Building on our new land!

Thailand

Our kids in Bangpli, Thailand, are no strangers to construction sites. Many have lived most of their lives on one. While there are many disadvantages from living conditions found on such sites, we are seeing the Lord bring together a unique blend of knowledge and skill as our students and their families help construct new dormitories as we expand onto a new piece of land. 

Unlike typical construction sites, this one bursts with excitement and anticipation – not just for the finished product but also the opportunity to use their work as a means to serve the Lord. And, our older boys are not only gladly serving as part of the work crew, but are also learning a host of new skills in the process!

Koi, 16, says the work is ‘fun’ because this is his first chance to serve God in a big project. Watana, 14, says the work is difficult, but he is excited about a larger building being able to support more people, including his two sisters! Prasan, 16, also has siblings that the new space will serve and is excited for all of the kids to have a bigger space and more room for activities. Joseph, 18, is happy because the new building will prevent flooding, and that they will not have to wake up in the middle of the night anymore to clean up water. Saw, 16, is excited for the improved living space and the opportunity to glorify God’s name with his work. 

As the deadline to move off our current plot of land soon approaches, please join us in praying the Lord will continue to bless the work being done and also bless the wonderful bond of unity the Lord has graced this project with. In spite of our soon approaching deadline, Pastor Vino continues to steadfastly begin and end each day with Bible study and worship, with everyone getting a full rest on Sunday for extended worship, special music classes, and time for games and fellowship. We rest on and believe in God’s promises in Zechariah 4:6 and Psalm 127:1 –
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit…” and “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”

May the Lord continue to ‘affirm the work of our hands’! (Psalm 90:17). 

Cambodia

Thank you for all of your prayers for our kids in Cambodia.  After months of being off, all of our kids are finally back in school!  Our university kids were especially excited because they have been off the longest (their break started last January and they never been able to go back).  They also upgraded to a new townhouse with extra space to have meals and Bible studies together.  This past Monday we had our first weekly call together, and it was wonderful to hear more about their life and their studies in Phnom Penh.  We are grateful for the opportunities our students have to go to school and get a good education.

Praise Report: – Praise God that Lisa is finally back in Thailand, out of quarantine, and able to start serving again. – Praise God for visa extensions and a Thai school that will allow me to stay in Thailand for at least a year. – Praise God for our new land and buildings in progress in Thailand. – Praise God for schools reopening again!  – Praise God for continued health for all of our students and their families.

Prayer Requests: – Pray for my education visa paperwork to be processed quickly so I can start my Thai classes. – Pray for our students in Cambodia as they are restarting school for the first time in many months. – Pray for our team in Thailand as we continue to build on our new land, that everything would be ready by March – Pray for our team in Thailand, that we would learn how to work well together again.