Thailand Update!

Hi gang. I wanted to share an email from Joe that I got the other night. He says:

So, I just wanted to give everyone a hello and let you all know what is going on. Currently we are staying at Pastor Eric's house as ours is still in repair. Tomorrow we should be able to get the keys and start moving in. We need a few things before we really can move in; a stove and a drinkable water source, both of which are easily attained. Our house is absolutely empty so please keep this area lifted to the Lord as we seek His provision. We do have the finances we need to purchase some things, not sure what as of yet. We are praying through our options and seeking the Lord as to the priority of the items needed. As it is now, we are looking at the two above mentioned items, as well as a washing machine and, most importantly, transportation. We are about 1-2 miles from both town and Eric so this is very important. That should leave us with enough money to get groceries until we receive funds again. The ladies have had the opportunity to teach English twice, as well as accompany MJ once. The guys have had some really good fellowship in the Word and have been taking care of the logistical things. Dennis and Caleb, two of my classmates, are here as well and they have been blessed and have been a blessing. Tomorrow we will hold our English fellowship here at Eric's house around 9 before heading to a Karen church at 11. We also meet with our language teacher. Language is hard but by the power of the Spirit we will get it. This is very important as English is very minimal at best. Please pray also for this, that her schedule would be open to once a day for an hour or so, and also that our tongues would be loosed to learn this new language. Around 2 we will meet with the owner of our house at which point we should sign papers and start the next process. This next week coming up we will spend cleaning and preparing our house to be lived in as well as many other things not yet decided. Bless you guys

It sounds like things are going well for them and it's exciting to hear how the Lord is blessing them as they hit the ground running! Please also keep the following items in your prayers as they get settled in.

The Lord's provision

Language

Adaptation

New school year

Spiritual strength 

Here are a few pictures that I received as well.

Thanks for checking in and please continue to lift up Joe, Sarah, and the kids as they begin a new chapter in their lives in Thailand!! Pray that the Lord would break through the darkness there as the country is about 95% Buddhist and less than 1% Christian. They need Jesus in a bad way and Joe and Sarah continue to be on the front lines for the Lord! As always, pray for their safety as well. I would also ask that you'd pray that they would fall into the good graces of the Thai people very quickly and make inroads with the Gospel!

They should have plenty of rice varieties to choose from for meals since there are something on the order of 5,000 varieties in the country. Let's see. If they have one style per day, they'll get through all the rice varieties in about thirteen years!! LOL

Thanks again for your prayers and support. If you aren't currently supporting Joe and Sarah financially, please prayerfully consider doing so. They rely totally upon the support of others. I firmly believe that if you can't go on the mission field, support those who can and do. In doing so, you're partnering with others in being a part of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world! It pays eternal dividends!

God bless you!

Mike