Winding Down

 

We visited Doi Inthanon which is the highest mountain in Thailand.  We were amused at some of the translations of signs.

 

One of the many waterfalls on the mountain

Another waterfall that we had to hike to in order to see.

 

 

It's hard to believe that we have been in Thailand for 2-1/2 years.  We arrived in April of 2011 and here it is October of 2013.  Where did the time go?!?  We have been busy during the last several months with work, teaching, ministering and just trying to catch our breath from working, teaching, ministering.

Things we will truly miss in Thailand:

• The Thai people - very friendly and willing to help in anyway possible

• Our Students - We have witnessed their growth both Spiritually as well as in the English language.

• Kids in Kids Club - This had brought much joy being able to share the Lord with these future leaders.

• Strange sights as you travel the roads here.

• Our team of folks we work with - Great group of folks willing to go the extra mile to make things happen for those on the front lines.

• Our park across the street from our house.  Many children frequent this park daily.

 

 

• Our FAVORITE Thai restaurant, THE BLUE WALL.  Of course that is not the real name but we have named it that since we can't say or read the real name.

 

 

• The colorful displays of rainware and how to improvise in bad weather.

 

 

 

 

 

• The beautiful sunsets.

Things we will NOT miss in Thailand:

• Spirit Houses are a typical sight in the country.  Some are very simple, others are very ornate

• The Chiang Mai Immigration Office where we spend several hours every 90 days in order to remain in the country.

 

 



• Burning the fields as they prepare to plant a new crop of rice.  This is very much like a forrest fire and the smoke lingers for weeks.

Worldly Lostness

Our hearts are very sad this week.  We attended a Buddhist funeral on Monday this week.  Khun Joe, a guard at our compound where we work daily, was taken ill and died last week.  He had heard the Gospel numerous times but many don't think that he made a commitment to follow Christ.  Of course only the Father knows the hearts of man.  There are many things that go through your mind and heart as you stand and watch all of the proceedings.  My main thought was for the lostness of ALL of the people in this man's village.  Please pray for the salvation of Joe's wife and child, as well as his father who lost his wife last week also.

 

This was a GREAT picture of Joe, loving father, husband, son, and guard for our office compound.

 

This is what we fear is Joe's eternal home, living in agony forever.

 

 

Please join us in the fight to bring the light to the nations and the people of Thailand.  The links below are a stark reminder of what is going on in this world today.

 

Choose the download that works best for your computer:

mobile MP4-video - 24.83MB

http://media1.mediasuite.org/files/182/18201/18201-101145.mp4

medium MP4-video - 13.93MB

http://media1.mediasuite.org/files/182/18201/18201-101147.mp4

 



Summer Mangos

 

We have the blessing to have two mango trees in the yard of our little house.  This house is now close to 4 years old.  This is the first year that there has been actual fruit on the trees.  The best part of this tree blooming is that our neighbors are very interested in stopping by and talking about the fruit.  May this yield many spiritual opportunities that may someday blossom into the fruit of faith in our Lord. 

 

Close up of the not yet ripe fruit.

 

This is another picture of the fruit, including the one in the white shirt.

It will be another couple of weeks before the fruit turns yellow and is ready to eat.  This is a real refreshing fruit to eat.  Sliced when ripe and juicy served over sticky rice with a little condensed milk, that is a GREAT way to enjoy this little fruit.

Valentine's Day Celebration

 

We celebrated Valentine's Day with the Kid's Club folks.  We had a great time making our 'crafts'.

We have some very artistic kids in the group.

They iced the cookies and decorated them for their special valentines.

Then we made 'butterflies?'  It was a GREAT time seeing the kids decorating their cookies and butterflies!

 

Some things are the same across the globe!  Watch out on your birthday, you may be surprised with a little extra decorating to your office area.  This is one of the Team Leaders' Office on his birthday.

 

 

Ever wondered what happens to all of those shipping containers?  Welcome to the newest hotel in town.  It is almost ready to open for business.

R & R After Frantic Year End



GREETINGS FROM WARM, SUNNY THAILAND

 



We had the opportunity to take a little R & R this month following the end of another hectic year-end processing.  We brought our kids and grandkids to Thailand for a little warmer weather and some beach time.  The weather was very cooperative, highs in the mid 90's and lows in the mid 70's.  Our kids are in a climate much like that of New York City, windy and COLD with snow.  It was a very welcome relief for them to come to the tropics of SE Asia to be able to thaw out a little bit.

 

Darcy (5 Months old) and Daddy

 

Donna and I with the beach to ourselves

 

Jan 2013 Family Photo

 

One of the pleasures of being on the west coast!

 

Covered in sand once again.

 

Too much sight seeing for the little one.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Thailand

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

 

What a wonderful time of year!  We have had opportunities to share the love of Everlasting Father with these Buddhist children and their parents through Kids Club.  Amazing that these children are being exposed to the Gospel and are learning stories and songs that glorify the reason for the season!

 

The kids performed a skit, 'The Birth of Jesus'

 

 

Our Cast

 

Final run through, 15 minutes before performance time!

 

The 'Dressing Room'

 

Ready to perform their skit of the birth of Jesus

 

Our older "kids", the Karen students, held their Christmas program outside, under the stars.  These students will be spending their Christmas holiday traveling throughout Northern Thailand, sharing the gospel and serving the Lord in the villages.

 

 

 

Thank you for your prayers for Thailand. 

 

 

One of the Joys of getting older!

 

Darcy, 3 months old and full of personality

 

 

Kids Club preparing their masterpieces.

 

The kids have colored Lottie Moon pictures.  They heard the story of Lottie leaving home in the USA and traveling to China to work with the people of that country for her entire life.  Donna is teaching this generation about those who have gone before us.  Our prayer is that this will allow them to teach those in future generations as well.  Pray that these little ones will seek to know the truth of why Lottie did what she did.

 

Our Bible students also shared in the fun of coloring Lottie.  We shared the history of Lottie with them as well.  Maybe one of these young students is a rising Lottie.

This is the school where the students come to learn to share the Word of God, in English to the world