Friday Pizza Night

So apparently Friday night has been a long tradition for Family Pizza Night.  The Owens carry this tradition and the Rami have decided to adopt this delicious tradition as well!

Last night was so much fun.  Many Friday nights the Owens have had us over but last night we had the privilege of hosting them!  The kids had a blast in the toy room while the adults had some great conversations.  We finished the night with watching planes on the projector.  So so grateful for great food and even better friends.

Mini Mart Peeps

The boys have big a huge hit with connecting to people around the city, especially the people who work at the mini mart right next to our house.  In the pictures above the ladies were so excited about seeing Judah that they took several pictures on their camera phone.  Tracy and I have tried to be concious effort to go next door to make purchases and to take the time to practice a little of our Thai.  We are so grateful that it seems like we have a small community forming with the family who owns the mini mart.  The owner and her niece--her name is Bot, pronounced Boat, who works there everyday--have been very gracious and generous with the boys.  They often give the boys treats, and other free goodies from the store.  Pray that The Lord would continue to help us create community with them.

Kids will be kids

So Andy Owen--missionary who has been in Thailand for around 13 years--teaches every Monday at the government school here.  They recently had a Christmas party and Andy did some really fun songs with the whole school, gave gifts for every student, and the kids had the opportunity to meet our two boys--who they loved!  We had a great time and were honored to be there at the school and to meet the kids.  I walked  up to many of the students who passed by and brought Judah along.  Judah said hello and gave the students a "fist pump" and they all were dazzled by the blue-eyed boy!  It brought back great memories of being in Thailand back in 2005 for the first time as a 23 year old and meeting many young Thai students and talking to them and having a good time.   Much of those same emotions came back...only this time I'm 31 with an amazing wife and two wonderful kids.  Only this time my trip here isn't for a few weeks but rather for a minimum of 10 years!  I look forward to what The Lord is going to do with these convictions he has placed upon my heart for the people of Thailand.

Cecil

Silent Night

So the Owens invited us to their Christmas outreach with the house Church that they have been fellowshipping with and it was a great event.  Tracy and I had the pleasure of meeting other Christian missionaries from around the world who find themselves in Chiang Mai.  We also had a great opportunity to meet some new Thai from the community.  We enjoyed some good food, then there was a skit, a message from Andy, and we ended the night singing "Silent Night."  It truly was a great experience.  I was reminded of the urgency to be in prayer and. The reality of the demonic in the land of Thailand.  I--Cecil--am growing to love this country and it's people more every passing day.  May The Lord help my eyes and heart remain open to learn all that I can from this culture so that Jesus can shine brightly through my family and I.

Cecil

Riding on the Road

So recently Tracy and I took our kids and our boys on the back of our bikes to the supermarket down a busy street...somewhat of the picture that is above.  It was a pretty intense ride--to say the least.  It was wonderful to see the way The Lord was protecting Tracy, the kids and I.  Tracy and I have learned to really enjoy our bikes in our neighborhood, but we have decided to take some public transportation with the kids when we go our on busy streets.  This is a beautiful city and we are excited to explore more of it!

"And I you..."

So I was just reflecting on our going away party at Lbc before we came to Thailand.  It was great to see all the people.  I appreciated so very much all the kind things people had to say about Tracy and I.  There was one conversation I had with a man I respect very much.  He said some encouraging words, and I was embracing him I told him, "I love and respect you very much."  To his response, "and I you."  Those words will stay with me forever.  Proverbs talks about how encouraging words are soothing to the soul, and healing to the bones.  I will cherish those words and others that were spoken, forever.

Cecil

Legos and Battle in the park

So a few days ago Tracy was not feeling well and she was resting in bed.  I took this opportunity to have Solas ride his bike and Judah and I followed close behind on foot.  That wasn't before we made a quick stop at the mini mart next to our home and purchased some goodies and practiced our Thai--as the owner and workers played with the boys and gave them hugs and kisses.  At the park the boys and I had such a great time.  They played with Legos, pretended they were teaching a class, whereby I was always the student, then we rushed toward trees at the park and shot all the invisible bad guys...one of my favorite parts of course.  I was so thankful to The Lord that I was able to spend such quality time with my boys and I love seeing other people adore and love on them as well.  Please continue to pray that we would be able to learn more of the culture and language and our boys would continue to bless people they meet.

Cecil

To Bike or not to Bike

So Biking has become a big part of the Ramos life as of recently.  Tracy and I purchased bikes for ourselves several years ago, but never really rode them...we eventually gave them away.  However this time is different!  We are sort of forced to ride our bikes!  We are looking for the right vehicle for our family but in the meantime we are learning the rules of the road and we are forced to have our bikes as a major means of transportation.  We ridden around our neighborhood and we have ventured out to the local  market a few times as well.  Tracy and I are so appreciating the fact that we get to enjoy The Lord's creation, we enjoy the beauty of Thailand, we have more opportunities to say hello to pedestrians and neighbors, and it's a great work out as well!  We certainly are looking forward to our new adventures on our bikes!!

Cecil

Happy Birthday

So Tracy and I had the privilege of attending Andy and Carmen's daughter's birthday party.  As we were interacting with the people at JJ's birthday party we realized most of them had daughters that attended the same school as she did.  Tracy and I met some fascinating people.  I met Bruce--a follower of Jesus from Seattle--who has been here for about 10 years.  Tracy met a woman originally from New York, but moved to Ft. Worth Texas who follows Jesus and she and her husband are here for a year teaching and trying to reach people for Jesus.  There were many other wonderful families we met that were either Buddhist or agnostic and we pray that we could reconnect with them as well.  The party was a great venue to connect with these folks.  Pray that we would learn the language well so that we could have some deep connections with Thai people here.

Cecil

Mini-Mart Peeps

So this was taken about the second day we arrived in Thailand.  We actually haven't been suffering much from jet-lag,  so the boys have been full of energy to meet this new world.  These pictures were taken the day we were signing our lease for the home above the mini-mart!  I'm sure it maybe a shock to you guys but Judah and Solas have been a huge hit with!  We have been so blessed to have the boys with us I this journey.  Please pray that our family will continue to adjust to our new life and that we would depend on Jesus to be everything we need.  We feel incredibly blessed to be part of MB Mission and to have the privilege of being part of such a beautiful culture and world here in Thailand.

Cecil

CRV going once...going twice....

So as many of you know the family and I decided to auction off our CRV last weekend, and the result was astounding!  We only had a handful of people there, and only a few bidders. One of the bidders was calling from out of town--anonymous bidder.  Good friend of mine Ray Marquez stepped up to be the auctioneer, thank you Ray.  So the bidding began, and at the end the anonymous bidder won purchasing the CRV--that's only worth $3,800, for $10,000!  The best part was that Tracy and I had been torn because we really wanted to give it to a single woman at our church but we also wanted to sell it so we could purchase a van.  Well we asked the bidder before hand if he'd pray about this situation.  After the auction was over he told me on the phone, "Cecil, I'll get the check to you...and by the way, give the car to that single gal at LBC."  Tracy and I were overwhelmed!!! Jesus has been moving in mighty ways!!  Thank you for all your prayers and support on this journey with us!!!

Cecil

"Heritage from The Lord"

Psalm 127:3 "Children are a heritage from The Lord, offspring a reward from Him."

During the way down to LAX, waiting on lay-overs, the flight to South Korea, than Bangkok, then finally Chiang Mai, Jesus was so faithful to us.  We felt pretty good.  We actually had favor by many of the airlines, no they didn't bump us up to first class 😉 maybe next time, but the boys slept most of the 13 hour flight from LAX to South Korea.  During many times of the boys sleeping I had the privilege of looking at them and being so thankful to have the honor and privilege of being a father...more over their father.  I am sitting right next to Solas right now and it's 7:30 a.m in our house in Chiang Mae.  Solas wants to tell you a few things about the flight, "I like the shooting games and I like the movie theatre on the plane, I was able to open my big chair present, because I was excited to open it to go to Thailand, and um....I love you. Oh and Judah said he wanted to go to Thailand and mom said to sleep and we will be in Thailand in nit-noy (Thai word for little bit).

Ok well it's about time to get our day started.  We are so thankful for all of your prayers.

Cecil

Commissioning service

It was a great honor to be part of LBC's service--our home church.  We truly are grateful for all that The Lord has provided through LBC.  We certainly will miss you!!

Cecil

Saturday Sports

So I was asked by a wonderful family-Brian and Teresa Olsen--if I would share at their Saturday Sports event at Beardsley Elementary this past Saturday.  It was a blast! I showed up with Solas--who is almost 4 1/2--who had a great time.  I was able to share the story of Noah's Arc and how Jesus is a better Noah, with a greater Arc of salvation.  

Late Night Talks

So I have been trying to reach out to my next door neighbour who works at Cafe Med and we've had a few conversations but nothing really deep.  A few nights ago I was out dropping off my trash and I saw him outside.  We began talking and he asked me, "So why are you going to be in Thailand for 10 years?"  This began an amazing conversation.  It was a wonderful spiritual conversation, and we had the opportunity to talk about our up-bringing and our father's not being present in our lives growing up and what kind of men and father's we desired to be.  I was able to share with him that as a man we could "white-knuckle" it only so much then we crack.  And we end up being exactly like the person we didn't want to become, and that only Jesus truly change us into the man He desires us to be.  I was able to look him in the eye and mentioned that whenever he wanted to talk to anyone I would be there for him and even though I didn't know him that well I truly cared for him.  I believe that meant a lot.  I was grateful to throw out the trash the same time he was.

Cecil

Spontaneity Pays Off

So there is a young man who lives across the way from me named Eric and right before I was headed to the Bridge on Tuesday evening to speak at one of the bible studies of M42 the Lord told me to see if Eric would want to come with me.  A few hours before that I was talking to Eric--who is 21--and he was telling me how he just feels lost, and doesn't know where to turn or what to do.  He currently doesn't have a job and he just doesn't know the next steps in life.  When I went over and asked if he wanted to jump in the car with me and go, he said, "sure why not."  Next thing you know I was in front  of the group sharing how the Lord Jesus has rescued and saved me, and how He placed Eric in my life.  I didn't ask Eric for his permission but felt inclined to share a little about his story and where he was.  It was amazing!  At the end of that night, around 3-4 guys reached out to him, he walked out of there with a job, and a few guys who would walk with him and get to know him.  He looked at me after it was all said and done and said, "Dude that was crazy!"  He laughed and said he didn't expect to meet such great people and walk out of there with a job.  The next morning he was ready at 5:45 a.m. and he jumped in my car and we went to Starbucks in the Market Place to have Bible study with his new boss and a few of the guys.  Afterward Eric jumped in their truck and went to work.  He just completed his 3rd day and he loves it.  He is surrounded by men who love Jesus and men who want to see him succeed.  So grateful to see Jesus move in my neighbourhood.

Cecil

Surprise Visit

So I was driving around early one evening and I decided to stop by an old friends house.  I was so glad I did.  He was all alone, he and his wife are currently separated so this particular evening he was all alone.  We ended up just talking in his livingroom for about three hours.  I used to work with this guy so I remember having daily conversations with him and to be perfectly honest I miss those days.  I taught for 5 years in an elementary school which most all of the teachers were women and I felt like The Lord wanted me to pour into this man.  There were certainly very difficult days were I felt that this individual was so difficult to deal with I wanted to throw in the towel, but The Lord really gave me a tender heart for this hard-hearted man and we became very good friends.  I was able to be a good listener--much of this I learned from my wife--and I had a few opportunities to offer counsel and challenge him in a few blind spots in his life--truth of the matter is we all have blind spots.  I was so grateful I had a free evening to meet up with him as I felt The Lord directed me to his house.

Cecil

Daniel from Starbucks

So several weeks ago I was at Starbucks off Gosford and Stockdale and there was an older gentlemen sitting right next to me who seemed to know everyone who walked through. He was a very outgoing guy and I thought to myself I wonder how he knows all these people.  I went on with my Bible study and felt The Lord prompt me to talk to him, I answered with "Lord, don't you see I'm studying your Word...besides he probably doesn't want to talk to me right now, and I have an appointment to get to shortly." Nonetheless, I felt The Lord urge me to be on mission, even at Starbucks.  So I leaned over and said, "Pardon me sir, can help but notice how you know everyone who comes in.  Are you a teacher or coach here in town?"

This began a wonderful discussion with Daniel.  The Lord has used my wife to teach me how to be a wonderful listener, and to ask the appropriate questions and the result is usually people being very open to share their life and in many cases pour out their heart.  I am still amazed at the depth of conversation I am able to go with people who I naturally don't have a connection with.  With Daniel it seemed to mean a lot to him that I was genuinely interested in his life story. I shared with him the future of my  family and how we would soon be in Thailand for 10 years.  At the end of the conversation he introduced me to a few friends of his who sat close to him.  We both promised that we wouldn't be strangers the next time we ran into each other in Starbucks.  I was so grateful to Jesus at the opportunity to hear someone's story and share a piece of the journey I'm on with my Lord.

Cecil

Rage that reminds...

So I witnessed a young man in my neighborhood who got in an argument with his girlfriend and I can tell was visibly very upset, hurt and full of rage.  I reached out to him to see if he could come with me, cool off and talk about it but he didn't want to have anything to do with me in those moments. He reminded me of myself about 12 years ago. Shortly after that I say him walking and I felt The Lord tell me to give him a second chance, so I called out and told him I'd still give him a ride if he was interested.  To my surprise he was.  In the car he broke down and apologized for the way he'd been acting towards me and told me he needed to go to Church because God was the only one who could help him right now.  We then had a very good discussion and I ended up praying for him and sharing how Jesus Christ is the only one who can make us into the men, fathers and husbands we were meant to be.  I had the privilege of sharing how men who have been following Jesus have been there in my life to hold me accountable and go to war with me, they have been the soldiers by my side and how every man who desires to honor The Lord must have these men.  My friend Eric told me he would be interested in meeting these men.  Pray I could connect him with my closest friends who will walk with him.

Cecil

Birthday Party

So Tracy and I decided to threw a birthday party for our old neighbors who turned 17, they are twins named Sarah and Kara and they are seniors in High School.  Tracy and I found out they didn't have a birthday party so we had one for them at our house.  We care about these girls so much and we were so blessed to make them feel special that day.  We had some great conversations.  

Cecil

Leading leaders

So I was invited to speak to a group of Bible study leaders recently.  This was very new for me because I have led Bible studies and have shared at congregations and with men's groups but never "leading leaders" per say.  I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to talk about what He has been speaking to me regarding discipleship and equipping those we are leading so they can lead others and multiply and reproduce other disciples.  So I shared this with the men, many of whom were about 15 years older than I, some were twice my age.  There were definitely times that I could tell I was "ruffling up feathers" and making many of the men feel uncomfortable as I was challenging them to a deeper level of discipleship and leading.  Nonetheless, at the end I felt like the men had some good topics to think about and I prayed that the Holy Spirit would taking the topics we discussed and do a work in their life.  I also realized that if I really walk in the ways of Jesus I would be attracting sinners to myself, and offending religious people.  When I don't get that kind of response...then I should be concerned.

Cecil

Late night Knock...

So it was earlier this week that I, Cecil, was in bed doing some admin work on the internet when I heard the doorbell at 12:30 a.m.  I thought to myself, "who in the world is ringing the freaken doorbell at this hour."  So I go downstairs and I look through the peep hole but I don't recognize who it is, so consequently I don't answer the door.  Then I hear the young lady ring the next door nieghbor's doorbell and ask them to use their phone, the neighbor says no and slams the door in her face.  I step outside with my phone and let this young lady use it.  It turns out she was supposed to hang out with some friends down the street but was disconnected from the group and she ended up walking the streets for about 45 minutes looking for her friends.  Tracy and I realized that she needed a ride home so we asked our good friend who lives right next door to come over and watch the kids while we dropped her off.  Turns out she was 16 years old and she went to BHS, she lived in an apartment with her dad and his girlfriend.  On the way home we told her we felt like the Lord had placed her in our path for a reason and we prayed for her before she got out of our car.  When we asked her why she came to our house out of all the apartments around us, she simply said because she saw some lights on.  Tracy and I knew that the Lord was the one who guided her to our house...we were so grateful that He did.

Cecil

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Tracy and I cannot thank all of you enough for praying, giving and participating in the Adonai Sends the Rami event.  This would not have been possible without you!!!  So grateful to Jesus for the auction items that have been given, the services that were provided, those who asked businesses for donation, the set up crew, those who helped during the auction, and those who came and participated in the auction.  Also we are thankful to our home church LBC for allowing us to use their facilities.  It was so good to see all of you.  Thank you, thank you thank you!!!  If you are reading this Tracy and I want you to know that we are grateful the Lord has placed you in our life!!!  Thank you for praying and for giving of yourself...we are overwhelmed by your love!

The Ramos Family

Phone Call Out of the Blue

So out of no where I decided to call friend who has been in my life for many years.  I didn't know that this individual recently has been going to worship with other Christians and has been recently seeking and exploring the whole concept of God.  I was thrilled when I heard that.  Several weeks later we were able to have a conversation and I had a chance to hear his heart with regards to his future and the family that he desired.  I had the privilege to share how I have been incredibly blessed with an amazing woman who loves the Lord and who is a wonderful mom, great wife, and my best friend.  I shared the reason for that is that our marriage and friendship is based on Jesus.  I explained how I do not see my wife the way the world tells me to see her but I try to see her the way the Lord wants me to see her, and when I do that, it quickly brings me to tears because I realize how great the love of Jesus is by giving me such a gracious woman.  I asked if he had a Bible and he mentioned that he didn't.  Soon after we had that conversation I was able to give him a Bible.  I am very excited to see what Jesus does in this man's life.  I love and care about him deeply...grateful that he's been in my life.

Cecil

So this is Sam.  I met Sam this past summer and we had a very interesting conversation.  It was during the end of July when we had the MB Mission short term mission SOAR team with us in Vancouver.  So the day before we were at a water park on Granville Island.  We passed out a ton of balloons, juice and had a huge game of soccer.  Then this day we went to one of the neighbourhood parks, and lo and behold the park was virtually empty!  We showed up with around 75 balloons and a ton of juice boxes, water bottles and face paint.  Then, here comes along Sam.  I began having a discussion with him and he wanted to know what we were doing and why were were doing it.  He ended up telling us he is a Hindu Priest, and then he started bashing Christianity...such a wonderful way to start a relationship ;-)  
In all honesty it was great to have our friends with us from our home church in Bakersfield to be part of this discussion.  After a vibrant discussion Sarah, who was one of the leaders, looked at Sam and say before you leave I would like to pray for you right now.  After she prayed Sam looked at us and said..."did you feel that, I felt something."  Such a great time to be there at that park even though only a small number of people were there I felt so honored to meet Sam. He told us exactly where he lived and a few days later I went with Zach and Dylan and we dropped off a Bible at his front door because no one was home.

Cecil

Sick Judah

So this morning out little man Judah has become more sick. At this point all of the family is ill except me.  Last night Tracy was in the boys room laying down with Solas, and Solas was crying because he felt so ill so Tracy was consoling him, and at that time Judah became quick and began vomiting in the bed next to them. I was so thankful to The Lord that Tracy was right there and awake to attend to Judah.  This morning I was looking at Judah and laying hands on him and praying over him that Jesus would draw near to him and bring healing to his body.  I love my boys with a my heart, but times like these truly remind me of their mortality. It reminds me that this is not ultimately our home, and that these bodies will not last forever. Many times when I tick my boys in at night I lay my hands on them and thank Jesus for the day He gave me with my boys, and if he gives me another day with them I will praise Him, and if he takes them home-as difficult as that may be-I will praise.

Cecil

Rhyson's devotion

When I was living in Abbotsford I met an extraordinary young man by the name of Rhyson.  I met him around the Fall of 2012 and I ran into him again at Red Robin.  I went home for Christmas then we ran into each other again.  He shared about his marital struggle and as he was vulnerable I felt the Lord compel me to connect with him on a more constant basis.  Even though I was living an hour away in Vancouver we began a relationship wherein I had the honor of driving to Abbotsford once every two weeks to meet with him at Denny's.  It was a time in Rhyson's life where he desperately needed someone to listen, pray with, and offer counsel and encouragement.  Ironically, it was a time in my life that I was yearning for a friend and in Rhyson I found a strong brother in Christ who had a resolve to fight for his marriage like I have never experienced in my life.   It was truly my honour to see him every two weeks.  I was privileged for the late nights he would call me when he was feeling that the weight of the world was on his shoulders and he needed someone to pray over the phone with and offer counsel.  When scripture talks about "loving your wife like Christ loved the church" the man who comes to mind is Rhyson.  There were a few times where I was wondering if I was on the correct path as a father and husband and I would talk to Rhyson, to which he would respond to me with words and counsel that was richly rooted in scripture.  I thank the Lord that He put him in my life.

Cecil

Christ City

So Tracy and I have been working with Brett Landry--the Church Planter, and Pastor of Christ City Church.  We have been so blessed to have Brett allow Tracy and I to discover the City and to have the freedom to interact with people and really enjoy and get to know the City.  My family and I have certainly learned from his courage and leadership ability.  Christ City will always have special place in our heart.

New West

We were able to share and preach at New West.  This congregation has been a great blessing to Tracy and I.  They have had a bilingual service, in both Thai and English.  We certainly will miss them.