Are these our new spiritual directions?

While in Chiang Mai, Ruthie spent her time with new spiritual directees--both Thai and expat. Over the next years she is looking for opportunities to use her spiritual gifts and training to contribute to the growth of friends in the area. While she has often been called--in the past--to help in the area of finance, she has decided to concentrate in other areas of ministry.  Please pray for both of us as we strike out in new directions and seek to develop new areas of ministry!

E... is our second language too!

I learned Vietnamese first.  Ruthie began life with Punjabi in the foothills of the Himalayas.... A dozen years ago some friends came to visit and asked..."What is the best way to reach into communities, to have the chance to share Christ?"  At the time we were heavily involved in agriculture.  Our response?  "We'd set up an English language center!  And that...that's where we find ourselves today!  After many surveys, we began our program in the fall with the help of teachers from the Covenant's Oasis Training Center in China.  It was a great start.  But the hard work of running a quality program... is going to take a lot more time and work!  Fortunately, we have a group experienced and dedicated friends and volunteers. So, we are now building relationships with area schools and businesses--by teaching wherever we can.  To this end, in the last couple of weeks, I completed a certificate program in Chiang Mai--part of a cohort of 20 students from several nations and backgrounds.  I was amazed to meet several who had dropped everything to move to Thailand and begin a new career.   That's where the naughty kids are kept... For me, this is the fulfillment of something that has been long in coming. Monday I have my first gig--teaching a short term course in Roi Et's Skills Development Center.  Our colleague, Kristi Byford, is teaching many classes in local schools.  I will, hopefully, take over some of them in coming weeks. And we look forward to our next cohort of teachers coming from Oregon in October!

We went everywhere!

We spent a little over five months in the US--visited 10 states, 8 churches, and 7 siblings.  We welcomed a new grandson and spent quality time with Ruthie's parents--both 90 this year!  We moved constantly--and are so thankful for our many dear friends and hosts.  On the way to and from Thailand we visited our daughter Erin and family in Germany.  And just before returning, I connected with a large group of childhood friends from the school I attended in Vietnam and Malaysia.  It was a full, and rich time. Maybe even a little too full and rich for someone who is just over 60!   Class of '74 from Dalat School (Malaysia) along with Ed & Claire Miner Sister Mary Kennel and her classmate Evelyn (Sahlberg) Stratton Brother Ted with classmates:  Bonnie Gay, Sjoblom, Barbara Webber

Rolling Hills Covenant..rolls into Roi Et

We have been a bit overwhelmed with visitors lately...so this is a few weeks late getting out! Rolling Hills Covenant Church--one which sends and supports projects throughout the world--came to Roi Et a few weeks back.  This was their second trip to Roi Et--and our first opportunity to host them.  Over a period of 5 days we visited in churches and schools we had arranged in our neighborhood....

Now it is our pleasure to build on the relationships and opportunities presented in the lives of all these kids!  Thank you, Rolling Hills!  Thank you to the leaders of this group which blessed all of us so much--Mr. & Mrs. Smith--and the whole team!

 
 



 

 

And what about those wheels?

We were able to buy a pair of wheels!... But they're not totally paid for yet!  Several of you responded with large gifts.  And yes, we were able to buy a Honda Mobilio.  I'm not sure what it's called in the States--but it has a 1500 cc engine (same as a Honda Jazz or Honda Fitt) but an extra set of seats.  Thank you!  We're still hoping for a bit more funding to complete the purchase, so....

 

 

The Covenant makes it easy to give online. Please choose "Thailand Vehicle Fund" from the drop-down box--and write "Dutton Vehicle Project" in the memo field.  Give to Dutton Vehicle Project  

What else are we finding to do?

Friday night fun...Friday nights are game nights for the teens and 20 something's at our home.   We've introduced several games:  Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride (Asia of course), Blockus and others.  So far it's met with great enthusiasm. 

 

Sunday storying...Peter has enjoyed helping to organize "Storying" in a couple of the local churches.  While Thailand has a very high literacy rate, many people are still oral learners.  To meet the needs of the believers a small passage is read through twice, then we break into small groups so that each person has a chance to retell the story the best they can remember it.  After that the groups gathers back together for discussion time, with simple questions.

Financial and management systems....Ruthie continues to laugh whole heartedly that she continues to be called on to set up financial systems, but she is at it again.  She once offered to be secretary for life if she was never asked to do the work of the treasurer.    She's delighted working with two young people who are quick learners.  One of them was ready to leave so that he could go learn Quickbooks, but Ruthie has been able to teach him that as they get financial systems set up.

Preparing for Planting Season

So, here are some of the things we have been able to do with the $140K we received from the sale of Mekong Valley Foods Co:  

New electrical system for the farm.  We installed new electrical poles with 3-phase electricity everywhere.  New airconditioning in the main office building and flood lights for the two soccer fields.

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Remodeled the old office building--with airconditioning--so that the Foundation and the Farm now have separate offices.

Finished off the dining room building.  This was begun with previous funds--but we finished off the kitchen, installed floor tile everywhere, completed the roof, put AC in one of the meeting rooms, water and power and lighting everywhere.

Bought and began installation of a new soccer field.  

Work is still on-going, but soil has been removed from several of the fish ponds--and used to raise a road and building area.  This new soccer field should be ready for use next dry season.  Related to this, we buried a large drainage pipe from the soccer field to the one of the fish ponds. 

 

New water system.  New water tower and tanks are being installed on a tower near the front of the property.  From that a new water main pipe is being installed leading to all parts of the property.