"And the American Embassy is aware of their presence.." Sweet words to read when your colleagues or loved ones are traveling in a country that has undergone sudden and unexpected upheaval.
This was not the case in November, 2008 when I had a group in Thailand. Nothing violent ever happens in Thailand, right? This would be my fourth time to Thailand, fifth in the Bangkok area. I felt completely safe and pretty confident, not insanely, arrogantly confident, but safe enough that registering the twelve of us with the State Department crossed my mind and then flitted away. The team had an wonderful yet uneventful mission experience until 8 hours before we were to leave Bangkok for home. In a flash, a situation that had been rumbling while we were in a Lahu village erupted into something much worse. The Suvarnabhumi airport was shut down, reopening date to be determined.
The team was safe, comfortable, unsure of how or when we were getting home, and virtually invisible to the US Embassy. As hundreds, then thousands, then hundreds of thousands of travelers became stranded in Bangkok, it became more difficult to get out, and more likely that we would need to rely on the US Embassy to help. The problem? They did not know we were in Thailand because I had not registered the team. I was not getting updates on the situation, nor was I going to get any help from the US if there were evacuation plans. We were very blessed to have International Ministries staff who were available over Thanksgiving weekend who could register us from Valley Forge, and ultimately it was God miracles working through the missionaries and partners in Thailand that provided a pathway back to the USA. Even so, it was comforting to know that the Embassy finally knew where we were and how to get in touch with us should something happen.
Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Stay Safe. Register with the State Department. It is easy, and it's worth it! Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). When you do, add International Ministries staff to the list of people who can get information. It will help us help you!
When we are called to serve God we go in faith, but also use resources available to prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If you need any resources as you prepare or as you consider what God is calling you to do, please contact us at bimvolunteers@abc-usa.org or call us at 800-222-3872 ext 2366.
Blessings, Angela
This was not the case in November, 2008 when I had a group in Thailand. Nothing violent ever happens in Thailand, right? This would be my fourth time to Thailand, fifth in the Bangkok area. I felt completely safe and pretty confident, not insanely, arrogantly confident, but safe enough that registering the twelve of us with the State Department crossed my mind and then flitted away. The team had an wonderful yet uneventful mission experience until 8 hours before we were to leave Bangkok for home. In a flash, a situation that had been rumbling while we were in a Lahu village erupted into something much worse. The Suvarnabhumi airport was shut down, reopening date to be determined.
The team was safe, comfortable, unsure of how or when we were getting home, and virtually invisible to the US Embassy. As hundreds, then thousands, then hundreds of thousands of travelers became stranded in Bangkok, it became more difficult to get out, and more likely that we would need to rely on the US Embassy to help. The problem? They did not know we were in Thailand because I had not registered the team. I was not getting updates on the situation, nor was I going to get any help from the US if there were evacuation plans. We were very blessed to have International Ministries staff who were available over Thanksgiving weekend who could register us from Valley Forge, and ultimately it was God miracles working through the missionaries and partners in Thailand that provided a pathway back to the USA. Even so, it was comforting to know that the Embassy finally knew where we were and how to get in touch with us should something happen.
Stay Informed. Stay Connected. Stay Safe. Register with the State Department. It is easy, and it's worth it! Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). When you do, add International Ministries staff to the list of people who can get information. It will help us help you!
When we are called to serve God we go in faith, but also use resources available to prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If you need any resources as you prepare or as you consider what God is calling you to do, please contact us at bimvolunteers@abc-usa.org or call us at 800-222-3872 ext 2366.
Blessings, Angela