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Home Assignment Schedule

In a little over 3 months, our first Home Assignment will be over and our family will leave for Thailand on Saturday, May 11. Until then, we’ve got a full calendar of travel, reporting and visiting ahead of us. Below is a schedule of what we have planned. Thanks for reading and praying for our family and the people of Thailand.

  • February – Michigan, Wisconsin
  • March – Michigan, Indiana
  • April – Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio
  • May – Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, THAILAND!
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November/December Update

Hello from the Thai 5! Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to over the last couple months. Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

SE States
Following the NW missionary conferences (see September/October Update) our family drove together to Denver where we had a great but too-short visit with some good friends. Then, I (Nathan) traveled by plane to Alabama while Jessica our kiddos continued on to my parents’ house in Nebraska. For the next couple weeks, I visited several churches in the Mobile Bay area and also in Palm Bay, Florida.

Nebraska and Idaho
On November 12, I returned to Nebraska. It was good to reunite with my family and plant myself in one place for a while. Over next several weeks we had opportunities to share about Thailand with a couple area churches and also get together with friends and family that support our ministry. In addition we caught up with homeschooling and kept busy with different tasks that had been neglected as we traveled during the first couple months of our home assignment. Thankfully, we also enjoyed spending time with family and simply resting. It was also a blessing to celebrate Christmas with most of my family, something we hadn’t been able to do for many years.

Making cookies with Grandma

Making cookies with Grandma

Visiting Uncle Paul and Aunt Valli

Visiting Uncle Paul and Aunt Valli

Our kids saying hello at a Christian radio station

Our girls stock groceries at Torpin’s Rodeo Market

Chloe hugging her Great Grandma Killion

Our kids and Grandma Killion making a gingerbread house

It looks good enough to eat!

Grandma and Chloe with her gumdrop

“Hey, Grandma! That’s my gumdrop!”

Matthias enjoying the snow

Abigail shoveling snow

Chloe squinting in the snow

On the evening of December 26 and morning of December 27 we reluctantly said goodbye to different members of our family in Nebraska. Although we’re confident of God’s calling on our lives to serve Him in Thailand, it’s still painful to be apart from those we love. As another missionary recently told me, I wish there was a way to leave without going.

Abigail and Grandpa saying goodbye

Our kids with Grandpa and Grandma Killion

Leaving Nebraska, we began our two day trip to southern Idaho where we met Jessica’s family who had traveled from California and Washington. We’ve enjoyed this week with them and will leave on Friday to visit a church in northeastern Washington. From there, we’ll travel on to southern California where we’ll stay with Jessica’s sister’s family and visit some churches and friends in the area.

Chloe with her cousins and Papa Heath

Cousins opening gifts from Papa and Grammie Heath

Chloe, Abigail, and their cousins display their new fans

As we begin 2013, we are reminded of the truth that our opportunity to serve our Savior is short: “Knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near.” (Romans 13:11-12 NASB). So then, by God’s grace, let’s serve the Lord together as we have the opportunity.

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September/October Update

Hello from the Thai 5! We’ve just finished the first two months of our first home assignment after leaving for the field nearly 4 years ago. The last several weeks have been filled with miles and miles of travel, some really long days, much reporting and sharing, and great amounts of fellowship and refreshment. Here are some details of what’s been happening. Thanks for reading!

On September 1 we arrived in New York and stayed for the next several days with some good friends from the Eastport Bible Church on Long Island. Our family had a wonderful time of rest as we recovered from jet lag and geared up to begin our journey across the US.

Lunch with our good friends the Curtos

We flew to Indianapolis on September 4 and stayed at TCM’s apartment for few days. During that time we met with different people in the office and began preparing presentations and materials that we would share with churches and ministry partners.

That Sunday we shared at Faith Bible Church in Olney, Illinois. Of course, this was a special reunion for us as we had ministered at FBC for several years before leaving for Thailand. It was good to catch up with old friends face-to-face and share with them about how God is at work in Thailand.

Riding horses at the Kermicle farm

From Illinois, we drove to Nebraska to visit my (Nathan’s) family, including four members (a niece/cousin, two nephews/cousins, and a brother-in-law/uncle) that, up until then, we had only met on Skype! It was great to help my dad work on my brother’s house, watch our kids and their cousins play together, and simply be with family. After a week in Nebraska, I flew out to Denver (more on that below), while Jessica and the kids stayed with parents for another five days. On the morning they left for Denver, they stopped by the hospital to visit my brother and sister-in-law and meet their newborn son who had just arrived in the middle of the night. What a blessing!

Cousins

In Denver I shared at The Point on Sunday morning and attended a workshop put on by Simply The Story from Saturday to Wednesday. In all I spent 60+ hours in practical sessions that gave us some very helpful tools for using biblical storytelling in our ministry.

Jessica and the kids arrived in Denver on September 26 and we all left for Oregon the next morning to begin the Northwest missions conferences. For the next 4 weeks we, along with several other missionaries, traveled throughout Oregon, Idaho, and Washington to present and report on our ministries and encourage churches in mission. By the end of October, our family had visited 8 churches in these three states, stayed with 6 different families, eaten a number of delicious meals, and received numerous blessings.

Uncle Alex and Matthias praying before the service

Needless to say, the last couple months have been busy, but we’re so thankful for the opportunity to be in the States and share how God is working in Thailand. In truth, it feels like we left part of our hearts in the Land of Smiles when we left and are eager to return and resume our ministry there. Until then, we’re trusting the Lord and walking with Him through this adventure.

Pike Place Market

Jessica sharing with a Pioneer club

Chloe enjoying snow

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Home Assignment

Hello from the Thai 5! Our family arrived in the USA on September 1 and will be returning to Thailand in May of 2013. During our time in the States we’ll mostly travel and visit churches and our ministry partners in order to share what the Lord is doing in our lives and encourage people to be involved in mission. Also, we’ll spend some time with family and have an opportunity to rest.

Here’s our tentative schedule for the next 8 months. Thanks for reading and praying for our family and the people of Thailand!

  • September – Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado
  • October – Oregon, Idaho, Washington
  • November – Alabama, Florida, Nebraska
  • December – Nebraska
  • January – California
  • February – Wisconsin, Michigan
  • March – Michigan
  • April – Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey

Jet lag

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March 2012 Update

Hello again from the Thai 5! The last several weeks have been good ones. Here’s a bit of what’s been happening. Thanks for reading!

Students at the End of the Term Party

End of the Term Party  Students at NCU took their final exams during the last week of February and first few days of March. So, on March 2nd, we celebrated with an End of the Term Party. Beforehand, we told the students that this get-together would be a potluck dinner and explained that everyone should bring something to share. That evening we ate cashew chicken, fried jumbo shrimp, German potato pancakes with applesauce, and a coconut-milk gelatin dessert. A few resourceful students even picked some green mangoes from a tree in our yard, cut them up, and seasoned them with fish sauce, sugar, and Thai pepper. Yum! Following dinner we played a game in which the goal was to learn new things about one another. Then we shared about how God knows all things about us—even our secret, shameful sins—and He still chooses to love us.

Students at the End of the Term Party

Making Bread & Cookies  The day after the End of the Term Party, four students came to our home and spent several hours with Jessica in the kitchen. It all started several weeks ago when I (Nathan) used a loaf of Jessica’s homemade bread as a teaching tool for an exam. There was a group of students hanging around after the test and so I sliced up the bread and offered it to them. A few days later, some of those same students approached me after class and asked, “Can we buy some of Jessica’s bread?” In response, I told them, “No, I can’t sell it to you. But, you can come to our house and make bread with Jessica, if you’d like.” They were really excited about that and we arranged to have a baking date after finals. So, on that Saturday, the students arrived mid-morning, baked bread and cookies, ate lunch with our family and just hung out. What a great day of sharing life and the love of Christ with these dear young people!

Students at the End of the Term Party

Language Coach Workshop  During the first full week of March, I (Nathan) attended a workshop in Chiang Mai presented by the Institute for Cross-Cultural Training of Wheaton College. The sessions from this week-long workshop provided helpful insights into how to be life-long language learners as we continue to develop our Thai language skills. Perhaps, more than anything else, the workshop encouraged us to press on in learning and using Thai on a day-to-day basis. If you’ve ever learned another language, you’re probably familiar with the struggles and discouragements of working toward a level of high proficiency. This seminar addressed some of those struggles for me and I ended the week with renewed motivation to keep moving forward in language learning for the glory of Christ!

Jessica, students, and bread

Our kids studying at their new desks

Home Assignment  As we get nearer to leaving for home assignment (September 1), we’re still praying that God will provide the right person/people to keep our ministry running until we return to Thailand in 2013. Although we don’t know how the Lord will answer this prayer, we’re still encouraged. While recently praying about this issue, the Lord brought to mind Ephesians 3:20-21 which says this: “Now to Him who is able to do abundantly beyond anything you ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” The assurance of these verses is that, although we have ideas and plans of what might work in this situation, God’s imagination is infinite and perfect and He is powerfully able to accomplish His plans!

Songkran Party  In April, we plan to have a get-together with students who are in the area during the summer term. We will base it around the theme of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year and water festival. We plan to eat together, play some water games, ask a student to share the meaning of Songkran, and also share a story from the life of Jesus. Please pray for students to come to the event and for us as we share with them about the Living Water.

Abigail and a big beetle

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Glory Moments

As a father, I am convinced that there are glory moments in the lives of my children. These are times in which the beauty, brilliance, and wonder of God are visibly seen in my children’s lives. They are instances that shine brightly with the splendor and dignity God intended for His creation to have. Such moments are glimpses into the image of God being restored and what Paul describes as a transformation from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Yesterday, I experienced such a moment. For the past six months, our daughter Abigail has been taking dance lessons with several other girls her age and yesterday was her first recital. It was a long day for little Abby; she was up at 7:00 a.m., left the house a little after 8:00, rehearsed in the morning, performed once in the afternoon and then again in the evening.

Jessica had taken Abigail to the theater that morning and then returned home to pick up the rest of us. When our family arrived at the theater to take Abby to lunch, she and her group were partway through their final dress rehearsal. Now, before that morning, I had watched her dance at her weekly practice (although, that had been a while ago) and of course at home, as well. But this was different. There she was: on the stage, dressed in her outfit, under the lights and shining! As I watched her glide with little-girl grace, my heart began to burst as my eyes filled with tears. In those few moments, I saw Abigail joyfully worship her Heavenly Father with talents He has given her. She moved through her well-rehearsed routine with an attractive and unassuming confidence. She looked to her instructor for direction and performed to the best of her ability. At one point, she even caught me gazing at her, flashed me a quick smile and, with a wink, melted what was left of my heart.

Of course, I realize that Abigail is at a beginner’s level and has just begun to hone the skills she has. And it’s certainly possible that my perspective is a bit biased. (Which father’s isn’t?) But, I really do mean it when I say that when she danced, Abigail displayed the glory of God. Her fluid, radiant movements weren’t arrogantly showing off her ability. They were humbly showing off her God. She was displaying the gifts God has given her and, in doing so, giving the rest of us a picture of His majesty. What an example of God’s mysterious goodness! He uses us, even young children, as followers of Christ and members of His body, to show the watching world His beauty. How gracious He is to unfold His glory through the lives of His children!

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February 2012 Update

Greetings from the Thai 5! Here’s a glimpse into the last several weeks of our lives. As we serve the Lord in the kingdom of Thailand, our hope is that more people will enter into “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). We trust that this is also your heart’s desire wherever you are. Thanks for reading and praying with us!

NCU – Nathan continues to teach an English class at North-Chiang Mai University. At the end of February, students will take their final exams and then go on summer break for the next 3 months (March-June is the hot season in Thailand). We plan to stay in touch with students during the break and still get together with those who stay in the area.

In addition to teaching his class, Nathan has been asked to help with NCU’s upcoming English Camp on Saturday, February 18th. It’s expected that around 200 students will attend from both NCU and area high schools. Nathan was responsible for organizing volunteers for the camp and was able to recruit about 30 people from various ministries in the area. Our prayer is that the Spirit of Christ in the lives of these volunteers will be evident to the students.

The Centre – We have around 10 students in three different classes that regularly come to The Centre in the evenings to study English. Over the past couple weeks, God’s been opening doors to go beyond teaching English and talk some about spiritual things with certain ones. Also, on February 14th, we had a Valentine’s Party for students from The Center and Nathan’s class at NCU. 16 students came out for the evening and we enjoyed playing games, eating lasagna and strawberry cake, and sharing about the true love that comes from Jesus. We are trusting the Lord that the Gospel will be planted and take root in the lives of these precious students.

After finals at NCU, the three regular classes at The Centre will be finished. There is a possibility that some students will resume studying when the next term begins (mid-June).

In the meantime, we’ll have at least one new class staring in March that will be made up of some baristas from an on campus coffee-shop at NCU.

Homeschooling – Jessica and our children have spent this week (February 13-17) at a home school conference put on by Grace International School. It’s been a great opportunity to network with other homeschooling families and be encouraged in the Lord. We know that He is continuing to help us as we adjust to homeschooling and are seeking His wisdom in this adventure!

Home Assignment – Our plane tickets have been bought! On September 1st, after renewing our visas in Bangkok, we’ll leave for the US. We’ll be on home assignment (reporting to churches, visiting family and friends) for about 8 or 9 months and then return to Thailand. We feel that that’s a long time to be away from our ministry here, but by that time, we’ll have been in Thailand for almost 4 years. Also, our support is spread out over the US, so it’s necessary that we spend that amount of time in the States.

As we look forward to sharing with churches and being with family and friends, we’re also burdened for the ministry here while we’re away. We’re praying and looking for the right person/people to step in while we are gone. Although we can get anxious about it, we know that God is powerful and His timing is perfect. So we’re trusting Him to provide the solution. He is able!

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February 2012 Prayer Letter & Home Assignment

Hello from the Thai 5! If you haven’t already read it, please take a few minutes to check out our recent prayer letter.

By the way, just a quick note to clear up any confusion concerning our Home Assignment (furlough) this year. Our plan is to go to the US in September and stay for about 8 or 9 months. During that time we need to visit our supporters, family, and friends. Then we will return to Thailand and continue our work here. We’ve received some questions about whether we are leaving Thailand permanently and the answer (unless the Lord directly us differently) is most certainly not! After 3+ years of living here, we’re encouraged to see what God is doing and can’t wait to see He will do! He is faithful!