Building Walls

Building walls... literally! From Monday through Thursday of last week, Ed and four other guys were in the town of Cha-Am (about two hours south of Bangkok). Rick and Lisa Caynor, ABWE missionary friends, are starting a new church planting ministry there next month and needed help constructing walls in their new home/Student Center. It was hard work and very time consuming drilling through concrete posts, matching two-by-fours and boards to a crooked structure but the men had a good time working together and getting to know each other a little better.

These men built literal walls so the Caynors can tear down the walls of religion in order that they may point people to Christ in that town.

English Camp

Last week we had an opportunity to help in the English camp at Kabinburi Witthaya School, a public high school about a mile from our house/church.

Whoah! Kids! Lots of them!

the kids waiting to play a game

The past weekend was a little overwhelming for Jenni and Darlene. There were 43 kids on Saturday, and 40 on Sunday. It is tough trying to teach all the elementary kids in one class, with them being in different levels. Not to mention having three or four rowdy boys in there. Thankfully, two of them didn't show up on Sunday so it was a little less crazy.

It is a good problem to have, though. We can't divide the kids into two classes yet. Jenni is still in language school so she doesn't have time to prepare for two lessons per weekend. Teaching Sundays is all she could handle for now. So, Darlene and Jenni are team teaching the whole elementary group. Please pray for us. Please pray for wisdom on how to effectively teach them.

Blessed

Ed and I had a discussion about this a couple days ago. We were in the kitchen waiting for the dinner rolls to come out of the oven when the mailman came. We received a letter from a supporting church stating that they're going to drop their support. We had three churches lower support but this was the first one to drop. We got to talking about finances – pinching (most of us are), but we are still doing good. Some missionary friends are struggling more and have lost more supporting churches. We said, “God’s been good to us.” Wait a minute! What about the ones that are struggling, God’s not good to them? This led to a longer discussion. Ed said, “Man shall not live by bread alone… but these rolls are really good I could live off them.” Hahaha!

We did our devotions that night on Psalm 1. The “blessed man” is very clearly feasting on God’s Word on a daily basis, day and night. He delights in it. Four things about him in verse 3:

- He is steadfast (even in the midst of trials).

- He is fruitful (not stuck in a rut kind of living).

- He is refreshing (he does not wither).

- He prospers. The word “prospers” is not material blessing or success measured by man. Success in church planting in Thailand can not be measured by comparing success in church planting in South America. “Prosper” means spiritual fruitfulness as we abide in God’s Word (Gal. 2:22-23).

Perfect example is Job. Everything and everyone in his life was stripped away from him but he was still a blessed man. All he had left was God. That was enough for him. The blessings that he received at the later time of his life were, I would say, God’s reward to him for delighting in His Creator. When God gives us blessings, they are not merely for our own enjoyment… they are given to us so we can GLORIFY God by meeting other people’s needs, whether they are material, emotional, or spiritual needs. That's what we are here in Thailand for! -ddw

The Holmes' 25th Wedding Anniversary

We fondly call them Uncle Charlie and Auntie Lourdes. Our children call them "Lolo and Lola," which means grandpa and grandma in Filipino. They are diamonds... Very rare... Amazing... Beautiful people! I could write a whole book about them.

On May 19th, they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in Bangkok. They have been involved in so many people's lives and ministries that to be invited to a small celebration gathering was an honor. Small, meaning less than 15o. They wanted to renew their vows in the presence of loved ones who were at their wedding 25 years ago, as well as to encourage us younger couples. The big surprise was on us 30+ couples. After the Holmes proclaimed their love for each other, they wanted all of us who were there with our spouses to do the same. Talking about on the spot PDA (public display of affection) in a Thai culture! It was a blessing!

Uncle Charlie and Auntie Lourdes hold a special place in our hearts. They were our match-makers. They are God's gift to us, to Filipinos, to the Thais, to Americans, to anyone they have encountered. Happy 25th Anniversary, Uncle and Auntie! We love you! -ddw

our attempt in trying to get serious

probably half of the married couples

in this picture were match made by the Holmes

Another Baptism!

On May 4th through 7th we took six people with us to the annual family camp hosted by the Fellowship of Romphrakhun Baptist Churches. It was another time of spiritual refreshment and fellowship. On the last day, four from our church plant were baptized on Jomtien beach. It was our second baptism since we started this ministry six years ago. It was also an extra special time since one of the believers that was baptized was Bea, the very first one who got saved, who also happens to be our adopted son's biological sister. Their birth mother, Dtim was also baptized. She had been looking forward to this time and so showed her excitement by lifting her hands up in the air in jubilation as soon as she emerged from the water.

Ed teaching the English-speaking class at camp Prayer before getting into the water An ABWE missionary friend, Rick Caynor, assisted Ed

Summer Fun for Student Center Kids

We planned for a week of music camp this year during the kids' summer break, but the kids' schools didn't end on the same week. There was only one week that we could do it but the "teachers" who were going to help in our camp were not available. It just didn't work out.

We didn't want to do an English Day Camp... again, for five years in a row. So we decided to do a "Summer Fun" on March 31st through April 3rd. Four days of a different activity for each day.

Day 1, we watched movies on the big screen (our Student Center wall) with matching popcorn and soda pop. I think some of the kids came just for the popcorn! Something cool happened... right when the kids were arriving, an elephant came by so the kids got a chance to feed it!
Day 2, we took 35 kids on a 50-minute train ride to the provincial city, Prachinburi, and ate lunch there. The ride going was nice. On our way back, we were sardines in a can!

Day 3, swim day! Most kids were in the water for three hours, taking breaks only to eat or get a drink! Everybody got a good tan that day.

Day 4, our last day, we took all 35 kids to a town a little over an hour away to go bowling. We ate lunch at a pizza place. Three kids never had pizza before! Most kids had never been bowling.

The week was a blast! The kids were good and well behaved. The teens helped us a lot in keeping eye on the smaller kids during our trips. Three adults with 35 kids must had been a sight for many. You should have seen the people's faces - priceless! The whole week was also a great time for us adults to bond with the students. The students were also able to bond with each other. Praise the Lord for fun and safety!

Diggin'

I read this on facebook the other day: "Time flies like the wind. Fruit flies like bananas!" Funny!

Time flies like the wind, indeed. Seems like I updated this blog only a week ago, but it's been two and a half months! I need to do a better job keeping you all updated.

For the whole month of February, Ed and I spent digging our front yard. It's a long story. The gist... We've had problems with our driveway flooding because all our neighbors' front yards are higher than ours so when it rains all the water comes to our side. Ed and I (with co-worker Jenni helping out on the weekends), removed the top layer of the soil and made canals to let the water flow onto the street instead of on to our driveway/carport. When it was all done, we covered the whole thing with rocks to keep it neat and pretty. Talk about BACK BREAKING WORK! I have more appreciation for construction workers. Below are pictures of the finished product with an addition - a flower garden for me and a bench to sit on for quiet times and hang out times with my boys or anybody! -ddw

Boom and Jayjay "helping"

Jayjay trying out Daddy's ditch voila! a view of our house/student center from across the street

Catching Up - part 5

Promise, this is going to be the last one for the "Catching Up" series. Wow! Were we behind or what!

The second half of our trip to the Philippines was spent in Kabankalan on the island of Negros were Darlene grew up. We attended her high school class 20th year reunion. They are a tightly knit group of "big kids;" and what a bunch of silly people! Most of them are Christians and many are in full-time ministry, including seven pastors and two missionaries (both in Thailand). Darlene had opportunities to encourage some friends who are not walking with the Lord.

While in Kabankalan City, Ed had two preaching opportunities in two churches. Darlene sang solos both of those times as well. We praise the Lord for using us during our vacation.

Fellowship Baptist College, High School Class 1989

some of them sang a special song at

Kabankalan Fellowship Baptist Church on Jan. 4th

Catching Up - part 4

From Davao we took a five-hour bus ride to Malaybalay, Bukidnon where Darlene's parents are. Papa and Mama Taquiso enjoyed the noise the three boys made in their house for a couple of weeks. It was fun for Darlene to see many aunts, uncles, and cousins during our family get-together.

While there Ed preached one Sunday morning service at Papa's church, Faithway Baptist Church. Also, on Christmas eve, Darlene did a mini-concert of eight songs, while Jojo sang three songs. It was a joy for us to watch Jojo willingly play the piano and sing songs in front of a congregation.

Jojo playing a Christmas song during a Children's Christmas programmother and song music team already!
Christmas Eve mini-concert, Faithway Baptist Church