Cold In Thailand

This past Christmas season was the coldest that I could ever remember here in Thailand. We live on the border in the north of Thailand so it usually has cooler evenings and mornings, but this was really cold. We have no heaters so we used charcoal in a big clay pot in the evenings and mornings. This was our first Christmas here and we are looking for many more in the future on the Burmese side. In the evenings we had groups of local Ahka people come to the house and sing Christmas carols (usually a little late around 9:00PM). Singing sounded great, but I did not understand what they were saying. After struggling for about three months we did find a good day care for Jeremiah. Although we do have the time for him at home...we felt the need to have him around other little kids.

In late February I will be crossing the border again to look at some of the land we plan to use for the growing of crops. The crops will be used for the supporting of pastors in their villages. Just this past month we had pipes buried in the land to bring water to the area. This will all take sometime as their is some legal work with the current government that must be done (measuring of the land, clearing the land, title deed, etc...), but we believe it will be worth it in the long run. We hired some workers from the village where my Elizabeth's cousin Solomon is from. Here are some pics of them going up the mountain with water pipes. Feeding this group of young men was very easy...just get them a couple of dogs! Not sure I am ready for that...Anyways this coming March I will be going to the Philippines to minister for Pastor Rich Conte. I am always excited to minister for these guys as they are a very excited easy group to minister to. We want to thank you for your continued support. Tom, Elizabeth and Jeremiah

Nehemiah said, "Let Us Rise Up And Build"

Nehemiah said in chapter 2:17, "come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach." Myanmar (Burma) is now in the process of rebuilding it's nation and we are positioning ourselves to be a part of building a new generation of leaders in Myanmar. Part of that process is having land and having a training center in Myanmar. Right now we have the land but it needs landscaping and a wall around it. Inserted here is a couple of pictures of a wall that we would have to put up around the land, and a picture the type of landscaping we need to do. I want to thank everyone who has already given to this project. The landscaping is something we would like to do as soon as we can as we are now in the dry and hot season. "So let us rise up and build."

India Trip

I arrived back from India on the 4th of November after teaching for one of my former students "Joseph." Joseph is doing a great job in southern India and he is going to do big things for the Lord. The scripture tells us in Daniel 11:32,"But the people that do know their God shall be strong and will do exploits." Joseph has his heart set on changing the course of India through raising up leaders full of God's Word and walking in His integrity. This was one of the most memorable trips that I have taken over the years as the students were very hungry for God's Word and Spirit. It was an honor for me to preach for Joseph and I look forward to ministering for more of my students from the past few years.

Land For Home And School

The past month we had electricity put on the Land that my wife and I have purchased in Burma. The land will be use for a school and also our home. There is lots of work that needs to done on the land. We will have to clear the land and then also put a wall around the property. But we are believing from here we will be able to train up pastors and workers for the ministry. Below are a couple pictures of the land. The bottom picture was taken when some of the land was being cleared. There will be much more work to be done in the coming months.

A New Residence And A New Assignment

On September 13th of this year we drove north to the border of Thailand and Myanmar. The drive was about 800 and Kilometers or about the distance from Bismarck to Minneapolis. Although the travel is quite a bit longer because of the mountainous roads. It is a beautiful drive and we enjoyed the scenery. Mae Sai Thailand will be our home for awhile before we move to the other side of the border which is Tachiliek, Myanmar (the old name is Burma). Right now we are working to get things ready for us when we move to the other side of the border. It will take time, money, energy and relationships. But God has been faithful and we have seen Him move for us this past year. Our goal will be to plant a training school in the future for the Burmese people. It is our desire to build the leadership skills of the people in Myanmar. This is a move that me and my wife have been waiting for to happen for quite some time. We have great expectations for helping the Burmese people. Believe with us for the finances to build a training center and connect with the right relationships. So far I have enjoyed Mae Sai as it is quite a bit cooler and an easy community to get around in. The food market is quite close and Jeremiah is making friends.

The Philippines

The first two weeks in May I spent in the Philippines ministering for Pastor Rich Conte. It was a wonderful time and the students were hungry for the Word of God. The Bible school started this past fall and we had the first graduation while I was their. They really know how to have a graduation party. The area that I ministered in was in Metro Manila called Fairview. I had been their numerous times in the past but the area has really grown and Pastor Rich chose a right spot to build a church. The church is on "fire" and I really enjoyed ministering the Word of God. I was so busy Pastor Rich had me preach seven different times along with my time in the Bible school. From the Fairview church I can really say that the Word of the Lord is "sounding forth" (I Thess. 1:8)into all of the Philippines.

Graduation 2013 "Finishing The Course"

This past April 21 we graduated students here at VBCI Thailand. What a great bunch of students. The reason the students were so outstanding is the staff here has been terrific. It has been a great three years for me and my wife. This has been a season of growth for me and my family and God has expanded our hearts to believe bigger things for His Kingdom. Jesus is the sole reason we are here in SE Asia. God has great things for the area of the world and we are excited for our next move. As for the students we had one four year diploma (Franco Salvador) one three year diploma (Fulgence). Fulgence will be getting his four year degree next year. We also had numerous two year diplomas with Nelson James from Malaysia being the Honor Student. We are so proud of Nelson. As for myself and my family a great time here in Sriracha and now preparations for Northern Thailand and Myanmar. We have lots of things that need to be done before we make the move but we should have most of them finished by this fall. We feel blessed that we have finished this part of our course and are exited for the next season!