MBMS International. Transforming Lives In Mission

The last week in June, the week before our family came back to N. America, we hosted the new Thailand Development Team.  They came and spent one week in the north, looking at the Khmu land for a training centre on the Mekong River, and then a week with us in Chonburi helping us find land for the orphanage to buy so we can build.

Greg Allison from Wichita, Ted Enns from Ontario, and Dan Ratzlaff from B.C. make up this team of gifted land developers. (Click here to watch the video.) They have been an answer to prayer for Ricky and I as we look ahead to our next term in Thailand and these two exciting projects.  Not only are they really good at helping us move the plans from paper to reality, but they are a fun group of guys who keep us laughing and are really fun to work with!  Please pray for these guys.

These days, in addition to drawing up plans (see image below) and blueprints for the orphanage, the TDT task force are raising funds for the land purchase.  They are calling people to give generously to The Abundant Life Home so we can provide a home for these precious orphans who are living with HIV, and are experiencing the love of a mother and a church family for the first time in their lives.

Selwyn and Carlin on our Lead Team are on the task force as well, helping us form a Thai MB Conference and working with our Thai lawyer, Joe, as we put safeguards into place so that this orphanage will always care for the  children it is mandated to.

For the next two weeks, we are in the process of wiring funds daily for the final stages of the land purchase.  Please pray that all the funds will be given to MBMSI in the next weeks.

As we continue to visit our supporting churches, we have seen God move in the hearts of His people to stir up a love for the children in our orphanage, and for the believers in our church plants.  We believe people are hearing the stories of what God is up to in Thailand and are being faithful to pray for ALH kids by name; to give generously; and to consider serving long term in Thailand.

A few needs that we have right now:

1)  A business-type person to help us create micro-business opportunities for the older children in the orphanage. (Raising pigs; beef or bunnies...we are open to almost any suggestion! :) )

2)  A consultant to meet with us regarding the future management of staff and boards as we expand the work of MBMSI in Thailand.

3)  A musician who can help Karen develop a "heavy metal" outreach for youth in Thailand.

4)  A person who can help write grants for funding for the medication for the ALH children.

We continue to be inspired and humbled by Team 2000 as they work tirelessly to bring the kingdom of God to Thailand.  Sara Fast from Oklahoma is doing a great job overseeing the orphanage, and we are grateful for her love for the ALH children.  Please pray for the quick match of the Thai baby which the Owen's have applied to adopt, and for the Lord to release their daughter to them soon!!

Praise God for the recent miraculous healings of two lame men in the village of Ang Sila where our fishing village church plant works faithfully, and for our break dance ministry which keeps seeing young men steadily coming to faith in Jesus!

We thank the Lord too for Karen's parent's who babysit our four girls and are giving them a real farm-life experience...complete with skunks and coyotes at night!  Quite a learning curve for our girls!

Praising God for break dancers and big land developers....all expanding God's Kingdom in Thailand! :)

Karen for Ricky and our girls.