An International Conversation

For several years, I’ve had a front-row seat watching parallel networks developing in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and North America. Although these networks are different in many ways, they also have much in common, in that they bring together a new generation of Christian leaders who are pioneering new paths of Christian formation, identity, theology, and mission. The name “mesa” – meaning “table” in Spanish – was chosen as the name for a central hub connecting these networks. After several years of growing connection through the internet, phone calls, skype, and in-person visits, representatives from these networks are coming together later this year. Catholic and Protestant, Evangelical/Pentecostal and Mainline, descendants of the colonized and the colonizers, those coming together share a commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, centered in his good news of the reign or commonwealth of God, expressed as good news to the poor and vulnerable.
As an expression of that shared commitment, our time will begin with a shared experience with local farmers, working with them in the rice fields. Then we will spend a day in silence and prayer, and then we will move into conversation together.
Grace and I will be there, and there is space for a limited number of others who feel called to support and encourage this global collaborative. If you feel a pull in your heart to be part of this, you can learn more here and here.
October 24-30 in Bangkok, Thailand
Tickets A, B, C and D commences 24 October, 2013 – Limited to 40 people.
In the spirit of Mesa we will work together alongside the local people in their rice fields during the day as a basis for our prayer and conversation. Please plan to arrive to Bangkok airport no later than 12 noon on Thursday 24 October to allow time to clear customs and join our 2pm bus to Lopburi. Here we will be hosted by the local community for two nights. If you arrive the night before we will suggest local hotels where you can make your own arrangements to stay. Bangkok airport is easily located with train access to the city.
We will then travel to Pattaya for a day of prayer followed by conversation and friendship. The agenda will be shaped by participants and the survey undertaken by those who have expressed interest in these gatherings.
We will conclude at dinner on the 30th of November. Breakfast will be provided on the 31st for those who require it. The conference bus will depart Pattaya for the airport 8:30am on Thursday 31 November and you will be able to catch planes from Bangkok airport departing from 12 noon onwards.
We will be staying in Pattaya in twin share rooms. There are a limited number of single rooms available for an additional cost.
Tickets E, F and G
Commences 26 October, 2013
Join the group following our time in Lopburi for a day of prayer followed by conversation and friendship. Please plan to arrive to Bangkok airport no later than 8:30 am on 26 October to allow time to clear customs and join our10:30am bus to Pattaya. If you arrive the night before we will suggest local hotels where you can make your own arrangements to stay. Bangkok airport is easily located with train access to the city.
The agenda will be shaped by participants and the survey undertaken by those who have expressed interest in these gatherings.
We will conclude at dinner on the 30th of November. Breakfast will be provided on the 31st for those who require it. The conference bus will depart Pattaya for the airport 8:30am on Thursday 31 November and you will be able to catch planes from Bangkok airport departing from 12 noon onwards. Anyone wishing to depart earlier will need to make their own arrangements.
We will be staying in Pattaya in twin share rooms.
The cost includes all meals, transfers and accomodation.
Prices are in $US
There is no easy way to price an event such as this. We have no external funding sources for this event. We are seeking to subsidise those from the majority world. At the same time we realise that many people who may wish to attend, choose to live simply or are from the minority world but live the majority world and some countries have ‘dual’ economies with some living in majority world circumstances and some minority. We basically trust you! Please contact us if you have any questions.You can find the link to the World Factbook which list per person purchasing power at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html
If you are able to make a donation to assist others to participate you can do so at https://www.egivingsystems.org/19113 and choosing Mesa Network as the purpose of the gift.
For more information please see our website http://www.mesa-friends.org/
Optional Add-on – Limited to 10 people
Join Rachel Gobel from The SOLD Project www.thesoldproject.org. and travel to northern Thailand to see their work and the work of other agencies to prevent child prostitution through culturally relevant programs for vulnerable children and to share their stories to empower creative, compassionate people to act.