The Faithfulness of God through the seasons

At the Social Development Services Unit of the Church of Christ In Thailand the opportunity to begin an extensive project helping vulnerable people in a large rural community has taken fruit. The SDSU team and the newly appointed project manager for this particular project successfully completed essential surveys and assessments, with the help of local volunteers and church support. With this thorough baseline information many families will now be guided and supported in sustainable development activities, income generation trainings and over a 3 year period will, God willing, be in a much more secure place both economically, environmentally, socially and spiritually. It is a privilege for the SDSU staff to learn alongside a well established development organisation, and learn new ways to help communities grow, develop and become more sustainable. We are confident that the new ideas and skills we are learning through this, will transform the other areas of current and future work, so that many more people will benefit and above all, that many more people served through SDSU will recognise the faithfulness of God, who loves them dearly and yearns for them to reach the fulness of life in Him.

At Hope Home it has been a time of ups and downs, laughter and tears, but through it all too God's faithfulness and protection has been real and evident to our non believing staff. Firstly we were delighted to be able to access the right for all staff and children to have their influenza vaccines. We trust this will help avert the severity of these sorts of illnesses as the seasons change from hot to wet and then hot and wet, and our children, many with underlying medical conditions, are very vulnerable. This all went well and we appreciate the understanding and flexibility of the nurse clinic there to have us all turn up over a couple of days. However, unlike other years, and my first time dealing with this in over 20 years in Thailand, we became a dengue fever cluster over a period of 4 weeks. This is a mosquito-borne disease, and can be very severe and serious, or be completely manageable at home. We have had nearly all the children sick, and several staff members too. Praise God all are now on the road to recovery, three spent time in hospital including intensive care, and the rest we kept and treated from home. We are very aware how much God has protected our most vulnerable children and praise Him for this. At this time we had two new staff members start their training with us and bless them they have managed very well with all our routines completely overturned by dealing with this sickness. Pray that the recovery for all continues, and full strength and health will be restored in His timing.

Into this mix of health crisis, we at Hope Home have also been blessed with the opportunity to learn from visitors passing through. A team of professors and students of Physical Therapy came and did a great consult on each child and helped us move them forwards with new or differing exercises. Their visit coincided with a visit from students and professors versed in alternative communication methods, essential for our non verbal children, and they too blessed us with new ideas, and updates on systems in use. Also at this time too two of our children and staff attended a 5 day intensive training in a new therapy technique from Japan and we are keen to learn how to adapt to all the children here. So in a busy period, there has been blessing, opportunity and challenges but through it all we have seen God at work, opening doors of opportunity and keeping us all safe. The non Christian staff here are overwhelmed with the way complete strangers are so willing to come and help, and teach their skills, and to do it in an attitude of Christian love - this practical witness speaks louder than words alone to these staff. We continue also to attend Thai church with everyone and the non believing staff love to be there.

Finally, August in Thailand, is a time when mothers are thanked and honoured. It is one of the cultural days of Thailand we are keen to respect and provides the opportunity to thank our many mother figures here, with gifts and home made cards and posters, and with a special shared meal together, We made it, albeit a bit later than planned, and the staff came with their own children to share in a traditional Thai bar-b-que meal outside (with mosquito repellent, zappers and spray of course!). We take this time to show respect and honour to the women who lovingly care for children that are not their own, and often needing to do tasks that many others would be reluctant to do. Above all at this time we pray for each staff member and let them know how much God loves them and sees their heart of compassion.

Pray for the ongoing projects of SDSU, and for the wisdom of the staff to pace themselves well.

Pray for the ongoing health concerns at Hope Home, but praise God for protection and healing.

Praise God for His provision through opportunities to learn alongside other people, and to share His love in these times.

I trust that you too, in these times, whatever seasonal changes are happening in your lives, are able to keep your heart and mind focused on our God and Saviour - the source of peace in troubled or hard times. He is faithful now and He always will be. Thank you for your amazing prayer support and encouragement, and also practical and financial support for BMS. We are partners together to share the Good News of Jesus. Thank you for the partnership.

Yours sincerely

Judy Cook