Hello from Thailand. We are so grateful for you! We have almost hit the 6th month of studying Thai in monkey town (Lopburi). We are eager to be able to get to the point where we can develop deeper relationships with the Thai people and be able to communicate the riches of knowing Christ. Thank you for encouraging us through the journey, it makes the hard days a little easier!
Urgent Vehicle prayer request
One of our teachers, Khruu Ann and her husband have helped us find a vehicle! It is a 2002 4wd Isuzu Adventure, seats 7, stick shift, and the price is right! Used vehicles in Thailand are expensive (they do not depreciate as they do in the US) so we feel like we've found a good one. With some ministry money and from a recent donation, we have $4,500.00 US towards the SUV. We need another $4,500.00 US to buy it! Please keep this in prayer and that we can raise the funds quickly (this isn't a car we want to let go of!).
Christmas Season in Thailand
As it was our first Christmas in Thailand this year, it was very special for us. In December, we were involved in a few different Christmas outreaches at some of the local schools. The door is wide open for missionaries to share about Jesus in schools during Christmastime. We also enjoyed our church's 6 hour Christmas service. YES, 6 hours! Something we have realized about Thais is that they love to be together and make everything sanuk "fun!" They put on a very comical drama and Jason played the role of the foreign missionary doctor. Watch Jason's part (1:39) by clicking here. Moriah also enjoyed dancing with the kids onstage (see video) and we about jumped out of our chairs when she introduced herself to the church by her Thai name Bo Day and then gets embarrassed and picks her nose (see video). She continues to become more and more comfortable in her new home. We appreciate all the Christmas cards that we received here in Thailand! That was very very special!
Vision Trip/Christmas in Loei, Thailand
We took a 10 hour bus ride (14 hours on the way back!) up to the province of Loei to spend Christmas with our friends Jonathan and Juliet Stuck with International Teams organization. Having read of Jonathan's similar passion for Isaan, he and Jason connected before we left for Thailand. The city of Chiang Khan in Loei sits right on the Mekong river, opposite of Laos. We are praying alongside our leader for Father's direction as to whether or not to move there to begin ministry at the end of July. The other province in Isaan that we are considering is Kalasin. There are a few OMF missionaries working there now in different districts. You can find them both on this map.
Praises
-In some of our harder times recently, we have really felt the support and care of our OMF leaders here in Lopburi. God is so good!
-Moriah is turning 3 years old on February 9 !
-Jenn's parents are coming soon to visit in February!
Prayer points
-Remaining half of the vehicle funds!
-For the political unrest in Bangkok and the upcoming elections (see recent article here)
-Jason's sermon - he will be preaching at our upcoming retreat with other language learners
-Health - Jenn and Ry have been battling colds since Christmas and Moriah's finally turned into bronchitis and an ear infection.
Standing in grace,
-Jason, Jenn & Moriah
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| Lopburi Church |
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| Nuut, Naomi and Moriah |
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| Family picture @ Christmas @ Lopburi Church |
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| Some of the women @ Lopburi Church (and Phii Banchaa) |
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| This lady is so funny -she always comes dressed for the occasion! |
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| Moriah and Sally |
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| Our friend Genevieve from the States came to visit! |
