At the end of January, we had an US-Korean vision team of six that came to visit Thailand for the first time.  Their mission is to visit some ministries in Thailand and see God's guidance in their possible involvement.  The Korean missionary couple rented a van and all nine of us headed north to Chiang Rai to visit a hill tribe church out side ot town. I came along as an interpretor and amateur tour guide.

Three hours later, we reached the Ahka Village that has a new church building for this hill tribe people.  This picture is taken from the top floor of their new church.

As we were getting out of the van, we were greeted with a welcoming dance by some of the tribal women.  The lady with the drum is the pastor's wife.

The pastor from a Korean church in Hawaii lead in praying for the local church.

We also prayed for the elderly and the sick, trusting God for complete healing.

Pastor Pichai and his dear wife, Chanida are very happy about their new church building sponsored by a church in America. Church services will be held upstairs while the Pastor and his family will have a nice house downstairs.  I have translated for this Pastor a few times and understand his heart for his people to know God's word. Most of the young people know the Thai language and can read and write. While the other people use only their tribal language.  He is teaching them to read and write the Ahka language so that they can understand the Bible.
Thank you for all of you who support my work in Thailand with your giving and your prayers.  You help me make a difference to people all around me who have never heard the saving power of The Lord Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to an exciting new adventure in 2013.  I have moved from being a volunteer teacher at Grace International School to being a Grace Parent, with my daughter attending the 10th grade.  Now, I have day time freedom to do volunteer work in the Thai school where our orphan girls attend and also continue with helping the work with the indiginous churches in Thailand. There are currently seven churches in Bangkok, Pattaya, Korat, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai that I serve in translating and interpreting for the pastors.  Praise God for such a privileged service.

New beginning and a new start for my youngest daughter, Alyssa who came to Thailand this January to be with Mom and continue her high school education at Grace International School.  It was a brave decision for her to leave all familiarities and venture out to be a missionary kid in Thailand!  She is learning Thai, interacting with the girls at the orphanage and teaching them some English.

Beside the new life with Mom and the Thai girls at the orphanage, Alyssa also started a new adventure in feeding abandon dogs.  We could not have any dogs at the center due to health reasons. So,we would go on the motorbike as often as we can and find dogs in remote places, to do what we can for them.  Some dogs were living in the fields on their own as a pack.  Others were living out in the woods or on the streets.  Most of them were very weary and afraid of people.  They did not want to get near us.  But this one brave puppy came close enough to touch. This is just anothr new start of caring for dogs that Alyssa is passionate about. 

Forty Kilometers away from Chiang Mai City, we drove up to a small Hmong village of a far side of a mountain.  Our destination is a little school of 400 students, kindergarten to grade six located at the top of ot the mountain.

After many winding turns, we saw shacks and houses where the Hmong hill tribe people live. we continue to climb to get to the school.

As we drove up the road, we saw a sign that says, "Jesus is the Judge of the World"  Evidence of missionary work that started evangelism here at some point.

When we finally reached the school, we were greeted by a few kindergarteners at recess.  The precious Hmong children are dressed in their tribal attire each Friday of a school week.

The purpose of the visit was to continue to build support and relationship with the school in order that we may soon go into the classrooms to share Jesus with the students in teaching English . Tell them about God's love through puppet shows, music and drama, being able to conduct church service in the school assembly.