August Newsletter

We have been rather busy, and don't have an always on internet connection so it can be hard to blog, so here is our last newsletter, and there should be a new one soon.

momentum
in the swing of things

Its been almost 2 months since our last update. The past 2 months have been jammed-packed full of good things. God keeps opening doors here, and we always seem to be doing something. We've been in Ratchaburi for 3 months now, and we love being a part of the ministry here. We're learning so much, and getting inspired to use English teaching as a way to impact the lives of young people in Tuu's hometown. When we go and teach English we're able to give so much more. They want to know why we're different. Praise God that in the places that we go regularly we have complete freedom to share a great deal about Him, and praise God in other places as others learn more about us doors keep opening. In just one month we will be heading back to Korat, and will be trusting God to show us exactly what he wants us to be doing there in the future.

fun
changing attitudes

Our leader, P'Noiy once "hated" English. He failed continuously and skipped class any chance he could. He was sure he would never be able to learn English, yet today he speaks English confidently and competently. What happened? God changed his thinking towards English. After spending some time with foreigners he realized that English can be fun. There are many kids in Thailand that feel the same way as P'Noiy. "It's too hard", "I can't speak it", and " I don't understand." It is those students that we have a heart to help the most, to help them to overcome the mindsets that are holding them back. A method we use to help the students to enjoy English is to run English camps. So far since being here, Tuu and I have been involved with 3 English camps which the kids just loved so much.

The first camp we ran we had almost 500 students, and there was only 5 of us to lead the whole day. Because of unseen circumstances we were forced to cram 500 kids into one hall, which meant when divided into "rotations" there was 4 of us rotation leaders all competing with our voices, not to mention the 500 noisy kids. It was tough, and it didn't help that Tom was dealing with a nasty bout of tonsillitis. Praise God though we got through the day with His strength, and it was a huge success, with the head of Education here in Ratchaburi giving us free reign to do camps whenever we want. Our next English camp will be very different as it in is for adults, in fact many of them will be around the age of 60 year olds!

slum
burmese community

We have also had the opportunity to go and share in a poor Burmese community that is located close to P'Noiy and Bronwyn's house. They had been previously with teams to play with the kids and outreach. Just a few weeks ago we decided to make an effort to go there on a regular basis. We sang songs, played games, shared about what Jesus has done for us. The adults were all hiding off to the side watching and listening to everything.

About a week ago we did an open air outreach in the middle of their community. We invited everyone to come along including the adults, many of them decided to come as they saw we had brought things to give to them.. We played, sang, and shared some more. We gave out daily essentials such as toiletries and cooking ingredients to help them. After P'Noiy shared his testimony, he asked if there was anyone that was serious about knowing God more, and wanted to follow Him.

There was a great response from the kids and amazingly almost all of the young men raised there hands too. Praise God that so many were prepared to to take that bold step, not worrying how "uncool" they might look. P'Noiy is now meeting the adults every Sunday afternoon to spend time with them, to disciple them, to listen to their questions, even to teach guitar so they can play worship songs. Tuu and myself are running Children's church for the kids for the next month. We have only met them a few times, yet we have been able to make a big impact on them. I heard today from there teacher that they're always talking about P'Tom and P'Tuu, and the things we've taught them. Please pray that God will send someone else here to continue the work with these special kids after we have gone