Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand! I can’t believe it’s already been two months since I arrived here. A lot has happened during this time, and I’m excited to share some updates from my second month in Thailand. I’ve been spending several days each week with the congregation, building relationships and getting to know everyone better. Every Wednesday, we gather for food, worship, and community, sharing how God is working in our lives. It’s very similar to small groups back home and has been a meaningful part of my week Last week, the church began setting up Christmas decorations. Everyone came together to prepare for the upcoming Christmas service in December. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well, so I missed being part of the decorating team this time around.
Another highlight has been the Friday night Gideon classes. During these sessions, Pastor Tor leads the congregation through a specific topic, and everyone takes notes. It reminds me of how teaching was done in the past, where the priest would guide and the congregation would listen and learn together.
Visa Update I’m also thrilled to share that my visa has been renewed, and I plan to start Thai lessons in early December. This will be a huge step forward in connecting with the community and understanding the culture even more.
ESL Update After discussing plans with the leadership team, we’ve decided to postpone the start of the ESL classes until the new year. While this might seem like a delay, it’s the right decision. December is a hectic month for the church, and we didn’t want to add extra pressure during the holiday season. This extra time will also allow me to focus on building relationships with the congregation, which is important in Thai culture, where community always comes first.
New Partnership Finally, I have some exciting news to share! Earlier this month, I connected with a local leader from For Freedom International who has big plans for an ESL program. She is highly respected by local pastors and the congregation at Seed Church, and I’m looking forward to partnering with her to expand the impact of ESL in the region. This feels like a significant step forward for the work we’re doing here. Thank you for your prayers and support. I’m excited to see what God has in store for the months ahead!
With gratitude,
Tyler
