First, the Praise. As you know, we have been trying to get visas for our four Thai national missionaries to come to America to visit supporting churches. Last year, we failed to get a visa for Pastors Wassana and Corn. We had all of the necessary documents, in fact, we far surpassed all of the requirements. But the officer at the American embassy in Bangkok would not even read any of the documents showing full sponsorship and itineration details of all the supporting churches they would visit. The officer rejected both of them without even a cursory examination of any supporting documentation, and it was discouraging.
So this time, we sent May, who is the Director of the Abundant Life Financial Training Program, to try a different location to get a visa. Last week, May went to the American Consulate in Chiang Mai, which is in the "Bible belt" of Thailand. The consulate officers there would be accustomed to giving visas to Thai pastors and Christian leaders serving with Christian organizations in America. The consulate officer there in Chiang Mai carefully read all of the supporting documents, and May was granted a visa to come to America. God is good!
Also, a few weeks ago, May and her husband Teddy, had a House Dedication Worship Service. Many Thai pastors and Christian leaders attended this ceremony. Their house is at the Abundant Life Training Center, and your donations for Phases 1 and 2 of the construction of this project bought the land (which includes the land the house is built upon) and also 40% of the cost of building their home. Thank you for your generosity which made this possible. (Below is a picture of Sherri giving words of blessing to May and Teddy at the House Dedication Worship Service).
Second, the Update on the Abundant Life Training Center.
Phase Two Construction is wrapping up nicely. The Director's housing (May and Teddy's home) is complete. The sanctuary is complete and the construction of the restroom/kitchen building will be completed this next week. (Below is a picture of the sanctuary, which is temporarily being used to store some of our items until we can distribute them.)
We have been fundraising for Phase Three now, which includes: 1. Purchasing and Installing a large 3-Phase transformer and poles to carry electricity to every building on campus; 2. Purchasing and installing eight 3-phase air conditioner units; and 3. Constructing a Security Wall around the perimeter of the campus including gates in the front entrances and a beautiful sign as well.
Total cost of Phase Three is $47,000 and we have now received $23,150. We need $23,850 to complete this phase. We are almost half way there! If you would like to donate to this project, please be sure to designate your gift to the Building Fund.
Installation of the 3-Phase transformer and installing the electric poles on the campus has been accomplished. We hope to have the air conditioner units installed in the next few weeks. Then we will wait for the remaining funds needed, so we can build the perimeter security wall. This will be a big project, since it is around 11,000 feet of wall that must be built.
Finally, we would like to forward an Urgent Prayer Request from Allie and David Houle that they shared via email.
After sharing with you all last November about our adoption finally being approved, we have been working to get all the documents in order and translated into English to be able to bring Aden back home to America to meet the rest of her family. We have finished all the paperwork on the Thai side and Aden now has a passport, but now we must wait for her visa to be approved to go to America. Aden is a Thai citizen with a Thai passport, and because she was adopted locally in Thailand (not internationally), she was not automatically given an American visa and it will take time for her to get citizenship. That’s why we must go to the US Embassy and request a visa. We’ve already applied for the visa but we must go in-person for an interview scheduled on February 27th. Please pray that we meet the right officer who will see and understand our situation and grant Aden a 10-year visa so that she can travel back and forth to America with us for years to come. |
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After the interview, Aden should get a visa within a week or so and we will plan to travel back home to America for a visit in mid-March. It’s hard to believe that it has been 5 and a half years since we have been home and I know there will be an adjust period for us and for Aden. We are extremely excited to be back home and plan to take a longer itineration in America, for about 5 months. This will allow for time with family, fundraising, and therapy for Aden. |
Your prayers are greatly appreciated and very powerful. We are blessed to have so many people lifting this all of the missionaries and team members of Thailand NOW up in your prayers. God is good!
