Depending on when you read this, Steve is perhaps driving to Logan airport, boarding a plane for London, or in transit to Thailand. The British Airways flight leaves Wednesday, June 8th at 7:05 pm and after a seven hour flight, Steve will enjoy a fifteen hour layover in London. Then it's back up and over in an eleven plus hour flight to Bangkok, and another hour flight up to Chiang Mai, arriving finally in the early evening of Friday, June 10th. Training in preparation for the School of Frontier Media commences on Monday the 13th—coincidently also Allyson's birthday!
Steve had a physical last week, and we were a bit surprised to learn that he is diabetic (Type II) and hyperglycemic. Whereas this creates a significant challenge during this transition, we feel the call to do God's work at this time takes precedence. Nevertheless, this will create some special prayer concerns that are addressed below.
Praise God for:
* courage and enthusiasm to be returning to Thailand
* Samuel finding both a job and an internship for the Summer after a successful freshmen year at UMASS Amherst
* an exceedingly successful year of school and activities for the girls and a wonderful part-time job for Allyson to help meet our expenses that has greatly blessed our furlough
* the funding to provide one-way flights to Thailand
* a timely diagnosis of diabetes
* a beautiful season of church deputation and presentations
* God's abundant grace during this challenging time of transition.
Please pray for:
* safe and uneventful travel that includes the arrival of both Steve and his gear in Chiang Mai on Friday night
* wisdom and perseverance to cope with significant dietary and lifestyle changes
* Steve to find a great doctor in Chiang Mai knowledgeable about diabetes and able to help with the various blood tests and ongoing treatment
* access to the appropriate prescriptions and pending overseas medical insurance
* Allyson and the family during their ongoing furlough in Falmouth
* an increase in funding both ongoing and for special needs such as the homeschool tuition, media outreach in the Fall, and roundtrip flights at Christmas to come back and see Steve's doctor and Samuel who will remain here in MA to pursue his education
* focus and humility to serve with God's power in the School of Frontier Media to the glory of God.
Lastly, thanks for your faithful prayers and contributions. You can see that your prayers are needed now more than ever to ensure our ongoing success in this ministry. We are so honored to contribute to God's pioneering work in media for missions. With great gratitude, we also thank you for your contributions that have allowed us to continue the work we love and long to do for our Lord.
May these lyrics from the Charles Wesley hymn “O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (1780) help inspire you as they have us to keep on falling in love with Jesus.
O, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise
The triumphs of His grace
My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name
So come on and sing out
Let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love Jesus
Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace...
