Genesis Chronicles

Genesis Chronicles 19/08/2010/82 2230 hrs

2010-08-19T22:17:46Z

To our Friends and Family,

We are back in Chiangmai, Thailand. The children are back in school. John is in 3rd grade, Geoffrey is in 1st grade while Christy is still at home. We’ve been back 2 weeks and in that time we contemplated moving house twice [God answered very clearly “NO”], our outside kitchen got flooded due to the heavy rains, a lot of counselling work to be done, vehicle maintenance so we’ve been checking things off our list. We lost Internet service when our area node was hit by lightning last week and is still intermittent.

Thank God for a hectic but fulfilling time back in Singapore for two months. We were thankful to go for the Galilee church camp and bring along two former students at PYU who gave their testimonies. Many tears were shed as the people listened. Praise God for the overwhelming love and support from God’s people. Thank God we were able to go to Hokkaido, Japan with Pat’s folks. We had visited Japan two years ago never thinking we’d be able to return again so soon. By God’s Divine Providence, we were able to encourage a missionary friend while in Narita. Nathaniel also went to Kenya to teach at an inter-denominational pastors conference on missions and give devotions. In between all that, we tried to meet as many people, friends and family as possible.

Due to the rain, grass, kang kong [convolvulus weed] has been growing tall at the Lighthouse church so it definitely needs a trim. Prince Royal’s College is having revival week and we’ll be there to support them tomorrow. Revival week at Payap is next week. Mon [Jin’s hallmate] came to church and received Christ on Sunday. Aom [3rd yr accounting pyu student] cooked for prayer meeting last Friday and received Christ Tuesday.

So many things happening and opportunities where only God can make a lasting difference…

Just a brief note to let you know we are back in Chiangmai. 10 years ago this month, we moved lock, stock and barrel to an unknown future. No permanent position as Nathaniel’s teaching position had Chiangmai University had fallen through. Only God’s Promise in Genesis 12 sustained us as we grappled with the language, made new friendships and explored. 10 years later, 3 children, 9 years at Payap University, a new church plant called the Lighthouse and many new relationships, we look forward to the next decade. We also celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary together with the kids. Just chatted with a missionary colleague who celebrated his 50th year here. He congratulated me on making it to 10 years and said “I originally came out on a 4 year assignment.”

God’s Promises still hold through. “Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.” Psalms 31:17. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. We are here by God’s Grace. We are now entering our 4th year without a definite salary yet God has still provided. A few of our key supporters weren’t able to help this year but by 1 August, our last Sunday in Singapore, God had moved others to make up the difference. We didn’t expect it nor tell anyone. So here we are.

Till the next time,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 19/06/2010/81 2220 hrs

2010-06-19T10:17:44Z

Our current newsletter is attached. We hope this email finds you well.

God Bless!!

Nathaniel & Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 14/06/2010/80 2235 hrs

2010-06-14T08:39:27Z

Genesis Chronicles 14/06/2010/80 2235 hrs

To our Friends and Family,

Just a quick note to say that we’re back in Singapore after attending the Galilee church camp last week. Thank God for a good break and we’ll be in Singapore till 4 August. However, July will be a busy month so we hope to meet up with as many of our friends and family in the next 3 weeks.

Blessings,

Nathaniel and Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 17/05/2010/79 1517 hrs

2010-05-17T19:11:30Z

Dear Friends,

In the midst of the turmoil here in Thailand, here are a few bright spots.

Enjoy.

Nathaniel & Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 17/05/2010/79 1517 hrs

2010-05-17T19:06:18Z

Dear Friends,

In the midst of the turmoil here in Thailand, here are a few bright spots.

Enjoy.

Nathaniel & Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 27/04/2010/78

2010-04-29T11:11:01Z

Dear Friends and Family,

Attached is a brief update of the past week. Truly God is working and we are just trying to discern how best to follow His Lead.

Blessings in Christ,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Genesis Chronicles 23/03/2010/77 1022 hrs

2010-03-23T10:17:29Z

Genesis Chronicles 23/03/2010/77 1022 hrs

To our Friends and Family,

“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:39, KJV..

We’ve been super tired. But what a week of seeing God answer prayer. Miraculous!

Please check out the attached PDF file for the newsletter.

In Christ's Service,

Nat & Pat

Genesis Chronicles 27/02/2010/76 2053 hrs

2010-02-27T09:08:41Z

Genesis Chronicles 27/02/2010/76 2053 hrs
[PDF version with pictures in the file attached]

To our Friends and Family,

A Happy Chinese New Year to all.

Thank God for a restful Saturday alone with the family. With all guests and visitors gone for the time being, we were able to take the kids to buy some new fish for our fish tank and purchasing doors for the new church. After almost 2 weeks of painting, it was good to take a break.

We had been hosting P’Gade and P’Nat along with baby Matthew for the last month. Thank God for reconciliation with P’Nat’s mother since their relationship soured 1 November 2008 during their wedding. They spent this past week at P’Nat mother’s home.

A week ago Saturday, we took the kids to help paint the new church. Here are Geoff and Christy working on priming the storeroom wall.

We had our 1st prayer meeting in the new church last night. We had a local dinner of sticky rice, chicken and pork. The electricians were finishing the installation of lights and fans so we were actually able to meet that Friday evening. Thank God for providing more than 7/8ths of the total project so far. Nathaniel took the opportunity to remind the young people who came God honoured faith even as our faith honoured God. Sharing from Exodus 35 & 36 about how the children of Israel came with willing hearts to build the tabernacle in the wilderness. They gave willingly and abundantly. Even though we are a small congregation, the challenge from God’s Word is to do what they can, give what they can and trust God to provide. What we hoped would not happen would be the locals just waiting for a “handout” but on the other we cannot expect them to come up with the remaining 500,000 bt because they don’t have it. By God’s Grace, we pray that they’ll do what they can. The b
uilding is to be handed over 11 March and we have promised to pay our contractor what we owe him by that date. This being God’s Work, we know He will provide.

A week ago on Thursday evening, before Nathaniel’s parents returned to Singapore, Nathaniel told the children that we needed to buy toilet bowls and sinks for the church. Holding up 8 fingers to signify $80 from their “ang pows” or red packets, he asked John how much he would like to contribute to the church. John immediately said “all!” Geoffrey also replied “all!” When in came to Christy, she held up 5 fingers. Pat then said that the figure was closer to $200. So we asked again. John and Geoffrey said “all.” Then John asked Christy, “we give all, okay?” Christy said “all!” It was a joy for Pat and myself as we realized our children were also generous.

Mom called up earlier this week to share that they’d shared this incident with a relative and she too committed her “ang pows” to the church building. Praise the Lord!

Lord Willing, our first English camp for children will be held 17-19 March at the new church. If there are any who would like to come help, please let us know. Until the next time…

God’s Richest Blessings,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Church Building Progress and updates: www.lighthousebpchurch.com
Lighthouse Building Project Pictures: http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191
Lighthouse and ERC events: www.erc.gen12.com
Helping Today’s Tentmaker: www.gen12.com
Evangelism Resources: www.greatcontentment.com

Genesis Chronicles 30/12/2009/75 0021 hrs

2009-12-30T00:01:48Z

Genesis Chronicles 30/12/2009/75 0021 hrs

[To view the pdf edition with pictures, please open the attached pdf file]

To our Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year! We’ve had a very eventful Christmas this year thus far. We are in Singapore right now as Nathaniel’s father hasn’t been well. Thank God for His Provision through a friend to make it possible for us to return briefly till Sunday. It was a rush to get to the plane as immigration policy changed again without prior notice. Nathaniel had to rush out of the airport to the other immigration office to get our re-entry permits done. This was something new since our last exit on 29 May. Thank God that P’Gade was around to help and the officials were able to rush the paperwork through. Got back just as the plane was boarding. Most definitely a heart-stopping event.

We ministered to 30+ children in Chaiyaphum by celebrating Christmas there on 30 November. These are part of the 90 children who prayed to receive Christ last Christmas when we first made our trip to Jot Klang village. We were heartened to see these young children coming faithfully after the 1st cell group meeting on 30 Sep. One girl even read through the Gideon’s Bible presented to her. A complete Bible was given to her as a reward. What a great way to kick off Christmas.

We joined the Payap Spiritual & Community life in an all-campus outreach on 8 Dec. This was the first time we had many other Christian groups involved.

Our ERC Christmas party was on 18 Dec after the exams. Thank God for those who came. We had about 20 for dinner and there were 2 new female students from China who have been quite open and exchanging Thai-Chinese vocabulary with our ERC students. Our Thai and Chinese Maejo University students couldn’t come at the last moment.

Christmas Sunday [20 December] at the Lighthouse was rather eventful. All members were present and we had 5 Chinese young ladies who joined us. There was a gift exchange and we went out carolling to 5 houses. We were especially glad to visit Kao Fang’s home and see his mom in her right mind, able to welcome us. When Kao Fang was to be baptized in October, she took a turn for the worse mentally. It was also our first time to P’Apple’s home after knowing her for six years.

Finally on 25 December, we celebrated Christmas at P’A pple’s village in Wat Jed Yod. We had originally intended to do a Christmas Party at the site of the new church. However, things weren’t fully ready so the Lord gave us a new venue. In P’Apple’s recollection, no church had ever done an outreach in her neighbourhood. We had at least 50 people come for free food, raffle for free gifts but there were those that responded to our brief sharing of what Christmas is all about. Praise the Lord! What a Christmas Celebration. We’ve never celebrated Christmas like this ever before. Next to the piano was the family spirit house complete with incense burning to keep away the evil spirits. Here we were sharing that if Christ was Lord of their lives, they wouldn’t have to fear evil spirits again. May the Love of Christ enter this corner of Chiangmai and the truth of give light to these folk.

Will end here for now.

God’s Richest Blessings,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Church Building Progress and updates: www.lighthousebpchurch.com
Lighthouse Building Project Pictures: http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191
Lighthouse and ERC events: www.erc.gen12.com
Helping Today’s Tentmaker: www.gen12.com
Evangelism Resources: www.greatcontentment.com

Genesis Chronicles 26/11/2009/74 0000 hrs

2009-11-24T19:08:01Z

Genesis Chronicles 26/11/2009/74 0000 hrs

To our Friends and Family,

A Happy Thanksgiving! Cold Weather has arrived! Water is finding its way to our home’s water tank. We had run out since morning. It happened also last Tuesday. What an inconvenience, but when I think of those currently facing the current cold snap, we are still blessed.

No showers but the good ol’ bucket method from our drinking water.

Thank God for the safe arrival of the Singapore Life church team consisting of English service pastor, future Missions elder & wife, one new deacon, one future asst. pastor, one missionary and one youth leader. We picked them up from the airport Sunday. We stopped at a traffic light and our van refused to go into gear. Pushed the van to the side of the road. Hailed a songtaew [red car] and sent the team to the Karen Baptist Youth hostel. Had a quick family dinner to celebrate Pat’s birthday and rushed to greet the end of Gade and Apple’s graduation ceremony. What a Sunday.

Thank God for the loan of another van from the mechanic. Felt that a pick-up would have been more fitting. Since when do “foreign labourers” arrive at a worksite in an air-conditioned van. On Monday, the combined Thai-Singaporean team split into 3 groups after a morning’s hard labour. One group continued at the church worksite, another group went to harvest rice and a third group did campus ministry.

Our General Contractor commented that never in the local context would we ever see a pastor or elder toiling under the hot sun tying steel rods together before pouring concrete for the floor of the men and women’s toilet. I smiled and said, “we’ll talk later…” Needless to say, we must have been a source of amusement and bewilderment to the local labourers. After 20 days of construction, the foundation has been laid. Work is going smoothly. Check out the progress and updated pictures from the link below.

Pat is stiff from carrying water and selling pies at school to raise funds for the Philippine Relief fund for John’s 2nd grade class. Aof and Parn will be graduating this weekend.

Just a quick one

God’s Richest Blessings,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Church Building Progress and updates: www.lighthousebpchurch.com
Lighthouse Building Project Pictures: http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191
Lighthouse and ERC events: www.erc.gen12.com
Helping Today’s Tentmaker: www.gen12.com
Evangelism Resources: www.greatcontentment.com

Genesis Chronicles 6/11/2009/73 1157 hrs

2009-11-06T19:19:42Z

Genesis Chronicles 6/11/2009/73 1157 hrs

Greetings to our Family and Friends,

We sent our van in to put in extra seats and was pleasantly to find out that the shop owner’s daughter was a former student and she sent me home.

Thank God for a safe ground breaking service. That’s not an understatement. Details are at www.lighthousebpchurch.com. If God were not present, we would not be where we are today. Pictures of the Building Progress and the Groundbreaking ceremony http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191.

We also had our 1st church camp with the theme “Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.” We had 6 Thai campers excluding our family and visitors. Rev. Philip Heng came taught on the book of Ephesians. We had a very blessed time together even though half our members couldn’t be there. Such is the level of spiritual warfare here plans were made by all to be there but that wasn’t the case.

We also had our 2nd baptism service. We were very happy to receive Gade’s wife Nat into membership of the Lighthouse. We were also happy to baptise Kao Fang who received Christ a year ago.

After all this, we were happy to take a short break as a family. In light of the Lighthouse Building Project, we decided to have a holiday at home. We took the children elephant riding, riding a bullock cart and rafting down the Mae Taeng river. John and Geoff took a turn at driving the bullock cart. It wasn’t as easy as it looked. We also went fishing at the lake, a first for the kids. The bait kept disappearing because the fish kept nibbling at the bait but were too small to go for the hook. Anyway, we had a great time as a family.

Thank God we received the building permit on Monday and the foundation of the new church is being laid. And we are entering a busy 2 months with teams arriving, God Willing, we hope to celebrate Christmas and our 3rd church anniversary in the new building.

More to say but this for the moment.

Blessings,

Nathaniel & Patricia

Church Building Progress and updates: www.lighthousebpchurch.com
Lighthouse Building Project Pictures: http://gallery.me.com/charissaheng#100191
Lighthouse and ERC events: www.erc.gen12.com
Helping Today’s Tentmaker: www.gen12.com
Evangelism Resources: www.greatcontentment.com