Nathaniel's Graduation Slideshow

4th Anniversary of beginning ministry in Thailand

Scott Family - Missionaries to Thailand

It is hard to believe that it has already been 3 1/2 months since returning to Thailand for our second term.  March was the 4th anniversary of our first arrival here in Thailand.  April was the 6th Anniversary of us being approved as Special Services Missionaries, and was also the 7th Anniversary of us becoming missionaries with the Assemblies of God.

Our first term was filled with exciting new adventures.  We started of the TLC's children's ministry, taught ESL to 6 neighborhood Thai children for a year, taught ESL for 4 months to a college student heading to the US, built and started the TLC Java (Coffee Shop Ministry).  We also worked on 9 different projects including; building 1 church and 3 dorm rooms, as well as 3 church expansions or remodels all while attending full-time language school.  It was an amazing and fulfilling first term and we are so grateful to so many of you who participated in prayer and giving in order for our family to make a difference here in Thailand.  You are the most important part of Team Possible - and for you we are incredibly grateful!

Nathaniel's Graduation

Congratulations Nathaniel!

Nathaniel D. Scott  Class of 2012

  Upon arriving back to Thailand, our family received some difficult news.   Nathaniel was denied his request to attend Grace International School and graduate with his former classmates.  We didn't have many options, so we contacted the school that Nathaniel attended in Forest Lake during his Junior year to ask if he could be granted a diploma from their institution even though he hadn't attended any of his senior year.   Thankfully, Nathaniel was granted this request.

Presenting his senior friends with a gift

The North Lakes Academy graduation ceremony took place in early June, but Nathaniel was unable to attend.  Knowing that there was no possible way for Nathaniel to make it to the ceremony, our family along with Cheryl's parents hosted a graduation ceremony and reception for him.









 The evening began with Nathaniel recognizing his senior friends by presenting each of them with a string of beads.  .

Natalie and Nathaniel

We all watched a beautiful video presentation of Nathaniel through the years, created by his sister Naomi. (We'll try to add it to our blog for your viewing.  Naomi did a great job!)


 


 

Tom Miyakawa

 
We were blessed by humorous and encouraging  words given by one of  Nathaniel's favorite teachers from Grace - Mr. Tom Miyakawa.

It was a joy for Troy and Cheryl to be able to be the presenters of Nathaniel's diploma and class ring.

"as Valedictorian of my home school class..."

 The evening was topped off with a delightful and humorous speech from Nathaniel.


It was a full night of celebration, laughter and tears with some very dear friends.


In August, Nathaniel and Cheryl will be returning to the US to make the transition from life at home, to dorm life.  At that time, we would like to hold a graduation celebration for Nathaniel.  We will give more details as the time draws near.  If you wish to send a card, please mail it to 7606 214th St. N., Forest Lake, MN 55025 -  He will get them when we arrive in August.

  


 Nathaniel has been accepted to North Central University this fall and is planning on becoming a High School music teacher.  He was awared 2 scholarships, $5500 - Academic Honors and $2500.00 - missionary child.  Would you -please pray with us as Nathaniel waits for notice on grant amounts.  Nathaniel's desire is to have no debt when he leaves college.

Airport Palooza

 This last month has been one of great joy welcoming new friends as they arrive in Thailand for the first time, as well as tears of sadness, saying goodbye to friends who have become very dear to us.

Pastor Darrin, Jayne and Bethany

 The other day our family counted 9 trips to the airport in less than 30 days, and 13 times since we first arrived.

River Valley Team

2 teams coming and going, Cheryl's parents, and several friends leaving Thailand - kids graduating, and missionaries leaving to share with supporters all about their experiences here on the field.

Saying goodbye to Cheryl's parents. 

Even though it is hard to say goodbye, we are so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of so many peoples lives - even if it is, in many cases, for only a short time.

We absolutely LOVE what we do and are blessed to cross paths with so many people who love Jesus and are willing to do ANYTHING for Him, including traveling around the world to help people they don't even know.  We are so honored to do what we do and look forward to many more years of helping teams have a powerful experience here in Thailand! 

EVERYONE WINS

"From the Planes to the Fire"

The first day on the ground we try to help team members become familiar with their surroundings, as well as keep them awake in order to get adjusted to the time change as quickly as possible.

We give our guests opportunities to learn how the local transportation works, enjoy local snacks and foods, and take a peek into the religious acts of a Thai Buddhist.

This day gives newcomers an opportunity to feel comfortable with their surroundings and their new hosts.

When the day is over, people are tired but smiling, grateful for their experience.

In a race, there can "technically" only be one winner, but here in Thailand - learning how to get around, enjoy tasty food and learn about another culture...everyone wins!

If you are interested in coming to work with us here in Thailand in either a short-term or long-term capacity, please contact Troy at troy.scott@agmd.org.

Prayer Requests

Thank you so much for your prayers. We are blessed by your continued commitment to us!

1. Pastor Wiripong and the new Chiangrai Akha Church plant that started in April.
2. Future teams and workers to come help with our ministry. The field is plentiful but the workers are few.
3. Troy - as he prepares for the 6th grade equivalency language test in the fall! This is an extremely difficult test and will take many, many hours of preparation.
4. Determining the route of education for Naomi and Natalie this coming school year.
5. Our family as we prepare to leave for Cambodia for Asia Pacific Meetings
6. Cheryl and Nathaniel as they plan to leave for the US in August to prepare Nathaniel for college.
7. Nathaniel as he is awaits scholarship and grant awards to see how much of his college will be paid for.

1st Akha Speaking Church in Chiangrai

Troy had the wonderful opportunity to be at the Grand Opening of the first Akha speaking Church in Chiangrai, Thailand, this past Friday. It was incredibly special for him to be able to watch this dream come to fruition. Pastor Wiripong was one of the first tribal pastors that met with Troy and began sharing his dreams about reaching the Akha people, something they both had a heart for. Pastor Wiripong started a church in an Akha village several years ago, and Troy was blessed to bring a team in to build it's first permanent Church structure in that village. Two years ago, God began to use others to encourage Pastor Wiripong to start a church - in Chiangrai. Chiangrai has the largest concentration of Ahka speaking people in all of Thailand.

Pastor Wiripong, also Akha, began his ministry about 14 years ago. He felt the call on his life and left his small village in order to attend Bible School in Bangkok. Once completed, he returned to North Thailand to start churches in Akha villages. He has started at least 5 Ahka churches and works with many others.

The Chiangrai Assembly of God Grand Opening had around 60 people and was standing room only. We can't wait to see what is in store for Pastor Wiripong, Chiangrai and the Akha people!

Nathaniel Graduates this month

For many years, people have been asking us, "Where is Nathaniel going to graduate?" Our family had always intended on having Nathaniel attend Grace International School (GIS) here in Chiangmai, for Nathaniel's senior year, allowing him to graduate with his classmates at Grace. This is the same school that Nathaniel attended during his 9th and 10th grade years, so he has established many terrific friendships. Our family was unable to make it back to Thailand until the end of February of this year - halfway through his senior year. GIS has a policy in place, that we were unaware of, that states every graduating senior must attend their entire senior year or they will not be permitted to graduate. Because Nathaniel was unable to attend this entire school year, he is unable to graduate at GIS. When we heard the news, we contacted North Lakes Academy (NLA) - the school that Nathaniel attended his Junior year in the states. In explaining our circumstances, the principal was very sympathetic and said she would take it before the board. We are thrilled to report that Nathaniel is being granted a diploma from North Lakes Academy, Forest Lake, MN. He has enough credits that he no longer has to take classes, and has the ability to spend quality time with his friends before they all depart back to the states for college. Unfortunately, our family will not be able to return to the states for the graduation ceremony, so we have decided to host a private Graduation ceremony for Nathaniel on April 27th at TLC center, here in Chiangmai. Thank you so much for all of the encouraging words and prayers that we have received since all of this began back in February. We are truly blessed!

Hitting the ground running...

After only a week of being here in Thailand, we hosted team from Wadena, MN. We had been planning and preparing for the team for a little over a year - but from the U.S. As time grew closer for us to leave for Thailand, so did plans for the team from

Wadena.

The project: 2 classrooms, an office, a storage room and a kitchen at Pastor Prasomsuk's Maneenorporat Church. There weren't any rooms to have Sunday School while church was going on. The children were meeting outside, under a tarp next to the church.

We had one week in country to prepare for the teams arrival. Drawing up plans, ordering materials, gathering all the tools. It doesn't sound like much, but when you are dealing with jet lag, in a country where you can't buy all the items under one roof, you still don't know all the names for things, products are different, or they don't tell that it is a special order item until you arrive to pick it up and they don't have any...it can make things just a little more complicated. Even through all the ups and downs, when the team arrived - we were ready and excited to get started.

The team arrived late on Tuesday March 6th, and by Wednesday night they had traveled around the city getting to know the transportation system, bartered with the locals learning how to handle Thai money, as well as learning a little about Buddhism and Thai culture.

On Thursday, the construction began. They built a two-room addition to the church as well as finished a kitchen area, office area, and storage area. With some extra funds and a little extra time, they decided to throw in a new platform.

During there time here, they also had an opportunity to do ministry at a new school that had been started by Pastor Prasomsuk. They played red light, green light, taught American football, blew bubbles with the kids, and as a part of the lesson had water balloons thrown at "Goliath" (Caleb Monson) with the kids pretending they were "David". The team also had a chance to go to the new Hope House dorms and paint the Living area and bedrooms for the girls.

We are so grateful for such a wonderful group of of people who sacrificed so much to come and minister here with us!! We can't wait until we have another opportunity to work with people like these! Please pray for Team Possible as we continue to host teams and work towards sharing Christ's love to the Thai people!

TEAM POSSIBLE

Plans for Departure

It's getting close!!! Only 8 more days until we load up on the plane to leave for Thailand. We will leave at 4:00am for the airport and depart for Thailand at 6:50am on Monday, Feb. 27.

Our last few months have been filled with meetings with pastors, dinners with family and friends, pre-packing, preparing for our sale, speaking in churches, homeschooling, and a lot more that I just can't think of at this moment.

This last weekend we had our huge moving sale (Thank you Sue, Melanie, Angie, Lori, Jean, Stephanie, Kent and Don that so willingly gave up their personal time to help us either before or during our sale, and to all the ladies in Troy's family who helped clean up after the sale! We couldn't have done it without you!) The sale helped us move about 75% of our household items, plus our van. Thankfully, we have some good friends that are allowing us the use of one of their vehicles for this last week we are here. It has been an incredible push for our family to try to accomplish so much in such a short 2 1/2 weeks and are amazed by all that we have accomplished. Clearly, only by God's grace and goodness and some awesome family and friends! :)

Last night our we had an opportunity to get together with Troy's family one last time before we leave the country. It is so nice to have family (on both sides) that are supportive and understanding of all that we go through as missionaries.

This next week will entail boxing up the remaining items that did not sell and donating them, packing - and listing all of the items that are coming with us to Thailand, as well as repacking and making lists of all of the items that are being stored at a friends while we are away.

It is going to be very busy this coming week. We continually are being attacked and we would really appreciate your prayers during this transition. (ie; Computer Hard drive crashed DEAD!! - - lost some really important e-mails - we had backed up everything except e-mails a little under a month ago, Troy's truck broke down - also a complete loss, denial of Nathaniel to be accepted at his school in Thailand in order to graduate with his friends (long story and under appeal)). I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point.

Please pray for:

1. Packing process - smooth - and quick (and for helpers)
2. House clean and ready for renters/sale.
   
3. Opportunities for quality time with friends these last few days.
4. Last of the monthly and cash funds promised to come in.
5. Smooth flight and transition...no sickness on the plane this time! ;)
   
6. Quickness in getting over jet lag.
7. The ability to prepare properly for a team coming in beginning of march.
8. Our living room furniture to sell
9. Our home to rent or sell to the RIGHT person.
10. Nathaniel's acceptance into Grace International School (if it is God's will)

We are so honored to have you on our team and pray that God bless you as you continue to encourage and lift up our family!

Love to you all!

The Scott Family

GREAT NEWS!!!

Our itineration cycle of raising support is almost over! We just got news from AGWM that we are officially at 98% of our monthly support needed. We only need approximately $150.00/month in new support. We do have several people that have committed to give but have not yet sent their money in, so please keep them in your prayers that they would be able to follow through with their pledges. Though we have enjoyed our time here among friends and family, it is time to move towards the next chapter God has in store for us. Thank you to all of you who have stood by us through first term and our time here in the US!

Our support base and prayer networks are growing and we expect great things to come! We have applied for our visas and we are drawing closer to the day we can buy our tickets. In order to purchase tickets, we are still in need of $15,000 which covers airfare, visas, travel in country, moving expense and initial living expenses for our family of 5. Please continue to pray as we are needing this money to be sent in to AGWM by the end of this month. The price of tickets are steadily increasing, so the sooner we can buy the tickets, the better.

If you are interested in what we will be doing this next term, please feel free to read What's Next on our Blog.

We so appreciate you and are grateful to be your hands to the people of Thailand!

With much love,

Team Possible

The Scott Family