Seasons
Greetings to our Family & Friends,
1 year has passed since we arrived back
in Thailand and we have hit 4 years since we left the US for the field. October
28, 2017 marks a special day for us as we celebrate 10 years of
marriage!
Reflecting
on these last 10 years: Before we married, we committed to coming to Thailand. We had both
been called to overseas mission work and thought we would land in South
America. After a study abroad in a rural village in NE Thailand, Jenn felt God
leading her back. Jason later felt the Lord changing his desires as well. This
calling affected where we would spend our honeymoon, our continued university
studies, our jobs, our missions organization choice, our community, choice of
furniture, etc. Everything was in preparation for the field.
At 5 ½ years
married, our dreams were realized and we headed out with our 2 year old
daughter to Thailand. There would be a lot of language, food, and cultural
adjustments that we would need to adapt to. We have been blessed by another
daughter born on the field and new friends (both Thai and missionary) all over
the country. Even with these great blessings, the road has often been difficult
and lonely. We can greatly miss things that used to be so commonplace, like
watching football, being with our families during the holidays, our
home/English speaking church, or going to baby/bridal showers.
We have
found that it is only the Lord that sustains our pressing on. He who has
called us and has been faithful to provide for every need and gives us
the vision and hope to continue on. The Lord has used many of YOU through our
dating and marriage years (and many before then). You have supported us in
your
friendship, godly counsel, and support. So we THANK YOU for making these 10+
years AMAZING!
Ministry in
Northeast Thailand (Isaan): As many of you know, we are sent out by a mission organization
called “Commission to Every Nation” (CTEN) and we partner with an organization
in Thailand called “The Family Connection Foundation” (FCF). FCF is a Christian
social foundation based in Chiang Mai. This year we joined FCF’s team in
Kalasin, Thailand (a province in the NE of Thailand). After setting up a house in
Kalasin City in May, Jason has been interning with a Thai/Isaan pastor. This
pastor has mentored Jason and they go out visiting people from the community.
Pastor Chalong has allowed Jason to preach every other weekend at the church.
This has been REAL language study practice and we’ve greatly benefited from
being part of an Isaan church. As we have a social visa, Jason’s received some
of his hours from teaching English to the youth both at the church and in a
juvenile delinquent holding center in the city. We have been exploring new
areas of potential ministry around the city and meeting with local Christian
contacts. We’ve also been exploring an unreached district 35 minutes from our
home. The district has no known churches and no known Christians. After our
return from Chiang Mai next year in mid-March (see below), we plan to begin our
focus either on city ministries or in a rural district. Please pray for us as
we prayerfully search out these areas.
Ministry
partners/End of Year Giving: We continue to rely on the support of God’s people to continue our
work in Thailand. We praise the Lord for a very solid base of supporters. At
this time we are only looking to fulfill the approximate 10% that’s lacking in
our overall support for the remainder of this term. If the Lord calls you to
give, there is a giving card provided with the envelope. If you want your gifts
to get in before the year’s end, the envelope must be postmarked by December 31st
and online gifts must be given by December 31st.
Family
update: Our oldest
Moriah is now 6 years old and is in the 1st grade. Jenn is her
homeschool teacher. She LOVES swimming, mermaids, and playing with friends. Isobel
is 2 and a VERY BUSY 2 year old at that! She loves to run, sing, and play with
Legos. In mid-February, our family will make the 13 hour drive to Chiang Mai to
deliver our baby-on-the-way! We’re very excited for this new addition to
our family.
Blessings on you and your loved ones!
-Jason,
Jenn, Moriah & Isobel
No comments:
Post a Comment