School Days
Another school year is in full swing for the children at Gethsemane Home. Their school year runs from the middle of May to the middle of March. They are now enjoying their October break and will return to school the end of the month.
Five of the children are in high school, and four of the five are in their last year. These four will be taking important tests in December that will determine where they will continue their education beyond high school. The tests will also place the students into a field of study that best suits their abilities. We ask that you pray for these children as they prepare for these exams.
The younger children enjoy being a part of sports teams. Two of the girls are a part of the cricket team, and several of the boys play takraw. It is played like volleyball, but you cannot use your hands. Several of the boys also belong to Boy Scouts and enjoy overnight camping.
Even though the children are involved in several extra curricular activities, they also excel in many academic areas. Thiti has won several awards for his English skills, and Wanchai has been number one in his class since starting kindergarten.
What is most important is that Titus has made it a priority to start each day with a devotional time. We are so proud of all of them!
Mission Trip 2015 Update
Plans are underway for our mission trip to Thailand in March 2015. At this time there are seven people committed to making this trip. We’re excited for them to see the work that is being done at Gethsemane Home and Under the Son Ministries.
While there, two projects will be completed. A laundry room and playground set will be built at Gethsemane Home. We will also be a part of the high school graduation of four of the children at the home.
The children at Ravenwood Christian Church are raising funds for the playground set. We are needing funds for the laundry room. If you would like to help with this project, please contact us.
Crocodile Dock VBS
From July 20th through 25th Countryside Christian Church took the children south to the bayou and “Crocodile Dock” for a Vacation Bible School experience. Their journey followed the life of Moses. In the story of Moses’ birth the children learned that God gives us life. They learned that even in Moses’ old age God was with him as God called Moses from the burning bush to go lead the children of Israel out of the bondage of slavery. Other daily themes taught the children about the power of God, that He does what He says He will do, and that God cares for us.
Under the Son Ministries was asked to be a part of their adventure by being the mission for the week. We used the opportunity to tell the children the daily Bible stories using Legos. We also shared with them about our ministry in Thailand. The kids loved to hear about what the children at Gethsemane Home do and places they go. The money they raised during the week went to sponsor a new boy at Gethsemane Home. His name is Jalaw, and he is eleven years old. They even had the chance to meet Jalaw one evening when we used FaceTime to visit with him.
Upcoming Events
We will be visiting a few churches before our trip to Thailand the end of February. If you are in the area, please stop by and hear what God is doing through Under the Son Ministries.
October 25-26— Crossroads Christian Church, Joliet, IL
December 14— Bethany Christian Church, Barnard, MO
January 18 – Hoover Christian Church, Platte City, MO
We ask for your prayers as we travel and that new doors will open for Under the Son Ministries as we make these connections. Also, please keep our mission trip in your prayers. We will leave the U.S. on February 25th and return on March 8th or 12th.
Teaching Lahu
In our last newsletter we introduced you to the newest member of our Under the Son Ministry team, Simeon. Simeon is a pastor working with the Lahu Shehlah people in the Omkoi district of Northern Thailand. One of the obstacles men like Titus, Simeon, Moses and others have in taking the gospel to their tribespeople is that many of these people cannot read or write. Even though they have the Bible translated into their native language, they cannot read it. During the times we have gone to Santisuk Bible Camp, we have noticed that teaching the adults and children how to read and write in the Lahu language was a part of the week of camp. This summer Simeon came to Gethsemane Home to work with Moses, Yuree, and Andrew, who is the pastor in the village of Doi Mod, to prepare materials that can be used in teaching these people their language. Hopefully it won’t be long until many of these people can find the joy of reading God’s word for themselves.
Titus Travels to China
Our relationship with Titus has grown a lot since we first met him back in June 2011. One of the things we learned about Titus’ family background was that many years ago his family came from China. Because of Christian persecution Titus’ ancestors fled China and moved south, finding their way to Northern Thailand. Titus still has family in China and has a desire to also go there to evangelize.
In August Titus was joined by four other Lahu Shehleh pastors who went to three villages in Southern China to do what Titus called, “short term Bible school”. From August 25th through September 1st these men led Bible trainings for 30 Lisu people in the village of Mumtin. From September 2nd through 9th they moved to the village of Geugma and taught 79 Lahu Shehleh people who represented five different churches. Their last stop was in the village of Lincang from September 10th through 14th. There they taught 40 Lahu Shehleh pastors, elders, and deacons representing six different churches.
