God is GOOD

During this season with everyone at home there has been time for daily walks, umbrellas at the ready for the sudden rain showers. The children are especially excited these days since one household in our village have two giant tortoises in their garden and a stop there is a must! The worship times are extra special and the children have all, in their own way and communication ability level, learned a bible verse and enjoy retelling it. Pray that the words they learn now will sink deep into their hearts and minds. The staff also take delight in remembering scripture too and I pray for growth in their desire to learn more about the Christian faith, and who our Lord and Saviour is. Psalm 118.v.1 is our verse this month -"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever". He is good indeed!

October is also a busy birthday month at Hope Home for staff and children and we love to celebrate each life and thank God for their health and well being. One young lady turned 18 years, having been on palliative care now for the last 6 years and her joy and pleasure at everything in life is infectious. Our 6 year old eventually worked out it was his special day, especially when the dinosaur themed balloons and cake appeared. For the staff we share a special meal of their choosing and celebrate together, and the team building too at this time is part of the growth and development of the Hope Home family. We are eagerly anticipating the birth of a first child for one of our previous staff members any day now.

The staff of the Social Development Unit (SDSU) of the Church of Christ in Thailand have continued to be super busy and dilligent in reaching out to vulnerable people in the rural villages. Repeated flooding and landslides have caused extra pressures on fragile lives and livelihoods once again and SDSU and other units of the CCT have been able to reach out with practical and spiritual support at these times. Alongside this many of the CCT, and all of the SDSU staff were privileged to assist in a recent worldwide conference, hosted by the CCT in Chiang Mai, celebrating 150 years of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. We met lots of interesting people from all corners of the world just in the few days we helped with practical field experience visits.

The highlight for me personally this month was to join my Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship family in our annual conference, this time in Chiang Rai. The theme was around Psalm 23, going deeper with God, and REST ( Restoration, Engagement, Surrender and Trust). I am sure I am not alone in coming away feeling rested, blessed and restored into a desire to keep seeking a deeper relationship and understanding of who God is and just how much He loves us. Coming full circle back to our memory verse this month at Hope Home too, just how GOOD our God is and how faithful.

Thank you for your prayers and your immense encouragement. Please continue to pray for the spiritual growth in each child and staff member and extended family members at Hope Home. Their hearts are open and receptive.

Pray for the staff of SDSU to take time to REST ( physically and restoratively) so that they remain full vessels ready to keep serving others through their ministry to vulnerable people here in Northern Thailand, and so they can continue to bring hope and light into the local communities they serve.

Thank you for your continued support of BMS World Mission and for your corporate and individual encouragements and prayers. We are partners together, declaring aloud the goodness of God to a broken and fragile world.

My prayer for you, and for me too, is to remain centred in Christ, RESTing in His love at all times, surrendering and trusting all to Him.

Psalm 23.v.6

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue ma all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.