May 2025

This month has been pretty normal, not sure what to say here, but we have been busy and the month has passed quickly. God has been good to us even through difficulties, here is an update into our life and mission. 

Needs
There's about 7 months left until we hear back about my petition for Fang, then we will need to apply for a visa, which should be granted if the previous step is complete, especially considering Fang is the mother of 2 american citizens now. Then we will need to purchase tickets, which will be for 1 more child now, since Abby is too old to go for free now. So we are trying to save for that, but it is very difficult. The economy here is taking a hit due to terriffs, its not all bad, eventually, in the long term, we should benefit from american goods as well, which are longer lasting. Chinese vehicles are the newest thing for example, and they barely last a year before they start falling apart. Anyway, I think it will turn out in the end, but the world economy is going to have to deal with a major shift which could take several years. During that time, things will likely be hard for us here. All our customers were thai today except one japanese teacher, 5 years ago this would have been very odd. Foreign teachers are choosing to teach in other countries on account of lower pay and unfair treatment. The only requirements for teaching english should be that you are a native speaker, and have your tefl. Thats how it used to be, now they require you to have a university degree, and that in education, as well as an additional thai teachers lisence which is a big bag of bologna. Foreign teachers who have gone without a raise for 10 years have packed up and moved to other countries. That takes a toll on Fangs business because she used to sell primarily to foreign customers. God has been good in that she has seemingly gained local customers at the same rate that foreign customers have moved out. However now that the economy is taking a turn towards hard times again, people are not eating out as much. I am hopeful that other shops will close their doors, and we will likely take some of their business, primarily small coffee shops and bakeries that sell only cakes, but that remains yet to be seen. I am trying to get to the point i can start selling things, but again, I need to have enough of a selection, I have a couple dozen things now, but I am still not quite ready. Please pray about giving as the American economy takes a turn for the better. Thankyou. 

Conversations
In one of my classes, we were reading a book about dolphins, and after we talked about the charachtaristics of the dolphin, the book explained that dolphins are more genetically similar to people and bears than they are to fish. I asked by students why that might be. I suggested that dolphins had been desgined to look like fish even though they are genetically different. I asked who reused an old design, and one student, knowing where I was coming from said "God is the designer". We talked about different examples of animals that have the same design features even though they are genetically very different. Eels and snakes, bats and birds, I think I might need to do another short childrens book on the topic.

Memory verse songs
This month I decided to put my sons memory verses to the tune of old hymns, in both languages. It is pretty fun, and doesn't take that long, a couple hours at most. So it is worth adding to my list of regular things to do. Once a week I will make a memory verse song. This week we are reviewing an older verse, so I will make a song for those verses we have already memorized as well. These verses are great talking points in class. 

Celebrating Pentecost
The Apostles set an example for us by celebrating Passover, and Pentecost, and the other feasts commanded by Moses, and reaffirmed by Christ. This week we celebrated Pentecost, which is a celebration of the recieving the Law, a celebration that takes place 50 days after Passover (Easter), which is when the Isrealites were looking forward to a land flowing with milk and honey. Pentecost is also when we celebrate the recieving of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's law on our hearts, taking our heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. We celebrate by resting, and eating dairy foods. This celebration stands in stark contrast to the bitter herbs of passover. Passover is a celebration of Christs death and resurection, Pentecost is a celebration of our new life. 

Worksheets system
I am working on adding to calvins homeschooling by adding other worksheets. I am a bit picky, and find myself making my own worksheets, which will eventually grow into a kind of workbook. For now, I plan on printing them, and giving them out for free to anyone who wants them. I will put them in baskets, free for the taking. I think its a simple side ministry. Potentially a useful tool for other homeschoolers in the area. 

Counters and shelves
I have been building a counter for Fang, and it has taken way too long. I think I way overcomplicated it because I wanted to save a little money by using layers and layers of old scraps rather than just a couple layers of new wood. Whatever the case, it worked well, and I'll take pictures when its completely done and installed. Just got the legs glued on today. 

Concrete Molds
Also poured a few different shapes of concrete molds which can be used to mold plastic over. I think they turned out well. I will do a few more next week. Other than making by own molds, I also ordered some bench press weights molds, and plan on making concrete weights to sell as well. I figure I can use any broken ceramics to backfill, and still keep with the recycled theme, without effecting the weight. Papercrete is obviously a no go for these. 

Renew Recycling 
I did a quick search and can't find any Christian recycling groups on facebook, so I think this is an opportunity to take the initiative and put a page out there for people to find. Other diy recycle groups on facebook are rediculously and unbearably woke. I feel like making the slogan something like "The world is not going to end because of climate change, but why waste perfectly good material God has given us?". I think there are lots of resourceful folks that would easily get on board if things weren't so loony. 

Conclution
God is good, and we are blessed to be working where we are. Thankyou for supporting us in our mission.