Lee Family May 2019 Newsletter Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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5 months post arrival Good things continue to happen; God continues to work |
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Some of the past month here in Thailand include (top left to bottom right) Ashley meeting with other NGO's and the US Consular general, Easter photos, weekend in Bangkok, kids at Night Safari feeding the deer, kids cooking, post typhoon damage (no worries), trees blooming profusely and our new kitchen at the house in Baan Nai Fun |
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Ministry Update MISSION - To make disciples of ALL nations PLATFORM - Fighting to protect trafficked and at risk peoples |
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We continue to have small successes but our focus remains Thai language training so we can effectively minister without a translator |
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Our tutor (Kruu Dao seen ABOVE) has been a great help in our learning of Thai. We REALLY enjoy our time with her although I (Ryan) am not grasping it near as fast as Ashley so it is a bit frustrating. I feel like I'm on the language short bus that just takes a LOT more repetition for me to truly have something memorized. Regardless, we've come a long way. As seen in the pictures below, we've begun over the past 5 weeks to learn Thai reading and writing. Although speaking Thai is easier than English because there is no conjugation of verbs, the many symbols make reading and writing much harder. There are 44 consonants in High, Mid and Low tone classes plus 18 vowel sounds of which many have both long and short sounds with different symbols that come before, after, below or above the consonant to make a sound. To complicate things further, there are no spaces between words in a sentence so reading can difficult if you don't already know the words in the sentence. As you'll read below this language training has been a true blessing in being able to reach out to the 90%+ who do not speak English well enough to have in depth personal conversations needed to build a strong bond of mutual friendship. We are so excited about where we are, what is already happening and what is to come. |
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Teaching English to Thai's as Discovery Bible Study |
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Teaching our God's grace and love to the Thais (or any other nationality) is why we are here. We couldn't be more excited about the possibilities that continue to be presented to us. We currently have 2 intermediate classes on Monday and Friday plus a potential beginner class with Mae Baans (house helpers) on Tuesday. (Trying to work out details here) |
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It is amazing how open people are to discussing the Bible while learning English. As you may have heard us mention before we have 3 BIG advantages here in Thailand versus in North America - We are "farang" (mostly white westerners) and therefore it is a status symbol to know and befriend farangs. This is (from our perspective) a little odd because we are nothing special but it does provide a unique opportunity.
People WANT to learn English and if that is taught using the Bible no problem. Often times it seems the relationships that we forge with Thais are as or even more important than the English lessons themselves. What a blessing! Thailand is a Buddhist nation but much of this is a cultural buddhism not something that is really believed or practised. Think of it as a religious insurance policy. This is especially true for the younger generation who hunger for relationships (especially in the digital age) and not an adherence to a set of mystical practices that must be for nirvana. An example of this would be setting out MANY water bottles around your house for protection from evil spirits (ghosts) or setting out food at the "spirit house" on your property for your ancestors and the spirits which previously occupied the land. There are many of these mystical type beliefs.
We have as many questions from our students about grace and redemption as we do grammar and words. One topic that is of particular interest to the Thais is our story. It is one thing to read stories and learn English from a book. It is something altogether different to learn how this book and this relationship with God has changed OUR lives and therefore has the real capacity to change THEIRS. Some of the best received stories are how God has worked in mysterious ways preparing us specifically for the journey and opening doors for our path here. Saying "God loves you and will not leave you" is something that is difficult for someone new to Christianity to grasp. Showing how God's has been faithful in OUR lives really opens the hearts of those we are working with. |
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HUG prevention software installation Some of the most basic work here is helping to build connections through acts of service. One of the current methods is HUG Project installing internet filtering software at schools. With every action we do, the action of service is simply the opportunity we have to show God's love and begin to build relationships with those we wouldn't otherwise know. Relationships first, service second. I'll say simply we have some opportunities here that I want to discuss but until these are confirmed with the individuals in power we cannot say more. Please pray these doors continue to be opened and we are humble and wise in our actions. |
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We pray for "People of Peace" to be in our paths and the wisdom to discern what God places and doesn't place (people not ready) before us. We also pray for patience as we work with people. There are so many here that are ready to hear so we pray that God would open our eyes to HIS will not our desires. |
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Language. It seems simple. It's just a new language. This is true for Ashley to some degree I think but surprisingly much slower than I would like for me (Ryan). I retain things but it takes much longer. Please pray my ears specifically are opened that I can hear and understand what is being said. I confuse a lot of sounds that sound the same to me but are not. |
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We continue to ask for prayers for our Thai language skills to connect with Thai's at the comfort of their language and for Kruu Dao and her ministry to Thai's. We also ask for prayers for the growth of her business. She is a GREAT Christian woman in whom we would love to see more people brightened with her spirit especially as she ministers to those at risk risk or coming from trafficked situations. |
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We feel we have a great new opportunity with the house in Baan Nai Fun. It has space that we can have groups of up to 10-15 as we look to build continued deeper relationship. We also are very excited about 3 mission groups coming this summer and family and friends starting to come this fall. We have an extra bedroom specifically for this purpose so we always have room to host others or those in transition. |
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We pray for growth of the ministry to those who are trafficked, abused or at risk with HUG Project through increased fundraising. It is so VERY impressive to me this minisity with a house, weekly service opportunities, ongoing help for court justice with victims and 4 Thai staff is possible with a budget of less than $40,000 per year. Much of this comes from one grant. We pray for more funding sources especially domestically as we want this to be something that can be domestically self supporting at some point. |
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We pray for rain. The dry season has been longer than normal and despite a 100 MPH typhoon 5 weeks ago our rainfall has been very limited. April/May are the hottest months so we await the rainy (and cooler) season with joy. |
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I've listened to so many songs recently which seem to be telling us to focus on bringing joy to the oppressed. I want to continue that with this song. For those that haven't seen the video, this is North Point singing "Death was Arrested". This is the message we want to share with those here with all the excitement that comes from just hearing this song especially after the lights go out in the video. Let our lifesong be this powerful. CLICK BELOW |
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Please pray that our eyes continue to be open to the people being placed in front of us. We want to be people who can easily recognize and boldly approach people of peace. Specifically, please pray for P1, P2, J, and H. At this time we would ask you pray for them as an initial to honor their privacy. We pray for the offenders we meet in work with trafficking, homeless, artists, street vendors...everyone we look at has potential. We pray we are not to "busy" with doing life or doing "great works" at HUG to see the opportunities before us. |
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"Durian Challenge" Video Update Just a bit of fun this month as we test Durian - the Asian "King of Fruits" described by many as somewhere between pineapple, avocado, onion, custard and gym socks. It's a unique experience as we try it for the first time as a family. I'm just laughing looking at Kendal's face captured below. |
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Please join us in lifting up Ashley's brother Justin Pendergrass and Poppy Joe (Ashley's grandfather). Justin was recently diagnosed with CTE (the same condition NFL football players get from repeated concussions) and is struggling with ongoing health costs and issues. Poppy Joe is currently in Long Term Care with the prayer to move to rehab this week and then home after a stint there. He had surgery complications and it got a little scary for a while. Ashley and the girls had a long talk about this and have decided that when these things happen back home it's Satan throwing a temper tantrum to try to stop us. We will not be stopped. The girls giggled a lot at the thought of Satan having a temper, and I think it helps when something happens back home. |
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5 Cultural/Life Lessons from the past month - Water bill; Pay it within 5 working days or the water department will physically remove the pipe connected to your house. That's one way to do it! We laughed.
- Bhun Khun (boon koon) means a debt of obligation. If you establish bhun khun with someone they are opening themselves to a deeper friendship. <Our goal>
- Kitchen and electronics aren't cheap. We only know of one family with a dishwasher.
- Tokay lizards are everywhere. They make a unique sound like a drum followed by an almost clucking like a chicken. It's funny to the point it doesn't sound real..
- It can really rain when it wants to. Last month we had a short typhoon with winds around 100 MPH. We lost some trees but are otherwise fine. Around us it looked like a war zone. We know of no one seriously hurt.
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To say I love God's gift of life through plants would be an understatement. I love the sun and the heat here where I can grow many fruits. I also like to use this excitement to teach the girls about all the gifts God provides and how (through nurturing the plants) we can be good stewards. In order of the pictures (top left to bottom right) we have Bananas, Lemons, Mangos, Thai Herbs, Papaya, Guava, Lime, Dragon Fruit and Mulberries. Not shown are Fuji Apples and Gooseberries. I'm not a fan of the super heat but I sure love what it provides! |
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Do you know someone who might find encouragement in reading our newsletter? Send me an email at finfreedo@gmail.com and I would be happy to add them to the distribution list. We continue to be amazed and humbled by the support of everyone. Thank you all! |
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Address in Thailand: 207/58 Baan Nai Fun M.3, T. Mae Hia, A. Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100 |
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