Senior Trip 2019

The ICS Class of 2019 this year decided to go to a beautiful resort on the mainland called Chaolao Tosang Beach. Once again, the seniors worked hard throughout the year to pay for this 4 day excursion to relax and connect with each other in a location outside of Bangkok. Fortunately, Thailand has a plethora of beach resorts to choose from up and down its 3,219 km coastline on the Gulf of Thailand and Indian Ocean.

It really was a wonderful place to house our graduating class of 95 students and chaperones. Situated right on the beach, everyone had picturesque views and easy access to the water. It was also nice to know the local 7-11 was only a 10 minute walk if there was a hankerin' to snack.

The annual Senior Trip is a "reward", for lack of better word, to the graduating seniors completing 12-14 years of elementary to secondary education before they are whisked off to various colleges around the globe. It is a privilege to be a chaperone on these trips every year, especially having spent the past 4 years helping them get through high school and as most prepare for college. Not only do the chaperones get a break from the daily routine in Bangkok but are able to spend some quality time with the students in a most-relaxed setting!

There really isn't much of a schedule for our time together except for meals and seminar-workshop-sharing time in the evenings. The workshops on our theme of "Leaving Well" used the RAFT analogy to help them remember what is needed during this time of transition.

I talked with the kids on the last session entitled "Thinking Ahead" to college and life beyond. It remains my hope and prayer these students will not only be better prepared to say goodbye to each other when the time comes in a few months and be ready for the challenges that await them in college, but they think even-beyond-college to how they will guard the values that are important to them in this life!

Many of the students enjoyed life on the beach while others practiced for the talent show and went snorkeling. Here are some select pictures taken throughout the week as a reminder of the great group of kids and energetic life they continue to bring to our lives.

Hard to believe, yet again, that another group of students will be leaving us but we hope and pray they will take with them good memories of what it means to live the Christian life in a world gone crazy. There is always hope, regardless of the situation, when accepting God and devoting your life to His purposes!