September 2022 update (In the USA!)

Dear friends and family,

We arrived in America on August 23! We spent 2 weeks in Park City, Utah (Jason’s hometown) and then 10 days in Southern California (Jenn’s neck of the woods). We’ve been a little MIA as all members of the family have experienced sickness over the last 3.5 weeks. Though it has limited our ability to meet with several of our supporters (super disappointing), we have had some quality time with both the Byers and Gunderson families. We’ve also been able to have some fun along the way!

Reverse culture shock: Many missionaries experience reverse culture shock when they return to their passport countries. We feel that this has been moderate this time around for us parents. It’s been fun to introduce our kids to “American things” and places. Have you ever tried “fry sauce” in Utah? It’s good!

Praise: Jason and Jenn received new Utah driver’s licenses. We thought the process might be tedious, but it was quite simple (besides almost falling asleep during the open book written test!)

Prayer:

1. Please pray that our family completely heals up.

2. Please pray for homeschooling and that we could get in a healthy rhythm, even in our unique situation.

3. Our rented house in Thailand flooded a week after we came to America. The house needs some intense repair and our landlady is having a hard time finding someone who will fix it. Please pray that the house can be fixed before we return, or that we can find a suitable place to move to when we get back.

4. Support level: We are roughly at 57.5% of our support level. Please pray we can increase our support  level while we are back in the States!  

We are now driving back to Ephraim/Manti, Utah where we will be based for the next 2 months. We will resume homeschool, visit our supporting churches on the weekends and will be making a big trip back to Missouri in October. We will send a separate email with all the churches that we will be visiting soon. We would love if you could come to one of those services!

Blessings,

-Jenn & Jason 

August 2022 update

 “According to the revelation of the
mystery that was kept secret for
long ages but has now been
disclosed and through the prophetic
writings has been made known to all
nations, according to the command
of the eternal God, to bring about
the obedience of faith.”
Romans 16:25-26 (ESV)

Greetings from rainy season in Thailand!

We are thankful that you take the time to read our newsletters and hope you are staying encouraged in the Lord.

Faith...

“The obedience of faith.” Amid the perpetual waves of mission strategies, methodologies, and everyday life, this phrase can get pushed out of its proper place and carried to the shorelines, becoming nothing more than a foggy memory of once was. Was this phrase just for the early apostles to use as their driving ambition to take the gospel further and deeper? Is this phrase still valued by missionaries today? Is it still the driving force that is used to push the modern church into simpler methods, deeper discipleship, and innovative strategies that will send the gospel to the uncommon and uncomfortable places of the world? This phrase, although can be forgotten amid all the noise, is still the primary focus by some and is being rediscovered by many. What kind of faith is obedient faith? It’s a weak mustard seed faith, that rests in the complete work of Christ on the behalf of sinners.

“A weak imperfect faith that is connected to the perfect One makes imperfect faith
perfect” (Horatius Bonar).

The obedience of faith among the nations is still the goal.

Family, Ministry & Degree Update:

Our family had Covid in May, so we had to cancel our trip back to Isaan/Kalasin. That was a real disappointment but the Lord knows. We hope to go next summer. In June, we joined new and old colleagues at the Serving Siam conference in Bangkok. It felt like a missionary family reunion! Then we headed down to a missionary guest house at the beach. Old friends joined us and our family had a blast. What a huge blessing!

In the beginning of July, Jason submitted his last graduate assignment for his MA in Pastoral Counseling. The family is very excited to be able to close this chapter and see how the Lord can use us to move further and deeper with the gospel among the peoples of Southeast Asia. However, the pace of life post-graduation has not slowed down! Jason has been able to do various trainings in Biblical counseling, Discipleship for Development (a program connected to The Way Foundation), and translate documents for the foundation. Jenn has been full on with family/ministry budgeting, logistics for our time in the States, and homeschooling fulltime this summer.

USA Trip:

We will land in the US on August 23! We will be back a short 3 months. Our time will be a mix of reconnecting with family that we haven’t seen in the last 3 1⁄2 years, speaking at churches, visiting with supporters, and homeschooling. We will be based in Manti, Utah, not far from Ephraim Church of the Bible. If you would like us to share at your church gathering or small group, please let us know and we will try to make that work. We hope we can see you!

Thank you for all your kindness and grace to our family—we are grateful for each one of you.

Sincerely,

The Byers family

(Jason, Jenn, Moriah, Isobel & Titus)

Prayer Requests:
-Safety during our travels to and in the US.

-New Utah driver’s licenses (both are
expired!)

-Fundraising, we need to significantly
increase our monthly/yearly support level

-That the gospel would take root in the
hearts of the Isaan peoples living in Chiang
Rai.

-That the gospel would take root in the
churches in Chiang Rai.

USA 2022!

 Greetings from Thailand! 

We are so happy to announce that we are heading to America THIS August 2022! We will be back for 3 months. By the time we come back, it will have been 3.5 years since we've touched American soil and seen most of of our family members. Since we left we've gained a new sister-in-law and two new nieces! 

We look forward to reconnecting with our families, sending churches and supporters. With our friends being spread out all over the USA, the short amount of time and homeschooling, we know it's not likely that we can see everyone. But we truly wish we could see all of you! 

We feel we have been patient in our waiting to come back, but now seems to be the most opportune time. Thailand has been a difficult country to enter back into with all of its requirements (especially financial requirements) revolving around Covid. It seems that by the time we return, the requirements should be significantly less than what they have been. That being said, coming to the States is a huge financial burden for us. We need to raise about $9,500.00 for our return. Would you ask the Lord if He's leading you to help cover these funds? Your donations will help towards our airfare, rent, car rental/insurance, travel/lodging within the country, visa exit stamps, etc. We are hoping to find a couple to sublet our house while we are gone, but our rent in Thailand is pretty low so it wouldn't cover much. 

We thank you for your continued care, support and prayers for us as we've carried on here the last 8 years. 

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel! 

In Christ, Jason, Jenn, Moriah, Isobel & Titus

Mango Season - March 2022

Greetings from Thailand! 

We are almost at the hottest time of the year. Instead of "Hot Season" we've always liked to call it "Mango Season" as that just sounds more delicious (and not so miserable!). We hope this update finds you and your loved ones well and finding your strength always in Him. 

Family News... International School/School openings Now on an American school schedule, we only have 6 weeks left until summer break! We are so thankful that it was possible for our girls to attend this year. Do you have a teaching/education background? Interest in missions? Any interest in moving to Thailand to make an impact in students' lives for a season of your life? The girls' school, Chiang Rai International Christian School (CRICS) is looking for teachers for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Please let us know if you have any questions! Here is CRICS website: https://crics.asia/

Ministry Update Counseling internship/Ministry with The Way Foundation- update from Jason 

Jason’s internship has been going well. He has been able to take on some counseling cases and started assisting in a monthly biblical counseling training for local believers. After the completion of the internship (May) Jason will begin his final class before graduating in July. We are all thankful for the opportunity to further education and excited for the closure of this chapter. Leadership transitions and internal re-structuring for the Way Foundation has recently come to completion.

The Way Foundation is now under indigenous (Lahu) leadership. Since the transition from western leadership to local, Jason has been asked to join the leadership team. He will serve as a liaison for the office and the foundation’s independent projects. Jason will also evaluate proposals of new ministries/projects that want to come under the foundation. Jason is getting more involved in the foundation's two main projects: PET (Pastors, Evangelists, Trainers) and D4D (Discipleship for Development). The PET program is a Bible teaching ministry; D4D is a holistic discipleship/community development project. It's based off the books Walking with the Poor and When Helping Hurts. D4D trainers from the US recently visited our team for training. Jason served as translator for both Thai and English for the 2.5 days of training, which was a new experience (a sink or swim type of situation!). Jason and a new young Lahu co-worker, Achi (future PET teacher), have begun to meet weekly with a senior missionary (founder and author of the PET curriculum) in order to learn the curriculum together. The PET curriculum has been very instrumental for Lahu people in understanding the Bible. Someday, we hope to get the material translated into Thai and revised in Lahu. To read more about The Way Foundation and its two main projects please visit: https://www.theway.foundation/ Thank you for taking the time to read the update. We are thankful for the prayers and financial support. May we all take this season to remember and meditate on Jesus’ words: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). 

Happy Resurrection Day! 

Jason, Jenn, Moriah, Isobel & Titus

Prayer Requests: 

1. Rhythms of rest, recreation, and renewal for both Jenn and Jason. 

2. Wisdom and time for Jason to put together addiction and recovery lessons for the PET and D4D programs. 

3. Good time for family rest during holiday in June. 

4. Wisdom and means for a visit to the USA. 

5. The Thai church would continue to be strengthened and grow in their knowledge of God and love for others.

End of Year Newsletter 2021

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." Galatians 2:4-5 (ESV)

Sa-wat-dee-kha from Thailand! I hope that you will find this update encouraging and helpful as you pray for un-reached peoples around the world--that the nations would turn from their broken cisterns and learn to drink from the Spirit. 

Ministry Update Counseling + Lahu Trainings update (from Jason) 

I (Jason) have continued with encouraging the local church to reach out to ones struggling with substance abuse. A fellow co-worker (Yo-sha-pa), who works in agricultural development in a few different Lahu and Akha villages has a heart of compassion for ones that are trying to live life with a chemical dependency. I've been able to meet a few times with Yo-sha-pa and discuss how to go about ministering the gospel to this population. Recently, he has felt burdened for a husband/father that has found himself bound up in the messy cage of a meth addiction. Yo-sha-pa has asked for advice on what he should do to further the relationship with this man. My reply was to continue in relationship building with him and his family—showing the warm welcome of Father's love, and that when our love is genuine the next steps follow. We hope to travel to this man’s village together and share a meal with him, and slowly begin the process of walking alongside. Showing that Christ is the “yes” in our quest of finding meaning and deeper pleasures.  

Jay has been able to do more teaching during the Foundations PET (Pastors, Evangelists, Trainers) Ministry, which is a ministry that offers monthly trainings for two years to Lahu people. A lot of the teaching is to help Lahu people to grow in their understanding of who God is and the gospel. Jay has been able to do one of the sessions on addiction ministries. This has been a great opportunity to encourage and equip Lahu believers to reach out to hurting people, and an opportunity for Jason to grow in this area of focus.

Family News School update (from Jenn)

Moriah and Isobel have been attending school since August and overall it's been a great experience! It is quite a shift from homeschooling but we are seeing them grow academically and socially in a Christian school environment. The spiritual climate at the school is AWESOME and this has been so encouraging after living pretty isolated for several years. I (Jenn) am volunteering at the school every day of the week (half days) and it's been great to get to know the staff and the parents. Isobel has made a best buddy named *Lily. Lily was born in Isaan (where we used to live) and her mom is Isaan. Jason and I have been able to spend some time getting to know the mom and Jason is enjoying speaking Isaan again. God is good, isn't He? Please pray for this relationship and that Lily's family would come to know Christ. 

End of Year Giving 

Our monthly gifts make up 60% of our yearly budget. We still need to raise the remaining 40% for the 2022 year. Please pray for the funds to come in! 

Holy-days + Prayers for you With all that's gone on in the last few years and our not being able to come to the States to visit, we mean it when we say WE MISS YOU and so look forward to seeing you, whenever that is! We would love to hear about what you've been up to and how we can pray for you. Finally, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Redeemer and Friend, Jesus!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Jason, Jenn, Moriah, Isobel & Titus

Praises 1. We received 100% of the funds we needed for this school year. Thank you for praying and giving! 

Prayer Requests 1. One-time gifts and new monthly givers to join our team. We are currently at 60% of our support. 2. Ministry for addiction work would continue to grow and more materials for counseling will be produced in the Thai language. 3. The Holy Spirit would work in mighty ways during the PET trainings. 4. Strength to finish Masters classes. 5. Relationships with parents at the girls' school.

August 2021 Rainy Season Update

Greetings from RAINY Thailand! 

Dearest Family and Friends, We are now entering our 8th year in Thailand and granted a 1 year visa with the new foundation (The Way)! Some of you have partnered with us since the beginning and some have come along the way. We always had long-term missions in mind but it is through your support, prayers, and the Lord's sustaining grace that we have stayed on. Thank you for joining our family, we very much miss you! 

Family News... International School...here we come! When we moved to Chiang Rai, our desire was that our children would have friends they could see on are regular basis and that they would attend the international school. The Lord has provided them many friends...and just yesterday we received the news that now BOTH of the girls have been accepted into the school. (See crics.asia to view the school, called Chiang Rai International Christian School). Though a huge blessing, this is a huge SHOCK to us as we had not been accepted originally back in April and therefore didn't fundraise for their tuition. This is a pretty large jump in support for our family. Jenn will be volunteering at the school one day a week (lowers the tuition some), but the amount we have to raise is still significant. Will you join with us in praying for the funds to come in? If you specifically feel led to give, a giving card is provided or you can give online (www.cten.org/jasonbyers). 

Next US furlough/home assignment? Currently, it is still very difficult to get back into Thailand if we visited the States. Next tentative visit will be Summer 2022. We want to see you all IN PERSON!

Ministry Update Good Soil Community Center/ Covid/ Counseling Work + Lahu Trainings update (from Jason) 

I continue to volunteer at Good Soil Community Center (a project that is under the Way foundation) and work alongside the team as an English teacher. Jenn and the kids join when they can. The Covid situation here in Thailand is the worst that it's been. Rules and regulations are constantly changing, with the center closing and reopening several times. This can prove challenging to minister to the community that is very fearful. The team has been continuing to visit parents of some of the children, elderly, and the sick. This visitation has proven to be fruitful for the team. I am getting to know the guys at the Way Foundation (the new foundation we work under). Some of them have a heart for ministering to those stuck in addictive habits. Many have loved ones that have been caught in ongoing cycles of addiction for decades and have felt the grave effects. It is a privilege to come alongside these young men to encourage the process of forgiveness and healing. One young man in his early twenties, whose father has been struggling with meth and opioids for years, stated, “I have never been hugged by my father.” The emotional pain and cognitive confusion that takes place when the ordained protector of the house is physically present, but affectionately distant—rarely does that not leave deep cuts to the ones who yearned for his love. The young man continued by saying, “I want to help my dad. I think the drugs will kill him soon.” There is a young generation who have been affected by the drug pandemic here in Southeast Asia but have a desire to change it. It seems like the time for addiction counseling in the local Thai church is ripe. Join us in praying for the captives to be set free! I will soon be joining The Way's PET (Pastor, Evangelist, Trainers) project. This team provides monthly Biblical training for Lahu pastors and evangelists. I will be sharing at these trainings starting on August 2. Amid this Jason is continuing part-time with his Master’s degree work in Pastoral Counseling (Addictions and Recovery) and still hoping to be finished in 2022. 

Blessings, Jason, Jenn, Moriah, Isobel & Titus

Prayer Requests 

1. Funds for the school year and overall yearly support (we are roughly at 55% of our budgeted support) 2. Ministry for addiction work would continue to grow and more materials for counseling will be produced in the Thai language. 3. The Holy Spirit would work in mighty ways during the PET trainings. 4. Strength to finish Masters classes.

Chiang Rai update - March 2021 - Smokey Season

Hello from Chiang RAI!

Dearest Family and Friends,

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. What a year it's been! We hope you can read this letter with a good cup of coffee or tea in hand!

Family Life/Next USA visit

update from Jenn:

We have now been in Chiang Rai for a few months and we are really enjoying our new town! Chiang Rai is a mountainous city and home to Northern Thai, many hill tribes (Akha, Lahu, to name a few) and to many expats. Our kids have been making friends and our girls are meeting with some other homeschool students for Thai classes and an Art class. We are now entering the HOT season (fondly known as “Mango season”) and we are also in what’s called “Smokey Season.” The air quality is at unhealthy levels so we are mainly indoors with air purifiers and special masks for when we go outside. This should stop sometime in May. Because of the Covid situation, we still have no idea when we’ll be able to return to the States for a visit. The process to get back into Thailand is very complicated, inconvenient, and expensive! We are trying to ride out this wave as the Lord gives us the grace to do so. We miss you and our families very much!

Ministry in CR

update from Jason

Training believers in addiction and recovery work

The first week in CR our family attended a Lahu church. Some of the men knew about my current counseling studies in addiction and recovery They are eager to talk about how to help drug users and their families among the Lahu people. Since the Lahu people have been overwhelmingly impacted by drug abuse, they have been praying for a recovery ministry to take place. Therefore, I (Jay) have been able to meet with three Lahu men and provide some basic training in addiction recovery. Our first session involved looking at some of the aspects of our inner man-cognitive, volitive, and affective-emphasizing that the goal is heart change, not just behavior modification. The second session we focused on counseling families who are impacted by addictions. For session three the guys have suggested that we create an action plan for ministry!

Good Soil Community Center (GSCC)

Good Soil Community Center (GSCC) is a new community center located in a Tai Yuan (Northern Thai) area. The Tai Yuan are the majority peoples in Northern Thailand and historically were the ones who set up the Lanna kingdom. Unlike many of the hilltribes, the Tai Yuan are unreached. Our family helps at the center two times a week. We help develop relationships and teach English during after school programs. I (Jay) have the role of getting to know the community, history, and needs.

Isaan Communities

To our surprise and joy, we have discovered a multitude of Isaan migrants living in CR; also, Isaan migrant communities that have settled in CR over sixty years ago and still function in Isaan language and culture. This discovery has opened opportunities to do some basic ethnographic records in these communities. This gives Jenn and I joy that we are still able to mobilize and work with Isaan peoples while living in CR.

The Lord be with you and keep you!

Jason & Jenn

Moriah, Isobel & Titus