Hot off the press! Finally, our update! For all of you who were intently waiting :) Just so all of you know.... If it's been a while since we have written an update and you have any questions or are wondering how we are doing please e-mail us. We love to hear from you. Also, we do have skype capabilities. So, for all you skypers out there we would love to video conference with you! Our skype name is amber-jared. You are all so important to us. Even though we live so far away we want to know what is going on with you and would love to see your faces.
SETTLING IN
We have been in Thailand for almost seven months. Time flies! As with any move it takes time to get the family settled, especially in a new community. Not to mention a totally different culture! I am so happy to say that with much help we are finally there. Our house is filled with pictures on the wall that Maya has drawn, a few photos, and we are making some fun memories as we meet new people and make new friends. Many of the people Jared works with and that we come across do not have kitchens where they live. This is a normal thing. We invite people over quite often just to enjoy a home cooked meal. It's been an awesome way God has been using us to build relationships. We are also in a central location for people to meet so Diane and I have become hosts for a womens Bible study. Maya has been blessed with a new friend that comes over with her grandma to play while we meet for the study. God is truly blessing us and it has been so fun and exciting to start taking steps in reaching out to others now that we are finally stable. Most of the things that were so awkward to us are normal. The sound of Thai is becoming as familiar as English, though we still only know bits. Baby steps :) I love going to the open air market to buy our fruit and vegetables. We still go to the regular super market for meat. Especially now that it is beginning to get warm. The motorbike has become just as normal as hopping in a car. It is actually quite a luxury for us to get the chance to ride in a car. It's going to be interesting once the rainy season comes as far as motorbike travel.
JOBS
It looks like Jared is going to be able to sign a contract to teach next year at the school he has been working at. He teaches history, English, and computer. The job only requires him to work 4 days a week which is a total blessing. It allows more time to do ministry outside of work which was a big concern. The school is working on the paperwork for his work permit which will enable us to get our visas for the next year. Please be praying that all of this goes smoothly! Paperwork in Thailand gets a bit sticky sometimes. I have been done working for about a month now. Gladly, as I was losing weight and constantly ill. Diane is still job searching. Please be praying that the right opportunity comes along and that she clearly hears the direction of God in this area. It has been a bit discouraging for her.
PREGNANCY
This pregnancy has been going better since I've stopped working. I am 20 weeks along. The baby moves around quite a bit. We found out about a month ago that we are expecting a boy. Both of us are very excited and can't wait to meet him. We took Maya to the ultrasound and when the technician showed us that he was a boy Maya responded with “NO.. NO... it's a girl!” She's slowly getting used to the idea of a brother and has informed us that she is going to teach him to walk, how to make funny faces, and about God. Please continue to pray that the baby grows well and that I stay healthy. We are also having some difficulty figuring out details surrounding the delivery. It looks like we are going to have to have the baby in the hospital...for me... this is going to take a bigger leap of faith than delivering at home. We need to find the right doctor and the right hospital. It is very difficult to get straight answers here in Thailand. I need some clear direction and honest answers from doctors and hospitals. Please keep all that in prayer as well. I can't wait to much longer to figure this stuff out ;)
ROOMATES
Nancy and Tracy have moved back to China. Jodi has decided to stay and pursue her masters degree. She is very close to accepting Christ as her Savior. Please keep her in prayer as there is an obvious battle going on for her life. She has been hit with one thing after another. Right now she is trying to get accepted into Chiang Mai University. She has passed one test and has one later in May. If she passes the test in May she will then take a test 2 days later. However, she just found out her visa ends the end of March instead of August. She has to figure out a way to stay until she can take the tests and be accepted into the school. Please pray that all of this works out for her. God is really ministering to her here and we know that Satan is working very hard to distract her and draw her away from God. We have come to love her very much and care for her deeply.
BLESSINGS
Recently some of you helped us out financially. This was a total surprise to us. Thank you so much. We had been praying about our situation for quite some time. We were able to pay our bill in full and had money left. We were also praying for the finances to replace our laptop that was stolen as Jared needs one for work, and also, the finances to provide Maya with a bed. We had just enough money after tithe to meet all of those needs! God is good and you have blessed us so much. We cannot thank you enough. Jared makes just enough money to cover the rent, motorbike costs, utilities, and groceries. We new we had to rely on God to work it all out as we have no extra money left at the end of the month to save. Thank you so much.
PRAYER REQUEST OVERVIEW
Job for Diane
Healthy pregnancy and general health for everyone
Smooth processing of paperwork for Jared's work-permit and visas
Jody's salvation and visa situation
Finding a good doctor and hospital for the delivery of our baby
Continued prayer covering of safety, health, guidance, and direction over our family
SETTLING IN
We have been in Thailand for almost seven months. Time flies! As with any move it takes time to get the family settled, especially in a new community. Not to mention a totally different culture! I am so happy to say that with much help we are finally there. Our house is filled with pictures on the wall that Maya has drawn, a few photos, and we are making some fun memories as we meet new people and make new friends. Many of the people Jared works with and that we come across do not have kitchens where they live. This is a normal thing. We invite people over quite often just to enjoy a home cooked meal. It's been an awesome way God has been using us to build relationships. We are also in a central location for people to meet so Diane and I have become hosts for a womens Bible study. Maya has been blessed with a new friend that comes over with her grandma to play while we meet for the study. God is truly blessing us and it has been so fun and exciting to start taking steps in reaching out to others now that we are finally stable. Most of the things that were so awkward to us are normal. The sound of Thai is becoming as familiar as English, though we still only know bits. Baby steps :) I love going to the open air market to buy our fruit and vegetables. We still go to the regular super market for meat. Especially now that it is beginning to get warm. The motorbike has become just as normal as hopping in a car. It is actually quite a luxury for us to get the chance to ride in a car. It's going to be interesting once the rainy season comes as far as motorbike travel.
JOBS
It looks like Jared is going to be able to sign a contract to teach next year at the school he has been working at. He teaches history, English, and computer. The job only requires him to work 4 days a week which is a total blessing. It allows more time to do ministry outside of work which was a big concern. The school is working on the paperwork for his work permit which will enable us to get our visas for the next year. Please be praying that all of this goes smoothly! Paperwork in Thailand gets a bit sticky sometimes. I have been done working for about a month now. Gladly, as I was losing weight and constantly ill. Diane is still job searching. Please be praying that the right opportunity comes along and that she clearly hears the direction of God in this area. It has been a bit discouraging for her.
PREGNANCY
This pregnancy has been going better since I've stopped working. I am 20 weeks along. The baby moves around quite a bit. We found out about a month ago that we are expecting a boy. Both of us are very excited and can't wait to meet him. We took Maya to the ultrasound and when the technician showed us that he was a boy Maya responded with “NO.. NO... it's a girl!” She's slowly getting used to the idea of a brother and has informed us that she is going to teach him to walk, how to make funny faces, and about God. Please continue to pray that the baby grows well and that I stay healthy. We are also having some difficulty figuring out details surrounding the delivery. It looks like we are going to have to have the baby in the hospital...for me... this is going to take a bigger leap of faith than delivering at home. We need to find the right doctor and the right hospital. It is very difficult to get straight answers here in Thailand. I need some clear direction and honest answers from doctors and hospitals. Please keep all that in prayer as well. I can't wait to much longer to figure this stuff out ;)
ROOMATES
Nancy and Tracy have moved back to China. Jodi has decided to stay and pursue her masters degree. She is very close to accepting Christ as her Savior. Please keep her in prayer as there is an obvious battle going on for her life. She has been hit with one thing after another. Right now she is trying to get accepted into Chiang Mai University. She has passed one test and has one later in May. If she passes the test in May she will then take a test 2 days later. However, she just found out her visa ends the end of March instead of August. She has to figure out a way to stay until she can take the tests and be accepted into the school. Please pray that all of this works out for her. God is really ministering to her here and we know that Satan is working very hard to distract her and draw her away from God. We have come to love her very much and care for her deeply.
BLESSINGS
Recently some of you helped us out financially. This was a total surprise to us. Thank you so much. We had been praying about our situation for quite some time. We were able to pay our bill in full and had money left. We were also praying for the finances to replace our laptop that was stolen as Jared needs one for work, and also, the finances to provide Maya with a bed. We had just enough money after tithe to meet all of those needs! God is good and you have blessed us so much. We cannot thank you enough. Jared makes just enough money to cover the rent, motorbike costs, utilities, and groceries. We new we had to rely on God to work it all out as we have no extra money left at the end of the month to save. Thank you so much.
PRAYER REQUEST OVERVIEW
Job for Diane
Healthy pregnancy and general health for everyone
Smooth processing of paperwork for Jared's work-permit and visas
Jody's salvation and visa situation
Finding a good doctor and hospital for the delivery of our baby
Continued prayer covering of safety, health, guidance, and direction over our family
