tsunami, with 600 lives lost and damage in billions of dollars. Some areas remain submerged a meter. But hundreds of Chiang Mai believers sent supplies, delivered with Thai Gideons’ gifts,” relief helper Dwight Martin said. “Next week Thai churches will organize a national clean-up effort, seeking finances and muscles. To God be the Glory!”

Father’s Day is always Dec. 5, King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday. Since age 19 he’s been Rama IX, crowned as constitutional head of Thailand in 1946. After 64 years, he’s the longest serving monarch in history!

Daily after school celebrations at GIS included music by Thai students, choir, ROTC, Thai staff, jazz band. The week’s highlight was an all-grade assembly outdoors with music and prayer.

Then “almost” together, the crowd released 600 canary helium birthday balloons into the turquoise sky — OK’d by nearby airport authorities.

In Bangkok the first woman Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and His Majesty the King gave speeches before he pardoned 26,000 prisoners.

Across the country, loyal subjects expressed heart-felt affection by decorating public buildings and homes in Thai flags, multi-colored lights and flowers—mostly sunshine yellow.

Grace staff and students are in unity with almost seventy million Thai people: We Love Our King!