Fit Soul? or Fit Body?

..."we dread malarial fever, and fear lest it should get hold of us and drive us out of the mission-field. Should we less dread this spiritual malaria, the fever of a restless soul...surely this is the most dangerous form of fever possible. A fit soul in an unfit body is doubtless uncomfortably crippled, but it is not wholly ineffective; but what is the good of a fit body with an unfit soul inside of it? It may as well go home at once for all the fighting it will do in the mission battlefield." Amy Carmichael

Please pray for us. This is Warfare, and we feel our un-doneness. We will not give up, but we do need your prayers.

First Visitors

We just enjoyed a visit from John and Debbie Rumble.
It was such a blessing to be with them again!
We packed a lot of things into just five days...
the children had plenty of ice cream and rides with John
on the motorbike, we went to an elephant farm
and to see Nui's mother, and another day we went to
Compassion Home, a youth hostel for orphans and village
children so they can go to school nearby.

Anniversary Trip

Since Martin had a few days off, right over our wedding anniversary, we decided to take a little trip. We stayed all night at the project where our friend Wah works. This project, called UHDP, is a test farm where they raise gardens and animals. They then help nearby poor villages in learning to raise their own food, plus assisting them in other ways. The next day, we visited two villages - the first one was one UHDP is helping. The next one was tucked away in scenic mountains, with lots of farming around. This village is tribal Chinese, and very touristy.

Nui's Mother

We just found out today that Nui's mother's tumor is cancerous. We don't know what they are planning to do, but they are quite devastated. Please remember that Nui is the only Believer in all of his extended family. Unless she sees and believes, she will face an Eternity without hope and without Christ. May God give us grace and wisdom as we care for them during this tough time.

Prayer Request

Today we went to see an old friend, Nui, and his mother. Martin met Nui about 10 years ago, and we have stayed in touch with him. He is a Christian, but his family is not. He called this week, saying his mother has a tumor and would Martin please come and pray for her.
So this morning, we mazed our way to the other side of Chiang Mai and on out to his mother's house. We sat and visited with Nui and his mom (while Andrew tried to climb out the window). She has a tumor on her liver, and they will find out on Monday if it is cancer.
The room we sat in seemed to be an echo of her life... proud pictures of Nui's graduation, a tv, some offerings to take to the Buddhist temple. After a while, we decided to pray. As I held her hand, and prayed for her, I had to hold back the tears. She goes towards Monday with no loving Jesus to hold her and speak words of peace and comfort. As a Buddhist, death is about being reincarnated. The ultimate goal is reaching the highest level of reincarnation, non-existence... the opposite of eternal life. I just can't imagine facing the possibility of cancer with no hope in death.
However, back in the room, was a picture of a beautiful waterfall. Like the woman at the well, this woman is seeking to quench her thirst with stagnant water. Will you join us in prayer, that the Living Water might flow into this home, filling her cup so that she thirsts no more? We are praying that her tumor is not cancerous, and that she might be healed. Most of all, that she would see God and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rachel.

Internet returns

Praise the Lord! We now have internet service again! two and half weeks of trial and error...finally, it is back on. So, we are so thankful, and feel like we can connect with the outside world a little bit better again. Praise God. martin.

Internet Issues

On Monday June 8th, we moved some desk furniture in our office. In order to do so, I had to unplug the modem from the phone jack. When I went to turn everything back on...we had no internet connection. So, no worries, I figured that all I needed to do was simply call the internet company and have them reset the digital signal. (Tech support, in English, sounds just the same over here by they way.) The first company I called told me to call another company, so I called that company who said to call the company I had just called... Some Technology friends of ours offered to help us...after trying new routers, phone cables, many visits to our house, cable guy coming out...day after day of hoping for internet connectivity and not getting any...guess what??? We Still don't have internet at our house. It has been very frustrating and challenging.
But, God is So merciful. He is so good! We are so thankful for His Loving, Discipline in our lives. How is the best way for us to learn patience? it is through trial and testing. These things have been coming in to our lives on the royal platter of God's Grace to give us the opportunity for Christ to be formed in us. Thank you Lord.
May God bless you richly as you deal with the manifold wisdom of God and His loving discipline in your life as well.
When we get it back up and running we'll be sure to let you know. Martin.