Dear Friends and Faithful,

It’s been a long Summer with little communication from the Coats. We have returned from our two-plus months in the US Midwest a month already. It was a great time catching up with many of our supporting churches. Thanks so much to all of you who hosted and met with us. You have been so faithful with your support and your prayers.

The time at the American Baptist International Ministries All Staff Gathering to celebrate 200 years was very special for my family. To worship and share with all our IM colleagues was an incredible first for us.

Though we are still in transition and we are still seeking to discern His direction for what and/or how we will engage with ministry in Eastern Shan State, it’s hard not to get excited with some of the possibilities that are coming. So stay tuned to find out what God has cooking.

Meanwhile, in our preparation for starting a new ministry, my Karen friend Boon who was planning to join us when we initiate something in Myanmar, and whom some of you have met, has been diagnosed with Leukemia. We came back to find him quite ill. He started his first of eight chemotherapy treatments this month. It almost killed him. He got very ill with bleeding and infection. But he seems to have recovered somewhat and wants to keep going with the treatment. His next treatment is next week. PLEASE PRAY FOR BOON’S HEALING. WE BELIEVE IN THE HEALING POWER OF PRAYER. I know God will heal him, if He chooses.

Boon is such a good guy and has such a heart to serve. Please pray for his wife, Phanee, who has been living with Lupus for a couple years, and their 13 year old, daughter Ming Ming. Neither parent is working now. No income and two very serious diseases. Wow. It makes my heart cry out.

Thanks!

Scott and Tan