As we headed out the door for a Friday evening walk, Cindi and I were instantly met with two smiling faces.  The two neighbor children quickly walked up to us and began to chat.  After a few minutes of conversation they scampered off.  Returning home about 30 minutes later we were again instantly greeted.  For the next hour or so we conversed with the two energetic children.  The eight year old girl told us about swimming lessons, her love of reading, and how she likes to sleep in on weekends.  Her six year old brother mostly just stood, smiled, and quietly antagonized his sister by sneaking up behind her and giving her “bunny ears” with his fingers.  Cindi and I couldn’t help but marvel at how they were opening up to us.  The next evening, after returning home from a day of church, and visiting friends an hour away, we were again immediately greeted by the neighbor children.  We feel pleased about this growing “friendship” and hope that someday we can bring them to church.

With a Child From Church

These past several weeks have been busy, but not necessarily “exciting.”  Missionary life can be rather mundane at times.  Cindi and I continue to plug away at language acquisition and are noticing progress.  For example, we just started attending the adult Thai Sabbath school class at church, and are finding that we can understand a good majority of what is being said.  When we used to attend the adult Sabbath School class in Bangkok last year, we understood very little, so we see this as a sign of definite progress.  We continue to seek for opportunities to converse with Thai church members and neighbors in order to practice.  Yesterday we had a nice conversation with an elderly Thai couple at church that were instrumental in establishing the Chiangmai SDA church many years ago.  They also are good friends of the current pastor in Khon Kaen (the city that we will be working in) and told us that they view him as a son. 

With a Child From Church

At Language School we are just about to complete the “Second Grade” and move onto studying more advanced lessons about Thai life.  Even though we feel that we are making linguistic progress, it is still humbling to realize that we are merely on an early elementary level and still have a way to go.  We plan to finish language school by the end of this year. 

Our quarterly team meeting in Khon Kaen last month went very well, we both sensed the moving of God’s Spirit as we discussed plans for an in-depth culture study.  I left with a renewed determination to give all that I can to language, so that I can contribute more to the study and move to Khon Kaen as quickly as possible. 

With a Child From Church

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek to learn the language, build relationships, and witness as we have opportunity.  We also ask that you continue to pray for the country of Thailand as there is still quite a bit of political tension and turmoil in the air.  We are grateful for all that God has done for us, may He bless you all!  Do remember to let us know how we can pray for you, take care!

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