We had a great time spending a week in the Philippines with our youngest son, Reuven. We joined him on his graduation day. It was one of the happiest moments of our lives. We realized just how we missed our son. We are thankful to the Lord for making a way for us to spend time with him.
If you are a parent, you would understand how sad we were when we left him especially when we had been with him for a few days. As we were walking away and waving goodbye, Narlin said, “I can’t help but cry, I am sad we are leaving our son again but joyful just to remember how faithful God was to see our children through college.”
God’s provision for our children’s education is one of the most beautiful testimony we share about God’s faithfulness in our lives as missionary. We know some people who believe that God has called them to mission but could not go because of their children’s schooling. Likewise, we know people who were in the field but decided to go home for the same reason.
When we went for mission, our children knew that they need to make sacrifice especially with regards to their education. We did our best to put them to school. The homeschooling didn’t work because travel and materials cost were way beyond our means. Moreover, International Schools in Thailand are catered for the affluents.
To make a long story short, the Philippine’s Department of Education came to Thailand to conduct Equivalency Test and all our children passed the test that made it possible for them to go straight to college. God is faithful.
Sewing Ministry
It has been over a year since we left the sewing program. But it doesn’t stop Narlin from helping and teaching young women how to sew and make small items such purse, bags among others. The only setback for a while was we didn’t have a sewing machine.
One night, out of the blue, a friend sent us a text message asking if we want to continue the sewing ministry. When we answered yes, she told us that she would give us the money to buy a new sewing machine. It is a miraculous provisions for a specific need. Narlin is now helping a lady by teaching her how to sew and to extra income by making items.
Praise the Lord that even though we don’t have resources to run a training center, God provides the opportunity to continue helping young women.
God's Assurance
We were invited to attend an opening of a new children’s home in Chiang Mai. And we could not help but feel a little bit insecure thinking: How much money has been spent buying the property and constructing the buildings? What does it cost to run the Foundation and paid the staff? We never in our wildest dream could afford any of these frills.
But then God assures us that the success of our ministry is not measured on how much property we owned, how beautiful our house is, or how much money we have. It is about caring and loving the children, teaching them to be good person, to believe in God and to be like Christ. God assures us that we are doing well with the resources that He has provided.
We thank you for your partnership in the ministry, your support and prayers surely helps us to continue to love and care for the children and do other ministries that God wants us to do.
Prayer Concerns
Once again, we want to share to you our thanksgiving and prayer concerns.
- We thank the Lord that our work permit problem is resolved. The Rainbow Foundation helped us to keep our visa in spite of our cancelled Work Permit. But this cost us to pay more fees to the Department of Labor. The only positive upshot of this hurdle is that we will be given a two-year work permit. Thank you Lord.
- Pray for the children’s national ID (Thai citizenship). To be honest, we don’t have any idea how to do this. We are expecting our friends to help us by giving their testimony to the government in behalf of the children but they refused. Please continue to pray for this as we gather information about the process.
- The school term is about to end. The children are having their final exam next week. A long three week vacation is waiting for them to enjoy. Pray that they will do well on their final exam and for their needs for the second semester. We are preparing activities for the long break.
- Please for us, Joey and Narlin, for safe trip to the Philippines . We were invited to attend a Missionary Care Conference on September 24-29. Although, we benefited from several Missionary R&R here in Thailand, it is the first time in twelve years that we have the privilege of being invited to events like this. Please pray for safe travel and provisions.
- Pray also for our ministry involvement in the church. We are actually involved with two congregations. The children lead worship at a local Thai church and I (Joey) preached once a month. We also do the same tasks in an international congregation (which gathers once a month) composed mostly of Filipino English teachers and few people from Thailand, USA and Europe. We started this fellowship since we came here twelve years ago. Please pray that these ministries will be a blessing to the community.
- Please also pray for the Philippines in the aftermath of the category 5 typhoon, Mangkhut. Please pray for those who are greatly affected especially in the northern part of the Philippines.
Please continue to include is your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate your partnership in our ministry.
This is also posted in my other blog and sent in email form to our family and friends.
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