Lots to share

Merry Christmas everyone!

It is dec 26 in the morning here and we are recovering from a late night of a Chirstmas Party with our friends Jesse and Uab Ford, with their ministry staff, students and some friends.  We have had many full days, and even on our down days we are having a great time with friends and exploring all over Chiang Rai.

We were at the Eden House until 3 days ago and loved our time there.  It is such an awesome thing to do life with the girls that live there.  Our daughters made great friends, with the language barrier being such a small detail, as the kids found a way to make things work.  There is so much that could be share from our time there, but what stood out most is that the girls there are not only being raised in a great environment, but that they are so excited about life and do so much to share with others the importance of living for Jesus.  They did skits and songs at their church, had regular devotions where they could learn and share' which some of the girls led, and brightened their neighborhood while caroling one night, bringing smiles to many of othe people in the area.  The girls coming out of Eden House will definitely make the world a better place and we were blessed to just be able to contribute in the time that we're were there.

For those who contributed to the projects that we wanted to do for Eden House, we saw the beginning of the library that they were putting together for the girls and were able to meet and spent time with the girls who we contributed to the cost of preparing them for college.  Every bit of contribution was well spent, as a seed to help these girls make huge changes to the world that they live in as they continue their education and be a light through Thailand.  When we were able to spend time with college students recently, it was clear that many of them are seeking answers to many questions that they have about life and the girls from Eden House have been well prepared to lead some of them and can change some lives of their friends when they head off to school.

We also were able to attend a gathering at the @peace cafe where we also contributed to putting in an air conditioner.  The need was clear as they gathered students and friends for a Christmas gathering' the place was full wall to wall, with many people gathering outside also.  Jesse and Uab are leading many students through tough years of deciding what to do with their lives' and it will be great for them to be able to have the gatherings without it being so hot that it is hard to stay long.   It was hot that night, and it is cold season right now!

We have taken a couple of days on our own this week where we could regroup and rest as a family.  Even in our rest though we have had a great time with the people.  We are staying close to a market, a place that is simply covered and has many stands where you can shop for food and some other items.  It has been fun to just be in the middle of the people and share life as much as we can.  There is a huge difference in Thailand between being at a market and visiting a regular store, we had to run to the one big mall in Thailand one day, and it felt so sterile, and without life, despite all of the flashing lights and signs that were there to make you feel excited, I missed the people who were just as happy to talk to you as ring you up.  Funny thing that it felt so much happier being around people filleting fresh live fish and gettin splashed by the fish flopping around on the table waiting their turn.

Today is our last day of rest in our own place and we head south tomorrow to an orphanage with children who lost their parents in a recent tsunami.  It will be good time with our friends helping out for a few days.  Then we will get a chance to visit with the Eden House again for 2 days before heading Bach to Chiang Mai for the remainder of our trip.

Thanks for all of the prayers and support!

What a week this haas been,  we have been at Eden House for 4 days and are having a great time getting to know the staff and the girls.  We have had many great moments here but this evening was one of the best. Each Wednesday there is a prayer service with the girls from all of the houses and we had achanceto share.  As part of what're did, Charli, Anya and Aria lead the whole group in a worship dance that we had learned just a few months ago. All of the Eden House girls were having a great time and asked to be taught the dance more later so that they could doit for their Christmas party this weekend.

We have much more planned while here and will be busy but we wanted to let you all know how awesome things are coming together and that we are doing well.  Pictures and more stories will come later when we have more time.

Troy

We are on the ground in Thailand.  All is well!

Settling in our place in Chiang Mai beforeheadingto Eden House Saturday.

Good night!