February 2024 Newsletter

Dear Brethren,

January was a busy start to this year. On the first Sunday in January, I received a call at 4:30 a.m. that the grandmother of two of our students, Jarun and Gotchakorn, had passed away. She was well over 100 years old. They said she was 118 years old. Jarun was already in the mountains with Passakorn. I went to Gotchakorn’s dorm room and she had received a call already. I told her after worship I would drive her home… it is 4 hours one way to where she is from.  Before worship I got a call that the grandfather of one of our other girls, Mint, was in the hospital and close to death. So, I told her I would take her back at the same time. Her grandfather passed away before we arrived. We spent three days in the mountains at the two funerals. The villages where the funerals were held are about 25 minutes apart. We bought all the flowers for both funerals, the caskets, and paid for the food. Thai funerals last 3 to 4 days. There is a gospel meeting each night. All that come have to be fed for the duration of the funeral.

We spent three days in the mountains at the two funerals.

In Thailand every January there is Children’s Day. On Children’s Day, there are activities for the kids and people give them pencils, paper, snacks and other things. They can go to the movies for free on that day.  I bought and made little packages for all of the kids in the third grade where Cocoa goes to school. They have 54 kids in third grade at her school. They were passed out on Friday before Children’s Day. Children’s day is always a Saturday.  On Saturday, I took Cocoa and Chertam to play in an area that was set up for Children’s Day. It was full of inflatable slides and things to climb on and jump on. They loved it.

In Thailand every January there is Children’s Day.

The preacher’s and church leaders from the NE of Thailand and two preachers from Laos, came to Chiang Mai for a meeting. They all stayed on the property here for three days. We studied and had discussions about how to strengthen the fellowship of the congregations that are faithful here in Thailand. It was a great time which drew us all closer together. We plan to have meetings like this to study the Bible and encourage one another at least twice a year.

Men’s Meeting.

Because of the extra trip to the mountains for the funerals, I only went to one of the meetings that we have with the youth each month. It was a great time of study and fellowship together. I did not get an exact count, but there were well over 100 there that weekend. I also went to Mae Hong Son and Khun Yuam to visit the young people there during that trip.

Youth at Maelati.

One of the students who we help, Tiphathai, has a father who has trouble with his lungs. He has to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. It is the start of the burning season here. When they burn off their fields, the air pollution index is through the room. Many times, you cannot see for 50 yards. They live in a house that does not have a ceiling. The smoke goes into the house and he cannot breathe even with the oxygen. We put a ceiling in their house and bought them an air purification machine. Hopefully, this will make his life a little easier. When we were leaving their village there was a roadblock… two elephants!!

Elephants in the road!

Tiphathai’s House.

Our annual Youth Camp will be April 8^th through the 12^th. During that second trip to the mountains, we found a new place to have Youth Camp this year. It is still in Maesariang and it is still a school, but it has much nicer facilities and more trees!! Last year during camp the temperature was around 112 degrees each day… and very few trees… it was very hot. The name of the school is Thairatwitiacom. Also, we had to rent a lot of things last year that this school already has and will let us use. Last year we had 180 young people. So, all together with adults and those who came from other countries we had over 200 people. We already have 230 young people confirmed to come this year. That does not include the young people from the NE or the young people from Chiang Mai. We expect about 300 people this year. Last year we spent $15,000 USD on the camp. Many of the things we bought last year we will use again. There are some things that we will have to buy more of to have enough for 300 people. Our main expenses are renting the school, gas to pick up the young people, and FOOD. While we will have less expenses in some areas, some areas will increase with a larger number of people, such as food. We estimate that this year we will need $12,000 USD for the camp. If any of you are able to help with this expense it will be greatly appreciated. You can send money as you usually do to Loving Highway Church of Christ. Just let them know that this money is to be used for youth camp. Thank you for helping with this work.

Thairatwitiacom

Thank you all for all that you do. God bless,
Michael