August 30, 2016 Chiang Mai, Thailand

What a joy to announce the arrival of Ezra Jonathan Pound, our first grandson!  (Although most of you already know through social media)  How grateful we are that the legacy of our youngest son, Jonathan, now lives on in our grandson, Ezra.  What a great blessing of our loving heavenly Father to be right here with him.  In our totally unbiased opinion, he is the most adorable little boy ever!  

Grandma and Ezra

Grandpa and Ezra

     As we age and life becomes more challenging, we can often feel our best and most productive times are behind us.  But as I look at this fresh, new life, I am reminded that our greatest task is before us--to encourage future generations to walk in faith and to help advance the spiritual heritage that is ours into a new generation.  Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them."  What an important role we have as grandparents--to nurture the next generation in the the faith walk. I have been encouraged by a book called A Grandmother's Prayers by Kay Swatkowski. I know my parents and Dave's parents aided us in nurturing our children in things of faith.  I was so often overwhelmed by the task and so aware of my deficiencies as a human being.    As I  observe my sons today, I am quick to thank God for his grace.  They are amazing men of God--despite our foibles, but I know their grandparents prayed faithfully and am well aware of the impact of such prayers.  I am especially grateful that, whether near or far (as I think of our precious granddaughters back in MN), we can be engaged in the lives of our grandchildren in the most important of ways through prayer.  These prayers join our hearts and faith to them as we commit them daily to our Lord and Savior.

Beautiful flowers throughout our neighborhood

Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be fully alive consists in beholding God."  Isn't that the key to our lives as Christians; we are here to glorify God and to give the reason for the hope we have in Christ.  Consequently, whatever our age, and wherever we are, we can seek to bring glory to our God to the best of our ability and through the sanctifying work of His spirit. "May those who come behind us find us faithful" (Steve Green-"Find Us Faithful") and may they continue the walk of faith as we faithfully pray for them.

     Our church, The Gathering, experienced a first--a church picnic!  We are constantly thinking of ways to unite our international, multicultural church as one body.  Many come infrequently as they are busy ministering in other places.  It is often a time of refreshment for them to worship with fellow believers in English.  One team of 15 people worshiped with us recently on their way to minister in another country.  One of my dear friends who came to my Bible Study and was here for a year is returning to her home country.  I will miss her.  She is a dear sister in Christ.  Praise God some of her family recently came to Christ. 

Audrey and baby Ezra--one of his first outings and Amy, Audrey's sister

 I think she likes the hot dog!

 Another couple who just recently joined with us and was excited about helping us with a prayer ministry--told us that their mission agency is moving them to a new field.  Such is the nature of the international church.  Barry Gaeddert (London) says,  "At ICC, I always saw our job to train people to go into the world.  They were with us for one year, or two or three years.  And then they often went to places around the globe.  So our job was to invest spiritually, help them grow in their walk with God, to learn about their gifts and how to use them... and then to send them on more mature than when they arrived."  Edmund Haroucourt said, "We leave behind a bit of ourselves wherever we have been."  May we leave some of Jesus in this place and may we impact those who know Christ to a deeper walk with Him.  "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ." 2 Cor. 2:15

Please pray:

• That we will be an encouragement and blessing to the people who attend The Gathering.
• For Dave in his preaching that he will speak to hearts what they need to hear as he is directed by the Holy Spirit.
• That we will be the aroma of Christ to all the people with whom we come into contact --our neighbors, clerks where we shop, etc. and that the Lord will provide opportunities to share Christ.
• Pray that the Lord will use us here to His glory.
• Pray for language work that is hard and laborious. May we persevere and practice-- practice!
• Pray for our grandson Ezra (health, strength and protection) and for his parents who are working hard to be wonderful parents.
• Amy, Audrey's sister, who is teaching this year at Grace International School here in Chiang Mai.