Encountering God

But it wasn't only with "outside" groups that we began to see our camp utilized.  Another wonderful experience these last weeks came from a sister Covenant church in Taiwan!  Pastor Vernon Wu, from Taipei, along with a group of 10 church members came August 22-27 to do a camp that has been a huge blessing to churches in Taiwan. 

Reports from our church members....were amazing!  One women spoke of how this is "the first camp she's been able to attend--and she just felt that God met her!"  Another participant said "this was the first Christian camp in which his son and daughter-in-law had stayed totally engaged and hadn't slipped out of the meetings."  Numerous others voiced similar thoughts.  Many remarked on how they felt so loved, so affirmed!

We are so grateful to the Taiwan team who came!  Many slept willingly on floor mats.  Some even got rained on one night as one of roofs sprung a leak! 

Camps, Camps, CAMPS!

What is our mission?  What should we "be about" given our people, resources, and capabilities?

As we've reviewed, one part of the answer has come!  God has gifted our church with a beautiful camp ground.  So....we need to use these facilities to see his church planted and body strengthened.
With the renewal of this vision, we have set about the work of sponsoring camps--and opening the use of our facilities to the work of the wider body of Christ in Thailand!


As soon as we made the decision to move in this direction, we were approached by a consortium of church groups who wanted to conduct a camp on church planting.  They wanted to hear about new developments and lessons learned from a movement to Christ in central Thailand--the Free in Jesus Christ Church Association.

A long-time friend of mine, Dwight Martin, has been a key contact and liaison with this Thai church movement.  Other key organizers from OMF, So. Baptists, and Mennonites were instrumental in pulling this meeting together.  Together, we listened to reports--and prayed together--that God would do a work in our Northeast region similar to what He is doing in the province of Petchabun.

That original vision, cast back in July, was followed up early September with another meeting of members in this  coordinated strategy.  We were thankful and gratified to be a part!  The reports that came back were very encouraging--several groups reported more than 25 new believers in the two month interim.  This is astounding news for Thailand!  Please pray with us.   

Visits from 2 faithful friends!

Byron Amundsen arrived for what will be his last official trip as our Covenant Finance guy!  After a brief visit he and Ruthie joined Dave Husby for a trip into Laos.  We're thankful for these two!   Byron has stuck with us--with encouragement and insight, through years and events, triumphs and trials.  And Dave Husby and CWR remain valued partners.  We're going to miss you, Byron!  And Dave, there is so much left to do!

ESL...we begin new ventures in meeting needs

Last week Ruthie and I began teaching English in Roi Et's School of Performing Arts--a school which is a unique combination of high school and junior college.  Ruthie here is helping tutor a student in prep for an upcoming presentation in English. 

In another teaching assignment, I went to Roi Et's Department of Skills Development where we were given teaching assignments with vocational students who were being re-trained for new jobs.  We did the first of what we hope will be many short-term training events in English for students in food services, mechanics, and other trades.

Cathy, Richard, & Rolling Hills

We were blessed again this year by a talented team from Rolling Hills Covenant church in SoCal!  Our local teams, led by Ruth and Inchai Srisuwan worked with a talented team from Rolling Hills to put on programs in several schools in Beungkan, Udon, and Roi Et.  As usual these programs were well-received.  Thank you, Rolling Hills, for coming our way!

Back with Doug and Carolyn

It has been more than 10 years, but Doug & Carolyn Johnson returned for a visit, along, with three of their adult children.  We had the joy of visiting and traveling with them over three days, comparing notes and joys!  

One of Roi Et's famous temples.  This is a center for Buddhist teaching, located in the heart of Thailand's Northeast.  

Back in the saddle...

That's what being back in Roi Et feels like!  It's been a great joy to return home in the middle of the rainy season with its fields of lush green and sunrises of pink and gold.  Even the dark thunder clouds have a beauty of their own.

With our travels mostly over, we now have the opportunity to lock in--to invest in the lives of key families and help restart a house church in our village.  

That suits us fine.  We want this--a more intentional approach, a keener focus.  We'd appreciate your prayers--that through this we will grow, contributing to a thriving church and community.