We are trying something new this month. If you prefer to receive your content through video, we’ve made an update that you can watch rather than read. You’ll want to stick around for the bloopers, too.
gratitude galore
We are truly grateful to each of you that have prayed for, supported, and encouraged us in so many ways. We are incredibly humbled to have so many coming alongside of our family in this ministry and adventure. We believe Paul said it well when he wrote, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” – Philippians 1:3-5.
We know God is moving in SE Asia, and specifically Thailand, and we are so eager to be a part of that movement. Over the last year of Ministry Partner Development we have shared over 105 meals with partners; held 52 Zoom calls; spoken with 18 different community groups, small groups, or forums; and have shared with dozens of others informally about the ministry ahead. Through all of that, our ministry team has grown to over 400 individuals committed to praying for the ministry, and an additional 100 that have also committed financially. We are a community of over 500 people helping advance the gospel.
LAUNCHING IN T-MINUS SEVEN WEEKS
Our team leader in Thailand is urging us to get to there in mid July so that we can participate in orientation for one of the ministry roles we are taking. The last big hurdle that we need to cross is completing our Ministry Partner Development phase. Then it is just a matter of the Thai border reopening so that we can book our flights and secure our work visas.
We are so close to our full monthly support goal, but we still need about 10-15 more families, individuals, or churches to partner with us financially to reach it. If you have been waiting to give, would you consider joining now and helping us get to the finish line? If you have been considering increasing your giving, now is the time. And if you know someone that would like to hear about the ministry, please connect us.
THREE GENERATIONS GOING TO THE FIELD
When we started this process, over a year ago now, Traci’s parents started praying through the possibility of also returning to the field to work in Thailand. We are so excited to share that Tim and Helen VanSumeren have joined staff with Pioneers mission organization in order to return to Thailand. They will be in the same city—Chiang Mai—as us! What a blessing that will be to have a set of grandparents there for our littles, as well as the incredible gifts and skills they bring to the ministry world. Tim has been serving as a campus pastor since 2007 and Helen acquired a masters in Biblical Counseling and helped launch a counseling center. They are praying they can arrive sometime in early 2021.
Prayers & Praises
PARTNERS
Pray that we would have all the correct paperwork and be approved quickly for the our visas.
LOGISTICS
Pray for clarity and wisdom in all of the decisions and preparations to be made over the next weeks.
FINAL FUNDING
We still need 10-15 more partners in the next 4 weeks in order to leave on time.
HEALTH
We need to continue to stay healthy and COVID-free in order to fly out in July.