May 2012

Greetings!

Five years ago (April 12, 2007) we left both of our countries to come to Thailand with the original purpose of establishing a School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in Chiang Rai, Thailand. After 2 1/2 years of studying the Thai language and culture, as well as growing into other areas of service/leadership, we finally started our first school (September 2009). With Elias’ birth we took a year off before doing the school again. However, we are now finished the first third of our 2nd 9 month SBS. In April we celebrated this accomplishment together with the staff and the students by going out for dinner. 

We are now in the second trimester of the SBS. This next week we finish the New Testament and then go into the Old Testament. We teach book by book. Cy is going to be teaching Genesis (May 21-25) as well as Numbers (June 8-13) and Rob will be teaching Deuteronomy (June 15-20). Please pray that God will not only bring understanding of the Scriptures, but also transformation through the renewing of the mind for both the students as well as for us teachers. We can never get too transformed, right?

We had the privilege of walking through the life-changing process of engagement and marriage with one of the young women (named Boom) we have been discipling over the past 2 years. We were honoured when asked if Rob would marry them in the ceremony. It was my (Rob’s) first wedding ever and it was in my third language. Talk about a challenge. But God came through and I didn’t make any mistakes. Alee (her husband) and Boom were married on April 21st, 2012. 

Cy made her first wedding cake for the new couple and they were blessed to have such a beautiful cake for their wedding day. All the guests were commenting on how good it was, both to the tongue and to the eyes.

Now they are happily married, pursuing the call of God on their lives. They will remain with us for at least one more year and then possibly go out as missionaries to another country. It’s great to see people come, get to know God, grow in their maturity and faith, and then desire to follow God as missionaries into other nations where there is great need.

As a family we had saved up our air miles from all of our travel over the years and decided to take a vacation. We were able to get return tickets and hotel stay for a total of $12.80 (for the taxes). God is great with us. We went to Phuket, Thailand for the Thai New Year break and had a wonderful time resting and spending time together without any interruptions. Rob’s parents, Ted and Sharon, joined us for a short time before the break and then the whole time in Phuket. It was truly a priceless time for us as a family. Elias got his first taste of being at the beach.

The day that we were flying back to Chiang Rai Elias got sick with serious diarrhea and vomiting. Those were not fun flights. Upon our return he was hospitalized because of dehydration. He had the adenovirus. After the virus had run its course (about 1 week) he was fully recovered and back to his energetic self. Thanks to all of you who prayed for him.

Prayer Requests:

1. Visas – Rob has his work permit, which is great. However, we still need visas to stay in the country. This time we can get them in-country. We need paperwork from different departments of government and it takes a lot of time and complications (at least the first time around). Please pray that all goes well and that we find grace in the eyes of the different officials that we will present ourselves to.

2. Health – we realize that God’s grace has been upon us because of the prayers of many who have asked for God to bless us with good health. We prefer to ask before anyone has issues.

3. Teaching – Both of us are teaching quite a bit in the SBS and in different venues. Please pray that God would move in and through us for His purposes. Our goal is to glorify Him and build up His body.

4. Finances – Amazingly God has continued to provide us with what we need through random, unexpected gifts. However, we still pray that God will raise our monthly support. We need another few hundred dollars per month. If you are interested please click here.

5. More staff and resources – our ministry is in the need for more people to help serve. Please pray for God to bring in someone who can serve as the accountant. Right now Rob is doing the finances and he really doesn’t have the time to spend in that role. Also pray that God will bring in someone who is capable of doing maintenance for the base because we have lots of issues with our facilities and we don’t have anyone who knows what they’re doing. Obviously it would be great to have these people be Thai nationals, but we are open to having foreigners serve in these capacities as well.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers and friendships. If you’d like to contact us please email us at: robandcy[at]gmail.com

BLESSINGS!