A New Year, A New Direction, A New Village

 

2012 brought the close of our work in Baan Thaa Village.  We knew the Father was telling us to finish the work there and move on.  All kinds of emotions filled our hearts, but we knew it was time. 

Entrance to the new villages

After a few months of searching, praying, and waiting, we feel we are ready to break ground in a new area.  And the best part is it is only 5 minutes from our house!!!  We are so excited about this new village and the proximity to us.  Now trying to juggle life, work, family, and ministry, time is precious.  The closeness of this village will enable us to have more of a presence as well as, hopefully, allow L and K to be more apart. 

One of the village homes

Next week (February 8 - 16), we will be hosting a team from Florida.  They will travel 10,000 miles to help us start a ministry in these new target villages.  These villages are surrounded by the city, but they still have a very rural feel.  We know very little about these villages.  We do know that there are 12 villages in this one small area.  We have no contacts there.  We are not known to anyone.  During the week, we hope to lift up each household and talk to as many people in the village as we can.  Our ultimate goal for the week is to see people turn their faith to Him and begin studying His Word in the village.  We believe our Father has great things planned for this area.

Water tower               Temple for all the 12 villages

We have two nationals that will be helping us in the work.  We met them in our first term here.  They were dunked and did some work with us before.  Due to some uncontrollable circumstances, they stopped partnering with us.  However, they agreed to partner with us next week.  We are hoping they feel the call to recommit and begin partnering with us again.

Dew, Aim, and Mr. K

So, we have some great things happening and the potential for the Father to do some AMAZING things!

This week, remember each team member during your times with the Father.  Ask that He will provide good health, wisdom, and opportunities to share the hope that He has given to us.  Please use this as a daily guide to lift us up!

Florida Team: Dan, Shelly, Gaby, Diane

Chiang Mai Team: J, L, K

National Partners: Dew, Aim

Day by Day Schedule

Friday: Ask for safe travel for those traveling from Florida.  The team will arrive here late (11pm).

Saturday: The team will be acquainted with the city today.  Ask that this team will show the Light of our Father to this dark city.

Sunday: We will fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Mae Thaeng.  Dan was invited to share a message during the fellowship.  Later, we will make preparations for the week, ask that He will prepare us mentally, physically, and spiritually for the week. 

Monday: In the morning, we will teach about Valentine's Day at Hua Rin school.  In the afternoon, we will share with the people in and around our neighborhood.  In the evening, we will have dinner and be spending time with a few of the teachers' families.  Ask that the kids and the teachers at the school hear about True Love and respond in faith.

Tuesday: In the morning, we will teach again in Hua Rin.  We will also start meeting people in the new target villages.  Ask that their hearts are open as we share the Truth with them.

Wednesday: We will start the day by going door to door through the village.  In the afternoon, L will host a scrapbooking class.  Most of the girls coming to scrapbook with L are not believers.  Ask for divine opportunities to share with the girls who come and that they finally see a need to trust in Him.

Thursday: We will working in the villages again in the morning.  Ask that the Father prepare the way before us so that we may be in awe of what he is doing already in this area.  Ask that we encounter people who are desperate for the message.

Friday: This is our final working day.  We will spend the entire day in the village. Ask that we find people interested in knowing more about the Creator and would like to open their home to studying weekly.

Saturday: Ask for a relaxing day off and safe travel back to Florida.  Ask the Father to continue working in their hearts as they ponder all they experienced and give them opportunity to share their faith in Florida.

*** Keep in mind, all of the above days are our time, which is 13 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.  So you would want to lift up each request the day before.  For example, pray for Friday's request on Thursday.

Thank you for joining us in the work through lifting us up!

J and L