Organic Farming, Mulberries & Livelihoods

The first relationship we followed was with "Aunt Lydia". We have known this woman from afar for many years. But when a friend asked if we would be willing to work along side her, we knew what the answer should be. Since that time we have made numerous trips to an area 5 hours north of Vientiane, made recently accessible by a new road.  

It has been a privilege to meet with villagers and brainstorm a new project into existence. Lydia was asked by local authorities to promote organic agriculture tied with cottage industry in this area where many new families are being re-settled and starting over from scratch. It has also been a tremendous learning experience to work alongside Lydia, her team, and extended family. She has a real passion to see rural poverty alleviated in Laos. She is experienced and knows how to get things done in Laos' unique environment. We'll be writing a lot more about this project, you can be sure.

Daniel Agro-Enterprises

Daniel bought the farm when our company was voted off the island back in 2008.  While we took a sabbatical, he caught a vision for agricultural business and ministry.  For two years he strove to carry on the work he felt was so important.  But finally he sold the fish ponds, buildings, and infrastructure to the government, paying us money that we re-invested in Mekong Valley Foods, Chiang Rai.  All the corn-handling equipment & grain bins he moved to Vientiane and set up another company about 40 minutes out of town.

His vision now couldn't be broader.  Three harvest centers--each bigger and with more capacity than our old company--have been set up, with more to follow.  Construction of a 250-sow piglet producing facility is well under way.  80 hectares of corn are being planted.  A cattle-raising project aims to make beef once more affordable in Vientiane (prices have shot through the roof in past months).

 

And finally, Peter is working to make Daniel Aquatics a reality.  Recently he has been digging fishponds, raising dikes, and putting in pipes and culverts to fill and drain the ponds.  He is working with a capable Lao manager that he and Daniel hired. They hope to bring in "mother and father fish" (as we say in Lao) early next month.  Two or three other workers are going for training next week with the talented team at SDRF's Issaan Aquatics Farm.  This renewed connection with our friends across the Mekong has been a real blessing.

Friendships Flowering

Peter and I were away for a few days.  On our return, the tree in our front yard that had been bare was suddenly a riot of leaves and flower!

    

As we have thought back over these past several months, this tree has come to symbolize our return to Laos.  We spoke in our last letter of how we felt God nudging us to just "follow the friendships"-not to worry too much where they were leading, but to obediently put one foot in front of the other.  Suddenly, it seems, those relationships have blossomed into some beautiful trees and ministries.

On the Home Front

On the home front

As you can see below, our grandkids (with whom we spent time in October) continue to delight us with their incredible genius and precocity.

Thanksgiving!  We celebrated a week late because on the day we were moving into our house.  As you can see, however, Ruthie put on a spread.  I don't know how she does it. 

 

 

China & Japan

Relations between China and Japan, at least politically, are a sensitive subject these days.  Trips to both places became, for us, a study in stark contrasts.  In both places we visited churches with faithful members.  In both places we drank in large doses of two wonderful cultures.   

Our time in China was very instructive as we participated in a ceremony to dedicate a church building which was a joint project between the Chinese government, the Covenant Church in Taiwan, and Covenant Church in the USA.  This was not something we expected.  We sat with government officials as they made speeches; and our Taiwanese brother was also given a chance to speak.  We were given a true red-carpet reception and cultural show.

 

In Japan, our primary purpose for going was to meet with our Asia Regional Council to plan for the next year and to strategize.  Along the way we attended services in a couple of NSKK churches and had the pleasure of witnessing a classic Japanese tea ceremony, reinterpreted and infused with Christian content.

 

Visitors Bearing Gifts

Another of the new realities we're excited about is this--the increasing frequency of short-term teams and "vision trips".  The world has shrunk and Thailand is no longer that far away. 

In October we hosted, at Mekong Valley Foods,  a group of visitors from Crossroads Covenant in Loveland, CO.  They came.  We gave our shpiel.  We showed them our work, we told them our story...then it was time to turn the tables.  We grilled them a bit.  And we told them about the needs--and that we're looking for quality, dedicated people.   

This was a group of seasoned, mature leaders with a heart to serve.  By the time our friends left, we were fairly certain we were going to see some of them back in Thailand at some time not too far in the future.  They came bearing gifts--and the gifts were these:   themselves and a big dose of encouragement!

We make them wear goofy hairnets not only because its company policy, but so if they never show up again, we can bring these out and blackmail them.  Pam & Larry Moeser.  Jane Peterson.

Back to Issaan

Here's some good news.  Ruthie and I have been very encouraged by growth--both in numbers and maturity of some of Thai Covenant friends and churches in the Roi Et area.   

In September we joined a moving ceremony requested by Pho Souw--"Father Souw"--one of the early evangelists and church leaders in the Udon area.  At somewhere near 92 years old (or "possibly 101", he said--"I can't really remember") he wanted to hold a ceremony to admonish all his grandchildren and relatives to "stand up for Jesus".  And so he did.  And he fed us a big meal afterwards.  Many of the Udon church leaders were there and celebrated with him, including Acharn (Pastor) Tongpan and many others.   

Father Souw and A. Inchai at his valedictory

New life in Roi Et--Siang has a new car too

From there we went to Roi Et for a board meeting of the Life Foundation (Lower Issaan Foundation for Enablement) and we heard and saw how all the fish ponds are operating back at capacity and the camp is holding sports events and the work of church planting and enablement is moving forward.  And here's the real encouraging part--this is all happening without support funds and significant input from outside.