Hi friends, I thought I would just send a quick newsletter to you, as we approach the end of our first year in Thailand. Thankyou so much for your support in the various forms you have freely expressed to us, including letters, emails, phone calls, prayer, and finances. You really have helped us during our settling in period.
I must again stress the value of your support and the appreciation we have for it. Let’s remember Paul’s exhortation to the believers in Galatia found in Gal.6:9,10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
As most of you know, we recently sent out an appeal letter hoping to increase our support base (If you didn’t receive one, please discard the next few lines). Thankyou so much to those who responded, although sadly only a few. I can genuinely understand if people are unable or unwilling to help us at this stage and as our trust is foremost in the Lord, that’s OK. However, as your brother in Christ, and friend to most, I must say we felt disappointed at the lack of personal acknowledgement of our need. As Disciples of Christ and members of the same Body, surely we should make every effort to at least respond to a brother or sister, regardless of the circumstances. I understand that people are busy and others may not have access to email, but I would admonish you to seriously consider these matters for the future.
On a brighter note, as most of you know, we now have a vehicle and are much more mobile as a result. Praise the Lord for this provision, especially because when we began to pray, we had no idea where the money would come from. The exact amount for the car came from a small inheritance from one of Sarah’s Aunt’s in England (coincidentally, it was Sarah's Grandma that enabled us to pay for our airfares here). I must say, driving here is quite a faith building exercise, as most rules (that’s if they really exist) are mostly ignored. I regularly thank the Lord for His protection upon us as we commute in this country.
Most of you will have received a Christmas newsletter from Sarah, and so will be up to date with family news. Sarah mentioned that we will be going up to Namgat, near the border (the village we went to on the youth mission trip) to support our Christian friends in the village in reaching out to the villagers over Christmas. Please pray as we go as a family for the first time to the village on the weekend before Christmas. Pray that seeds of the gospel previously sown will grow and that God will grant both understanding and repentance to these people. I was in the village with my friend last weekend where we taught English to three villagers, who stayed for our Sunday morning service. As I have previously mentioned, this area of ministry is very much on my heart and so I feel taking the family for the first time will be a significant step.
Tee-nay, a recent convert in the village is going really well and is being closely discipled by O. I went to his hut for a visit and could not believe where he actually sleeps. He has erected a bunk over the top of his two pigs that O gave him to raise. I’m serious, his mother and younger brother live in a hut near him, but he prefers to stay close to his pigs! I will certainly let you know how things went in our next newsletter.
Since being here we have met many missionaries and have been asking the Lord to direct us with regards to the possibility of joining with a mission organization working in this region. Although I was considering Wycliffe translators, we don’t feel translation work is where The Lord would have us. However, next week I have an appointment with the director of a mission organisation here in Chiang Mai where they have just opened a new regional center for SE Asia. Please pray for Gods leading in this matter and I will keep you informed. In the meantime we are continuing on with language studies and serving in the local church.
We trust your Christmas will be a holy one and look forward to your continued support and fellowship with us in the New Year.
Just prior to signing off, I wish to ask if somebody would be able to help with our newsletter distribution in Australia. It would involve downloading newsletters every 2-3 months and sending them by normal mail to about 15 people. A good friend, Sharon Williams, has been serving us in this area but is very busy with her own family of 6 young children and sometimes gets snowed under. I also wish to thank and acknowledge David Kendall who has put together a website for us, that you can view at the following address. We are still sorting some things out on the site and would welcome your feedback http://www.evanstribe.org/
Your fellow servant in Christ
David (For the Family)
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Email: info@evanstribe.org
61 Suthep Soi 4
T. Suthep A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50200
Phone: 0011 66 53 810446
Don't forget to visit Evans Family on Mission in Thailand web site