Hot Off the Presses!

My new prayer cards are have been officially printed. Let me know if you want one!! These cards are used for people to remember to pray for me on the field. A short biography is on the back. The bottom section is detachable, so supporters can return it showing their interest in financially supporting me and receiving my newsletter. Back before I was a missionary, I thought this was the true badge of a missionary, having a prayer card. Now people recognize me at churches because they've looked at me everyday on their fridge. But I wish I had all of your faces on my fridge so I could recognize you!

"The Day to Thank God"

That's what today is called in Thailand at our church. It's really just an American holiday, but we all celebrated at our church plant in Thailand while I was there. It's crazy to remember that day from this location. My first year, I volunteered myself as a su-chef (assistant cook) to one of my teammates. Since I can't cook much alone, I thought I could help others more able. Yet my teammate can still regret accepting my help when I poured the ketchup all over her cookbook she's had since her wedding! Then, after cleaning that up, we sat around the tables all together to celebrate. Good Thai food, American Thanksgiving food (minus the turkey), and a whole lot of people from everywhere that happened to be in town. Missionaries from the North, a short-term team from the Philippines, we missionaries, and the Thai staff. What a good time. I pray that party is getting larger this year as our church grows with believers and seekers. Remember to pray for them as you sit around your tables this Thanksgiving. Pray also for those serving overseas that aren't home to celebrate with family! I thank God for my family that I'm home to celebrate with. Mom and I leave tomorrow for West Virginia to see my granddad whom I haven't seen in like 10 years. Happy Thanksgiving!

New Song about Thailand

I was given this CD by a supporter that heard two missionaries speak about their work in Thailand. The words touch deep into my soul and my yearning for the people of Thailand. I hope you will forgive the length of this post, and enjoy and join in the prayer this man wrote for the Thai people.

Rain falls but the land remains a desert.
The people smile while sadness fills their hearts.
The sun shines as darkness covers the nation.
While freedom rains, captive souls starve.

Lord, I long for them to know your mercy.
And you long for them to receive your love.
For lives that are barren and thirsty,
are only quenched by your waters above.

Rain your love on the people of Thailand.
Pour your Spirit in their hearts.
Shower them with your living water.
Let them see your face, know your grace,
Show them who you are.

Men robed in unrighteousness mock the truth.
While people quote them fear, they search for peace.
Bowing to idols they seek new life,
But their worship only sounds a hopeless plea.

Lord, I long for them to know your goodness.
And you long for them to take your hand.
As the rains fall from your holy heavens,
bringing life to this barren land.

Rain your love on the people of Thailand.
Pour your Spirit in their hearts.
Shower them with your living water.
Let them see your face, know your grace,
Show them who you are.

How can they receive what they never heard?
How can they hear unless we preach?
For your name to be glorified in all the earth,
we must take your living water to the weak.

Rain your love on the Kingdom of Thailand.
Jesus, come and reign in their hearts.
Shower them with your living water.
Let them see your face, know your grace,
show them who you are.

Jesus, come, reign in their hearts.

I am thankful for....

As I travel home tomorrow to begin celebrating Thanksgiving with my extended family, I'm so thankful to be "home." Though life right now is confusing, I need to see what blessings this year at home have given me. Here's a few.

-being home to eat turkey.
-the everyday experience of being with family.
-the fantastic season of Autumn.
-the helpful perspective of the mission field from here.
-being home to celebrate my friends' birthdays.
-the love of my church family here.
-watching my nephew play soccer.
-meeting all my friends' new babies.
-seeing the faces of those who pray for me.
-my grandmothers' quilts
-my car...I missed being able to drive.
-wearing sweaters and socks.
-even more awareness of God's control over all of my days for His glory!

Translating Waitresses

Great presentation tonight. You'll be surprised what sort of information I was able to give out tonight besides sharing about what God's doing in Thailand. After the presentation, one guy came up to me to share about his experience at their local Thai restaurant. He likes to order his Thai food without rice. Each time after he orders that, he hears the waitress telling the cooking staff, "my cow." Not understanding them, the man wasn't sure if they were saying something bad or what. So, he asked me. I was able to reassure him that the waitress is saying "no rice" in the Thai language. She wasn't saying anything bad about his cow or his order. I'm glad to be of service. I think a few of us from that church are all going to go out for Thai food soon.

Aside from that, I love being a missionary for this church. They have always prayed so faithfully for me over the years. They knew my face. They remembered when I came to speak two years ago. They prayed for Thailand when I finished the presentation. I know, without a doubt, they will remember to keep me in their prayers. How blessed am I to have such amazing prayer warriors.

Nong is a Christian!!

Nong is one the left, and Pawn, is on the right.


I'm feeling like the angels in heaven who rejoice when one person believes in Jesus! Our friend, Nong, became a Christian yesterday. Kieow just sent me an email full of the news. Nong just received Christ as her Savior! Nong said one day, "I believe in God but I didn't invite Jesus to come into my heart, I want to know him more then I can trust him and put my life in his hands." Then I gave her a booklet that explained about God and humans and what Jesus had done for us, and how to receive Jesus Christ as Her Savior. Today when we had devotion time together she asked me "If I believe in God can I help my husband and my brother when they want to "Tom boon"(Buddhist thing) for their parents who already pass away. Well, I said "You mean you already received Christ as your Savior? Then she said "Yes, I have." Praise the Lord.!!

Nong is a leader in the Mahathai slum community, a member of our handicraft ministry, and a good friend of mine. I could just share for a whole page about her story. Please do pray for her as she steps out in her new faith. Pray for her as she expresses her faith to her family, her husband and her brother.

Ming had her Baby!

My friend, Ming, in Thailand had her new baby girl a couple months ago. She just sent me pictures! We began as friends when I was her English teacher, but now she says we are sisters. It's an honor to be emailed pictures. I was able to send her some baby clothes, to help celebrate.
Fai is the second of her two daughters, the first named Fan Fan.