Joining the East with the West

Kat, Patdy, and Boi with the Greenlight team

Greenlight students have arrived and departed. Where did the month go? We had a great time hosting the three Greenlight Gateway students and their leader. They were able to experience many things about Thai people, language, food, religion, environment and entertainment.  They had one on one time with Thai nationals as well as expats who live and work at various places in Thailand.  They came with open minds and open hearts, so the Lord was able to grow them in his grace and their understanding of bringing the hope and love of Christ to all nations.

At Patdy's home 

At the floating market

At a Christian Thai Daycare in the Slum

 This was the second year of TMS-Global's Greenlight Gateway program where students ages 18-24 who are wanting to explore a call to missions spend a month in another country with those serving cross culturally to experience what life is like and how the Lord is moving in the world.  The aim of the program is for spiritual formation of students as well as personal growth.  It has been our privilege to host the past two years in Thailand and to be able to come alongside these beautiful kids who have hearts for the Lord and for the Kingdom.  Throughout the weeks we were able to see their hearts and minds open even more and their worldview expanded.  They shared with us that their time here was valuable to their personal and spiritual walks and continue to plan to serve in mission in some way.  We will continue to pray for them and support them as their life journeys continue.

Teaching English at Patdy's home

The students were involved daily in learning as well as serving capacities. They shared what they loved the most was the relationships they formed with the students we serve.  They were able to spend almost 2 weeks in Roi Et and see the same students over that period of time so that was helpful in building relationships.  The Thai students here were happy to practice English and make new friends. There were some tears shed as the Americans left, along with lots of Facebook friend requests. :)

Todd with one of the Day Care students

Teaching at the Day Care

Handing out Pencils

Praying over Thai residents of the slum

One of the components of the trip was to join a Christian Day Care operation where we spent the morning working with the kids who come each day.  These are children whose families live in the adjacent slum.  The aim of the program is to get these students ready for first grade.  Many of them have disabilities and are in great poverty, but we left feeling joyful and appreciative of the chance to be with them.  We also were able to walk through the slum and pray with elderly Thai people whom the director of the program has relationships with.  It was a challenging experience; the smells, trash and poor sanitation conditions were overwhelming at times, but again the light of Jesus was present as the Buddhist residents allowed us in their homes and accepted our prayers.

Prayers for the Thai people

It was a joy getting to see the team enjoy time with the Thai students in our home, at our Teammate Patdy's home, at our Teammates Chris and Dora's home and school and at the Banon English Center with Kat where they participated in teaching activities as well leading worship.  

Teaching English Thai style

Worship at Banon

Two different cultures enjoying food and games

Amazing Race in China town with Life's Thai students and the Greenlight Team

 We also made sure they were able to spend time with other cross cultural workers who are serving in different capacities in Thailand.  There were good conversations and questions about how they were called to serve and how they are able to be effective along with facing the challenges of serving on the field.

With Josh and Bekah who serve in Bangkok

 

 This experience was life-giving for Hannah Grace as she was able to share her life and to be a part of the lives of students that are her brothers and sister's ages.  Her light continues to shine brightly here in Thailand.

Hannah Grace with the students

Fun holding animals...a 2 week old tiger cub

You can't come to Thailand without seeing elephants

Hannah Grace praying with an elderly Thai woman

Hannah Grace getting the team to try crickets

We have been working with our Thai team for ideas of sustain ability in ministry.  With a gift from a church in Georgia we were able to purchase a grill.  Patdy and Kat have been going out one day a week after school to sell mini pork burgers to the students.  They have had some profits and have also used the time they are selling to make relationships with students and invite them to study English in our program.  Please continue to pray for their efforts and that they will be able to continue to find ways to financially sustain their ministry in Roi Et.

We have continued to meet with students in our home as well as in several villages as school is now back in session after the mid March to mid May summer break. We have several new students coming to our home now after being encouraged by some of the regular attending students.  It is always fun to learn about them and to see how quickly the shyness melts when they realize we truly care about them.  We pray that in our relationships and showing love to them they will feel the love of Christ and have a desire to get to know him personally.

We are so grateful to so many of you for your prayers and support to us.  We could not be serving the Lord in Thailand without you.  Thank you for being on this journey with us.

In his love and grace,
The Attaways

Prayer Requests

We would ask for your prayers for the Thai ministry team and for the students that attend the programs.  Pray that the Lord would continue to work on their hearts and that they would be open to His love and grace.

Please pray for this term where we are continuing Discovery Bible Study in the gospel of Mark and our Easter celebration in September.

For more laborers to serve here in Roi Et and for ministry sustainability for the Thai workers.

For our family as we are approaching the end of our first term serving in Thailand we ask for prayers for discernment and wisdom as we follow the Lord's call on our lives.