What do you do when you're waiting?

Wow…and I thought our last Newsletter was too long between postings! So, this update, I will try to keep brief, even though we’re covering 6 months. (For those who follow on facebook, you see the important updates.)

March:

This was our “take a break after having school” month; the Faith Village kids were out on their summer break, both of us had our birthdays, we packed up the student dorm and we did school clean-up. Timmy got to accompany all the Faith Village kids on their annual summer vacation – this year going to the beach for a couple of days. He returned home sunburned and slathered in aloe vera.

We also started trips to Chiang Rai. For the birthday at the end of the month, we had the privilege of getting to lead worship in English, just the two of us and a couple of students. This continues even today, at least once a month, we get to go worship with prayer warriors and worshipers in Chiang Rai.

April:

We were privileged to be able to tag along with Asian Tribal Ministries on a visit to Mae Sot, where we played games, swam in the river, and taught a bit of worship to some of the young adults in that area.

During this time, Faith Village began a season of restructuring and being reorganized. We have continued to build some relationships with ministers and ministries in the Chiang Rai area, while still filling in as needed here at Victory church Thaton.

Misty and Timothy accidentally made it onto Israeli TV. A quick trip to town, they picked up two frantic foreigners who ended up being contestants on the Israeli version of the “Amazing Race” tv show and gave them a ride. Timothy was able to read and translate their instruction card and gave them helpful advice. If anyone has access to tv, they should get their 15 minutes of fame sometime in October.

May:

We visited a family we met in Chiang Rai, at their home in Mae Sai and have continued to build relationships and worship together. Misty told random stories and Tim was able to impart some musical skills during this time as well.

Timothy ended up with a hospital stay to have his appendix removed. I am grateful for all the years we endured Indian healthcare in Oklahoma. It was good preparation for the hospitals we have closest to us here. He has recovered nicely.

We also took a long weekend away to eat breakfasts, swim in the rain and celebrate our anniversary.

June:

Tim started giving lessons to some of the teens from Chiang Rai and Mae Sai, once bi-weekly in Chiang Rai and once bi-weekly at Faith Village. This was also a further time of being able to worship, build relationship, and see that God is doing this in more than just our little village here.

Misty took a quick trip to Mae Sai to meet up with a couple of men interested in the school and seeking internship opportunities. She was able to join her mom to meet up with a couple of pastors there they've known since her parents taught them in ministry school. Pray for the many people groups in Burma who suffer greatly.

Misty had her 90-day report which, thanks to those who’ve prayed and supported, went very well.

July:

It was the Tim’s turn for their 90-day reports, which also went well. This month, Timothy III decided he would like to help us lead worship in Chiang Rai. We could not have been more proud/ happy/ joyful/ teary-eyed to have heard those words! He did very well playing acoustic guitar with us for the 1st time. He got to see how worshiping is NOT just a 3 song session on Sunday, but rather a release of the Spirit through us as we worship with others. He was worn out by the time we were done. He asked if it was like that all the time…we answered honestly, not always. We explained that when people are actively seeking God, their spirit draws Him out of you. That’s why playing at home for an hour doesn’t wear you out, but an hour in worship can. The next day, we recuperated and took in some sites.

Misty had her in-person interview to renew her work permit to be able to remain as an unpaid volunteer in this country (but authorized to perform “work”). The interviewer was happy with her answers and what we’ve been doing in here.

We also got to pick up the fourth book we’ve had translated into the Thai language, “Going All In” by Mark Batterson. Everyone has been challenged by this book and, even the translator thanked us for allowing her to participate in that endeavor!

August:

Again, Thank You to the people praying and supporting - Misty’s visa renewal, although expensive, went well. It was renewed without incident; which in turn, means the guys’ renewals are done also. With that done and paid for, Tim and I realized, we have to get new passports, as our current ones are down to the last pages. So off we sent them, so we can get new ones, and continue our journeys.

Misty found Dr. Pepper for sale online and we allowed ourselves a treat, and we have printed two new student T-shirt designs for the next term. (students get a t shirt upon enrollment to wear when we travel together and minister.)

September is just starting, and already we have a busy month. The man-child’s birthday…his 18th! (AAAAAAAAAAAAH!) Where did all that time of him being a child go? We will get to spend time in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai for that weekend. While another son, Hunter, will have his birthday without us in the U.S., we will still contact him and pray and wish him a blessed birthday as well! (He’s getting older - pray for him!) Also, Timothy’s school books for his Senior year arrived. He is super excited. (hahaha)

The Big Question

Asaph’s Journal School of Worship is temporarily on hold. God is shifting things around, and we’re waiting on Him! (Tim says the waiting sucks!) Anticipation and expectancy are increasing, possibilities are emerging, and we both know He will work it out for His good and perfect will!

Family, friends, and ministries continue to help by praying, giving, listening, correcting, sharing what God has laid on their hearts for us, and supporting what we’re doing here in Thailand. We can’t speak enough “Thank Yous” or blessings back to you! God + YOU are why we’ve been able to graduate two classes, redo and update a dorm for the students and continuing updating another dorm for future use, purchase instruments for school, students, and ministries, translate and print four books. We’ve been able to visit some of those students where they live and bring encouragement. We continue to mentor and disciple some of our students. Gas, food, lodging and equipping all take finances…and while we’re grateful for your faithfulness in that area, the friendships, the prayers, timely words from the Lord and the checking-in on us are what help sustain us here.

If there is one thing during this time over the past months that has blessed me, it is seeing Timothy grow both spiritually and mentally. He has come a long way. He has picked up bass and guitar, he has helped with projects around the property…he now knows manual labor! L.O.L.

Our good friends (and former neighbors), Chris and Sarah, still keep in contact with us regularly. Their kids are doing great and growing, Chris has found a good job, and Sarah has been involved in the worship team at their local church. We Love and Miss them dearly, and hope that this is just for a season, that they are away!

There are many things happening at Faith Village and Victory Church Thaton. If you’d like more info on things happening there, visit the TCI website or the Victory Church Thaton facebook page.