Greetings from ChiangMai,

June 9, 2003

 

    This has been a turbulent year of testing.  It seems that nothing has gone as planned, yet God continues to show Himself faithful in everything. Whether it be struggles with our children, keeping the vision and oneness with our co-workers, or just making it financially from month to month. God is in it all.

    Initially we had hoped to return to the States in February. Our landlord informed us that he was  returning from Cambodia because of heart trouble and could we move? We did, and finally got settled in around March. With the loom of war and then the war, we decided to finish the boys home-schooling before coming. Then the SARS virus effected our whole region and travel. Anyway, we have finally set a travel date for June 27. That should put us in the Texas area by the first week in July.

    Our objectives while there  will be fund raising, and working on a plan for Micah's college education.  Since 9/11 and even before, our support has been at about half of what we had used in previous years. If the ministry is to continue to grow, we are praying that the funds will be restored. We are prepared to stay how ever long it takes for that to happen, while we continue to fund our team here. Hopefully, we will be able to return to ChiangMai by the end of the year or after the first. However, we feel we must have the funds to work before returning.

    Concerning the ministry, I've attached some pics to let you see a little of the center.  Since these pics were taken, another long building for boarding has been built with 6 added bathrooms. In short, we now have a meeting hall which will seat over 300, two 30 meter long houses for boarding, 14 bathrooms, kitchen and eating area, and two water wells with pumps and storage tanks. It's not yet what we hope for it to be, but it's being used. This term we are keeping 105 young people there, mostly high school age. They study in the government school there. They are mostly children of new believers, and are coming along quite nicely. Recently we invited their parents down for a wedding and a day of baptisms. We had over 300 seated in the meeting hall (which is how I know how many it seats). The meeting almost didn't happen, as some of their parents are still not believers. One 15 year old girl went home and told her parents she was a believer and wanted to be baptized. The father was outraged and kicked her out. As she was leaving, her older sister who was 7 months pregnant told her father she was a believer too, and left. As they were riding down the mountain in a hired truck, it overturned and killed all aboard except the 15 year old. The father blamed himself and turned his heart to the Lord with all his house. Bitter-sweet are so many of the stories of these children. We are so blessed to see God work in their lives and the lives of their families. The wedding that day was the joining together of 2 of our staff.  Asa and Elizabeth. It was special because the kids were the ones who got them together.  Anyway, yes the center is being used more and more. Mid week and Sundays 200 or more Christians in the area are using the meeting hall for services. Lord willing , by the end of the year we should be having monthly conferences and leadership trainings there as well. The 3 evangelism teams continue to stay out there in the mountains. Much fruit continues to be born through their faithfulness.  I look forward to seeing you soon and telling you in person of many more things the Lord is doing.

    Pray for us as we make our plans to come. Traveling funds are limited and we are selling a car and one 4wd truck in order to help keep things going while we are gone from ChiangMai. Any assistance towards plane fare $3,500, a possibility of a car to use while there, or whatever God would touch you to do would be a great blessing to us. We love you and look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Yours In Him,

 

Norman and Debbie