Jennifer Tibbetts

Dear Friends,

I was feeling overwhelmed by all I need to get done and then I thought "I should stop and write a prayer letter and as they pray, God will work!"  My work is so ineffective unless He works through me.  I am so glad that I can reach out to you for prayer and know that like Aaron and Hur, you will hold up my hands (Exodus 17:12)!

So, first thing to pray for - tomorrow evening 6 members of my church including my pastor and his wife will join me in visiting the Cambodian village where Nuansee and Awm live (Nuansee is the only Thai person who lives there with 20 Cambodians, about 30 minutes from my home.)   Nuansee has been faithfully attending church worship services and adult Sunday School since January, and Awm has been joining her since March.  This past Sunday, their neighbor Pon came for the first time so that he could meet me so that I could help him apply for disability.  (Pon has diabetes and needs to apply for disability as he was run over by a forklift a few years ago.)

It has been dawning on me that all of these Cambodians came to the US when they fled to Thai refugee camps from the Khmer Rouge (https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/the-khmer-rouge) and then American churches sponsored them to start new lives in the States.  Thus, all of them have had exposure to the gospel and may have "accepted Christ as Savior" at some time in the past.  However, most of them have backslidden, become syncretistic and/or decided that they are more interested in materialism or making business deals by going to the Buddhist temple.  

Our purpose in taking this "church delegation" to the village is twofold 1) to show care and build connection with Nuansee and Awm.  We're not sure how long Scott and I will be in this area and we want to make sure they are connected to the church (and growing in Christianity) with or without Scott and me.  Having other church members as friends is very important.  2) We want to greet the other Cambodian folks and try to bring the light of Jesus in some way that they might consider coming back to the church, and more importantly making Jesus Lord of their lives.  

A nice bonus is that Nuansee makes delicious Thai food so please "remember us" as we feast on fried rice, papaya salad and mangoes and sticky rice :) (I know my children are groaning cuz they would love to eat this food, but they are too far away!!)  Please do spiritual warfare on our behalf.  Nuansee and Awm are a bit nervous about the reaction of the people in their village as they have made negative comments about Nuansee and Awm attending church, etc.

Secondly, my plans to go to Asia are coming together.  Amazingly, 3.5 weeks ago Singapore dropped its Covid restrictions for the unvaccinated so this opened the door for me to attend the new leaders training October 24-28.  Nuansee and I will fly to Thailand on October 18.  I will get her to her family's house on October 21 and on Oct 22, I will fly to Singapore and visit with my friend Rita who used to work with us in Lopburi (a familiar name to those who have been praying for us a long time :) )  I will also get to see Arunee and Sue Ng who lived in our dorm in Chiang Mai - Sue is newly married and Arunee is now an OMF missionary, going to the Thai field to begin her work there in January!!  I will see a couple of other Adult TCKs (Third Culture Kids) (Penpen and Paul H) as well and spend time with my boss and team who live in Singapore.  

In Singapore, I'll also get to meet Anna who is well on her way to becoming our new OC KidZone Coordinator and Educational Support - praise God!  Please pray with me that she will be able to start these roles before the end of 2022!  [I'd also appreciate prayer for Victoria who is still raising support to work as my admin assistant and hopes to start at least 5 hours per week (working toward 10 hours per week) at the beginning of October.  Her health is a bit better, thankfully.]

After Singapore, I will spend time in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.  I will be meeting with field leaders,TCK Advisors and families to see how I can further support them and help them thrive in their work in these challenging places.  I will be visiting some international schools where our TCKs attend and also three field MSGs - Modular Study Groups - where the missionary kids do schoolwork at home for three weeks per month and attend the school campus one week per month.  This allows families to remain together longer in remote locations while providing an opportunity for the children to grow relationally and in responsibility for themselves when they are at school.

I am also excited to be meeting up with a number of our old Thai friends.  I will attend Prasiri (God's Glory) Church and visit with Dr. Rabbit, Saa, Bunny Family, Ann, A, Puk's family, Awd, Puu and maybe Pui.  Again, for those of you who have been tracking with us a long time, these names should be familiar.  Some are believers, some never became believers, some are backslidden.  I pray that God will use these opportunities for encouragement and perhaps salvation!

At the end of the trip, I'll go back to spend a few days with Nuansee at her sister's house in Surin (northeast Thailand).  We will attend the Elephant Roundup together the weekend of November 19-20 and then fly home on Nov 22.  Nuansee's sister told her that some of her (Thai) neighbors heard we are coming to visit and that they are interested in becoming Christians.  May God use Nuansee in their lives to share Christ with them during this visit.  My brain has felt like it was going to split apart a couple of times while planning this trip.  Please pray for all the details and that God will bring it together for His glory and purposes.

Scott was recently asked by our church leaders to "put his name in the ring" to become an elder.  The congregation will vote on this in January.  We feel honored for this possible opportunity.  Scott loved teaching 6 weeks on the book of Ephesians and had up to 25 people attending the Sunday School class.  Many people commented on how much they appreciated his teaching.  Scott has found more contentment at work again and no other doors seem to be opening so we feel that perhaps God is leading him to stay at his work.  He was also invited to join a new church mens group, and we trust that this will be encouraging for him. Our church is actively looking to plant a church in the near future.  We will be seeking the Lord as to whether He wants us to go with the daughter church or stay with the mother church.

Our trip to Virginia was WONDERFUL.  So thankful.  A lot of sweet times playing games (like charades with Natalie) and enjoying baby Michael.  Joshua, Megan, Natalie and Michael are now in Guam.  Instead of having to wait up to two months to get into permanent housing, they moved into their new home yesterday, just over 2 weeks after arriving!  Praise God!  Please pray for them as they settle in and find a church home.  

Nathan and Katelyn's son Ellis was born on September 8, quite overdue, but only 6 lbs 15 oz.  They are very much enjoying him.  Nathan's family, Matthew's family, Scott and I will be in Colorado in December to celebrate Christmas with my parents and siblings, etc.  We look forward to meeting Ellis then.

Alysha and Jacob are doing well in North Carolina.  October 3 will be the one year anniversary of the death of Liz, the mom of the family that Alysha nannies.  Please pray that she can help the family mark this milestone well, and that this won't overshadow Alysha and Jacob's first anniversary on October 16.  Matthew and Rachel (with Graham) are seeing their business grow in Texas.  They are also excited that the house they are having built will be completed about Christmastime.  Pray that they will be a light in their business and community, and also for wisdom as they parent 20 month old Graham.

As I share all this with you, my heart is full of joy.  I have sensed more contentment and joy in recent months - God is so very kind and has blessed us so richly in many ways.  Do write to me with prayer requests and I will pray for you.

Thanks again for your prayers,

Jennifer and Scott