From: [mailto:On Behalf Of Vickie Easter
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 1:59 AM
To:
Subject: [ThaiVickie] Thailand and Beyond
Dear Friends and Family,
I can hardly believe it’s been almost three months since I’ve sent a newsletter! I apologize for not keeping you better informed of what’s been happening here. Thanks for your faithful prayers and support during this time. It’s been a season of changes for me.
December 31st I moved from the house that had been my home for three years. It was time to leave behind the neighbor’s barking dogs. More important it was time to move from living alone to living with others. I moved into a little house in the back yard of my friends the Byers. It’s been a mutual blessing to live in community with the family, to share meals and fellowship in the big house with Cathy, Tim, Hannah (17), Twyla (15), and Joy (10). Cathy is a close friend, and Tim has been my mentor in member care and is the director of The Well Member Care Center.
We’d been waiting to see the landlady about making a living room out of what had been previously used only for storage. This week we learned the structure has major problems and she wants to tear it down and build a new one back there! That means things will continue to be disrupted for another two or three months, but in the end I will have a new bedroom, living room and bathroom. I will move into the Byers’ house until the new place is ready and my things will continue to be stored at the Well. Please pray:1) for us as we wait and live in close quarters during hot season, and 2) for God’s good plan for someone to sublet when the Byers go to America for four months in June as it would not be good for me to stay here alone when they are gone.
This year I’ve been doing more work at The Well Member Care Center here in Chiang Mai. I’ve debriefed and counseled workers from China here for conferences, families from Paksitan here for a break from earthquake relief work, and missionaries living and working in Chiang Mai. On Mondays I’ve listened to and encouraged moms at their Homeschool Cooperative Group. My only travel so far has been to southern Thailand for five days last month with our MUP educational consultant. I hope to do another Prayer and Reflection Retreat with some women here in the near future. I am currently discussing possible travel in April. Early May I will join our China field for their conference week in Hong Kong. Please pray: for wisdom from God in every counseling situation.
I’ve enjoyed spending more time in Chiang Mai and less time traveling. I’ve joined a community choir and begun studying a littleThai again. I’ve also been able to attend Thai church (English translation provided) more often with my friend Seng la (formerly referred to as Kham), her son Dah, and her friend Mai. Thanks for your prayers for the Christmas Eve outreach. Dah, and Mai came to the Lord that night and are growing in their faith. Summer break for Dah (age 13) begins the end of this month. Please pray: he can attend VBS or English camp during that time. Below is Seng la’s photo. Her name means ‘light everywhere’, and truly she brings the light of the Lord everywhere she goes. I’m delighted she has been able to begin learning English and hope someday she can get a better job than cleaning houses. Please pray: she will continue to grow in her faith, and that she will have wisdom in relationship with her two sons, Dah and Goff (age 19).
Seng la (Kham)
May God bless you and fill you with His joy and peace as winter comes to a close there and spring approaches in the states. Temperatures here are already in the mid 90’s! Our hottest months are April and May. Thanks again for you interest and participation in my work here.
Rejoicing in His goodness,
Vickie
New Thailand Address:
c/o Byers
P.O. Box 24
Nong Hoi 50007
Thailand
Mission to Unreached Peoples
POBOX 30947
Seattle, WA98113
(online giving: gati.info/ol/easter)