Thankfulness

Whilst I have been here on Home Assignment since the end of April, it has been a time to reflect on the amazing goodness of God, and to share that goodness with gratitude. Firstly I am thankful to God for His protection and provision through all the travelling, whether by car or train. The journeys have been smooth and the visits to churches have been so warm and welcoming. I am so thankful for the partnerships of the local churches with BMS and for your commitment. Thank you for the opportunities to share updates from Thailand and link deeper with you in mutual prayer support and encouragement. I look forward to the last week home being with all our BMS colleagues and partners on the EXPECT 26 retreat and to the strengthening of partnership. I am thankful for this opportunity.

At Hope Home we are so blessed and encouraged by the way God protects and provides, just at the right time. Just prior to me coming away our trusty old vehicle gave up and was declared unable to be repaired. Thankfully just at that time some mission colleagues of ours were also leaving Thailand and wanting to sell their vehicle. This was exactly the type that was on our wishlist and the price needed matched what we had already saved up and set aside for such a time as this. Thankfully all in good timing, and with logistical help from my TBMF colleagues all has gone smoothly and our staff and children are enjoying cool steady journeys again and our driver much relieved to not be dreading breaking down. God is so good and His timing and provision was perfect.

Some of you may recall that about this time last year all the children at Hope Home and half the staff became very sick with Dengue fever. After the required wait time post illness we are now halfway through the vaccination process for all the children, and had hoped this meant no more dengue. We are protecting the surroundings from mosquitoes as much as is possible with a fairly open house too. Unfortunately since I have been away one child has yet again got dengue fever, but he, praise God has recovered well with minimal hospital intervention and none others succombed. We thank God that He has kept us safe, and brought swift healing to the one boy. I am so thankful to God for His hand of protection over our vulnerable young people, and for the provision of health care that is open and available to us too. God is so good and I am so thankful.

So as I consider leaving family and friends again to return to Thailand, I can do so in the confidence that God is in control, and He knows all our needs and He does provide. For both Hope Home and also at the Social Development Service Unit of the CCT we are heading into a new season of new challenges, and continuation of what is already taking place. I am thankful for the knowledge and certain hope that God goes ahead of us, and He guides our next steps. My prayer is to be willing to hear, ready to obey and step out in faith and disciplined to keep following His path only. With so much evidence on a daily basis of God's care and provision, and so much to be daily thankful for, why would I, why would any of us, not continue to seek to keep walking in His will.

Please uphold the staff and young people of Hope Home in your prayers, especially those who do not yet know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for themselves.

Pray for the staff and ministry of the Social Development and Services Unit of the CCT to keep being a beacon of light in the communities they serve.

Please pray for me as I return to Thailand again, for good 'goodbyes' in the UK and for wisdom in the next steps.

Thank you for the amazing support and encouragement you bring to me personally, and to the wider ministries across BMS. We are partners together and in that partnership, as we share our stories, we have much to be thankful for. We rejoice together and we have the peace of God in our hearts. Praise God.

Philippians 4.v.6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.