December 2021

Hi everyone, hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving!

This thanksgiving i again was brought back to the importance of being thankful. Life here is difficult but it is also a great blessing to be able to spend my life for something eternal in an age where everything is so superficial. Be thankful always, and in all circumstances, how many times is this theme repeated in scripture? When we practice regular thankfulness, we grow in contentment, and happiness, and our ability to serve without growing exhausted is renewed. 

I have a lot to be thankful for, my ministry, the work we have finished, my family, an amazing wife who was truly hard to find, but i found her and seemingly knew she was mine the moment i laid eyes on her. My son is a constant joy, and he honors his parents even unknowingly, he bows to greet everyone who walks in the door, and waves bye when they leave, he obeys when i say no, and has already learned to follow my instruction. In spite of this difficult covid season, we remain dept free and able to move forward. Almost surreal, we watch other businesses go under, yet we, who have never done particularly well, are still alive. Its as if God gives us a kind of supernatural stability that is less than wealth but is always enough. I don't want to say this kind of provision will always be the case, but we know this is Gods blessing for us now, and we are constantly aware and thankful for Gods care of us. 

Evangelism

We have been handing out cards and tracts as you know, and due to heavy rain we haven't been able to go as often. It is so cool here now which is nice, but some areas are flooding like happens almost every year. When it stops raining we will be back at it in the evening. 

Tracts

I finished the chapters memorizations cards, I decided for a a5 piece of cardstock with the chapters sized to fit on one sheet both sides. This is good to save paper, but also allows me to print the same sheet on a4 for elderly or visually impaired, so they can join in the challenge as well. Not sure when i get to implement it but ill have them in my bag for anytime i can challenge believers to memorize a whole chapter. I have picked out 30 or 31 (i forget) chapters most fitting to be memorized in their entirety. 

I also finished the 10 commandments tract. My plan for this coming month is to translate a scientific article on the creation of the universe and the implications of a actual beginning to everything being that if everything physical had a beginning, the cause must be nonphysical, and infinite in many different ways. I figure having at least one or 2 articles for people who just won't listen to scripture yet is good. However it is worth noting that it is rare for me to come across someone who will reject scripture, most people don't know enough, and because of the traditions on catholicism being so similar to buddhism, likely because of a long history of imitation, most folks here are under the impression any religion is good, and there is no need to seek further, so under normal circumstances just giving them some scripture to read for themselves is enough to show them the vast difference and hopefully make them ask deeper questions. However there is a group of younger people who have rejected buddhism or at least are not practicing, and would call themselves non-religious. I met a couple customers in this group, and its not the first time, this is a growing group in thailand, and i think the church should be ready to answer them as well. I might do a couple tracts on moral issues like gluttony or lust as well.

Family

Calvin usually likes music, there is nothing new here, but recently he has taken a liking to me singing to him again, so id like to dig up old tunes ive written, and try to write some more as well, and organize them. 

I also had the opportunity to finish calvins first 6 months video, cut down, it ended up being 2 and 1/2 hours long, but the next 6 months have more pictures and less video i think so hopefully that will be a much quicker video to make. It will be good to get that out of the way. Also is really nice to look back on how much he has grown. 

We are doing well as a family, working together, growing together. I really love my family. 

Business

Fangs bakery is holding on, its strange, some days it seems like we do extremely well, and others its almost silent. I have got a few new students thankfully, so im able to help pay the bills, and for christmas gifts for the family. I am thankful for this as well. 

Building

I really didn't build much this month, this coming month i will probably try to make some things to sell if i find the time, maybe some more glass bottle candles and some paper-crete desk organizers. 

Thankyou

Thankyou for everyone who prays for us, pray that our work will be fruitful, and that someone will come ready to seek Jesus with us. Pray that parents, students, and customers will be good soil when i plant seeds there. Pray that we would have new coworkers, (or that old coworkers would come around more often and plan for the future with us.) Thankyou for those who support us financially, we couldn't do this without you. 

Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope you and your families have a joyful time this time of the year.