We love Thailand! It’s hot, sticky weather and amazingly hospitable people. We have lived through a rollercoaster year of incredible blessing. One year ago we were back in the ‘out-of-control seat’ of ill-health again, when Penny’s oncologist told her the cancer was no longer in remission. As many of you already know, by February it had gone. We are so blessed and in awe of the incredibly valuable life lessons one learns in difficult times… wouldn’t trade that for anything. We are eternally grateful for God’s healing in Penny’s life… she is so healthy now. No matter what happens, we trust God and know He is in control all the time, (but especially) when we are not!
The DTS training Paul has led has been such a wonderful testimony of God’s goodness. The opportunities of input into 29 students this year, his staff and so many other helpers has all been part of a terrific year. Now Paul is preparing his staff in training for the new year coming. Another group of students will come in January and Paul is currently running staff training in preparation for that. Nurturing people of all ages, inputting into their lives, Paul thrives on this!
Our HIV baby home is booming! Amazing staff that serve with us in the daily tasks! Meeting these little children’s needs is satisfying, we have written a newsletter and if you are not yet receiving that, please email us and we’ll make sure you can get that if you wish. We have seen God provide in amazing ways, bring healing in the children’s lives too. To date not one of our little ones (all born to HIV+ mothers) have died since we took in our first baby in 2000. We have only seen these children become well, when (according to the doctors) they should have died. See our ministry newsletter for more details.
Our own kids…
Luke & Pennie will be married 3 years in January and are doing well, living and working in Adelaide. They plan to come to serve here in Chiang Rai with us for one year starting next July! We are excited with them about this, it’s an overflow of their missions hearts.
Jaci reached 21 years recently, she continues to study in Adelaide toward her health science degree, she is doing very well academically but we would value your prayers as she continues to struggle with chronic fatigue, it has been a long time now for her now since she has felt well…. a tough road for her. She knows how to persevere!
Zac loves USA! He finished well at high school and left Thailand on September 1st. The program he is doing work him pretty hard. It appears he is learning loads of discipline and other healthy attributes. The program has planned an educational trip to Israel next April, which he hopes to participate in, if funds become available for him.
Caleb continues to do well in school. He is maturing in every way and is a blessing to us. It is an adjustment having all his siblings in other places in the globe but he is rising to the challenge and keeping his ‘chin up’. Getting good grades, we are so proud of him.
Seeing it’s getting close to Christmas… that special time of year, this year we possibly be one of the first to wish you happy Christmas,
with our love,
Paul & Penny in Thailand
