Dear All,
 
After many weeks of preparation for travel Mike left the States on March 4th. Thankfully, all of his documents were in order and the entry procedure into Thailand was uneventful. After a two-week mandatory quarantine, which included two COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, he flew his final flight up to Chiang Mai. After an 11-month absence the reunion was awesome!
 
Please pray for the situation in Myanmar which remains dangerous for the people there. News has come to us that some relatives of some of our Christian friends there have been put in jail. Mike will be unable to travel to Myanmar and teach in the two Bible Colleges and one church due to the unrest and the high number of COVID infections there. We praise God for the many decisions for Christ in Myanmar, at the border and within Thailand itself!
 
We ask for your prayers for our health and safety while we are apart. Debbie remained in the States this time to help out with caring for grandchildren. So she is holding down the fort!
 
We reached our goal of $22,000.00 for the youth camp project in Northern Thailand, the construction of a kitchen/dining hall/chapel building. Any extra funds donated will be used to furnish the building and pay for any overage in the estimated cost. We know that since we started this project that steel for rebar has increased in price in Thailand.
 
Thank you for your faithful and generous support of our ministry in Thailand! Your contributions are an extension of your love for the people of Southeast Asia! And your prayers for us are tremendously vital!
 
Blessings,
 
Mike and Debbie

Dear All,
 
On Monday evening, February 15th, Mike received final approval (Certificate Of Entry) from the Royal Thai Embassy to return to Thailand. All requirements have been met with the exception of a COVID RT-PCR test which has to be done just before departure. Two weeks of quarantine are also required upon arrival in Bangkok before traveling up to Chiang Mai.  Your prayers for a safe and uneventful journey are coveted.
 
We both received our second COVID vaccine injections last Saturday and we are doing great!
 
We urge you to continue praying for the situation in Myanmar. The demonstrations are growing and the atmosphere is very volatile. Mike's teaching and preaching plans there have been put on hold indefinitely. We just received a grant from I.D.E.S. to help with displaced Karen tribal people inside of Myanmar where they are hiding in caves and wherever they can in the jungle to find some semblance of safety. A big "Thank You" to I.D.E.S.!
 
Thank you for your support of our ministry in Southeast Asia! We have raised now over $20,000.00 for the youth camp project, a kitchen/dining hall/chapel facility. Thank all of you who have contributed to this!
 
Blessings upon your service in His Kingdom,
 
Mike and Debbie

Dear Family, Friends and Partners of Thailand Mission,
 
Under normal circumstances we would be sending e-mails like this at the end of each month along with our monthly newsletter. But we felt the urgency of sharing some news with you now and we thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.
 
First, on a positive note, since first sharing this need in November 2020, we have received just over $19,000.00 through January 2021 toward our youth camp construction project which is a kitchen/dining hall/chapel facility. More funds are forthcoming so we are elated with the response! In fact, we just received the commitment of another $1,000.00 making a total of just over $20,000.00!
 
We also want to say "Thank You" to every church, group and individual who has faithfully partnered with us throughout 2020! It has been a challenging year, especially in light of the pandemic, and yet you have been so faithful to give, even beyond what we could ask or imagine! We know some churches and individuals have struggled financially, but you who are able to continue giving, have faithfully given in 2020 showing your passion for global missions! You have not only started in "Jerusalem" (locally) but have fulfilled the Great Commission to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)! Many of you have been faithful supporters for many years, and we are grateful to you. And we truly appreciate those who have joined us along the way in more recent years.
 
May we share an urgent prayer concern: On February 1st there was a military coup in Myanmar (Burma). Mike has been teaching there for the last several years in Bible Colleges and churches. We are saddened by this event coupled with a surge in Covid-19 there. We are not sure what the immediate future holds as far as teaching opportunities but please pray for our precious Christian brothers and sisters there.
 
We have received our first COVID-19 vaccine injection and will receive the second one on February 20th. Mike is also now making preparations to return to Thailand in early March. He will still be required to quarantine for two weeks in Bangkok, purchase travel medical insurance, test negative for COVID prior to departure and obtain a "Fit To Fly" certificate from his doctor. He has already started the process and has received pre-approval for his return to Thailand from the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. We covet your prayers for his plans to proceed smoothly.
 
Again, thank you, everyone, for your heart for ministry in Southeast Asia!
 
May God bless you,
 
Mike and Debbie

Dear All,
 
This month marks 40 years since Mike's first mission journey to Southeast Asia, traveling to Thailand, Burma and India! Since then, God has allowed us the privilege of serving full-time on the field 24 years.
 
We always thank God for His provision for the needs in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand! There are two needs at hand: raising additional needed funds for the kitchen/dining hall/chapel building at our Christian Camp in Northern Thailand. We have raised $10,575.00 of the needed $22,000.00. We thank every donor for your generosity! A second need is finding sponsors for three of our children at Berea Home. If you can and would like to sponsor a child, please e-mail us and we will send you the details.
 
Thailand continues to surge in new Covid-19 cases but the number of total cases and deaths remain small. There are still a number of restrictions in place that make it a challenge to return. Mike has decided to wait and get the COVID-19 vaccine before returning. This may allow his entry into Thailand somewhat less complicated. Please pray that both of us can soon get the vaccine.
 
Thank you all for your financial and prayerful support! We are able to continue serving in this ministry in Southeast Asia because of God's grace and your faithful generosity!
 
Please stay safe and healthy!
 
May God Bless You!
 
Mike and Debbie