"Previously, across the globe..."

The last newsletter left you hanging to find out what happens in May, June, July, and August…well, here is the update:

In May, we had a time period of prayer with our church family for the nations, for Thailand, for our city, for our local communities, and our local church body. A former student returned to help out while they figure out what God has next for them. We also welcomed another former young student to intern with us during her pregnancy. Our God puts orphans into families and makes beauty from ashes. Probably the biggest thing that happened, was WE celebrated our 17 year anniversary! (One of us had to be made to relax). It was nice to get away somewhere close to home, both beautiful and cheap. We were able to rest and enjoy each other’s company, without distraction or busyness clouding the mind.

In June, Timmy was accepted to Mae Fah Luang University! (That came with its’ own challenges.) If you like cats, we have 4, and the youngest “caught” and played with her first rat. Misty got the privilege of going to minister in India, and so blessed to be able to take a former student of ours with her, and some other special ladies. (Through that trip, we have been invited personally, to come do a possible two week Worship Workshop there.) As soon as she returned from India ( three days later), she got to teach a two-day Worship Workshop at The Seed in Chiang Rai. [things did not slow down after] Two days after that Misty went to Chiang Mai for her interview, and her volunteer work permit was renewed. We also are excited to have received the final work copy of the Going All In book from the translators in the Burmese language!

The month of July was expensive. We were thankful to see Tim's dad and one of his sisters, Tim Sr and Abigail, who brought Zachary over to attend our school. We got to enjoy their company for only a week. (They left us with Zach! hahaha) Among the few activities (between rest and ministry) that we did get to enjoy while they were here was, a day at a small zoo, where Tim got to play with a snake and a young lion. The day of their departure, we led worship for a two day pastors' seminar at our church. We also received the finished work copy of a prophetic teaching book from the translator in the Thai language. While all of this was going on, we were still helping Timmy get processed into university. By the end of July, Timmy’s visa was changed to a Student visa in Chiang Rai. (That is a huge blessing.) Our visas were also renewed for another year. {THANK YOU to ALL who prayed and gave towards these! ~ all in God’s 'never early' timing} While we were in Chiang Mai to get our visas, former students were at the airport in Chiang Rai picking up a new student. She did not understand the phrase “this 'crazy-group' is there to get you”, that Misty sent her on her arrival, until she saw her welcome group! July, through your obedience, we were able to pay for the expensive annual cost of our visa renewals to remain in the country, the changing of Timmy's visa, pay the Burmese translators, pay the Thai translators, purchase the school supplies for the new students, and pay for half of the school truck so that we could pick it up before school started (with two days to spare!)

August 1^st  was the first day of school. We had 3 students. By Sunday, we would meet our fourth. This is our smallest class yet, but God always has a plan for the students He brings to us each term. He knows what they need better than we do. We have two former students helping out to keep the school running, and another former student interning as our interpreter. It is a learning experience for all of them, but we are so proud of their willingness to sow into what God is doing and to be obedient in the process. We still lead worship, teach (and sometimes preach) in Chiang Rai, and Mae Sai, and haul our small entourage to prayer and Bible Studies and Youth Groups around Northern Thailand to learn and serve.

We were privileged again to be invited to do a Mother's Day program at the prison work release facility. Our students sang and shared testimonies. We purchased shampoo, soap, toothpaste, chocolate and fruit to give to each prisoner in attendance; as well as being able to get a Chinese Bible, Akha Bible, Lahu Bible and Thai Bible into the prisoืืืn! They were so grateful to have a Bible to read and learn about God. Tim ran across a guy in the program who plays guitar but the guitar was in need of strings...so he was able to buy a pack of strings for him. He had promised the guy that he would deliver them back to the facility the next week. When he arrived, the "guards" at the gate recognized him and were waiting for the promised strings... God loves them.

Our school's target demographic is ages 17 - 35 (although we have had some younger or older). Most begin school wondering what we have planned for their free time - and by week three, realize there is no such thing as free time here. August is not yet finished, and we are already planning into October, with a goal to graduate this class the end of November, and a baby projected to arrive in the house in December.

Be praying with us about the first half of next year. A lot of invitations to teach on worship in other areas, and a possible need to visit the States to handle some business; so we want to be sensitive to say "yes" to the right things at the right time.

Please also be praying with us to be able to finish paying off this truck quickly, and for provision to be able to feed, house and transport the students to all the ministry opportunities they are invited to. We also are believing for resources to be able to print the two latest translation projects. The worldwide economy is uncertain, but still subject to the King of kings, the giver of good gifts, our provider God. This last few months we have witnessed nearly every missionary we encounter, report a decrease in monthly support - and the battle with uncertainty. It is an unsettling report, with missionaries actually having to help other missionaries to be able to stay on the field. But by faith, we continually say "yes" to opportunities and needs we cannot meet without God's miraculous hand and your faithful prayer and giving. We exist in this space and do our best to remain true to what God has primarily called us to do. But, in truth we have our hands and our hearts in much of what we dont think to report. We've never been very good at marketing ourself; and cannot openly share some of the stories we are part of. Just know, Hes a big God - up to big things - and I'd love to share them with you over coffee sometime.

He is our greatest adventure.

Timothy, Jr., Misty and Timmy