January 12,2016
      What a great encouragement it was to us when we walked into our mall and saw a huge poster of the    Nativity inside a manger.  Seeing this Nativity in the large shopping mall near our house heartened us  both since we had been in the midst of a flurry of  activity in finding a place to live and furnishing it,  Now, we suddenly found ourselves in the Christmas season.

           We feel blessed in so many ways with what God has provided for us.  We are learning the challenges of living in a new country and a new culture.  With our visas in preparing to come here, we learned there were layers to the process.  Once again, we are finding layers to the adjustment process.  Just like anywhere, we deal with the adjustment better some days than others.  However, we rest in this most certain truth: it is God who brought us here, and it is He who will be with us and provide for us.  I Thessalonians 5:24 "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it."
      Our church had a wonderful Christmas party on the Monday before Christmas.  Pastor Dave read the Christmas story beginning with the Old Testament prophecies.  We sang Christmas carols with the story at the appropriate time, and the children enacted the story in costumes.  We all brought food to share; it was a great evening and good way to usher in the Christmas week.
      We think our house is located in a good spot.  Again the Lord blessed us because we really didn't know what we were doing.  We are beginning to drive and get around.  It is quite the experience; you really need to be alert at all times.  Scooters dart here, there, and everywhere--even cross the road in front of you and drive going the wrong way.  Somehow it all flows and works--most of the time.  Though we are getting used to driving on the other side of the road and having the steering wheel on the wrong side, we still frequently turn on the windshield wipers when we want to turn.
     I recently read Psalm 18 and realized afresh God's

care for us that is personal.  In verses 1-6, the pronoun "my" is used 8 times: my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and my stronghold.  Verse 30 says, "As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is flawless, He is a shield."  Matthew Henry says, "For there is that in God which is suited to all the exigencies and occasions of His people that trust in Him.  He is my rock and strength and fortress--that is I have found Him to be so in the greatest difficulties and and dangers."
     We covet prayers that God would use us in this place.  Please pray for The Gathering--many nationalities represented.  Pray that we will encourage and build up the body.  We continue to be humbled by so many--the ministries they are involved in and the difficulties they have encountered in serving Christ.  Pray that we will be a light in our neighborhood.  We have really enjoyed getting to know our neighbors.  Some know a little English.  The Thai people are such a wonderfully gracious and friendly people.  Please pray for visa extension and work permit hopefully finalized soon, Sher's Bible study to start in February, and for Dave in preaching and leading the congregation.