First week down of the first term, and what a blessing it has been. Where to begin. The kids have adapted so well to the start of school. They travel in groups of kids and always seem to be talking to someone new. It has been a blessing to behold. They have officially started Thai language classes again, and Madelyn and Jessica each have been taking Duolingo Mandarin so they can start communicating with the Chinese boarders here at the school. Having kids around again has been a sweet reprieve from the quiet. The laughter of kids and the constant request to go outside and play again have been so uplifting.

Weir Family Adventures

We continued exploring our surroundings and even went on a small staff retreat to Pattaya, where the Weirs fully embraced the tourist lifestyle and took a boat tour to three islands in the Gulf of Thailand. We jumped off the boat and swam, snorkeled, and even had wild monkeys climb all over us. Yep, wild monkeys jumped from person to person as they were fed various fruits and vegetables!! We also visited Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, which offered a mix of attractions, including plants, animals, Egyptian pyramids, and a large collection of very impressive dinosaur statues. Seriously, look this place up, it’s crazy. We also celebrated our first full week of school by visiting the Chinat Bird Park (luckily only about 20 minutes away), a place that we might frequent often, as it has a massive waterpark inside featuring, I think, a knock-off of Optimus Prime. As with kids, we have also added to our pet count: Aiden has secured a fish tank and is diligently seeking exotic fish to fill it.

Starting our new roles

Jessica and I are slowly settling into our new roles, taking in the realities of what it means to be here. Jessica is having a wonderful time getting to know her kids. She is doing an amazing job setting the tone for the year and building relationships with her children. I love listening to her talk about her goals and how she can reach each student. She praises God for how smoothly the first week went, something she was not expecting.

I am officially serving as the school’s Chaplain, and what a blessing it has been to get to know each of these students through small talk or simply being around. The students are still getting adjusted to a new environment and new staff, but the ice is starting to thaw, and they are becoming more relaxed and willing to talk about their lives. It is incredible how much care the teachers show here for the students, taking a real interest in all aspects of their lives and not stopping at formal education. As a chaplain, I hope to be there to support the already amazing work of the staff and maybe even offer relief to the missionaries as they give their whole selves each day to their mission.

I pray lord for wisdom and understanding. I pray that in a moment of need, I will set aside myself and lean on your strength. Lord, these students want a sheperd, and I pray that we all can show them your light.

I had the honor of leading the first week of devotions, my heart constantly going out to James as we navigate what it means to be a true believer. I thank my small group for challenging me through daily struggles when we recently studied James, and for providing so many unique experiences and viewpoints that I was able to share this week. The people here are so hungry for the word of God. James 1:23-25 warns us not to look into a mirror, walk away, and forget who we are. From the devotions and the small discussions I get to have with these teachers throughout the day, each of them has a heart for God. Each of them takes what they learn into their mission field each day. They do not forget who they are.

Now for some praises!

Thank you all for your prayers. God has provided and shown himself in so many ways. Each and every day, our mission here is more affirmed.

Aiden is starting to mature in his faith. I am sure one day he will read this, so to not embarrass him, I will just say that I have seen great strides in him, starting to worship and even leaning on God for strength. I had to stop singing in church as I was getting too choked up listening to him truly worship God in song. It had been so long since I had heard him sing.

The car. After much debate on our way forward, communication with the owner, and waiting for details from the garage, the verdict is in. The car is in working condition! The staff has been a blessing. One of the more challenging parts was registering and obtaining insurance. I was researching and preparing for the process when we casually found out that the staff had done everything for us. They even paid upfront for everything so that it could be done quickly and trusted that we would pay them back. I thanked them profusely, and the simple message I received back was, “God prepares for you and your family.”

Smooth Transition. Though there are anxieties, this first week has been shepherded by God. Every aspect has been smooth, fulfilling, and uplifting.

A Prayer Request

The last few weeks have given us a lot to think about regarding the needs of this school and its students. The school is doing a delicate balancing act between providing quality education, retaining staff, and improving facilities while maintaining affordability for local families. They are doing an amazing job, and we would love to help more. While Jessica and my core mission remain intact, our vision has expanded to a more holistic view of the school and to keep these kids in a location where they can hear the gospel every day.

Please pray diligently for the financial health of this school and for the meeting of all needs for the staff and students, so that we can continue to create a welcoming and warm environment.

Announcement!

We are beginning conversations with churches to explore potential support for the school’s rapid growth and mission. If you know of a church, organization, or person actively seeking mission giving opportunities, please pass along our information. We would love to talk to them about the potential here in Thailand. Thank you all for your love and support!

Until next time, here is a picture of a monkey on my head… because why not?