Chiang Mai, Thailand March 14, 2016

          We are now 4 month veterans and are feeling more at home here in Chiang Mai.  We praise and honor our God who continues to prove Himself faithful to us in so many ways.  We are driving a little more and are thankful for a car and the ability to get around on our own.  We still prefer walking to the grocery store (15 minutes each way) and to the Big C (20 minutes each way).  We like to walk every day anyway for exercise, and yet we seem to be an anomaly to the Thai.  A lady saw me walking in the afternoon and pointed to the sun. “Too hot!” she said.  It is true that any long afternoon walks may be coming to a halt.  We are now in the hot season—over a 100° F in the forecast for the next ten days.  Dave and I say we would rather be hot than cold.  We will have the chance to test that declaration; the hottest month is yet to come in April. 

          We had a good friend from Santisuk English School in Bangkok and Lighthouse Church (Our Converge mission with Steve and Nopaluk Cable) visit us for a few days—our first house guest.  We had a good visit and so enjoyed her time with us. 

          In February we made a trip to Phrao with a friend of Faithful Heart who helps to run an orphan home there.  Matthew and Audrey were with us on the trip.  It was about an hour drive on a winding road closer into the mountains.  The difference at night was startling!  We froze!  We saw the need for the gift of blankets we brought with us for the orphans.  Matthew insisted we buy watermelon and some cookies—a special treat for the children.  I was so glad we did, because they were delighted—a little something different.  We had some beautiful sunset views there and the children, of course, presented a wonderful program for us.

               

We continue to enjoy the international flavor of our Gathering Church.  It is fun to see who is worshiping with us each Sunday.  This past Sunday, we had a team representing 4 or 5 countries worship with us. As they each shared their native country, the last young man said, “But we are home because we are worshiping with the people of God.”

          What fun to see the DVD of the ultra sound and learn that we have a grandson coming!

Jesus Calling for March 12^th--once again this little devotional really spoke to my heart as we are adjusting to a new culture and place.

“Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands to form a strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from my children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.   

We can wait and trust in light of the hope we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. That hope is an anchor for our souls—firm and secure. “So that by two utterly immutable things, the Word of God and the oath of God, who cannot lie, we who are expatriates from this dying world have a source of strength and might to grasp the hope He holds out to us.” (Hebrews 6:18)  Emily Freeman in her book A Million Little Ways says “God weaves eternity into our minutes. Every moment is packed with artistic possibility because as an image bearer with a job to do, there is potential to reveal the glory of God in every circumstance, no matter how we feel, who we’re with, what our hands hold, or what’s gone wrong.”  Freeman emphasizes “the” whatever we do.  She says whatever you do, you can do it in a way that makes a difference—in a way that influences people around you.  Please pray that for us and with us—that we can be effective image bearers here.

Please continue to pray also:

•       For continued health and strength for the tasks before us.
•       For health and strength for Matthew and Audrey—especially Audrey and our precious grandson developing in her and for their continued ministry and support.
•       For our ministry and encouragement to our church body
•       For the many ministries of the people in our church body that reach out to SE Asia; pray for their strength, protection and empowering.
•       For Dave’s preaching and Sher’s Bible study.  May we both proclaim the Word of God faithfully
•       We have a wedding coming up in our fellowship and 2 new babies. 
•  Pray for them.