"In the first two years 80% of missionaries leave the field."
These were the bleak odds presented to us from the very beginning of our transition to Thailand. We never expected this mission to be easy, but this stat shows just how hard it can be. I'm sure each one set out with high hopes. There are a lot of reasons why they might have failed. From relational conflicts in their team, to the sheer difficulty of their location, the enemy hates when anyone sets off to conquer in his territory. We here have had our fair share of attacks from the enemy, doubts in our own mind, and moments where a plane ticket back looked so tantalizing. Though our time here brought us to a deep understanding of why this statistic exists, by God's glorious strength and power we have remained!
Family, Home, and Health
Since I last wrote, I have been quite busy. First of all, my family came to visit! I got to meet my little brother for the first time. (He was born about 2 months after I moved to Thailand.) In addition, my sweet friend came to visit me too. It was so wonderful getting to see all of them together again after two years. So much has changed, but they are still the family I knew and grew up with.
During their visit, I found a new home! With the Holloway's new baby back in Thailand, I felt led to search for a new house. Within a few short weeks of looking, God opened up a house right across the street! As I've shared briefly before, YWAM Trang has been led to have groups of staff and believers live close together in the same neighborhoods, what we are calling missional communities. This is for the purpose of reaching the people we see every day, and modeling the community we have in the Kingdom of God. Over the last few weeks I have been furnishing and setting up my new home. It is quite expensive to do so, so please pray that God would provide for all the necessary finances.
Regarding my health, I would love to ask for your prayers. Recently I had to be admitted to the hospital to get treatment for an infection. The good news is I only had to stay for a few days to get the infection cleared up. While the issue has been solved, I am still recovering from the intense medication. Please be praying that my body would continue to recover to full health. Additionally, in the upcoming months I need to get my wisdom teeth removed. The dentist said I need to go in twice. Pray also that the procedure would go smoothly, and I would have the finances to cover both procedures.
Two Years on the Field
It is honestly incredibly encouraging and exciting to have lived here for two years. As I stated above and many times before, the first two years are the hardest for missionaries. Many have told us it doesn't get easier, but we've made it through the hardest time. Now that we've graduated our Language and Culture Phase, we are now moving into full time ministry! Being a pioneering base, we are still scouting out new ministries. That being said, I am so excited to announce that we are accepting other DTS teams this fall and winter! We are also in the beginning stages of planning for our own DTS in the fall of 2025. We have a few other ministries that are in the grassroots stage, but you'll have to be patient for those as we are praying through the details here!
In the same way that the Israelites were told to go boldly into the promised land and conquer, so has YWAM Trang been called to now go forward and begin those ministries that we have waited so eagerly for. This is why we have been so dedicated to learning language and culture, and establishing ourselves in this land. Not to study endlessly, but to have a working grasp of these things in order to spread the gospel. I have high expectations for what God is going to do this year. It is going to be one full of many challenges. But honestly? That's nothing new. And I am honored to be challenged for the sake of my King's name be heard among this nation, and the rest of the neediest red.
Scouting Trip 2
As you know I have been on one scouting trip this year. It was an amazing time of God moving, and if you would like to read more check out Scouting Trip #1. In a prior update I mentioned that I will be going on a second trip this year. After returning to Thailand and praying with that team, we have decided to move our trip to early next year. We will still be going to the Middle East. We realized that there were some factors that made the timing difficult for us to leave. Despite that change, we are still so excited to go, and are hopeful that God has great things in store.
YWAM Together
At the end of this month I will be traveling to the Philippines with many other YWAMer's to get together for the International YWAM Together Conference! This is the time that YWAMer's from every base will be gathering together to reconnect, meet new people, and to celebrate what God has done. This is the first time YWAM is getting together since 2018, and my first time at one of these conferences. I am so excited for all of the connections that God has in store. I am especially excited to see old friends.
Prayer Requests
Continued language learning for our whole team.
Finances to cover furnishing my home and upcoming wisdom teeth removal.
Prayers for health and energy as I continue to recover.
That God would reveal what ministries he is desiring. That he would guide us as we scout and begin different ministries.
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