Coming to America
Earlier this month, we went through the visitor visa process so Tiff could finally come to the States. She had previously been denied because she didn’t have enough of the ‘qualifications’. So this time we put together everything we could to make her ‘qualified’, spent many hours practicing the interview and even had a chance to meet with the US Consul general himself prior to the interview. The result is that we’re coming to America! Tiff said the whole process was so much better this time and she just had so much peace during it. Thank you all for your prayers!
We will be in the States this fall (Oct 18th-Dec 28th) to visit family and friends and share about the work God has been doing here in Thailand. We will spend most of the time in Minnesota with about a week in Georgia (Nov 2nd-10th) and another week in Los Angeles (likely in November). Get ready to come see us!
Shan & Pa-O Ministry Highlights
Follow-up from June
Back in June we reported that God had opened a door to minister at a Shan funeral. This was a very difficult time for our friend Sai Lern’s sister Klura who had just lost her husband. As we met with her and several of the family members and friends to share our condolences, we were also able to pray for them and share the hope we have in Christ Jesus. It was at this time that Klura wanted to have the same peace as her husband did and prayed to receive Christ.
Sai Lern, his sister Klura, and Tiff at the funeral
Now 3 months later, we had the joy to see more of those seeds take root as Sai Lern’s and Klura’s mom came to church to learn more about Jesus. After we were able to share the gospel and the gift of life that comes through Jesus, she asked the Lord into her heart also. In fact, she was so excited this day that she joined Tiff and the other Shan speaking members of our church in singing a worship song even though she had never practiced it.
Confessing her faith in front of the Church
Sai Lern and his mom’s impromptu singing at church
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)
Baptisms!
This month we had the joy of seeing two families of recent believers at our church make the decision to get baptized. Both families have great testimonies of how they received help from our church when they were in need, saw the lives of their Christian family and friends and as a result wanted the same joy and peace in their lives.
Two families at church were baptized Sept 15th
It was a special joy to see Bagai and On get baptized for us. On, who has a Shan background like Tiff, and has been growing in fellowship with us for the past 4 months. Additionally, the family went through discipleship training with us recently. And even though they have gone through many trials with work, health, income, and family within the last year, God has answered prayers and provided for them each time. Praise the Lord!
Bagai and his wife On
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, the God who is our salvation.” – Psalms 68:19 (NASB)
Grace House Children Home
Child Spotlight
Naomi (Asootha) hunting frogs in the village
When the children home was first started last year, Naomi (now 11yrs old), was the youngest girl and came from an equally if not more difficult background than all the other kids. Her struggles started when she was very young as she had malaria as a baby. Much of the vitamins and medicine that was given for her by the refugee camp clinic were actually sold to others by her mother. As a result of this, Naomi has had a learning disability and a stunted physical growth. She also failed her tests at the school last year and had a hard time focusing. In addition to that, when she was young, her parents divorced and her dad remarried. Sadly, her new step-mom was very negligent in taking care of her and she was seen as a burden and not a blessing. This is where Grace House entered into her life.
Naomi has now been at Grace House for over a year. With our staff and the older girls in the home taking care of her each day, she knows she has a safe home and will be provided for. She has even made a new friend recently with Esata (another young girl that came to our home last summer), who seems to be able to encourage Naomi in her studying. And a huge answer to prayer this past month and a sign of her changing life was that she passed all her tests!
Aside from going to school and daily chores in the home, she loves playing games and playing with the kids in the home and village. Even though Naomi doesn’t know what she wants to do when she’s older, God’s love is there for her and so are His blessings.
Naomi in Grace House
And in case you didn’t know, there are many more videos and photos at https://www.facebook.com/FreedomHarvestMinistry
If you would like to learn more or partner with this ministry, please contact us and visit our Get Involved web page.
Freedom Harvest Ministry 