October 2014 Update
Greetings again!
20th Anniversary Celebration
This past October 11th we celebrated the 20 years of history that God has been building. We had pioneers from the beginnings days, others from the “middle ages” and those of us from recent years share about the faithfulness of God to fulfill His purposes for this place and people. It was great to be reminded of the cost of following God and the fruit of His work in and through us. We had a base birthday cake, party games (bingo) and about 100 people show up to share the special moment with us.
Training Transition Time This weekend is one of busy change. We’ve been hosting (and participating in) a Leadership Training Seminar (LTS), running a 9 month School of Biblical Studies (SBS) and a 6 month Discipleship Training School (DTS)…all training courses in YWAM. This weekend marks the end of the LTS and the SBS. It also marks the transition of the DTS leaving the base and going on outreach to Southern Thailand and India. We’ll be transitioning from a full base of 50+ people to a smaller community of about 10 staff for almost the rest of the year. The SBS & DTS (and a new school) start up again in 2015.
Refocusing our attention on the presence of God
Starting Monday, October 27, we as a staff group will be taking on a 4 week challenge of a fasting and prayer chain, having at least one person fasting every single day during that period of time. The focus of our fasting and prayer is to draw near to God and enjoy His presence in our individual lives and as a community. We’ll be meeting regularly for 2 hours a day seeking God together through prayer, listening to the Word of God, worship and sharing together. We value your prayers for this time as we are eager to hear the words of the Father to us as individuals and corporately during this season, drawing us together as a community and giving us direction as to how He intends to extend His kingdom in and through us in this new season.
A family visit?
We shared in our last update that we would love to bring Cy’s parents come to spend a couple of months with us here in Thailand since we can’t go to them this year. Thank God for His generosity and provision so far. We have $1,000CAD towards this need already. Please pray for God to do a miracle and bring them to us. It’s very important for each one of us, especially Cy. If you are interested in helping to see this dream come true, please click here for information on how to give. (If you give, please email us so that we know it’s coming and are able to buy tickets for her family before it’s too late).
Serving those that have been sent out
Over the past month or so we’ve been invited as a family to visit, encourage and teach among the ministries that have been started through our base. We have already confirmed another teaching session in the DTS in Southern Thailand (end of March) and we’re working on responding to a call for teachers in the newly planted SBS in Vietnam (which was multiplied out of our SBS here in Chiang Rai). It is a great privilege to send people out to pioneer new pockets of the kingdom of God inside and outside of Thailand. It is also a great responsibility to continue to serve those sent out just as Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches they planted. Please pray for wisdom and provision to be able to do this.
Thanks for all your prayers, love and support!
Rob, Cy & Elias