FAITH
Friday, July 20, 2018
East Oregonian
Page 7A
After rescue, soccer boys pray for protection at Thai temple
By TASSANEE
VEJPONGSA AND
KAWEEWIT KAEWJINDA
Associated Press
CHIANG RAI, Thai-
land (AP) — The youth soc-
cer teammates rescued from
a flooded cave began their
first day back home with
their families Thursday by
going to a Buddhist temple
to pray for protection from
misfortunes.
Eleven of the boys
and the Wild Boars coach
kneeled and pressed their
hands in prayer to the tune
of chanting monks at the
ceremony meant to extend
one’s life and protect it from
dangers. They were joined
by relatives and friends at
the Wat Pra That Doi Wao
temple, overlooking Myan-
mar on Thailand’s northern
border.
Only one member was
absent, Adul Sargon, who is
not Buddhist.
The team has already
said they would ordain as
Buddhist novices to honor
a former Thai navy SEAL
diver who died in the cave
while making preparations
for their rescue.
On Wednesday evening,
the boys and coach were
released from hospital and
spoke to the media for the
first time since their ordeal,
describing their surprise at
seeing two British divers
rising from muddy waters
in the recesses of the cave.
It would be another week
before they were pulled out
of the Tham Luang cave.
“We weren’t sure if it was
for real,” 14-year-old Adul
said. “So we stopped and
listened. And it turned out to
be true. I was shocked.”
In one poignant and emo-
tional moment at the news
conference, a portrait was
displayed of Saman Gunan,
the Thai diver who died.
One of the boys, 11-year-old
Chanin “Titan” Vibulrun-
gruang, the youngest of the
group, covered his eyes as if
wiping away a tear.
“I feel sad. And another
thing is I’m really impressed
with Sgt. Sam for sacrific-
ing his life to let all 13 Wild
Boars to be able to live our
lives outside happily and
normally,” said Coach Eka-
pol “Ake” Chanthawong.
“When we found out, every-
one was sad. Extremely
sad, like we were the cause
of this, for making the ser-
geant’s family sad and hav-
ing to face problems.”
The Wild Boars had
entered the cave on June 23
for what was to be a relax-
ing excursion after soccer
practice. But rain began, and
water soon filled the cavern,
cutting off their escape, and
they huddled on a patch of
dry ground deep inside the
cave.
Ekapol said the trip was
meant to last one hour, sim-
ply because “each of us
wanted to see what was
inside.”
When the hour was up,
they were pretty deep inside
and already had swum
AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
Coach Ekkapol Janthawong, center, and members of the rescued soccer team at-
tend a Buddhist ceremony that is believed to extend the lives of its attendees as
well as ridding them of dangers and misfortunes in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai
province, northern Thailand, Thursday.
through some flooded areas
in the spirit of adventure.
But in turning back, he dis-
covered the way was not at
all clear, and he swam ahead
to scout the route, attach-
ing a rope to himself so the
boys could pull him back if
necessary.
He said he had to be
pulled out.
Ekapol said he told the
boys: “We cannot go out
this way. We have to find
another way.”
The boys told reporters of
their reactions at that point.
“I felt scared. I was
afraid I wouldn’t get to go
home and my mom would
scold me,” said Mongkol
Boonpiam, 13, prompting
laughter.
Ekarat
Wongsukchan,
14, said they decided “to
calm ourselves first, to try
to fix the problem and find
a way out. Be calm and not
shocked.”
The group had taken no
food with them and sur-
vived by drinking water that
dripped from the cave walls,
Ekapol said, adding that all
the boys knew how to swim,
which had been a concern
for rescuers.
Titan said he tried hard
not to think about food.
“When I’m starving, I don’t
think of food otherwise it’d
make me more hungry.”
Adul said they were dig-
ging around the spot when
they heard the voices and
Ekapol called for silence.
He recounted how Eka-
pol told them to “‘quickly
get down there, that’s the
sound of a person, or else
they’re going to pass on by,’
something like that.”
But he said his teammate
holding the flashlight was
scared, so Adul told him “If
you’re not going to go, then
I’ll go.”
“So I quickly took the
flashlight, and quickly went
down, and I greeted them,
‘hello,’” Adul added.
Psychologists had vetted
the journalists’ questions in
advance to avoid bringing
up any aspects of the rescue
that might disturb them. The
dangers of the complicated
operation, in which the boys
were extracted in three sep-
arate missions with div-
ing equipment and pulleys
through the tight passage-
ways, were not discussed.
Doctors said the 13
were physically and men-
tally healthy. Although they
lost an average of 9 pounds
during the more than two
weeks they were trapped in
the cave, they have since
gained about 6 1/2 pounds
on average since their res-
cue. They were treated for
minor infections.
Asked what he had
learned from their experi-
ence, 13-year-old Mongkol
Boonpiam said he felt stron-
ger. “I have more patience,
endurance, tolerance,” he
said.
Adul said it had taught
him “not to live life
carelessly.”
While many of the boys
wanted to be pro soccer
players when they grow up,
at least four of them said
they hope to become navy
SEALs, so they could help
others.
All expressed their apol-
ogies to their families.
“I wanted to apologize
to my parents. I know that
I will get yelled at by mom
when I get home,” said
Pornchai Kamluang, 16.
BRIEFLY
Mighty Fortress
builds kids’ fun
Paving the way
for Jesus
IRRIGON — A vic-
tory celebration is featured
during the Mighty Fortress
vacation Bible school in
Irrigon.
Open to ages 5-13, chil-
dren will learn that in Jesus,
the victory is won. Partici-
pants will learn what God’s
word has to say as well
as singing songs, creating
crafts, playing games and
enjoying snacks.
The event kicks off Mon-
day July 23 from 1-4 p.m.
at the Irrigon Seventh-day
Adventist Church, 205 Tum-
bleweed Blvd. It runs daily
through Friday, July 27.
There is no registration fee.
For more information or
to register your child, con-
tact 541-922-3895, irri-
gon7thdayadventist@
yahoo.com or visit www.
myvbs.org/irrigonSDA.
HERMISTON — Fac-
ing much-needed capital
improvements at Hermis-
ton Church of the Nazarene,
a member is taking to the
streets to raise money.
As part of a GoFundMe
campaign to raise $3,000
needed to complete pay-
ment for the church’s park-
ing lot resurfacing project,
Patrick Temple will depart
by unicycle from the Eastern
Regional Airport in Pend-
leton on Thursday, July 26.
He will ride the roughly 30
miles to the church, located
at 1520 W. Orchard Ave.,
Hermiston.
The first leg of the jour-
ney will take Temple via the
Barnhart-Airport extension
road before taking Interstate
84 with a flashing chase
vehicle close behind for
rider safety. The idea grew
SUNDAYS
Morning Celebration - 10am
Morning Kids Place - 10am
Evening - 6pm
Adult - Study
Youth - Small Group
Kids - Rangers & Girl’s Ministries
Contributed photo
Patrick Temple, a member
of the Hermiston Church
of the Nazarene, is pro-
moting a GoFundMe
campaign to raise money
to complete payment for
a parking lot resurfacing
project at the church.
after months of generous
donations by members and
friends of the church. With a
balance remaining, Temple
decided to use a bit of imag-
ination to help raise the rest
needed for the project.
Temple will be doing
Facebook Live broadcasts
en route every half hour —
look for them via #NazUni.
To donate through the fund-
raiser, visit www.gofundme.
com/unicycling-for-herm-
naz-parking-lot.
For more about the
church, contact 541-567-
3677, hermistonnaz@gmail.
com, search Facebook or
visit www.hermistonnaza-
rene.org.
Heppner church
discovers Jesus
HEPPNER — The Hep-
pner Christian Church is
gearing up for “Discovering
Jesus from Eternity Past to
Eternity Future.”
The vacation Bible school
kicks off Monday, July 23
from 6-8 p.m. and runs daily
WORSHIP
COMMUNITY
THURSDAYS
Celebrate Recovery - 6pm
Celebration Place - Kids - 6pm
The Landing - Teens - 6pm
WEEKLY
AN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH
1911 SE Court Ave.
541.276.6417 • pendletonfi rst.com
LCMC
Sunday worship at
10:00 AM
Pastor Michael Smith
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
541-481-6132
Grace Baptist Church
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all
services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM
6:00 pm
Wed Prayer & Worship -
7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word,
growing in God’s grace”
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
401 Northgate, Pendleton
Celebration of
of Worship
Celebration
Worship
Sundays 10:00 am
Youth: 0-6th grade
Midweek Service
Midweek Service
Wednesdays 6:00 pm
Youth: 0-6th grade
Overcomer’s
Outreach
Jr./Sr. High
’
Pastor Sharon Miller
541-278-8082
www.livingwordcc.com
Pastor Sharon Miller
no participation fee.
Those planning to attend
are asked to register by Fri-
day, July 27. To register,
visit
www.pendfmc.org/
vbs-registration. For ques-
tions, call 541-276-6015 or
541-969-3635.
Destiny
Theatres
Fri - Wed, July 20 - July 25, 2018
Subject to change. Check times daily.
Hermiston Stadium 8
It’s Game On!
at the Free
Methodist Church
PENDLETON — With a
focus on gearing up for life’s
big game, all kids enter-
ing first through fifth grades
are invited to vacation Bible
school at the Pendleton Free
Methodist Church.
Game On! is Monday,
July 30 through Thursday,
Aug. 2 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
at the church, 1711 S.W.
44th St., Pendleton. There is
Hwy 395 & Theatre Ln - 567-1556
MoviesInHermiston.com
M AMMA M IA ! H ERE W E G O A GAIN (PG-13)
T HE E QUALIZER 2
U NCLE D REW
(R-17)
(PG-13)
H OTEL T RANSYLVANIA 3
(PG)
S KYSCRAPER (PG-13)
A NT -M AN & W ASP
I NCREDIBLES 2
(PG-13)
(PG)
$5. 50 Bargain Tuesdays**
**ALL DAY TUESDAY, MOST MOVIES.
W ED &T HUR : C APTAIN U NDERPANTS (PG)
Doors Open: 9:30 AM Movie Starts: 10:00 AM
Check ONLINE for more information!
Seventh-Day Adventist
Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
To share your worship times
call 541-278-2678
Groups For All Ages
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
through Friday, July 27. The
church is located at 293 N.
Gale St., Heppner. The pro-
gram is geared for kids that
are 3 years old through sixth
grade.
The fun crescendos with
a barbecue dinner on the
last day. For more informa-
tion, call 541-980-9391 or
541-561-8881.
Join Us
Join
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School
Check Out our Facebook Page or
Website for More Information
Community
Presbyterian Church
210 NW 9th, Pendleton
541-289-4535
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
(First United Methodist Church)
191 E. Gladys Ave. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
All Are Welcome
Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm
Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm
Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm
We off er: Sunday School • Sign Language
Interpreters • Nursery • Transportation • & more!
Pastor Dan Satterwhite
541.377.4252
417 NW 21st St. • Pendleton, OR 97801
www.facebook.com/
PendletonLighthouseChurch
Service of Worship - 10:00 am
Children’s Sunday School -
10:20 am
Fellowship - 11:00 am
www.pendletonpresbyterian.com
Open Hearted...
Open Minded
Worship: 9:40am
Fellowship to follow
Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-Thr, 8:30-12:30
www.fccpendleton.org
Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616
Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
PENDLETON BAPTIST
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM
Bible Study......10:00 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
Worshiping God
Behind These Stone Walls Beat the Hearts
of Some of the Warmest Most Sincere,
Most Caring People in Pendleton.
We Invite You to Come Get Acquainted!
Pendleton
352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR
Worship Livestream at
www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
Faith Center Church
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
-Presbyterian Church (USA)-
201 SW Dorion Ave.
Pendleton
ELCA
Join us Sundays
9:30 am Sunday Worship
9:30 am Sunday Worship
10:30 am Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class
~Come and be at Peace ~
PENDLETON
LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
P eace L utheran C hurch
First United
Methodist
Church
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Special Guest Speaker
Pastor Jeff Geesey
Worship Service: 10:30am
Sunday School: 9:30am
pendletonfaithcenter.org
Come meet Jesus at
3202 SW Nye Ave Pendleton, OR
541-276-7590
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM
Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM
Mon. Community Women’s Study
9:30 AM & 6 PM
Awana Kids Club (K-6th grade)
Wed Men’s Study 6 PM
MOPS meeting the 1st Thur of the Month 6 PM
The Salvation Army
Center for Worship & Service
Sunday Worship Service
9:30 - Sunday School
10:30 - Worship Service
Wednesday Bible Study
5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study
COME AS YOU ARE
150 SE Emigrant
(541) 276-3369