Our 1st Camp in the South

Tim left home today to travel thousands of km south to run a kids camp, our first in this area.  The camp will run on Wed 6th and Thurs 7th and is being run at the invitation of the local government, who know we are all Christians, but want our input in their city.  We were expecting to have 40 kids at the camp, planned for 30-50 kids, but got a call last night to say there were 78 enrolled so far.  The venue organised by the local government will be stretched to, and I think beyond, capacity.  What a great problem to have!  Three of the Thai leaders from our team arrived days earlier to prepare for the camp and visit families in the local community - they are obviously doing way too well.  God is opening so many doors for our team to work in this area - you really would not believe it even if I could tell you!

We are in the annual process of renewing our visa.  Yes I know that most of you think that when your visa card expires a new one automatically triggers, but when we say visa we think immediately of the very important stamp in our passport that allows us to remain in this country.  Each year we must go though a slightly complicated, and continually changing process of applying for a new visa.  This year we are under pressure to get the application completed and visa approved for before our current one expires on May 7.  There are a number of public holidays between now and then as well as the Thai new year and famous songkhran water festival.  Please pray with us that it is all completed smoothly and on time, and for wisdom for our fantastic Thai friends who are preparing the visa application with us.

Our new cafe in the center of Hang Dong is now open and beginning to do well.  The food is great and they tell me the coffee is the best in Thailand (Though I'd have no idea as I am not a coffee drinker).  Our next step is to begin the English Language school based from there.  We are busy preparing the curriculum for this and plan to open with the first lessons and conversational English classes next month.  We already have a lot of interest from people wanting to learn English at the cafe.  The limiting factor will be the number of native English speakers available to help run these classes.... What about you? Have you considered volunteering for a working holiday in Thailand?

 

Photo of our family in Jan this year when James came to visit us.  James (3rd from right) returned to Australia after graduating high school last June and is now studying marketing at uni.  Jordan (right) will graduate this June and plans to return to Australia briefly to get a visa to minister in Japan for a year or so.  Sarah (left) will enter year 9 in August and Lizzy (second from right) will enter year 11 in August.