End of September 2024 Update
Much like you have with Hurricane Helene, we’ve watched a disaster unfold in Thailand and M________ as our missionary friends battled the worst flooding in 80 years. I wrote last month that seasonal monsoons had already flooded the region; then Typhoon Yagi dropped several additional feet of water. The pictures our friends sent of the surging floods, the streets turned to raging rivers, the houses, cars, and trees swept away were horrific; the images of them banding together to rescue people trapped in flooded houses were equally heroic. We could, at least, help by sending emergency money directly to those we knew would steward it wisely and well for food and water. The Thai navy seals, the same who rescued the thirteen soccer boys from the cave, aided with the search and rescue. As is often the case, this disaster brought out the best in people, with missionaries, NGOs, foreigners, locals, refugees, and the Thai military all working together with the single purpose of saving lives and meeting basic needs. Hundreds of volunteers came from Chaing Mai to help, only to turn around and race home when the dams no longer could contain the surging water heading downriver and the Ping River overflowed its banks, flooding Chaing Mai too. In MaeSai, the waters have receded, but the work is far from over; the flood left tons of mud that must be shoveled out of houses and removal is problematic as the streets have to be cleared with graders. In neighboring M______, equally severely affected by flooding but whose military government is preoccupied with war instead of helping the people, the situation is far worse. Wherever they can, those with food, particularly the children’s homes who have agricultural resources, are helping each other as there will be no help from foreign governments or their own.
By God’s grace, we’ve completed another six-week session of Disciple Making Training, this time with 55 trainees, a combination of church planters, children’s ministers, evangelists, and pastors. There were many poignant moments; one day, as we were training in the country, an ice cream vendor stopped his wagon close enough to hear, took out his phone, and surreptitiously recorded the message. We will see what fruit this will bear. “God’s Word will not return to him void.” (Isaiah 55:11). It’s a joy to help participants progress from reluctant witnesses to bold presenters of their own stories, the Jesus Story, and the Commands of Christ. Since completing their training, they’ve deluged us with photos of their teaching in the villages and locations as they work to make disciples who make disciples.
While we train in the provinces on weekends, I teach Academic English to ESL seminary students on Wednesdays. I have thirteen students (eleven physically present and two remotes,) ranging from first to fourth year, aged 19 to 40, with English proficiency levels of A-1 to C-2, speaking five different native languages…so ask me if I’m scrambling to meet their needs! But it’s thrilling to teach writing again, especially to such dedicated and hardworking young people. They arrive early, stay late, do their homework, ask questions…wait? Is this not Teacher Heaven?
Given that the flooding in Thailand and M________ contaminated water sources, we are SO grateful to have this precious supply of water filters on hand! Almost all the leaders we’ve trained have been equipped with a water filter, which provides water for multiple families for 10 years with proper backwashing. If you’re interested in the technology behind these lightweight, portable, high-tech miracles, here’s a link with the relevant information. https://www.sawyer.com/products/international-bucket-system. Thank you to all who’ve made it possible for us to bring a continuous supply of filters to Asia. They’ve never been needed more!
Having been warned by Peter’s chiropractor (ok, more like “scared straight”) about the risk of spinal fractures caused by riding in tuk-tuks over potholes (“I see zem all ze time ‘ere!” Dr. Christophe is very French,) Peter and I have now invested in back braces. While they DO help (they pretty well hold you rigid) they are decidedly HOT and bulky. Adding several more inches around my middle, in addition to the required money belt, is a blow to my vanity; it’s a tossup whether I prefer to look like a trussed chicken or permanently brace for the inevitable potholes.
Peter and I were invited to attend a downtown church this week and to our great amusement, two separate worshippers (one who sat directly in front of us) brought their dogs with them. We watched as the well-behaved toy poodle was passed along the row and lovingly patted. At the “greet-your-neighbor” part of the service, Peter leaned forward and jokingly inquired, “So is your dog a Christian? Has he been baptized?” to which the young man answered, quite seriously, “Yes, Sir. He loves coming to church.” I’m thinking we could start a new church trend in the States…
In the Dominican, Pastor Jaime’s arm continues to heal, although not as rapidly as he’d like (we feel you, Brother), and his ministry to the Haitian pastors who are planting churches continues to explode. Some churches planted just this year have already birthed daughter churches. The Manna Pack customs-hostage situation is still unresolved; please continue to pray.
And so we begin our seventh month in Cambodia, continually amazed at how God has opened doors, brought people into our lives, given us opportunities, and kept us safe. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for His grace as well as for your prayers, support, and continued encouragement.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6