Chiang Mai Ministry Center

The CHIANG MAI FREE METHODIST CHURCH needs their own facility.  They have been patiently waiting on the Lord for over nine years.  They have met under the pastor's carport for a few months, another rented facility for several years and now this very small room in a hotel.  The cost of building the ministry center, approved by the Board of Administration of Mission Thailand, is $60,000 USD.  Buying land will cost another $60,000 USD.  This is an Extra Mile Project with the Free Methodists and can be found on their web page at:  Chiang Mai Ministry Center

We're pictured in the back row on the far left.  30-35 adults regularly attend services.  The hotel room pictured above is rented for services while 8-10 children are taught Sunday School under a patio outside.  A few ladies are setting up the afternoon meal and the children's Sunday School hour was still going on when we finished church and this picture was taken.

Prayer & Praise Points for the Week of March 29, 2014

MOUNTAINOUS PRAYER AND PRAISE POINTS

PRAY FOR...

1.  FACULTY and STAFF needs we still have for the 2014-15 school year.  Check out the link here to see the needs.  They're also listed below.  Please be sharing the opportunities with others.  

2014-2015 Academic Year

Elementary

• Elementary Teachers – 2 vacancies [ Job Description ] - updated January 2014
• Elementary Art Teacher [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013

Secondary

• Secondary Teacher (Religious Studies) – 2 vacancies [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Secondary Teacher (Math) [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Secondary Teacher (English) – 2 vacancies [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Secondary Teacher (Social Studies) – 2 vacancies [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Secondary Teacher (Chemistry) [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013

Special Needs

• English Second Language (ESL) Coordinator [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Special Education Teacher – 2 vacancies  [ Job Description ] - updated January 2014
• Speech and Language Pathologist [ Job Description ] - updated December 2013
• Occupational Therapist [ Job Description ]
• Gifted & Talented Coordinator/Teacher [ Job Description ]

Other

• ESD Director & Home Education Consultant
• Home Education Consultant [ Job Description ]
• Executive Assistant to Superintendent [ Job Description ] - updated February 2014
• Recruiting Coordinator [ Job Description ] - updated January 2014
• Webmaster [ Job Description ] - updated June 2013
• Director of Health Services [ Job Description ] - updated October 2013
• Health Services Associate (Nurse) [ Job Description ] - updated January 2014
• Curriculum & Instruction Director [ Job Description ] - updated March 2014
• Curriculum & Instruction Administrative Assistant [ Job Description ] - updated February 2014
• Spiritual Life Director [ Job Description ] - updated February 2014
• Facilities Engineer  [ Job Description ] - updated September 2013

2.  the NEW CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT for the first two buildings on the new campus.  The mountain we are climbing is 4.5 US million dollars high.  Pray the Lord would raise up partners to fund the first building (high school) and get it started this summer.  The cost of this first building is 2.5 US million dollars.

3.  The CHIANG MAI FREE METHODIST CHURCH needs their own facility.  They have been patiently waiting on the Lord for over nine years.  The cost of building the ministry center, approved by the Board of Administration of Mission Thailand, is $60,000 USD.  Buying land will cost another $60,000 USD.

We're pictured in the back row on the far left.  25-30 adults regularly attend services.  The hotel room pictured above is rented for services while 8-10 children are taught Sunday School under a patio outside.  A few ladies are setting up the afternoon meal and the children's Sunday School hour was still going on when we finished church and this picture was taken.

PRAISES FOR...

1.  94% of our 2014 Commitments for our MSA Budget have been declared by individuals and churches.  We give praise to the Lord for his incredible promise of provision.  To make a commitment, if you haven't already, here's the link

2.  Don gives praise for Kathy who turns 60 years old Sunday, March 30th.  Please join him in giving thanks to the Lord for Kathy being a huge blessing to her husband, family, friends and the ladies involved in Community Bible Study International and the students at Grace who visit her in the library.  If you see this and would write her at kathykwms@gmail.com and wish her a happy birthday and offer a prayer of blessing for her you'd be giving her the best 60th birthday present ever.  Here's a picture of 60 red roses given in the school library (they cost only $24USD for 5 dozen).  The students using the library were great.  They helped sing happy birthday and cheered for the PDA (personal display of affection) kiss.  We asked they not "tell on us".  

Prayer & Praise Points for the Week of March 2, 2014

PRAYER AND PRAISE POINTS

PRAY FOR...

1.  FACULTY and STAFF needs for the 2014-15 school year.  Check out the link here to see the needs.

2.  Michaela as she's playing catch up, taking mid-term exams, writing two term papers, tutoring, etc. after being away for 10 days on her ministry trip.

3.  Tad as he's been looking for a full-time job for six months.   Fortunately he's been able to work the "odd jobs".

PRAISES FOR...

1.  the safe return of the Michaela and the rest of her Spring Arbor University classmates from their successful ministry trip to Puerto Rico.

2.  the WONDERFUL news from the Advancement Department of Grace International School in the following recent announcement in the March publication of Sawadee:

3.   This GREAT news and huge encouragement for the Business Class students (again taken from the March publication of Sawadee):

Prayer & Praise Points for the Week of March 16, 2014

PRAYER AND PRAISE POINTS

PRAY FOR...

1.  ...Don as he prepares and shares as the speaker for the Grace International School middle school chapel this Wednesday (Tuesday night in the states).

2.  ...the faculty and staff needs in the 2014-15 school year.  See the website link for specific staff needs.

3.  ...the persecuted church around the world.  Specifically in N. Korea and Pakistan.

4.  ...Michaela and her Spring Arbor University classmates safe travels as they return on Monday from a ministry trip to Puerto Rico.  Check out their blog.


PRAISE FOR...

1.  ...a new place for the Chiang Mai FM Church to meet.  They were able to move from the pastor's carport to a nearby hotel.

2.  ...a successful ministry trip for Michaela and her SAU classmates to Puerto Rico and our daughter-in-law, Megan's safe return from her world travels related to her NGO job with SPLASH.

3. ...how the book of Isaiah continues to minister and encourage the 25 ladies involved in Community Bible Study International.

4.  ...the opportunity Don had to be "incarnational" with the Thai Kitchen staff sharing the love of the Lord.

Prayer & Praise Points for the Week of March 2, 2014

PRAYER & PRAISE POINTS

Prayer for...

1.  the unreached in Thailand.  Less than 1% are Christian. Pray the Lord would help the Thai people to see God's love and plan of redemption in their cultural context. 

2.  the faculty and staff needs of Grace International School for the 2014-15 school year.  To pray for the specific needs check out the school's web site here:  GIS Faculty and Staff Needs  and share with others.

3.  for the country of Thailand to move towards peace and reconciliation in the coming days and weeks.  For an end to the political and social conflicts mediated by someone who will be acceptable to all sides.  Ultimately that the Lord would be glorified becoming more famous and known through these circumstances.  Here's the pictures of the week from the Bangkok Post.

Praise for...

1.  reaching 92% of our commitments this week needed for our 2014 budget.  Please join us in giving praise to the Lord for his provision through His church and so many faithful individual partners.

2.  the opportunity to introduce CBSI to a Thai woman who's is interested in starting a Bible study group in the near future.

3.  all the positive classroom experiences for the students at Grace as recorded in Don's "Day Out of the Office and Into the Classroom Tweets" from last week.

Prayer & Praise Points for the Week of February 22, 2014

PRAYER & PRAISE POINTS

Prayer for...

1.  Our fellow-missionaries, Corey and Connie Persing who just lost a loved one.  Connie's father passed away unexpectedly last week.  Please pray for safety in their travels and for Connie's extended family as it has been less than six months ago that her mother passed away.

2.  For the Chiang Mai FM Church as they continue to look to the Lord for where they will meet on Sundays and the resources needed to pay the rent.  Please pray the Lord will open up just the right rental facilities.

3. Megan, our daughter-in-law as she travels internationally and returns very soon to our son Tad.  Pray for health and safety in her work-related travels and activities.

Praise for...

1.  89% of our Commitments confirmed for our 2014 Budget Missionary Support Account.  Please join us in giving thanks to the Lord for faithful churches, individuals, couples and families who are partnering with us in ministry through their financial gifts again this year.  What a tremendous blessing. 

2.  Katelyn's safety in a recent car accident on icy Michigan roads and for her car being returned repaired and ready to go.

3.  Encouragement from the Word and in the fellowship of believers in Chiang Mai.

Prayer Points for the Week of February 16, 2014

Please pray for the following:

1.  ICCM Lahu Youth Hostel...that the Lord would continue to bless this ministry in fruitfulness in the lives of the children spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically.  That the hostel parents would have wisdom in meeting and ministering to the needs of each child who is an incredibly unique image bearer of the Lord.

2.  The Chiang Mai FM Church...continues to meet under the carport of the pastor's home.  This can only continue temporarily as their neighbours agreed this could be a short term solution.  Please pray for a more permanent and affordable solution for the small congregation of around 30 people who make up the core of the fellowship.  

3.  Please pray for the faculty and staff positions needed for the 2014-15 school year at Grace International School.  See the link here for a current list of needs:  http://www.gisthailand.org/serve-at-gis/staff-needs/foreign-staff-positions/