Reality Check

As we celebrate 40 years of travelling the world for Jesus, preaching and teaching the Word while sharing Jesus' love in practical ways, we continue to find our perspective challenged. We are confronted with what I call ‘Reality Checks. (Defined as an occasion on which one is reminded of the state of things in the real world)

Gary and I just returned from four weeks of ministry with the Akha people group in Thailand and Tamil believers in Sri Lanka's Northern and Eastern Provinces.  It was a wonderful trip, involving many airline flights, long drives and hot humid weather. Teaching people who are hungry for the Word of God makes it all worthwhile. (Read 'What's on our Calendar' in last month's blog for details of that journey)

Akha Village Church, lunch of pork noodle soup
and Manprang fruit (in the mango family)

Perspective Shifting
 Reality Check

• It's not about me! It’s about Jesus. It's about people. 
• Church is not about your comfort level and convenience: It’s about hunger for the Word of God and to worship Him

Tamil Village Church, Northern Province Sri Lanka

Pastors and leaders in many nations do not have access to Bible Schools or formal theology training.  It's a joy to be on the teaching team of The Legacy Foundation Course and Bible School, which provide solid, Bible-based teaching: literally the foundation of our faith.  Several students travelled 1.5 hours each way to class by bus or motorcycle.

This Grandfather walks with a crutch because his legs are crippled from polio.  He made the 1.5 hour trip every day on his three-wheeler which is adapted for hand controls.

Only God knows how many lives will be touched and changed through the lives and ministry of these students.

Signs along many roads warn that active landmines remain 17 years after the end of Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war.   The danger of landmines exploding prevents people from returning to their homes or farming their land. Halo is a nonprofit organization working to clear land mines from war-torn nations. 

URGENT PRAYER IS NEEDED

In April these five boys were forcibly taken from their Myanmar village by the Peoples Defense Army that is fighting the Military Junta which took over Myanmar in 2020. These boys are only 15 years old. 

Please pray for their safety and protection and that they will be returned to their families quickly. Their families are heartbroken and need the Lord’s comfort and strength. 

Three of them were in the Daniel Education Center we support and is run by our Spiritual Son and Daughter.

Our wonderful friends and hosts in Thailand and Sri Lanka made sure we were comfortable, safe and well-fed.

Kao Soi in N Thailand
Akha Feast 
Sri Lankan Rice & Curry Lunch

Abu & Joseph’s daughters call us Api Pala and Apo Pala (Foreign Grandmother and Grandfather)

Eager to embrace my inner child - I clambered into the back of the pickup with the girls for a ride through Thai towns and countryside.  Not your normal 'tourist' experience.  It was so fun.

Our prayer for you is from 2 Peter 1:2 - 3: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given us - given you - all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him we called us by glory and virtue."

The Journey Continues ~ Pat

It's great fun to explore the countries God sends us to.
Sunrise at the beach, an elephant sanctuary, Pad Thai, white lotus flowers.