May 2019 Newsletter
Dear family and friends,
Fully Funded!
We are so excited to share that we have been financially cleared to leave for central Thailand this July! God has used many of you to enable us to go through your generous giving and your faithful prayers. We cannot express our gratitude enough. Our prayer is that just as Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to bear much fruit (John 12:24), so your sacrifices would bear the fruit of saved and changed lives in Thailand to the glory of God.
Next Steps
The next few weeks prior to our leaving will hold some time away with our families in northern Arizona, saying goodbyes, taking care of logistical details (visas, international licenses, tickets, etc.), and selling/giving away most of our stuff! Praise God this has become more easy with time and even a joyful thing for me (Julie). God is reminding me that any notions I've had of building a "forever home" are fleeting—as His word says, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Heb 13:14). We will land in Singapore the first week of July for a month of orientation at our organization's international headquarters. Then, it's on to central Thailand in early August to begin our year of intensive language study.
Farewell Open House
You are all invited to an informal Farewell Open House on Saturday, June 15th from 3-5pm at Church on Mill. The only “programmed” part of that time will be from 3:30-4pm (Julie and I will share one or two brief thoughts on leaving for Thailand, and would love to hear from some of you a word of encouragement or a Scripture that God has laid on your heart). Otherwise we’ll enjoy light refreshments and spend time together. To help us prepare, please RSVP by simply replying to this email with the number of people in your party if you plan to attend.
Location: Church on Mill, 1300 South Mill Ave., Tempe, 85281. We'll be in the large brown building on the southeast corner of the property, called the Christian Challenge Building (across the grass from the main auditorium).
Pray for us that we will abide in Jesus as we make final preparations and say goodbyes. The time goes so quickly! We love you all and are grateful for you.
Phil, Julie and Sophie