It is holiday time here in Thailand, so the children are out of school, we have had a week at the beach & now have been going at a slower pace, along with all the rest of the Thai’s in our neighbourhood.

I wanted to let you all know that I am feeling so much better & stronger in recent weeks. I am so grateful to the Lord for this. I am improving all the time. It has been quite a journey & although I still have doctors visits & more tests ahead of me, to be sure that the cancer is all gone.

I am feeling so much better & that is just fantastic after 7 months of uncertainty & being physically weak. My treatment is finished! As any tests results come back, we will certainly keep you updated but it seems for now that I just have to continue to take it easy & keep getting stronger, doctor said should take 6 – 12 months for that. in about 2 or 3 months I am due to have a course of tests to determine if I am cancer-free.

We are all richer for the experience & have learnt more about trust & His amazing grace. Thank you for your prayers!

Review of the past 6 months
# Luke left for Australia – that was difficult for all of us …we miss you Luke!
# I found out my (Penny) ill-health was serious- Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
# It was a heavy decision & a difficult time for the whole family…but decided it was right we stay here & would not be compromising my health if we remained in Thailand & had the necessary treatment here. I had to travel to Bangkok every 3 weeks for chemotherapy & then just less than a week ago, I finished all my treatment… including 3 surgeries, chemotherapy & radiation plus numerous tests.
# Kept up (to a smaller degree) with our contacts in the community, including completing a house for a family with triplets who we support. Thanks to Veronique, and the team from Switzerland, who made it possible.
# Studied more language…improving slowly.
# Paul working with a Thai pastor in running a twelve week discipleship course and mentoring this pastor as well as a couple of missionaries.
# Continued our care of Dukada in our home.
# Had an emergency call on Christmas eve to care for an abandoned baby boy… So, we had 2 babies with us on Christmas Day. The little boy went on to a gov’t orphanage.
# Finalised purchase of land for the future development of ‘Home of the Open Heart’.

Goals for the next 6 months
# For Me (Penny) to get strong & well again.
# Finalise Dukada’s adoption & send her to her new family.
# Recruit staff for HIV/AIDS work.
# Recruit school teachers for our children’s school – ‘Family Learning Centre’.
# Fundraise for property development for ‘Home of the Open Heart’.
# Host building team to build for ministry (August 1st – 10th)
# Prepare & plan for Tdai & Jumnong’s further training in Australia (Sept – Dec, ‘02)
# Prepare & plan for our home-leave/furlough in Australia (Sept – Dec, ‘02)

The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10

With our love and thanks for being good and caring friends,
Paul and Penny