As I sat to write this update I realized the last update written was for exactly one year ago. Sorry for not keeping you all informed of the great things the Lord has been doing through this time. As most of you know we were able to go to the US for about 10 1/2 weeks, for the months of April and May. It was a really blessed time of much needed relaxation. We have now returned to Thailand and have settled in. No promises but we hope to keep you all better informed in the future.
During our time of rest, there was a lot of prayer regarding what to do, how to move forward. The Lord so heavily laid on our hearts to train up leaders, something we have always had the heart to do, just haven't really done it. As we began to pray for who and how, we were given clear vision of who this should be and what it should look like. Of course that also means that they must have a desire to be raised up and also they needed to hear from the Lord on their own. As we returned there were several meetings needed in able to meet with each individual and share what the Lord had shared with us. We are so thankful that each of the people the Lord had shown us also had heard from the Lord. Currently there is a pastor and assistant in training, an outreach leader, and also a worship leader. Each of these have stepped up in their respective areas and are doing a really great job. Currently the pastor and assistant are getting "pulpit" experience leading communion, prayer, announcements, offering and other church activities while the teaching is mostly my responsibility. The new worship leader has great organizational skills and in the short time since taking on the ministry has done really well. The outreach leader is another Calvary missionary and is heading up our continued English outreaches in the community.
As a fellowship we are really growing, not so much in numbers but spiritually. It is so nice to see people stepping up and out as the Lord directs. There is something to do every night of the week, except Monday, and the whole ministry shuts down for a day of rest on Saturday. School is well under way with the children finishing up the first book, of ten, in their studies. This year we have 6 students ranging from K-9. If you are reading this then I assume most of you also have Facebook....I encourage you to like our church FB page, New Beginnings Calvary Chapel Patong to keep up and see all the pictures of what goes on around here. Also there are usually bi-weekly devotions posted that are challenging and encouraging.
Thank you for you patience, interest and prayers as we continue to serve the Lord in Phuket, Thailand.
