Home is where the heart is

And just like that, we are halfway through the year 2020. Our ordered lives were turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We lose track of time; we are stranded in a place that used to be our home fourteen years ago and do work that we do not think we will be doing.

This pandemic makes us realize that we cannot fully control our situation. Only God can.  We could not do anything that requires us to go to other places. As much as we want to go home to Thailand, we could not as the airport are closed at least until the end of the month. 

We miss our children, our home, and friends in Mae Sai. But we know that our waiting will not be for long. We will be home soon. In the meantime, while we are here God has given us the opportunity to minister to our church here in our own small ways. I have been helping as part of the worship team, preaching, and helping the media team doing the church’s worship online. Narlin is leading multiple Bible studies online on Facebook. 

We are thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness in providing for the needs of the children. Narlin and I have expenses on our own, but most of the support that we receive is mostly spent on the needs in the home and of the children. We are grateful for people who recognized that it is difficult for us to be away from our ministry and that we have our own needs too. 

We are aware that there are people who wonder how we take care of the children while we are not physically present. We mentioned this in our previous newsletter in passing but it is good to clear it up again here. Our children are in their late teens. We talked to them online often. They are well-disciplined and know what their responsibilities are. For our friends who stayed with us can attest to it. Jillian grew up with children and knows each one well and she knows how to deal with them. 

Our children's home does not exist in isolation. We are part of a community. Our church looks after the children while we are away. Our Pastors, Ajan Sunit and Ajan Chang, come to our house regularly especially during this pandemic and we call them whenever there are concerns that need to be addressed immediately. Both pray and study the Bible with the children. We are also part of the network of other children ministries in Mae Sai and their leaders are our friends who are happy to help while we are not there. 

Except for the time when I had two surgeries last year, this is the only time we are away longer.  We never consider leaving Mae Sai except for a consultation with my oncologist. After we got our bone scan result, and I believe I will be cancer-free soon, we will find a local oncologist so that we don't have to go to the Philippines for monitoring. 

We thank the Lord that in every situation, He reminds us that "He is the one who meets all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). 

Thanks again for your love, prayers, and continued support. Please pray that the pandemic will be over, pray that we can go back soon, and pray for the children