I tell you that what you do for the least of these you do unto me…..
What does service really look like? What does serving in a Christian school as a missionary in Thailand look like? It is showing up every day with a heart ready to reach ready to love and show grace. It is adjusting to the curriculum they choose to use and teach. Early mornings and late afternoons, it is showing up when you are tired, even when it feels hard or that you couldn’t possibly make a true difference. Making a difference doesn’t always look like changing anything it means being available, doing what is asked of you.
Making a difference looks like little feet running to you each morning to greet you as you walk to the classroom. It looks like repeating words slowly and carefully as they learn to speak English. It is bringing up God’s love and the gospel at every opportunity. It doesn’t feel big or seem important but just as the seed sprouts a little at a time a difference is being made.
A gentle spirit and a humble heart. That is what missions in a school looks like. Choosing to love and share your heart and life with other people, vastly different from you.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.
Lord I am trusting you. You have called us here, and I will choose to dive in deep. To let go of my pride and my expertise. To be as Paul and know nothing except Christ and him crucified. That they might know him and his love for them.
Jessica Weir
Jessica sends me these beautiful testimonies or prayers, and they always make me stop and think about our time here. She really is the rock in the storm, an anchor helping this family continue to serve day after day. We know we are supposed to be here. We can see God’s work every single day. Every day, His will for our lives is affirmed. Every day for the last THREE MONTHS!
That is right! We have finally passed the three-month mark. Our entry visas have expired, and after a long trip south and a long wait at the local immigration office, we are all officially here on one-year visas! Jessica, the kids, and I always say it feels like we have been forever. I never really know what motivates this expression. I don’t know if it comes from a place of weariness, or maybe it is starting to feel a little more like home. Maybe it is a bit of both since we all seem to be sprinting at all times while here. Always something to do, someone to talk to, or late-night card or badminton games to play. Each day we are stretched, and each day we grow.
Time really does seem to fly by. Alright, it has been a few weeks since out last big update, so lets see what we have to share to the world!
Preaching moved to next week
Thank you all for your prayers. For reasons that were not given to me, Manorom has pushed my sermon until next week. Maybe God knew I needed a little more time, as things have been hectic around her. The message is now squarely with Pastor Ben and Pastor Kyle for review and biblically sound edits. I think about it most days, and though my stomach remains butterfly filled, I know God will take the reigns and ensure his message is heard.
Jessica is a Doctor
Alright. Well, maybe not yet. But she has started her doctorate program through Liberty University and has nearly completed her first week of assignments. We are so proud of her for chasing this lifetime goal all while making such a large impact here at Manorom! I simply can not wait to be called Dr. and Mr. Weir soon!
Please pray for her as he balances so many requirements, and pray that she will find rest and peace through it all!
Somehow Jessica is now public relations too?
That is correct. You read that right. Jessica has been asked a few times now to write a blurb for a school post. Seems like an odd extra duty, but alas, here we are. Her latest was helping with a kindergarten post that was simply adorable. You can watch it here!
Manorom Church is expanding
For two weeks, the church has had to either cancel the service or relocate so that they could extend their building to accommodate 40-50 extra people! Praise God! The church, which hosts three different languages, continues to thrive despite being surrounded on all sides by idols, temples, and pagan religions. It is so encouraging to see the church’s growth. There is even talk of finding a new location to build a new church because the current building and its expansion capacity are maxed out.
Please pray for the church and its way forward. Please pray that they continue to grow and, when needed, have the ability to expand.
Sports equipment incoming!
We have written the appropriate donation letters to the school to transfer a large portion (20,000 Baht) of your donations so they can get a second ping pong table and update their basketball goals. With over 150 students, there is simply not enough recreational equipment for them to use. We all know how many relationships are built through sports or athletics, and we hope these contributions will help students build friendships and provide more opportunities for staff-student interactions outside the classroom. No pictures yet! Ordering things and getting them put in place seems to take a hot minute!
The school is working on some really big goals of its own as it expands. The front office has provided a few more items that they need but simply do not have the budget for. This includes additional computers for the computer lab, an electronic bulletin board to promote upcoming activities, and a new projector screen for the main auditorium, where they hold their assembly and chapels! For our supporters, I will keep the financial disclosure rolling so you can see where your money is going!
Madelyn has picked up guitar.
Just a few weeks in learning with one of the teachers after school, and she is already performing in front of the whole school! We are very proud. She really has a talent for rhythm and tempo!! You can watch the video below!
A little break
Jessica planned an amazing weekend getaway for all of us. We went north to Nakon Sawan and stayed at a very cute “resort-lite” location. The weekend was full of very yummy food, fantastic hikes, mall shopping, and our first movie theater experience here in Thailand! Don’t worry, the movie was in English. We saw Toy Story 5, and it was amazing! As always, please enjoy the slideshow below showcasing our adventures!
Our tiny homes. We had to get two since we travel with just sooo many people. 
Right before what was classified as an “easy” hike. Guys this thing was straight in the wilderness over jagged rocks and steep cliffs. 
Taking a moment of peace. 
A cute little shop that we thought was just for morning coffee. Turned out to be one of the best breakfasts we have had in Thailand. 
Wherever we go, Aiden will find a water feature!!! 
Weird attractions here! This was just a small farm with no one around but the coffee stand attendant. We dropped baht in the jar and fed these shabby looking sheep to our hearts content. 
The little one came straight through the fence. 
Straight asleep in the floor after a long day at school! 
You got a friend in me!!! 
Our first Thailand movie! 
One of the best breakfast here in Thailand. And yes, there is no real “breakfast” here. They eat the same things at every meal. 
Words can’t express the happiness of finding a great sandwich shop here when everything seems to revolve around rice! 
Aiden’s class uses my sermons in Chapel and Assembly as their vocabulary words!!! 
The first “long” story Jess and I could read in Thai.
First term is almost over
Please continue to pray as we are in the “home stretch” of the first term. You can see a bit of fatigue in all of us as this job remains very demanding as we fight for the education and the souls of these children. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read and remaining in our lives. We miss you all so very much.
I would like to leave you all with a video of Franklin, our local Godzilla, who is just casually walking through our school grounds!
whereyoulead.blog 
Leave a comment