Kern County Fair

So Tracy and I have been looking forward to many events here in California, one of which is the Kern County Fair here in Bakersfield CA.  I certainly has been surreal having the opportunity to be back in my hometown with my bride and boys.  Nonetheless, we desire to make the most of this time here in the states.

Sharing

Tracy and I have had many opportunities to share at different places and Churches.  Such a gift it is to teach from God's Word and share about what Jesus has been up to in South East Asia.  May the LORD use us to challenge the Church.

Reconnecting

It has been fantastic seeing old friends since we have come back stateside.  What a blessing it is to be reconnected to old friends.  What a blessing from Jesus.

MINA Retreat

Coming back to British Columbia has been wonderful!!!  It was such an incredible time to be at the MB MINA-Ministry in North America, used to be called furlough, retreat with other MB Missionaries throughout the week.  What a gift to connect with friends we haven't seen for about 3 1/2 years, since our training, to reconnect with them and with new friends as well.  The sessions and prayer times had been amazing!!! I'm so honored and grateful to be part of such a wonderful organization and family!

Cecil

Ramos coming to a city near you...

Friday Night English Class

Certainly going to miss our Friday night English class.  We had over 30 adults and around 10 kids...so in total we had about 40 people at our house!!!  This Friday night ministry is really taking off with some good traction!  It's a shame we need to leave at this point...but there's never a good or perfect time to return stateside.  Make no mistake...we certainly are looking forward to coming to the states.  You know the best part about last Friday was P'Nook's--who recently decided to give her life to Jesus--son decided to give his life to Christ as well.  His picture is at the bottom.

Continue to pray for Friday Night English class...it is baring amazing fruit.

Walking with the fellas

So there are many different things that I am looking forward to when I come back to Thailand next year, this group is one of them.  I am planning on being part of a discipleship group with these guys, and others who weren't able to be here,  I am not going to be the only leader/mentor of this group, I am planning on having a small team of leaders to help me encourage these guys with their walk with Jesus.  I personally know times in these past 14 years of following Jesus where I have had guys pour into me, and other times I felt alone, facing lives struggles and temptations by myself.  I want these guys to know that I love and care about them with all my soul, I have a strong burden for young men to walk faithfully with Jesus so that they become strong Fathers and Husbands some day.  Tonight was a fun night of sharing testimonies, good food, wrestling, watching Germany vs. Italy, and prayer.  Keep lifting these guys up in prayer.

Jesus Heals!

So if you haven't heard Ahm's story be prepared to be inspired.  Ahm was living in Bangkok with her 8 year old son Ott.  She found herself desperate without a place to go.  She looked on the Internet and found the Abundant Life Home, a property that Karen Sanchez started about 10 years ago that house several different houses with children with HIV and with House mom's in each house.  Even though Ahm nor her son met the qualifications they invited her to come and live at ALH.  She was exposed to a community of people who loved and worshipped Jesus.  It didn't take long till she decided to follow the LORD as well.  As months passed she became increasingly sick, and the scary thing was she was pregnant as well.  She delivered her baby girl but after a week of health complications her baby girl didn't survive the week.  At this point she was grieving the death of her baby girl and was faced with the reality that she had cancerous tumors on her liver.  She decided to have a very dangerous surgery, as it was the only option of survival.  As the surgery approached she was encouraged to write up a will and decided what would happen to her son Ott as the chances of surviving the surgery was very little.  She was in the hospital for several days doing tests and prepping her for surgery.  Her son was very scared as he told me he couldn't keep food down and he just wanted his mom back home.  Weeks leading up to the admission to the hospital people all over the world were praying for her, the day before she went into the hospital Tracy and I drove into town to talk and pray over her as well...then we waited.  After several days of being in the hospital she received word from the Doctors and staff that the cancerous tumors were totally gone!!!  She didn't need the surgery.  Thank you Jesus for your healing power!!!  Please continue to pray for her as she grows in JESUS.

Cecil  

                       

The joys of packing?

When I opened my pajama drawer tonight, I thought about how many sets I'll pack for our 5 months back in the States.  And I thought... you know.... I'm gonna pack light.  Just one set.  Maybe two.

And I thought about everything that is overflowing out of my drawer.  And how I can live on just one or two sets of pjs.  So why do I have so many others?
I've been giving away so much.  Folding it all nice and giving it to our friends who will give it to others or sell it for some change.
There are SO many parts to prepare for to go to the states for those 5 months.  Right now we have about 60 items on our To-Do list.  Besides our everyday normal routine-meeting with our Thai tutors, homeschooling our two boys, eating, getting out, cultivating friendships, meetings, worship, etc.
Life now definitely feels like we're rolling down the snowy hill, unto the anticipated pure joy of seeing you all again.

Crazy how transition sometimes means saying goodbye, even when the thing you're saying goodbye to is good.

In 3 short weeks, you'll see us.  But you won't know how much time it took to pack our bags.  Or how I went to the market to get a few suitcases of Thai souvenirs, that was an all-day trip.  Or that I locked  away my grandmother's canvases and quilts, so that nothing happens to them.  Or that we had to figure out a way for a Thai-speaking doctor to fill out an English medical form for public school in California.  Or that we entrust all our belongings to our teammates as they continue to use our home for a weekly outreach.  Or that your sons and daughters may be the first American-English-Speaking friends Solas and Judah have HAD.   Or that we imagine our first interaction with you,  Cecil, I'm sure, imagines himself running up to you and tackling you all to the ground while screaming his Mexican grito.  Or that I imagine my kids being really energized to see you and know that you're probably not going to pinch Judah's face, and they boys are going to be amazed you probably don't want to take a selfie with them.
You'll see us on stage, but you won't know that we went to training especially for sharing our stories with you, or that maybe... I've spent so much time in survival mode here, these last 3 years, that I'm not even sure what to share.
Its amazing what it feels like to be the missionary on the stage, rather than the congregant.  This is a first for us, in that respect.
I know you all may think we have some of life's answers now.  But it feels like I only have what God has taught me.  And I may need you to listen for awhile, even if I'm silent, before I've reflected enough to share.
~Trace

The fruit of LBC Carnival Outreach

So two Saturday's ago we had the team from Laurelglen Bible Church here and they help us put on a town-wide carnival...and it was a blast!  We had close to 350-400 people there!!!  We had a blast.  The goal was to bless and build relationships with people in the community with a bounce house, food and raffle prizes all for free!!!

I, Cecil, invited a woman--her name is Not, pronounces Note--from the local grocery store, and she showed up with her son and his girlfriend.  They ended up getting a prize and with it a bag with pens, candies, toothbrush and a Bible.  She took it home and began to read it.  She then prayed and said, "God, I don't understand your book.  If you are really there then please send someone to me to explain your Word and your message."

The following week, which was tonight, she came to our Friday night English class.  After a fun night of games, activities and English learning she sat down with our Thai National Church Planter Knot.  Everyone was hanging out after class playing games, singing Thai and worship songs, playing music, but Knot took this opportunity--as he normally does--to share how Jesus had changed his life and the Good News of Jesus Christ.  She then told him about her prayer, and how in that very moment God was answering it, and she knew He was real and she wanted to trust Him!  He asked if she would like to make the decision to follow Jesus that night...she said yes.  

Knot then told me she wanted to receive Christ and if I would be willing to pray with them.  We walked over to the living room, sat on the floor and she told me about her prayer.  As she was praying to receive Jesus her 24 year old son came and knelt behind her watching his mom give her life to Jesus.  After that several other Christians from the community who come to serve every week gathered around her, prayed over her, and showed her how to get the Bible app on her phone and encouraged her in the LORD...what an amazing moment.  As I looked into her eyes as she was telling me about how God answered her prayer tears of joy filled her eyes, and I heard a quiet voice whisper to my heart, "this is why you came."

P.S. She is below wearing a purple shirt, and in the last two pictures she is wearing a white shirt.

Thank you TREK Team!

So thankful for the TREK team that was just here.  They served us and the Thai people for the past 7 months.  My family and I have been blessed by you all and we will love and remember you always.  Thank you for all of your hard work, service, and love for the people of Thailand.

Blessings,

The Rami

Preaching for first Time

This was 50% preaching in Thai.  Feel so blessed to be able to share my heart in Thai, even if it was only 50%.


https://youtu.be/s-G2CE8cosY
Check out the video. Click here

Solas and Daddy at Fair

Making memories with my Sola Bear.

Ramos Boys doing homeschool

Cinco De Mayo Bash

Cinco De Mayo Bash

So we had Cinco De Mayo/Birthday party bash for me--Cecil, because I was born on Cinco De Mayo. And I must say it was a blast.  Had so much fun.  We had amazing Mexican food, we had a taco bar, and a nacho bar.  Such a wonderful time of some people from the neighborhood, from English class, and many of the Christians from our town, the province and from the next province over.  We finished the night with giving away prizes, dancing, then all singing worship songs together.  What a blast.

                            

                           

                           

          

      

    

Arm-Wrestling for Jesus

Arm-wrestling the guys of Thailand...pray that the LORD continues to give me strength...to well...share the smack down for Jesus Christ...for His Glory of course...of course.

Cecil

ALH Boys

These are boys that I have been getting to know even better.  Many of them have spent the last 10 years in the Abundant Life Home, this is a home that ministers and takes care of boys and girls without parents to care for them.  Recently my family and I have decided to travel to ALH to spend time with the kids and house moms and staff there.  It has been a huge blessing and we are blessed to be able to spend time with them.  Please continue to pray for these kids and the young men in this video.

Family Camp

So every year all the MB Thai family from Central Thailand come together, and they have time in fellowship, eating, activities, sermons, workshops and much more.  It was a blessing to be able to fellowship with old friends and new ones.  So thankful for the sweet times of worship, prayer, and conversations.  May Jesus bless the Thai families who desire to seek and serve him.

Cecil

Pastor Chalum, haven't seen him in a long time, was great to reconnect.

Isaiah is a boy who lives at the Abundant Life Home with other boys and girls who don't have parents who are able/willing to take care of them.  Isaiah is 9 years old, he loves to run and play with my son Solas.   We try to make it out to ALH at least once a week.

What a privilege it is to pray for the Thai believers.

Solas with uncle Odai.  Odai is on the TREK program as a missionary here for 7 months, who only actually has a few more weeks.  We have been so blessed to have them serve the Thai people in general and our family in particular.  We will miss them terribly.

Group picture.

Tim Keller--Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering

                                        

                                     

"You don't really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have" this is the quote from Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering.  Truth is Mr. Keller couldn't be more true.  It's in our desperate time of need that we find our true need for Jesus.  I've been talking to some friends and family of mine and I am reminded of how true this quote truly is.  Mr. Keller also mentioned that "Jesus Christ plunged himself into our furnace so that when we find ourselves in the fire, we can turn to him and know we will not be consumed."

I just recently finished reading his book if you haven't figured that out yet.  This book was a wonderful reminder of what is actually important and worthwhile, which is always a good reminder.  May I always remember in my darkest hour that Jesus is with me.

"Suffering is unbearable if you aren't certain that God is for you and with you." Timothy Keller Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering.

Cecil

Salvation in Phan Thong

So Knot--who is the Thai guy standing behind me--said that while we were worshipping an hour before the English class started he heard the LORD tell him today this day someone is going to accept Jesus. So after class Knot sat down and spoke with Or and Ganya about Jesus and how He changed his life. Then he asked if the girls wanted to follow Jesus.  The ladies said perhaps next week, and Knot answered, "But the LORD told me today was the day" to which the ladies said, ok we're ready then, let's do it.  Next thing you know we were gathered around them praying over them, what a gift.  This is the reason we came, that people might love and follow Jesus.

Cecil

Relating

As I watched a short video clip of Solas' visit to his old Thai school yesterday, I felt two things.  I watched him "interact" with his old classmates.  Still unable to communicate well with them.

Standing by himself a couple of feet away, while they all looked on and giggled.
 He had brought a little beanie baby eagle and was nervously using it to put on a show for them.

Its like... he couldn't say anything, and he didn't know how to be friends, so he was just making this little doll bounce and fly and pretending that he was a magician of sorts, while hey all laughed and whispered and pointed.
I felt remorse that this little show was the only way he could relate and connect with them.  And I felt relieved that he doesn't still have to perform everyday like that with them.

Cecil and I were talking about it later.  Laughing about how silly it was.  And then Cecil made an insightful point.  "That'll be us, you know.  When we return to Bakersfield."  He said, as he started pretending he was playing with the doll.
 Childish disappearing acts.  Tossing it through the air, saying, "look guys, its flying".

Finally being with you all, after all that has passed, and yet, not knowing what to say.
 Standing there, a few feet away from you.  While you talk amongst yourselves about what you'll have for lunch, or what movie you'll see later with your friends.

Today, like many times before, I read the posts about what dress you're wearing to the dance, and where you ate dinner, and what campout you're going on, or what vacation you did last week, or even what the speaker was talking about in your women's group, or your various activities...

And I visualized myself standing in front of you with my little eagle doll.  Not throwing it around.  Not making it bounce.  Just standing there.  And wondering how it will be.  And what we'll have to talk about.  And how I'll be able to transition from this to that.
~Tracy

English Class Easter week

So this past week we had an amazing English class.  We sang some worship songs with the group, we had Ajarn Naat share the meaning of Easter and the Good News of Jesus Christ, and then we made sugar cookies and decorated them.  Our boys had a blast as well.  The best part was having Ajarn Naat share the resurrection of Jesus then she had the Christians in the room stand up and pray for everyone.  At the end of the night one of the students went up to Ajarn Naat and asked how he could pray to the LORD..

Jesus is moving in our community and we are thankful to be part of His work.

Easter Sunday

Had an amazing time worshipping Jesus with different congregations coming together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  As I was singing praise and worship songs and looking around it hit me...this isn't a short term trip, I'm here for awhile.  I felt so thankful to be here and to be able to live in a country and town that has such a small presence of Jesus and to be able to sing praises to my King.

Cecil