Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord!
Here, the season of spring and burning has passed, and now the intense heat—over 40°C—has begun. We find ourselves constantly seeking cooler places, but spending too long in air-conditioned spaces brings headaches, and the stark contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures easily wears us out. I find myself forgetting things more often, physically realizing that the hot season has indeed arrived. Though I thought I had adapted to Southeast Asia’s climate, it seems I need time to adjust once again this year.
When traveling for ministry, driving or taking the bus for about six hours, I often experience discomfort like heat rashes, even with the air conditioning on. During the Lenten season, while meditating on the Word and reading the Gospel of Luke with Bobo who is Muslim, one passage deeply touched my heart once again.
As Jesus sent out workers for the gospel, He commanded them to go forth trusting only in God. This call brings me back to the place where I must stand again—not seeking personal comfort, but responding to His calling to walk the path of mission. Even in the midst of various limitations and challenges, I am reminded that I can move forward, step by step, by obeying His promised Word.
"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
1 Corin 3 : 7
In our life’s journey, may we not be bound by the standards of this world, but instead hold fast to the assurance that the Risen Lord gave to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. I pray that each of you will daily experience the joy and grace of loving God and loving your neighbor, right where you are.
🇹🇭🇲🇲Small City Story
Hope Community Center
🌸 April – With the Hope and Life of the Resurrection
For us, April is a season marked by the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. At the same time, in Myanmar and Thailand, people observe the New Year holidays with a traditional Water Festival, where many believe that splashing water helps to wash away their sins in the heat of the season.
To share the true meaning of the resurrection, Hope Community Center held a special time with the children. We decorated boiled eggs together, using it as an opportunity to talk about the hope and new life that the resurrection brings. We also watched the Superbook animation featuring the story of Jonah, which opened the door to talk more about the resurrection of Jesus.
It was especially encouraging to see newcomers and long-time children naturally blend together, forming healthy friendships and having a positive influence on one another. For all of this, we are deeply thankful.
🏞️ New Journey and Challenges for the R People
The number of friends from the R people group who are relocating to the border villages continues to grow, as they seek a fresh start with hope for a more stable life. However, since many Myanmar nationals have already settled in this area, it remains extremely difficult for newcomers to find real opportunities for work and long-term settlement.
Recently, we met a newly arrived brother through another ministry partner, yet he, too, is facing significant challenges in finding employment and establishing a stable life here.
Ali’s family and Kasim are also enduring many hardships in the midst of the intense heat. We kindly ask for your prayers that they may remain healthy and endure this difficult season well.
Ali’s wife, who suffers from depression, is currently on medication, but she still appeared very frail. Remembering the women in the Gospels who suffered for years and were healed by Jesus, we gathered the whole family to pray together, encouraging them to hold onto faith.
We invited Ali to lay his hands on his wife’s head and chest and pray in the powerful name of Jesus, trusting in His healing touch over her heart and soul.
Please pray with us that Jesus’ mighty name would bring true healing—that their faith would bear fruit, and Ali’s wife would be restored to health and strength to lovingly care for their three children.
📝 Philip' story
Together with Bobo, we have been reading the Gospel of Luke, reflecting on the various teachings and healing works of Jesus. Through this journey, we are sharing the message that salvation is found in Jesus.
As we read the Gospels together, we’ve had the joy of sharing the beautiful truth that Jesus is our Healer, our faithful Friend.
While reading Luke 9, we came across Jesus’ words:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
This verse led me to reflect deeply on my own walk—am I truly living as a disciple of Jesus?
As we continued in our conversation, I asked Bobo if he, too, would be willing to follow Jesus. Although he may not yet fully grasp the depth of what that means, without hesitation, he responded, “Yes, I will.”
It is evident that the Lord is gently opening Bobo’s heart. As we continue reading, now moving into the Book of Acts, I pray that God’s Word will touch the deepest parts of his heart and soul.
Please join us in praying that Bobo's spirit would be awakened through the Word, and that he would grow to become a true disciple of Jesus and a faithful servant of the Gospel.
💕Joan' Story
For the first time in this prayer letter, I’d like to share a bit about Tov and Roi
Like many children of missionary families, they’ve experienced frequent transitions over the past four years—moving across regions with different languages and cultures, even relocating multiple times within the same country. These moves required them to repeatedly adjust. Unlike us, their parents, who chose and prepared for life in a cross-cultural setting, our children face their own unique emotional challenges, including confusion and the sorrow of repeated goodbyes.
Yet, through it all, God’s grace has gently covered their hearts and helped them to grow through the storms.
My precious children, whom I love beyond words, are now 15 and 13 years old. Like many teenagers, they are going through puberty—with all its emotional shifts and a deep longing for a sense of belonging.
As we begin preparing to return to the interior of Myanmar, having completed our season of ministry in a Thai-Myanmar border town, the children have expressed a strong desire not to leave their school in Thailand—a school for missionary kids’ children where they’ve found community and familiarity.
Given the lack of suitable educational options for them in Myanmar, we have decided to let them remain in Thailand. And so, this new chapter begins with one of the hardest steps: preparing to separate with my sons.
According to my team leader's suggestion, we began receiving family counseling to help us prepare for this season of separation and transition in a healthy way.
One of the activities involved each family member choosing an animal to represent themselves and then creating a visual story of our family’s journey. Together, we shaped our path toward the cross and the Kingdom of God.
During the activity, Tov placed a big heart on his father’s back and said,
“This is the burden of love that Daddy carries. It’s for us—and for our neighbors too.”
Roi placed himself behind Mom and Dad, explaining,
“We can’t see Jesus and don’t know Him that well yet. That’s why we look at Him through you, Mom and Dad. We follow your lead.”
Then he added,
“There might be big rocks on our path… and maybe a scary enemy waiting to attack us from far away. But I believe God will install safety bars to protect us.”
Their words brought tears to our eyes. As parents, we were deeply moved and reminded once again: though transitions are hard, God is lovingly at work in our children’s hearts, leading us together on this journey of faith.
🌾 Only God Makes Things Grow
As we prepared to have our children live in a dormitory, we had many conversations together—about how to care for their emotional and spiritual growth, and how they could reach out to us in moments when they especially need Mom amd Dad.
MKs often carry a quiet burden: the belief that their parents’ calling is more important than they are. Many grow up thinking they must always sacrifice, and that this is simply the right thing to do—while silently carrying deep emotional wounds.
Throughout our ministry at the border, we have wrestled deeply with the balance between our children’s lives and education, and our calling to the R people. After many discussions and prayers, we made the difficult decision to live apart for a season. But our children said this clearly:
“Even if Mom and Dad leave Thailand. we know It's not because we are less important than your ministry.”
They also shared that they would rather remain with the community they’ve grown to belong to, rather than move again—and that they feel they may be okay in the dorm, growing with their friends.
Philip and I promised them: if it becomes too difficult, we will not hesitate to return.
Through all of this, we ask and pray that God’s natural and gentle leading will continue to guide each step.
Dear supporters, would you please pray with us—for our beloved sons, Tov and Roi—that they may grow in peace, strength, and grace.
Shalom!
🤲🏻 Prayer...
