Train Project
We found out last week that our base and house is not inside the government building project. This means that we will not have to move and we can begin again looking at building construction. The priority will be removing the 2nd floor ceilings and replacing them with steel and concrete. We have some money to start, given by our ministry partners. It is nearing rice harvesting time and so Toui, our builder, is busy until that time is over... in a month or so.
The train project is near to our place. This will make our property more valuable. This will help us if we ever need to move, or if we need loan financing for a project. As you see in the map above... in the near future, Nong Khai (near Vientiane on the map) will be central to the connection of these Asian countries. It will increase the value of our place as a strategic place for reaching the nations with the Gospel.
20 Years of Teaching Ends
I went to Laos in 1998 with 2 friends from India. We went with little money and without a way to stay long-term in Laos. By Gods' grace, I was offered a job doing graphic design for a printing company. I was not paid but was offered housing and a visa (and for my two teammates).
A year later I was told of a need for a computer teacher at Kiettisack International School. Without a degree and no teaching experience, God blessed me with the job. This job provided pay and a visa for so many years! I went from computer teacher, to full-time missionary, to sports teacher and then back to computer teacher. I taught for about 20 years. My children also received their education through my school in Laos. The virus caused a border shut-down last year and it has continued. Because of that, I lost my teaching job. That loss may be permanent. We just don't know.
Without the financial help of our sending church, we could not make it at this time. THANK YOU!
Kids Education
Joey graduated from year 12. Giffy should be in year 9 and Mary should be in Year 8. They are self-studying at home for UK tests. We hope that they can take them next year. If the virus continues to cause a shutdown some hard choices will need to be made. Their Thai language is not good enough for them to return to Thai school. The International school 45 min. away is too expensive. We may need to homeschool or send them to the US.
The Ministry - Now what?
For about the last 8 years, my main ministry has been as a teacher at KIS. Taking my kids with me to Laos has been very challenging. Now that it has ended, I am left, asking, "God, what do you want me to do?" I would appreciate your prayers for direction! I will be sharing more about this in my next update. If the virus settles down and travel opens back up, we will be re-focusing on the Missionary Training School which was supposed to start at our place next month. We will be hoping that 1 year from now it will happen!
