Greetings and salutations!
It has been a few weeks, so let me catch you up on the moves that have happened.
Praises -
1. House! I was able to secure the house for a five year lease. Meaning Anne and I will have stable shelter for that long at least. I was also able to move all my stuff in without breaking anything or myself, so that's another praise.
2. Three people have stepped up to be monthly partners with Anne and I. Thankful for them.
3. Finished a few different videos. The learning curve is pretty steep so my friend Cal shot and edited the first one to show me how it is done. That was huge because he does this as his profession, so I learned much.
4. Was able to break for a about a week or so for the Northern Thai New Year. Was able to spend time with Anne's family one day, at some good friends houses' another, and still made it down to the moat for a wet'n'wild time. Also got to spend the day hanging with one of my future students, and then a friend of a friend who was visiting from the US paid a big portion of the bill when a group of us went out to eat NY style pizza, so I didn't blow my budget that night and got great pizza.
5. And the little things. My brother introduced me to www.grooveshark.com which actually works here. So I can check out lot's of new bands and old albums that I never got to listen to in their entirety. It's the little things.
Events -
The Laos trip is still up in the air. The school is moving slow on the process of things, mostly because of the holiday earlier this month. I'm not sure, but there is a chance that I won't have to go, that the visa could be changed in country. But I should know for sure on Friday, so please be praying for that.
I am start work on the 1st of May. I am super excited to get back to the university. Gotta figure out what classes exactly I will be teaching and then which ones I have to create the curriculum for.
Other News -
We have decided on a theme, location and everything for the wedding, but now we are just waiting for the finances. I will be using my first paycheck from the university to pay for it, but there are several things that need to be paid for at least partially before had so that we can keep moving forward. I need to put half down on the location fee, then we can really get down to the details of the ceremony, as well as get invitations out to people.
Right now, my support is just barely covering my bills and food, so I am really looking for more people who are ready to join in with supporting us monthly, or at least willing to help out with the wedding.
Anne and I prayed hard before choosing this date. And this is what we felt. Anne's family still doesn't believe God is capable of doing anything or is even real. If we put off the wedding until we can pay for it all ourselves, then it is a normal thing. I believe God chose this time because He wants the glory for this wedding. It isn't going to happen unless he provides for it, and I have said as much to Anne's family. This puts me in the position of praying like never before. I don't know how, but I believe that God will provide for this day so that we can use it to share about His love, that Anne and I wouldn't ever have met if not for Jesus, and that when we follow Him in obedience, he will provide what we lack.
So please join with us in praying for this and if you are led to give, to support us as we enter into marriage together and into a life of sharing the Good News of Jesus's love, death and resurrection in Thailand.
Prayer Requests -
1. For our finances. That God would provide another $450 in monthly support for our ministry and life here.
2. For our wedding. That it would be a time where we can clearly share the love of the Father with all who attend.
3. For our 6 weeks of planning. That we would be able to get everything done with out freaking out too much.
4. That my family would be able to attend.
5. That I would be able to get my work done in a timely manner.
6. That this job would be in a field ripe for harvest and that the work would bear much fruit.
7. For the hearts of those I will be working with, teachers and students, that the Spirit would be working ahead of me and through me to get the Truth into their lives.
Here is a walk through of the house as well!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Plans of Mice and Men...
So, I won't be coming home this year (unless I get $5,000 in the bank tomorrow). But it'll be OK. Goal this year is to get my budget to a place where I can save and come home next March/April/May-ish.
Praises-
1. Finished TESOL and have my certificate! That was one heavy duty course, but it was worth it. This little piece of paper made all the difference in praise 2.
2. I have a one year contract at North Chiang Mai University. While this doesn't completely bring my month to month up to the level where I can live and do ministry, it's a huge help. It is where I will be able to plant seeds in abundance and praying will reap a harvest as well
3. I may even have found a house I can stay in for a multi-year lease, so no more hopping about from place to place.
4. Got to go on that men's retreat and it was awesome.
5. This past weekend got to go with some friends to help put on a Resurrection celebration the likes of which hadn't ever been done before. It was really cool to see how they live and how they keep smiling in all circumstances.
Events -
1. Last Friday finished my TESOL certification. Had lunch at a great buffet. That's an event.
2. The Easter celebration this past weekend was really cool. We were able to encourage a 26 year young pastor who stepped up to care for his church after the previous pastor passed away. We were also able to walk around the village to pray over many of the members houses, and visited on member who was ill to pray with him.
Events this month:
1. Will be moving again. Need a house with a bit more privacy and working facilities than the one I am in now. Like I said above, I think I found one, just have to go over all the details to make sure we are on the same page. Also will need to come up with the deposit.
2. Will have to travel to Laos on my own dime. The School will pay for all the fees and such related to my visa and work permit, but the travel expenses are on me. I will also during that time find a place to hole up for a few days to take a mental and spiritual break from things, so praying for some extra support for that.
3. Songkhran. This is the Northern Thai New Year celebration. It's a time of great fun, but also a time of spiritual worship and darkness. I'm hoping to join up with a ministry that will take DVDs of a gospel movie that was filmed in Northern Thai and performed by Northern Thai actors out into the middle of the party as gifts. Will also hopefully get to see several former students and maybe spend some time with a few of my future students.
4. Will be using my other free time this month to start planning Anne's and my wedding. Yup. Getting married at the beginning of June. Looking at June 8th. So this month we need to find the space and start really getting going on that.
Other News -
Quick info on the culture I am marrying into. First is, there is supposed to be dowry that I am supposed to pay. Which I don't have. This doesn't so much bother Anne and her mom, but it could cause them to lose some honor from the rest of the family and from the community. This is actually quite a big deal in the culture. Anne and I have prayed and feel it is time for us move forward in marriage so that we can move forward together in our lives and our ministries supporting each other. But I would like to be able to pay that if it is possible.
The other thing is that Anne is the oldest daughter, and she is the highest educated, so it falls to her and as her husband to me to provide for her mother a monthly living expense, and for her to pay for her younger brother to go to school. I could be an American and say they are grown and capable of caring for themselves, but this is not my culture I am marrying into. For us to disregard this responsibility would be tantamount to throwing away her family. And since her family are not believers, it would be another wall between them and the love of Christ.
With my salary and my current support. I can just barely cover this. But anything extra, like another vehicle for Anne so she can pursue the plans God has for her, or appliances for the house, insurance, and my bills from back home, I am still short on. So I am going to need to raise another $500 dollars a month in order to be where I need to be.
In the past I have been shy about asking for more. For more partners, and more support. But God has shown me that when I do that, I am not trusting in Him to provide. He is the one who is going to bring it together, not me. So I am putting my needs out there for all of you to see, and then trusting that the Father will do all that I can not.
Long Term View: This is where I am going by God's grace and direction. I am going to get a 5 year lease for this house. This will keep my rent down, and my base stable. I will continue working at NCU for as long as God tells me to. Which would mean I will be starting my masters next year in order to keep my job, but the school has some scholarships that I can apply for that should mostly, if not completely cover that (PTL). I will be saving my income in order to purchase some land and a house for my family so that after 5 years we will be able to move into said home. Simultaneously, I am looking at starting a center in a province South of Chiang Mai. This will serve as a place of practical learning (English, vocational, and life skills), as well as a base of operations to be able to bring in teams and do community development. My dream is also purchase a large plot of land, where I can build a retreat and camp. A place with a ropes course, pool, living and meeting facilities and such things where churches, schools and businesses can come to take breaks, learn teamwork and more holistic living.
This is where God has me headed. This is what I am committing to. This is what I am praying that more and more people will join with me in making this vision a reality.
Prayer Requests -
I'm sure that there will be many mini updates coming over the next few weeks. Thank you all for your support. Love you all
zac
Praises-
1. Finished TESOL and have my certificate! That was one heavy duty course, but it was worth it. This little piece of paper made all the difference in praise 2.
2. I have a one year contract at North Chiang Mai University. While this doesn't completely bring my month to month up to the level where I can live and do ministry, it's a huge help. It is where I will be able to plant seeds in abundance and praying will reap a harvest as well
3. I may even have found a house I can stay in for a multi-year lease, so no more hopping about from place to place.
4. Got to go on that men's retreat and it was awesome.
5. This past weekend got to go with some friends to help put on a Resurrection celebration the likes of which hadn't ever been done before. It was really cool to see how they live and how they keep smiling in all circumstances.
Events -
1. Last Friday finished my TESOL certification. Had lunch at a great buffet. That's an event.
2. The Easter celebration this past weekend was really cool. We were able to encourage a 26 year young pastor who stepped up to care for his church after the previous pastor passed away. We were also able to walk around the village to pray over many of the members houses, and visited on member who was ill to pray with him.
Events this month:
1. Will be moving again. Need a house with a bit more privacy and working facilities than the one I am in now. Like I said above, I think I found one, just have to go over all the details to make sure we are on the same page. Also will need to come up with the deposit.
2. Will have to travel to Laos on my own dime. The School will pay for all the fees and such related to my visa and work permit, but the travel expenses are on me. I will also during that time find a place to hole up for a few days to take a mental and spiritual break from things, so praying for some extra support for that.
3. Songkhran. This is the Northern Thai New Year celebration. It's a time of great fun, but also a time of spiritual worship and darkness. I'm hoping to join up with a ministry that will take DVDs of a gospel movie that was filmed in Northern Thai and performed by Northern Thai actors out into the middle of the party as gifts. Will also hopefully get to see several former students and maybe spend some time with a few of my future students.
4. Will be using my other free time this month to start planning Anne's and my wedding. Yup. Getting married at the beginning of June. Looking at June 8th. So this month we need to find the space and start really getting going on that.
Other News -
Quick info on the culture I am marrying into. First is, there is supposed to be dowry that I am supposed to pay. Which I don't have. This doesn't so much bother Anne and her mom, but it could cause them to lose some honor from the rest of the family and from the community. This is actually quite a big deal in the culture. Anne and I have prayed and feel it is time for us move forward in marriage so that we can move forward together in our lives and our ministries supporting each other. But I would like to be able to pay that if it is possible.
The other thing is that Anne is the oldest daughter, and she is the highest educated, so it falls to her and as her husband to me to provide for her mother a monthly living expense, and for her to pay for her younger brother to go to school. I could be an American and say they are grown and capable of caring for themselves, but this is not my culture I am marrying into. For us to disregard this responsibility would be tantamount to throwing away her family. And since her family are not believers, it would be another wall between them and the love of Christ.
With my salary and my current support. I can just barely cover this. But anything extra, like another vehicle for Anne so she can pursue the plans God has for her, or appliances for the house, insurance, and my bills from back home, I am still short on. So I am going to need to raise another $500 dollars a month in order to be where I need to be.
In the past I have been shy about asking for more. For more partners, and more support. But God has shown me that when I do that, I am not trusting in Him to provide. He is the one who is going to bring it together, not me. So I am putting my needs out there for all of you to see, and then trusting that the Father will do all that I can not.
Long Term View: This is where I am going by God's grace and direction. I am going to get a 5 year lease for this house. This will keep my rent down, and my base stable. I will continue working at NCU for as long as God tells me to. Which would mean I will be starting my masters next year in order to keep my job, but the school has some scholarships that I can apply for that should mostly, if not completely cover that (PTL). I will be saving my income in order to purchase some land and a house for my family so that after 5 years we will be able to move into said home. Simultaneously, I am looking at starting a center in a province South of Chiang Mai. This will serve as a place of practical learning (English, vocational, and life skills), as well as a base of operations to be able to bring in teams and do community development. My dream is also purchase a large plot of land, where I can build a retreat and camp. A place with a ropes course, pool, living and meeting facilities and such things where churches, schools and businesses can come to take breaks, learn teamwork and more holistic living.
This is where God has me headed. This is what I am committing to. This is what I am praying that more and more people will join with me in making this vision a reality.
Prayer Requests -
- I learned and didn't work last month, I won't be able to work this month. I need help.
- $500 for my first month's rent plus two month's deposit
- $300 for my trip to Laos for my visa
- $200 to be able to stay in Laos and take a break
- A dowry I can offer my fiances parents and family (I'm not sure what that amount would be... no one gives me a straight answer)
- New partners to bring our monthly support up by $500
- More opportunities to share and spend time with my students
- The Holy Spirit going before me preparing the hearts of my students to receive the truth of Christ
- Fruit in planting a church among my students
- Fruit in raising up leaders who after graduation will go out and share the gospel as they go
- Sanity as I prepare new courses and for a wedding.
- Grace to reach Anne's family with the love of Christ through all of the wedding process
- That my family will be able to make it here in time for the wedding.
I'm sure that there will be many mini updates coming over the next few weeks. Thank you all for your support. Love you all
zac
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