God's Promise of Comfort and Unwavering Presence

We travelled to the UK at the beginning of January to be with family and help with the funeral preparations for Paul's father. With a shortage of teachers at Siloam Bible Institute (SBI), we were concerned about leaving the students we teach, not knowing if they would have any lessons whilst we were away, or if another teacher could step in and teach our lessons. There was no need for us to worry, God already had this all in hand, leaving us to focus on being with our family.

In the UK, it was reassuring and encouraging that as a family, we could be there for each other and have extra quality time together. Dad's funeral went as well as it could, it was an emotional time for everyone; Paul, his siblings and the wider family did Dad proud. We take heart knowing that Dad is resting in the arms of our Saviour. We miss Dad; tears fall as we remember him and all our parents who are now gone.

In our weak moments, when despair threatens to consume us, and the nights when the tears fall, we draw on God's unwavering presence – God is there with us. God's promise of comfort is our hope. “…He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart…” Isaiah 40:11

We are grateful for the new teacher due to start at SBI in the new term this year (May 2025). When she heard of Paul's father's passing, she was happy to fill the gap and taught our lessons throughout January. It was a wonderful answer to our prayers.

It has been great getting to know this new teacher, her testimony is nothing short of amazing. We recently asked her if we could share her story with you all.

SBI's new teacher is a young lady called Hser Kue Htoo Soe. Her parents are from Myanmar, unfortunately, due to the civil war they had to flee to Thailand for refuge. She and her siblings were born stateless in the refugee camp. Her family did not have much, nor did they have freedom outside of the camp. However, Hser recalls living in the camp can only be counted as a blessing, away from the war and terror happening in Myanmar! When the opportunity arose, her parents applied to go to a foreign country.

It was extremely difficult as a family to leave everything behind to start a new life in a foreign country. Hser and her family arrived in Sheffield, England in 2007. They didn't know any English and knew no one. Thankfully they had the support of the local Karen's who had settled there first. As the years passed England became their home.

In 2018, after finishing university an elder at the church she attended informed her of a need for an English teacher at SBI. Her time teaching at SBI was only for 6 months, until her graduation day.

However, after coming to Thailand to teach at SBI, she experienced the impact of the Lord in the students and her own life. She felt called by the Lord to return to SBI and stayed for another 2 years until 2021, one year after COVID. Due to the uncertainty at the time and wanting to be near family, she returned to the UK in 2021.

In 2024, SBI needed teachers again and Hser could hear the Lord calling her to return to teach at SBI. Although she has never studied at Bible School, she is excited to see how the Lord will use her. Hser states, “SBI has become my second home and a place where I am filled with joy every day”. Please keep Hser's journey with the Lord and teaching at SBI in your prayers.

In all the busyness, we forgot to mention in our last prayer letter. At the beginning of December 2024, Sarah ran another successful bakery workshop within the Thailand Karen Baptist Women's Union (TKBWU). One of the women that attended the workshop, decided to use her new bakery abilities, teaching children how to bake as part of the Christmas Programme in her village.

Thank God for:

- The quality time we had with our family, and that Paul's father's funeral went smoothly.

- Hser accepting God's call to serve in Thailand, teach at SBI and for covering our lessons whilst we were in the UK.

Pray for:

- The SBI students as this school year comes to an end, end of year tests, the upcoming graduation day and the SBI students that will graduate.

- Our family as we continue to grieve.

Thank God, the Lord does not leave us to “tend to our wounds”. Our loving, caring Father of compassion, who weeps with us and is near to us; brings comfort to personally bind up our wounds and heal our broken hearts.

“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds”. Psalm 147:3

We also remember that through Jesus, in his finished work on the cross, we have the assurance that those we have lost in Christ are resting in God's presence.

Lots of Love

God Bless

Paul & Sarah