June 2023

Planning

I've been thinking and praying through evangelistic stradegy. I depend heavily on scripture cards and tracts on various topics. I am a direct person, so being too direct is actually my danger in evangelism, so ive learned to ease into it over the years. Don't get me wrong, being direct is important, but learning to hold off for a good punch line like a comedian would with a good joke is an art that takes time to learn. Slowly drawing attention to a spesific area of human depravity while in the middle of a conversation about politics or culture then dropping the bomb "we are doomed if we trust in ourselves, only God can save us" then letting that pull the conversation in deep quick, but usually not for long, and leaving them with a tract in hand. The multiple topics help with the application of this method. But being intentional is important as well, and knowing when to start up a conversation is key too. If its their first time, ill keep the conversation short, but if they keep coming back, ill invest a lot more time and breath. Videos and other activities are important to be more vocal and not depend so heavily on written content. I knew a resteraunt in india that was always full, and played christian media on big screens and projectors all day long. It seemed to work for him, and he was always engaged in conversation as he was flipping roti or naan. We may move this direction as well. If so, i figure half english content with thai subs, and the other half thai content with english subs, so no one is completely left out, and both parties can use it as an opportunity for cassual english or thai practice (one of the best methods). So thats what im thinking in the lines of future direction, i think i will keep this a part of the newsletter so that you can pray for the future, and also be thankful with me when certain things i have mentioned come to fruition 

Writing

I formatted and printed the passover tract which ended up being some 60 pages long which supprised me but it should be a good utility to both understand the depth of our christian traditions of passach and communion, as well as a guide for churches to actually lead a christian passover sedar in thai. 

I finished the homosexual tract, it needs formatted and printed. I also finished most of a tract on church, which needs translated, then it will be done. I plan on doing a tract on postmodernism, as it is an issue everywhere in our generation. "Your truth" or "my truth" is funny, but also sad, and it does need addressed. 

Teaching

Calvin is reading, so im trying to get him to read more than one word at a time, if he really does start to read before speaking fluently, i believe homeschooling will be much easier. 

My classes are going well, and i have a couple new students, some who are studying with me one on one, which is good for me, its more enjoyable, and it pays better usually. 

Making

The neighbor has decided i am his official handyman, so he is having me restore him piano that has a gator skin cracked finish, so it needs redone. I don't know what God has in store here, i teach his son too, and they are friends with my wifes older sister. I get opportunities now and again to talk with him, but usually hes quite busy. I pray for opportunities to engage him in gospel discussion. Makes me wonder how many times the apostle paul engaged with his customers who purchased tents from him. Its a unique kind of relationship, and conversation is important, not only for evangelism, but for business too, that much my grandfather made clear to me, he made custom knives for a living. 

I also fixed the plastic shredder by taking it out of its housing, giving it a new motor, and putting it in an old oil drum, at least i have more space for a bigger bucket. I also filled in a large gap in the attick above the storage room with concrete, where a rat had been coming in and nesting in the attick. That dirty little rat had taken the flour sacks i was saving for building an earth home dome, and pulled it inside an old speaker box, and even found some random toys to play with, well, he has been evicted as he has never once paid me rent. 

I got the baby stuff down out of the attick, and have started repairing some things calvin had roughed up as a baby, so that Abigail can enjoy them too. Fortunately the rat didn't get into the plastic boxes i put up there. Only a few months to go before Abby is born. We are very excited, and I do believe we will be ready. We kind of know what we are doing now, so im less nervous about that stuff. 

Needs

I have about 3 months to go before i have to have the 400,000 (12,000 usd) in my account in full ready to sit 2 months before a visa extention. I will have saved almost the entire amount needed but i might be about 400 dollars short, or about 15,000 baht short, so if anyone has been waiting for an opportunity to give, this could be it. The next best thing would be a temporary lone (about 3 months) afterwhich i could return the amount. The thing that put us back this year was mainly the car, and it is a nice car in my opinion, so im very glad we got that before they sold it to someone else, but now the visa is a situation again. I guess i will likely always be leaning on the providence of God (really, a good place to be). I can always dream that the economy will boom, and the bread and english will suddenly become popular just like fresh coffee did a decade ago, but who knows. 

Conclusion

We've had a fruitful month with many good discussions, a few finished projects, and lots of good work. We are growing and learning as we go. Thankyou for your continued prayers and support.