Waiting Expectantly-Looking Ahead

At the time of leaving our playground at Hope Home was well underway and each next step just waiting for a break in the stormy weather to lay cement paths and bases for the next play equipment pieces. The children have such a thrill and excitement watching it develop from a safe distance and every big vehicle dropping off supplies and mixing cement brings pure delight. No words are needed-their excitement and wonderment is a palpable emotion each time. They eagerly await the next big piece of play to be locally hand-made to go onto the fresh cement base, with the promise of big slides,climbing frames and wheelchair accessible platforms. In preparation for the next stage too each staff and child is part of the selection process for which trees and shrubs to plant next. Looking ahead and preparing for something close to their hearts and desires brings a sense of joy and excitement and hope. It leads me to ask myself -do I constantly and eagerly look forward in anticipation and expectation for the promises of God, for our hope of an eternal future with Him. Do I seek to convey that message of hope to the staff and children, and to all people I meet? 1 Peter 1.v.3 writes "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Just as I was leaving Chiang Mai too we have been witnessing the development of a construction site just outside our urban village. We were long promised that a plane-yes an actual plane made into a cafe would be coming and the children and we were very excited at this attraction on our doorstep and big promises made of a trip to see a real aeroplane. However the building going up was not a plane but yet another superstore, and we all tempered our enthusiasm. Then to our delight alongside this a plane has been delivered and now we can plan again for taking the children on this new experience. For a brief while our hopes were dashed and then restored. Life is like that, and yet we need constant reminders of our sure and certain hope in Christ and of His faithful promises to us.

At the Social Development and Services Unit (SDSU) this is a busy time of year for not only activities in community, but also for the reporting to donors and submission of new proposals. The anticipation of what a new year of ministry for them will involve is also palpable, and to some a little daunting as senior staff members approach retirement and responsibilites will fall to others. We praise God for the recruitment of a new staff member fresh out of college and pray she will settle in and not feel overwhelmed, and that she will also bring a fresh vision and outlook into the areas of ministry here.

The attached photo shows one of our SDSU agricultural projects in progress and a tree planting activity among the Karen hillsides. These are sapling plants and their growth to fully mature trees will not likely be seen by those planting them now, and yet those planting have the hope and expectancy of growth. My prayer is that the seeds of faith planted, whatever form that may take in our lives, are able to grow and mature, in His perfect timing. The seeds we sow we may not see the growth in those we reach out to and it may be others will be discipling and maturing, yet we do all have our role to play in telling others about the sure and certain hope that we can expect of abundant life in placing our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for the new staff member at SDSU to settle and feel accepted.

Pray for the ongoing progress of the development of the community playground at Hope Home

Praise God for the opportunities He gives to us to sow seeds of faith to those we meet, and pray that we will be faithful to His calling and play our part.

Thank you for your amazing support and encouragement, which is even more tangible as I travel in person to visit churches in the UK over these next few weeks. Thank you for your partnership with BMS and please continue to support through the various means made possible.

May we continue to wait expectantly, and look ahead confidently, our confidence being in Christ alone.

With much gratitude, Judy