Merry
Christmas
I pray that each one of you is having a Blessed Christmas season and
getting to spend time with Family and Friends.
It is an exciting time of year that seems to always bring out the best
in people. It is strange getting ready
for the holidays in a country that does not celebrate Christmas. Without
the change of schedule it is hard to really feel in the Christmas Spirit. Yet it is not the feeling or the lights and
decorations that make Christmas Special.
I find that over the last few weeks I have focused on what the real
reason for the season is.
It has been a really busy year with a lot of change taking place. I moved to Thailand in August of this year
and started studying the Thai language.
I am really enjoying it which is a surprise for me. I am very blessed that God has given me an
enjoyment for studying Thai language and culture.
The change has not just been for myself but for my family as well.
Martha was accepted as an appointee with OMF to serve in Taiwan. She is hoping to head to the field February
of 2015. At present she is still working
on her Bible courses but is going to be done shortly. She is still working at the Bob Rumble Centre
for the Deaf. I am so proud of her
abilities and desire to serve those that society has overlooked.
Mom is still working a lot of hours with her clients doing accounting
and bookkeeping. She is also serving
with my dad in the church. Mom is of
course also busy being a huge support to Dad, Martha and of course myself. Even from a distance she has been an amazing
encouragement and strength for me.
Dad is still pastoring at Peel International Baptist Church. This keeps him very busy with so much going
on, especially at this time of year. The
church is going well and getting busy for the Christmas season. There is always so much happening. Dad is also been a great support for me
helped me through this change over the past few months.
I am so grateful for my Family this year. I also thank God for so many great friends
that have supported and encouraged me over the past months. Please pray with me that I will be able to
raise the required funds to bring me back up to full support.
Merry Christmas to each one of you and May God bless you each day in
the New Year.
Jen Oates
Praise
-
I am enjoying my
Language Study more than I expected
-
God provided
-
My arrival in
Chiang Mai went well and I have been made to feel very welcome by those serving
here.
-
I have a House,
Cat, Transportation and Language School
-
Language study is
going well.
Prayer
-
For the
required financial support to come in to bring me back up to Full Support. This is the major prayer item on my mind
right now.
-
For friendships
with others to grow.
-
For my language
skills to increase and that I will gain confidence.
-
That God will
guide me to the ministry that He has planned for me.
-
For emotional strength
as I miss my family and friends back home.
Thai Culture Lesson
(This is going to be a regular
section to show you a bit of what I am learning)
The Thai people don’t celebrate
Christmas but they do celebrate New Year’s.
My thai language teacher is only closing the school for Christmas Day
(no students were going to come anyway) but it will be closed for 3 days to
prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
The Thai New year is celebrated in April with an even bigger event.
Thai Language Lesson
(This is going to be a regular
section to show you a bit of what I am learning)
khɔɔ hây mii khwam sùk wan Christmas
May you have peace on Christmas (Merry
Christmas)
lɛ sà wàt dii pii mày
Hello (Happy) New Year
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