Dear Family & Friends,

What has been happening in your part of the world? We really would like to know so we can keep up with what is going on in your life. Several things have happened here that we would like to share with you.

We got our new visas and Neill kept his work permit in order to teach English in the government schools and keep relationships with the two schools where he teaches. We had to get a different visa, which is actually much simpler and easier to get than our other one, because we did not have a certificate or diploma of any kind stating that we are English teachers. The rules were changed to keep out pedophiles, most of whom come under the guise of English teachers. When we went to turn in our work permits, the lady said that now our visa and work permits are separate and if a school wants us to teach English, we can do it if we have a work permit. Now it is easier for us to teach in the schools!. Go figure!? We praise God because Diana does not have to teach English, Neill can teach less time at the schools and it is cheaper and easier for us this way. Please pray that they don’t change the rules again by next year. ;>)

The week we were to go to Bangkok and get our documents for our visas some Thais chose to block the main road into Mae Sot with their large grain trucks. People smuggle (bribe customs people) rice and corn from Burma into Mae Sot and it is stored until the price is right for them to make big money on it. The prices then never get high enough for the local Thai farmers to sell their crops for a profit, so they decided to bring attention to the problem. The road was blocked for 4 or 5 days and was opened the Thursday night prior to our scheduled Friday morning bus to Bangkok. So we thank God again for allowing us to leave as planned.

A few days after returning from Bangkok the tuk-tuks, songtaeows and motorcycle taxis were not around the market or the Oasis where they normally are stationed. We found out that they were upset with the Burmese bringing in van loads of people to shop in Mae Sot and it was cutting into their revenues because the vans would pick up people in Mae Sot and take them back to the border when they had room. The strike lasted 3 or 4 days and I am not sure if anything was resolved because the vans are still taking all the parking spaces in the area (and there aren’t that many spaces to begin with).

The government seeded the clouds in Tak Province to help with drought and fire control as the people are doing their annual ‘forest burning’. Because of the seeding we had a thunderstorm with lightning Tuesday night and there was a huge BANG which shook our house for a few seconds around 10pm. It woke a lot of people up – May, who works at the coffee shop, said she unplugged everything and even shut her cell phone off because she was afraid. Always some kind of excitement in Mae Sot.

More and more people are coming to the Oasis asking about English classes. We don’t have enough teachers to teach during the school break and that is when the greatest need is. Neill is teaching two adults now and will be teaching a class of 6-8 people beginning in April. Mike Arter is helping out by teaching a similar sized group of youth. We also have a Burmese Christian lady, Morning Glory, who teaches English at the Oasis. If you want to come and help out with teaching English (very easy curriculum – anyone can do it) as well as the other ministries here, please contact us and we will help get you on your way to Thailand!

School is out!! The next term will begin in mid-May but for now the kids have time to have fun. They went to a clown/illusionist show in Mae Sot. Mike Arter is the clown/illusionist and Pagaa assisted him on stage, while the other kids got to enjoy the show with the rest of the audience.

We finally have a new couple to help Rachen and Bee with caring for the children at Home of Hope and then Rachen met with us a few weeks ago and told us he felt he needed to evangelize and start a church in the Mae Sot area. They will rent a house in Mae Sot as they step out into their new adventure. We wish them well and thank them for their hard work caring for the Home of Hope children for almost 3 ½ years. The new couple are Visanuk and May. They are Thai-Lahu and we can see already how much they love the children. They are both graduates of Bible School and he has a license to drive a truck, also. We now need to find another person or couple to help them, so please pray for that.

Please let us know how we can pray for you.

Blessings & Prayers,

Neill & Diana

Your partners in Mae Sot