Learning Thai

OK, so learning Thai has been a lot of fun. You can't really see the board in the picture, but our Beginning Teacher Khruu Too (pronounced kroo dthough) is writing words phonetically on the board for us.

Thai is a language that uses symbols for its written Language. Leaning the symbols will be difficult and will take a lot of time. So, someone years ago, using mostly English letters, created written letters for Thai phonetics. However, there are some sounds that are in the Thai Language that the English language doesn't have, so those are letters we've never seen before.

So, in the process of having to learn to read the written form of phonetics, we also need to speak, and write so the teacher can evaluate if we are understanding what we have learned. Below is a picture of Khruu Too trying to hold back a laugh while trying to read what I (Cheryl) wrote. I drew a picture to try to explain what I meant - but it obviously didn't help. :)

Even though the lessons are VERY difficult - we have enjoyed our Thai class very much. Khruu Too speaks very good English and has done so much to help us at the market, teaching me (Cheryl) to cook Green Curry & Garlic Chicken, some of our families favorite Thai dishes, as well as interpret for us occasionally. She has become a very good friend and is a new Christian as well. We have had many opportunities to share and encourage her in her faith! We pray that we may have many more!

HELLO from Thailand!!!

Hello From Thailand! We are thrilled to be writing our first blog from Chiangmai, Thailand. There is so much to say, but I will try to summarize and show pictures (which many times is better than words!!!)

In March, our family received a warm send off from our home church Maranatha Assembly of God in Forest Lake, MN. It is so wonderful to have so many special people in our lives and to have such a wonderful covering and church family. (Sorry, we don't have any pictures - but would like some if someone has some to share!) :)

Here is Troy, Nathaniel and Naomi on the plane

preparing for take off! Yahoo!!

Cheryl and Natalie - Ready to GO!

So, during the flight, Natalie slept almost the entire time - which was great for Cheryl, because only hours after this picture was taken, Cheryl got extremely sick, and was sick for the rest of the trip!

Here are the kids watching our plane arrive that will be taking us to Chiangmai!

We Arrived safely, with all of our boxes - only one had a hole in it with a couple of things missing! No problems in customs either!

Wow it's HOT!

And I'm tired!

We are loving being here in Thailand! We will try to write as we are able. Not sure when we will be able to have internet. Things don't go as quickly or as smoothly here as in the states! :)

We miss you all - keep in touch

Blessings,

Team Possible

Team Possible Scheduled to Depart!!!!

WE DID IT!!!

Team possible is on their way to Thailand!!!

Thank you so much for all of the prayers our behalf these last SEVERAL of months. Just 7 months ago Team Possible had raised only 33% of their budget - and now has finally reached 100%!!! What a MIRACLE!!!

PRAISE YOU JESUS!!!!!!

We are so thankful to be where we are, and have just one small obsticle - we still need a little over $3500 in our cash fund, (which covers airfare, visas, moving expences, travel insurance and the first couple of months living expenses!) It WILL happen - we just know it! We have seen God move incredible mountains on our behalf – and we are overwhelmed with His goodness!

We just purchased our tickets and are scheduled to leave on ........................ Tuesday March 11 at 9:35pm.

Things to pray for:

1. our visas to come through right away
2. acceptance for our kids into the school in Thailand for next year
3. sanity and organization during the packing process
4. for ability to have time with family and friends before we leave
5. to not forget anything!!!!! (I can tell we aren't as young as we used to be - the memory is slipping!)

Thank you for all of your prayers, support and encouragement! !!!! It has meant the WORLD to us!

We look forward to writing from THAILAND! Hope to hear from you as well!

TOGETHER WE WILL!!

Team Possible's Newest Update

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - for all of the prayers that you have sent heavenward on our behalf these last SEVERAL of months. They are being answered even as we speak.

Just 6 months ago Team Possible had only 33% of it's budget - and now has 92%!!! Can you believe it? What a MIRACLE!!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!!!!!!

We are so thankful to be where we are, but we're not there yet! We still need $480/mo, along with a cash fund of only $17,300 (which covers airfare, moving expences, travel insurance and the first couple of months living expenses!) All of this needs to be accomplished by January 31st!!!! It WILL happen - we just know it! We have seen God move incredible mountains on our behalf – and we are overwhelmed with His goodness!

If you would, here are some specifics if you would continue to pray for us

1. The walls that the enemy has put up will continue to be toppled. He does NOT want to see us succeed.
   
2. That Pastors will continue to answer their phones , or get back with us right away so this process will be swift, and that the lie the enemy keeps telling pastors that there are "too many missionaries in Minnesota" would be stopped. The same God that called us is the same God that will provide the finances – we just need individuals and churches willing to step out in faith.
   
3. That the finances would come in right away for churches and individuals to commit and give to us monthly. Time is of the essence!!! We have only one week to get the remainder of our support in!!!
   

TOGETHER WE CAN