Too long...

It has been too long without an update on here. For that, I apologize. I could blame it on busyness, but I’m just not good at keeping up with BLOGS or VLOGS, and since most of our updates are posted to FB , I lack the drive to repeat the same things on the webpage. I will be better. Since October, we have gone through much change and transition, as well as graduating a 2nd class of our school. I will try to make this short and sweet, as to not bore anyone.

From October to February:

We started our 2nd class of students for Asaph’s Journal School. Similar to last year, at the start we had 6 students…and felt, no, knew there was at least one more who had not arrived.

Two weeks later, we had our 7th student. As with the previous class, no one was sure they wanted to really be at the school; no one knew or could explain to them, what the school was about or how it would go for them. I’ve, personally, come to be happy about that. (That’s a rabbit trail, you can ask about through DM. lol) By the 3rd week, we had already taken the ones able to go, to a youth camp to be participants in. We were able to build some stronger relationships with the ministry (ATM) doing the Youth Camp while there as well. Also noteworthy, we were excited to welcome back, Pastors David and Paula home. They have been very big supporters of what we’re doing, and continue to help me personally, as well as our family. (They are our family afterall! Lol)

November, as classes continued, the students grabbed a hold of being in the presence of God more quickly. Still having more to learn, they pressed in to our morning worship and prayer times…some of them would even start trying to preach. Towards the end of the month, I was able to take a couple of the English speaking guys to a Men’s conference near the Mae Sai border. This was a precious moment for the boys and I. They got to see that there are many men, in Thailand, who love to worship God as much as them, and who also have struggles like all men do.

December, we finished Mid-terms the 2nd week in December, to allow for everyone to enjoy the holiday season and spend time with family, for those who traveled. We also got the privilege of traveling with the previously mentioned ministry, to Maelanoi, which is about 10 hours away from us. The 4 of us that were able to go on that trip, will never forget it! The short version of that story includes, 2 hrs in the back of a truck, driving on no road, but a creek bed, to get to the village. The only Christian was the Pastor we traveled with to get there. The people were lovely, hospitable, and it was a joy to be there.

December here is always busy from about the 2nd week until the new year. Christmas here at the Village was intentional in reaching people, instead of just having a good time. I would say it seemed a success, as there were over 300 people in attendance to the special service.

January…was difficult. Maybe because the holiday break was too long, maybe because lack of motivation, or maybe because a student was called away for reasons beyond our control? Focus for the students seemed more difficult at this point during school. It could also be, because of the content being covered, dealing with transition, the Breath of God, oil (as in the anointing), and a successful church. We did get to go visit 2 of our students Lahu homes near Thoed Thai. This was a Wonder-FULL experience. We even got to dance at a Lahu New Year’s festival. We were also blessed to be able to film a short video with the students to better describe life as a student of Asaph's Journal School of Worship. If you haven't had a chance to watch it, it is mostly in Thai with English subtitles (we have it posted on the home page and on our facebook).

February was nervousness, excitement, and somewhat stressfulness filled as the end of another class came to an end. Tears of joy were had, as well as uncertainty for some, but excitement to see what God does through this class of young leaders, 2 of whom were going back to be a part of ministry immediately. One is going back to their village, where they are the only Christian. Misty and some of the ladies here from the village, were able to go to a Women’s conference, at the same place the Men’s conference was held. They came back inspired, healed, and eyes open, with deeper understanding than what they had before.

As February comes to a close, we are getting our vehicle tuned up, so we may visit 2 of our students, and start making connections with other ministries and pastors, for relationships and the possibility of new students from said ministries. We have the opportunity to go minster at a Rehabilitation Center near Thoed Thai, anytime we are available to make it. God has opened up many opportunities and given us many relationships to build with, to do what he has called us to do. We as a family, hope we make our Father in heaven proud.

We thank each of you, who have prayed, given, encouraged, reached out even when it may not have made sense to you, and prayed for us! THANK YOU!

P.S.

Yes, Timothy is still alive, and he has been a part of some of our trips as well. He has continued doing his High School assignments as well as his Thai lessons, that he set up for himself. We are a family, and he is as important, as what we do here also.