Every moment is a blessing

After spending almost nine months in the Philippines, we are so happy for the opportunity to spend Christmas and New Year with all our children. It was a rare moment for us to be together for more than a week celebrating Christmas and remembering God’s faithfulness in our lives.

It is true, the unexpected extended time away brought about changes. First, we noticed that the children are more mature, more responsible, and can do chores by themselves. Second, we can longer do the “heavy lifting." We are now a team with our children that each of us working together in a ministry God has given to us. Moreover, we believe our hosting of YWAM teams has come to an end.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things that happen in our lives but it takes faith to be grateful for all of our lives—the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, in success as well as failures, in health as well as sickness. We learn to trust the Lord that blessings are never in disguised. Every moment is a blessing from God.

This reminds us of Job when he says: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”-Job 1:21

Once again, we are thankful for your love and prayers. We remember you who sacrificed a lot financially to help us taking care of the children. God bless you more and more.

Sharing Jesus' Story

We had a busy Christmas. It is because Christmas is never considered a holiday here in Thailand. No Christmas break for the children. So, they had to divide their time. going to school and celebrating Christmas.

One of the special activities we did last Christmas was caroling. We went into the community singing Christmas gospel songs and praying for the people. Even non-Christians would invite us to sing and pray for them. An opportunity to share the gospel through songs and prayers.

Moreover, we participated in a Christmas party organized by our church. Our church is planting a church in the village. Christmas party here is the time when we share Jesus' story in the village and we do the “raffle” thing. People received a gift by drawing their respective numbers. We sang Christmas songs and the children presented a drama about the story of Jesus—his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.

Prayer Concerns

We are holding several English camps (Daily Vacation Bible School) during school breaks. Our church will join us, and our children will serve as camp staff. Please pray for God’s provisions as we minister to the children in the community.

Our children are now the main worship team in our church. They lead the worship and play the instruments as well. We are hoping to buy more musical instruments like a bass guitar. We are hoping we can teach them more worship songs. Please pray that God will use them in this ministry.

Our truck is in the shop once again. It is still working well but the maintenance is getting costly. We are praying for a new van that we can use when our truck broke down and we need it during the rainy season. We may not get the van we are praying for, we are looking for another van.

We are praying to do the after school English classes once again. We are planning to work with the School of Tomorrow and its BLESS (Basic Literacy Education Saving Souls) Project. We are praying to teach the children in the community to read and write in English and eventually share the gospel with their parents. It was a ministry we were doing for years and we like to do it again better this time with us to undergo training.

Joey needs to go back in March for two weeks to the Philippines for monitoring. He will have bone scans, blood tests, x-rays, and other follow-up checkups. Praying for favorable results. We are praying to find a good oncologist here in Thailand so that we don’t need to go to the Philippines for monitoring. Please pray for safe travels and provisions.

Thank you once again for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We are feeling your love all the time. To God be the glory.