Chiang Mai, Thailand  February 18, 2016    

We are settling into a rhythm and routine here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Our hearts are full of gratitude for so many people who have helped us in so many little ways make our adjustment here.  We certainly could not have done it without their help. As reasonably intelligent and capable people in our own culture, we are humbled by our helplessness here—especially at first.  It is still difficult to communicate some of the most basic things. (Even the messages on my cell phone I cannot understand).  Driving was—and still is at times challenging (driving on the wrong side of the road with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car).  This also takes adjustment and, of course, there’s the fact that there are very few driving regulations.  Imagine coming to a four-way intersection and no stop signs at all.  Somehow, though, traffic flows and it seems to work most of the time.  All of these things add to our feelings of helplessness.    

            We are beginning language training this week and are excited to communicate a little more.  We’ve had a lot of paperwork to do and had to make a trip to Bangkok for a few days to complete some of it.  However, it was a great joy and encouragement to visit with our Berean team while in Bangkok.  It was so good to see those familiar faces, and they were a “shot in the arm” for us. 

•           We are very glad to have Matthew and Audrey back with us again, and we are all very excited about their new addition coming at the end of July. 
              The Thai people are such a gracious, generous people.  I was walking to the Big C (a Walmart type store), when a lady about my age on a scooter stopped me.  “Big C?” she questioned.  When I said yes, she indicated that I should hop on.   We tried reaching out to our neighbors with some homemade, fresh banana bread.  When we took some to our neighbor right beside us, she indicated that we should wait.  She ran inside and returned with a well-known Korean dish.  “Just a little spicy,” she said.  As someone has said, “You can’t out nice the Thai.”  Chiang Mai is a lovely place with lovely people.  We feel very blessed to be here, and of course, we are enjoying the warm, sunny weather this time of the year.  Yes, I know, the very hot is coming, but I have decided to enjoy what I have right now.       
              It is good to again be under the teaching of my favorite preacher.  I’m so glad Dave is able to preach again; it is his gift.  He will have the opportunity to preach at another international church here in March.  We had our first church baptism—at the pool in the hotel where our church meets.    We are seeking to host families from the church in our home in an effort to get to know them better.  Also, another plus in having church in a large hotel next to a big mall is that there are lots of places to fellowship together after church each Sunday.  Last Sunday, we had lunch with a wonderful Indian family and this past Sunday with a Chinese family.  The Chinese family took us to what they say is the best Chinese restaurant in Chiang Mai.  They ordered for us, and we were able to experience some excellent Chinese cuisine—which we would have been hesitant to try on our own.  We love the international flavor of our Gathering church.  We have much to learn from all of them. 
              I (Sher) have just started a women’s Bible study on the names of God, and the women seem excited to have this opportunity.  I have also been teaching English to some of the college students at Faithful Heart Foundation.  Sometime soon, Matthew, Audrey, and I, along with some others at Faithful Heart will begin English classes at a government school here. 
              With the feeling of helplessness, comes greater leaning on our faithful, loving God.  Jesus Calling on January 10^th says, “Every time you affirm your trust in Me, you put a coin into My treasury.  Thus you build up equity in preparation for days of trouble.  I keep safely in My heart all trust invested in Me, with interest compounded continuously.  The more you trust Me, the more I empower you to do so.”  On the 11^th, it reads, “Trust Me by relinquishing control into My hands.  Let go and recognize that I am God.  This is My world; I made it and I control it.  Yours is a responsive part in the litany of Love.  I search among My children for receptivity to Me. Guard well this gift that I have planted in your heart.  Nurture it with the Light of My presence.”  So here’s the process:
  ·         We can’t live our lives on my own terms. We can’t control people and circumstances. 
  ·         God, our heavenly Father is in the continual process of using all things to mold our lives.
  ·         By affirming our trust in the Lord (each time we do), we put money into our treasury.
  ·         This is the way we build up equity for the day of trouble—which is sure to come.
  ·         Interest is compounded continuously by God.  The more we trust, the more He empowers us to do so.  “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter.” Isaiah 64:8
  Please pray:
        On contemplating what it means to give glory to God, (one of our purposes according to the great Catechisms), I have settled on my own rephrasing of Kay Arthur’s definition: to everywhere and at all times give a correct estimate of who God is.
        For health and strength to do the tasks God places before us.
        For health and strength for Audrey and our precious grandchild forming in her and for Matthew and Audrey in their continued ministry with Faithful Heart Foundation.
         For our ministry and encouragement to our church body.
        For Sher’s Bible study—that we would grow in our intimacy with God through the study of  His Word and with one another.
•