Dear Partners in Ministry,

Recently it has been unbearably hot, some afternoons the heat seems to slow the body and the brain.  We get up early and do as much as we can, then we often have had to force ourselves out in the afternoons. But then, some days it rains and in 15 minutes 108 degrees becomes 77 and both body and brain spring back to life. It reminds me of times when life seems hard and Jesus reaches in and refreshes and gives us strength and purpose again.

Nong Name is 15 and severely handicapped.  He has had no dental care and now he has a mouthful of rotting teeth that are paining him. He cries a lot. The local dentist has referred him to the provincial hospital in Nan who in turn referred him to Chiang Mai. The parents can’t afford to go and after 2 months of crying and interrupted sleep for the family, they approached us and asked if we can help with transport. They are encouraged that Jan will take him to Chiang Mai.

One of our desires is to see the downtrodden in our community, lifted up, resourced and helped to have better quality of life. We are in contact with the public health department locally and whenever we have the opportunity we speak to this.

This morning I (Jan) spent the morning with hospital staff and a team from the provincial hospital.  Our local doctor spoke passionately about the needs of the patients here and we discussed a team from the provincial hospital coming and assessing the patients, young and old in our area, looking to the future and the possible appointment of a therapist here in Ban Luang. We thank God for this step forward.

As a result, on May 31 – June 2, a team of 20 therapists and people from social services will come to Ban Luang. They will break up into at least 5 groups and visit patients in their homes. We will help with transportation and introductions. It is a small beginning but from small things big things can grow.

We trust that you enjoy those special times of refreshment from our Lord too.

In Christ,

Jan and Larry

Prayer points:

• Pray for Name as he visits the dentist. The dentist here thinks he needs to have a general anesthetic and have all his teeth removed. The fear is that he is so weak that he won’t recover. Pray that they see Jesus’ care for them.

• Pray for the logistics of this visit. It is a 4 hour drive each way and there is no appointment system. We will need to leave at 3.30 a.m. to get a number and be seen, then hopefully we can return home that day.

• Praise God that the team from Nan city will come and do home visits here. Pray that the local staff will be able to identify the patients that will benefit from such a visit.

• Praise God that Frances (the Physical Therapist) has been granted a 3 month visa and will be able to encourage and model therapy for the people with disabilities.

• Praise God that he has provided a teacher for Dema and Carolyn’s children.  Dianne is coming for 6 or 12 weeks. This is a real encouragement as it will release Carolyn for ministry outside the home.

• Praise God for the house churches. It is wonderful to hear people telling how Jesus has encouraged and refreshed them.

• Pray for our visa renewal. The system has changed and the once easy, almost automatic renewal is a thing of the past. Reports must be written and medical exams taken. Pray that those who sign the papers will be encouragers from God. Our renewal date is June 7, but the request has been submitted and we expect an answer this month.

• Praise God with us for the opportunity to be encouragers and for those who encourage us.

On the Move

• May ?     Trip to Chiang Mai with Name

• May 14    Jan has a meeting in Chiang Mai          

                         Larry has a meeting in Bangkok

• May 23     Larry has a meeting in Bangkok
• May 25     Frances arrives
• May 25 - 26     Team meeting in Chiang Mai
• May 31  The team from Nan hospital arrives.
• Late may   Visa renewal trip to Bangkok