Newly pregnant

During the last few days of my pregnancy, we went to the hospital for a checkup.  There is one lady who works in the restaurant at the hospital and every time I would go to the hospital she would tell me about how much her and her husband want to have a baby but it never happened.  On that day she was sharing again and I wondered, why does she keep telling me this?

I went to sit down and in that moment God spoke to me and said, “Go and pray for her that she will have a baby.”  I was hesitant and afraid to go pray for her because I didn’t want people thinking I’m weird and staring at me or something.  I also wasn’t sure if she would be open to receive prayer because she is not a Christian.  So I decided not to go back to her but God spoke to me again and said “This is not for you, this is for her.”

I realized I was being selfish and more concerned about what other people would think of me, and I was actually stopping the blessing that God wanted to give to her.

I made the decision to go back to her and ask her if I could pray for her.  I didn’t know if she would be willing and open, but I just wanted to go for it.  When I asked her if I could pray for her, her co-workers were staring, but she said “Yes, that would fine.”

I held her hands right there in the restaurant and told her she could close her eyes or keep them open – whatever she wanted to do.  I prayed quickly for God to open her womb and bless her with a baby, and as I finished I told her that God loves her.

One month later we went to the hospital for Kayla’s one-month checkup and this lady came running over with a big smile and told us that she was pregnant.  Yay God!  Every month we go to the hospital for Kayla’s checkups and she continues to update us on her pregnancy.  She was very excited to let us know that she is having a boy.

God is so awesome!  I learned from this experience that I should be open for God to use me in any way and in any time.  Even when it is outside my comfort zone.  I should not be so concerned with what other people think.

Posted under General, Ministry on June 13th, 2011 by Pook
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This past week we went with our highschool students to a beach town called Hua Hin.  Once a year the teachers take the students on an “English camp” to some place where they will have a chance to meet and talk with foreigners.  Hua Hin was full of tourists so they had plenty of people to practice speaking with.  My sister and I had a great time with them.  It is amazing how much the bonds of friendship can grow in just a few short days together at camp =)

Natasha and the teachers

Talking with foreigners

Group photo on beach

Joy, Natasha, Mam, Phil

Playing the "telephone" game

Phil and Jate

Hangin' on the beach

Entire group

Posted under English Teaching, Ministry on February 15th, 2009 by phil
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Last month we had three Christmas parties – one at the highschool, one at the university, and one at home with Young Club.  It was a busy time and it seemed like we were going to the store everyday to buy food and supplies, but it was good =)

At the highschool and university we had games, sang Christmas songs (Thai and English), told the Christmas story, had a gift exchange, and enjoyed snack foods.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the activities, especially the gift exchange and the food.  We enjoyed seeing all of the different gifts our students brought for the gift exchange and which gifts were the most desired.  Lalita also went with us to each Christmas party and the students were excited to see her.

Ready to play the gift exchange game at the highschool

Highschool (grades 10-12) after the party

Natasha and Pook telling the Christmas story at university party

For our Young Club party we had our usual 7 kids plus another handful of kids who came for the party.  My Dad arrived in Nakhon the night before sporting a big white beard (he had grown it for a Christmas program called “Journey to Bethlehem” that he was in).  For the party he dressed up as Santa and the kids were all surprised and excited.  They each took a photo with Santa.

"Tam" with Santa

Lalita gets a turn

In addition to singing songs, the kids performed a small Christmas skit they had been preparing for a couple weeks.

Joseph with Mary riding on a "donkey" - heading to Bethlehem

One of our supporters in California had some t-shirts made for Young Club – the kids were excited to get them.  We finished up with a gift exchange and also passing out some gifts we had for the kids.

After the gift exchange

"Bew" and "Shogun"

Some of the boys

Posted under Ministry, Young Club on January 16th, 2009 by phil
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University LifeGroup - first meeting in the dorm

We recently started a LifeGroup (homegroup) at the university we teach at.  Some of our students have previously come to our house for LifeGroup but we knew it would be more convenient for them if we had a group on campus.

The LifeGroup meets Wednesday evening in the dorm room of one of the students.  Yesterday was our third week meeting and we had a great time.  We know most of the students from our Chat Club, and yesterday we had three new students join us.

Since last week the students have seen many of their prayers answered and they realize it was God – from things like finances and internship jobs to feelings of fear or stress.  Yesterday we prayed for everyone who was sick and they all experienced something while we prayed.  One girl’s headache completely went away and she felt heat go from her head and down her back as it left.  Another girl’s stomach ache was gone after we prayed.  Still another girl’s headache was significantly reduced and she felt really good and peaceful after we prayed.

L-R: Aom, Phil, Dot, Prae, Aod, Pook, Pung, White, Aod, X

Everyone was really excited and as they saw what God was doing they wanted to continue praying for their family members who are sick.  We had them act as proxy as we prayed for their relatives.

Pook and I really enjoyed modeling this type of prayer for them.  Initially we were the only ones laying our hands on the person being prayed for but by the end most of them were joining with us on their own.

Posted under LifeGroup, Ministry on August 7th, 2008 by phil
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