BIG NEWS!

I am pregnant.  Maybe you're asking the same question our daughter did:
 "How is this possible....You're so old....I mean, obviously it's possible..."

Well, this was a wonderful surprise and true, I am not young, but God is the giver of life and we praise Him for this gift!  It is early and a few people have expressed their concern that we shared the news so soon(7 weeks along), but this is our son or daughter, and a part of our family.  We'll thank God for as long as He allows this child to grow and live.

 It's also a chance for all of our friends to pray with us, thank God for this gift, and to know what we are walking through. It's a chance for our kids to learn that human life has value from the beginning.  So, please pray with us for a healthy baby.

 As our family grows, so do the need.  Please also pray and consider joining our team of supporters.
 Here's the link: http://www.letsopenthewindow.com/donate.php

The past few months have been full in great ways.  I continue to teach a ladies Bible study in our home.  This has stretched me and humbled me, asking God to teach me how to teach them.  I am understanding more of how culture seeps into every area of life, including our view of God. Studying the Word isn't common practice for believers here.  The thought is, "You are the teacher, so I'll believe what you say."  Culturally, they don't question a teacher.  I am instructing them to be like the Bereans of Acts 17:11,"... they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
  My desire is for them to know the Word, to live it out, to know false teaching when it's spoken, and to know voice of the Holy Spririt.

A student at the kid's Thai school couldn't return because he couldn't afford the tuition.  But, through the monthly giving of our supporters, (we set aside money each month for ministry opportunities),
the bill has been paid!  Thank you everyone!  This child has the chance to hear the Word taught daily at school!



I'll let these pictures give you a glimpse into the last couple months....

This is my Thai neice.  She asked if I'd plan a birthday party for her.
She requested a cheesecake!  So, I made one....and hopefully never again.  It aint easy!
But, everyone had so much fun together.  

For Thai New Year's, people mix powder and water and smear on on each other.  This happened to Max
at a restaurant.  He was not amused...until they let him repay the deed and he was thrilled!

A Mangrove forest in Southern Thailand.

A view from above.  I've never seen anything like this place! 

This is above the forest.  Do you see how tall Jack is getting?!

We had a terrible storm (some called it a typhoon) come through!  Our trees in the front yard were bent to the ground, the power went out.  In some parts of town they had hail!!  The local said they had never seen anything like it.  Our friends trampoline was lifted out of their yard and landed 3 houses away!  Thankfully no one was hurt.

This is my buddy at church. He holds my hand when I teach kid's class and likes to follow me.
  I gave him a Pixie Stix from the USA.
I forgot to tell him not to eat the paper!  Ooops.

This was our drive to a remote village 5 hours from our home.
 A cliff on one side and no escape on the other!  The mountians were
beautiful, but our brakes were hot!

Here's the lovely bride!  Well worth the long drive. (She comes to Bible study sometimes).

Reception Dinner.  They prepared several pork meals with rice.

The view from the house...

At one point Max disappeared.  He never does this!  We found him under the house playing.

A celebration for Ken and his co-workers.  He works so hard, friends.  You'd be proud of him! 

First day back at Thai school.  While American kiddos are on break, ours are starting up again!





Thanks for following along with our lives here.  Thank you for praying.  We need you to keep praying!  There is a strong hold in our community, made clear by a recent string-tying ceremony that connects houses to the temple.  It's a visual reminder to lift the people of our village up.


Oh, how we miss you all! 
We plan to visit in the summer of 2019.