June 2023 newsletter

Summer Greetings from Thailand! 

Greetings from Thailand. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the summer months. May you find our newsletter encouraging and informative. Lately I have been thinking on the words of Paul in Ephesians 3:17: “that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” (ESV). Our lives in Christ have an element of depth and quality to them that should not be disregarded. Especially during times of the unexpected events that occur. Whether it be medical, financial, or relational, things happen, and if not handled well can take a toll on us. We must never forget to look outward to his written Word, which points us to look inward to the indwelling Word. When we look inward, we are reminded of the inward work of the Spirit in our lives where God has planted the seed of divine love into our hearts. Therefore our responses to the unexpected events can and should flow from a life that is rooted and grounded in love. "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out his good purpose" (Phil 4:13 HCSB). Allow the unexpected to bring out the light, so that all may see and glorify the God who lives. 

Serving Siam Conference + Isaan School Outreach 

At the beginning of June, we attended the second annual Serving Siam meeting in Chiang Mai. This is a group that my friends and I started with the purpose of coming together to resource and build up the church in Thailand with sound gospel centered materials and trainings. This meeting was then followed by a two-day seminar put on by Saphan Siam, which is a new foundation in Bangkok. What made this conference extra special was that Rodney, Deanna, Hannah, and Aliyah Zedicher from Ephraim Church of the Bible were able to come and help serve the kids’ program during the conference, which was a huge blessing. Our own 3 kiddos had a blast! The Zedichers were able to return to Chiang Rai with us and assist with a small school English outreach in the Rong Waay community. This is an Isaan community that we have been targeting to do long term work in. We were also able to meet with the head of school afterwards and are thankful bridges are being built. Thank you Zedichers for your help and being able to “roll with it” (even in the scorching heat!). 

Family News 

Kids: Moriah and Isobel finished their school year well. Jenn is doing summer school with the kids and enjoying some Bible study time with them. We've finished our "birthday season" and now have a 5, 8 and 12 year old! In August, the kids will start 7th grade, 2nd grade and Kindergarten. Time is flying. Jenn's health: Before the conference in June, Jenn had a mole biopsy done and the pathology revealed that it was stage 1 melanoma. She then had local wide excision surgery and that removed the cancer from the area. She will be doing follow up every 3 months with the doctor in Chiang Mai (3 hours away). We are thankful for the medical services and the support of praying friends while we awaited more pathology results. Also for our nurse neighbor Colleen who took out her stitches post wide excision. 

Prayer: -Wisdom and open doors to start work in Rong Waay. -Enjoyable family time during the kids' summer break (we've encountered multiple sicknesses so far!) -Wisdom and unity for The Way Foundation leadership team -That melanoma will not return to Jenn's body. 

Praises: -English outreach in the Rong Waay community. -Bill and Terri Gunderson (Jenn's parents) will be visiting us the end of June. -Opportunities to teach and preach the gospel. 

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel in Thailand! 

Jason and Jenn Byers