1st Month in Monkey Town - September 2013 newsletter (sent out middle of September)

Dear Partners in Ministry,

One of the things I (Jenn) will miss the most about the U.S. is the fall. The colors in Park City, Utah this time of year are beautiful!  I imagine the leaves in most other places are beginning to change and there is that smell of “crisp” fall air.  Just as the leaves change color, so we are going through that process of change here in Thailand.  We have been here over 1 month.  In many ways the transition has been easy. OMF takes good care of us and I had some language under my belt before I came. At the same time, we are going through a HUGE transition! In addition to the move, there is a new culture, new language, new home, new transportation (bikes!), biking with new traffic rules, new food, new weather (hot!), new everything. God’s grace has been sufficient in this time of change.  He has brought us friends to help us out here in Thailand and friends back home to encourage us.  Please pray for us as we learn how to become “at home” in our new surroundings!

Language study

Learning a new language is never easy. It requires much time, energy, practice, passion and a “never give up attitude.”  It reminds me (Jason) a lot of sports, maybe that is why I have greatly enjoyed it. We are very thankful for the opportunity to be able to study Thai full-time for this first year before we journey off to Isaan. Jenn and I have both completed Module 1 and are laboring through our second module with excitement. So far during this adventure of language learning, I explained that my fruit (pon-la-maai) was sick instead of my wife (pan-ra-yaa).

Also, when trying to tell the restaurant owner that I would return the umbrella tomorrow (prung-nii), I told him I would return the woman (puu-ying). The owner and his girlfriend found it very comical.

It can be discouraging to be a minister of the gospel in a place where I communicate at a toddler level! But then I am reminded of the greatest missionary the world has ever seen (the Lord Jesus), who was sent by the Father and arrived as a baby and also once spoke as a toddler. It is because of Him we press on with joy and gratefulness in our hearts as we journey in the victory He has given us.

Miss Moriah

Moriah is doing well! She’s hit some bumps in the road as part of her own transition experience, but we feel like she is really happy here. One of her biggest struggles is all the attention that the Thais give her. At the zoo on Mother’s Day, many families stopped to take pictures with her. She resents the attention often (which we understand) and will often not wai (fold hands and bow) to anyone older than her. While we are at language school in the morning, she spends time with friends at “school” (OMF’s daycare).  At school (and at home) she LOVES reading! She will “read” to herself out loud for a long time (but is really embarrassed if she catches you listening in  J ).  She also loves Sally, the dog at school. Her teachers are both Thai so she is picking up some Thai words. They gave her the Thai nickname “Bo-day” which is the word for a Thai potato snack that is curly in appearance. When we are riding around with our friends Phil and Kate, she loves looking for monkeys (ling). They are usually hanging out on telephone wires by the market!

Prayer Points

·         For the 3 of us to become at home in the culture

·         For our continued progress in language/cultural learning

·         Christians here in Thailand to live loved and reach out in love.

·         For the hearts of the Isaan people to be softened to the Gospel

"Christians do not simply believe in Christ or imitate Christ from a distance; we have been united to Jesus Christ by the

power of the Spirit."
J. Todd Billings

Standing in Grace,

Jason and Jenn
P.S.   
1. PHOTOS: To see more photos of our first month in Thailand, click here
2. SENDING LETTERS/PACKAGES: Some of you have asked if there is anything you can send to us from the States...we have finally made a list! Please click here to view the Google Document. Please let us know when you send something so that we can be checking the post office and to make sure to thank you. (Word of caution: not all packages make it to Thailand, so it may be a good idea to not be too detailed when you are writing the contents inside of a package).


P.S.S.   STAY IN TOUCH!

SKYPE:  jasonandjennbyers
Jason email:  JGByers12@yahoo.com
Jenn email:  mrs.jenn.byers@gmail.com

For letters:
LLC / Jason and Jenn Byers
PO Box 58
Lopburi 15000
Thailand

For packages:
Jason and Jenn Byers
C/o Rene Aeschimann
67 Soi Naresuan 3
Tambon: Thalechupsorn
Amphur: Muang
Lopburi 15000
Thailand

Lopburi -we pass this everyday on our way to school

Monkeys hanging out on the wires

 First day of school

 The books!

 People here in Lopburi love to touch  Moriah's hair!

Our mailbox - we would love a letter from you!

Moriah and a few of her friends

Byers August 2013 update - Singapore/Arrived in Thailand!

Psalms 139:9-10 (NIV): “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me.”

Dear Family and Friends,

This verse has really spoken to me in the last few weeks. In this Psalm David is writing about the fact that he cannot escape from the presence of the Lord. I have found that to be so true and comforting during this time of transition. I have learned that wherever my family goes, the Lord will lead, comfort and protect, and wherever we go we can’t escape His glory, “the whole earth is filled with his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). Wherever you go the glory of God is being displayed for all to see (Psalms 19), wherever we are at we marvel at how God has made his own name great among every nation (Malachi 1:11).

Our time in Singapore

Our time at orientation in Singapore was really good. We were able to spend a lot of time with other rookie missionaries who just got done saying their good-byes and are preparing for cross-cultural work. We were from about 11 different countries! Also, it was good to meet the directors of the mission, be trained by them, and hear their many missionary stories. Moriah had a good time playing with the other children around her age. She did get sick as the other kids did, but is doing much better. She made a sweet little friend named Eliora (“Eli”) and we will be with her family through language school and then to Isaan (Northeast Thailand).

OMF International Headquarters (IHQ) in Singapore

Moriah and "Eli"

I was encouraged to see what God is doing in modern day missions and encouraged by some of the young brave ones who are going out for the sake of the gospel to countries I cannot mention, please pray for their safety. Since OMF is a mission that only focuses on reaching out to the peoples of East Asia, it is a highly regarded mission in the eyes of our Asian brothers and sisters. Therefore it was really awesome to meet and to see how God is using East Asians to reach out in mission to other East Asians through OMF. God is doing great work for His Glory here!

Arrived In Thailand

We arrived in Thailand on Saturday, August the 3^rd. We are finally here and it is surreal! We stayed in OMF’s Bangkok guest home where we were able to rest after orientation. On Monday, August 5th we traveled to Lopburi, Thailand, our home for the next year. We will begin our language/culture studies at LLC (Language Learning Center) on August 15^th. Currently we are settling in to our new home and learning the ropes of Lopburi.  

 Arrival in Thailand with the Sinors Family

Moriah and Jason eating Thai food in Bangkok

 

Prayer Points

·         Language/cultural learning so we can communicate the gospel clearly!

·         To make friends with local Thai people

·         Stomachs will adjust well to new kinds of food/health.

·         Protection from the evil one.

·         Protection from the dogs here in Lopburi, they are very vicious.

·         Pray 2 Corinthians 4:6 for Thailand: Thai’s will see the glory of God in the face of Christ.

We greatly appreciate all of you and your partnership in the gospel.

With much love,

Jay and Jenn