“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”             – 1 Peter 1:13 (NASB)

We hope you are all doing well and making your way through these winter months. Winter, or cold season, is my favorite time here in Thailand because the weather is the most enjoyable with cooler temps down into the 50s. Unfortunately, it still gets into the 90s and we have both struggled with sicknesses off and on with the temperature swings. But given that, we are doing well. Tiff is now back in classes after an enjoyable break off from her management courses and I will be starting a new language course next week.

Marriage Ceremony

We have also had a full schedule of ministry projects to start off the new year. Shortly after celebrating New Years, we partnered with our church and taught a marriage counseling session for the Pa-Oh members and held a marriage dedication ceremony. We had 20 people go through the counseling classes and had 7 couples dedicate their marriages to God. Not only did this create lasting memories and beautiful pictures, but it also instructed the couples on God’s purpose for marriage, what their covenant means, and many practical ways to nurture and grow their relationships each day.

Pa-Oh Marriage Counseling and Dedication Service

 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  – Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Village Ministry Highlights

We also had the joy and honor of hosting a dynamic team from Georgia last month. This was the second year they’ve joined us and they were a huge help and blessing to many people here. Some of the activities and open doors were a week of teaching at Karenni bible school, constructing compost boxes and vegetable gardens at Grace House, hosting medical clinics and having outreaches in the villages.

Some of the highlights definitely included the great fellowship, partnering in making disciples (and the many good bible questions from the students!) and seeing the kids of the villages and Grace House truly get blessed. Please join me in prayer for more fruit and lives changed.

Bringing the Word to Life at Grace House 

Teaching, Construction & Medical Clinic in MHS

Outreach and Medical Clinic in a Long Neck Village near the Border

 “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” – 1 John 3:18 (NASB)

Recently I was able to join CFE Ministries on a trip to an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp in southern Thailand near the border. I usually only get to make this trip once a year but am grateful every time. This time especially as there was definitely a hunger for God. Praise the Lord!

South Camp reaching out to Karen IDPs

PRAISE and PRAYER REQUESTS:

 · Praise God for meeting needs and impacting lives with all His love

· Thank God for a great team from Georgia and their heart to serve

· Praise God for progress in our garden at Grace House and healthy kids

· Pray for Tiff’s and my health as we overcome sicknesses

· Pray for continued opportunities to reach people with the gospel

· Prayer for strong marriages and blessings upon the Pa-Oh families

· Continued prayer for my Thai language learning and Tiff’s management classes

*If you would like to partner with this ministry, please visit our Get Involved web page. And check us out on facebook for additional photos and information.