Dear Family & Friends

Diana's Dilemma

The building that houses the Oasis and the pharmacy next door has been sold to a person from Bangkok and at the end of this year they will raise the rent from 7,000 baht to 10,000 baht per month. We believe and have been told by several people that the Oasis serves many people who live and visit the Mae Sot community. Please pray with us about the situation; whether we are to keep it open or close it and also how we will get the extra funds to continue running it if we decide to keep it open.

Culture Corner

Please remember that when I discuss Thai culture, I am not saying it is good or bad or that any other culture is better. I am only trying to help you experience some of the culture that I find different or strange or that you may find interesting. That said, I would like to share some of my experiences with public restrooms in Thailand. First of all, not all stores and restaurants have public restrooms and sometimes they are difficult to find, so you need to learn where they are in case you have 'an emergency'. One of my first eye-opening experiences was at a movie theater. The top half of the entry door was see through glass and the urinals were the first thing in sight. Besides that, as I was standing at one of the urinals, the cleaning lady came out from one of the stalls. My first thought was I had walked into the ladies room but then I remembered what I was standing if front of. She just went about her business of mopping the floors, etc. A second incident was at Bumrungrad Hospital where the restrooms had TV's with full-length movies showing. Anyone have any thoughts on this? A third encounter was when we stopped for gas, 7-11 and a toilet break. There is a small building for toilets, both men and women's, and behind the building are the urinals, which are in full view of anyone coming around the sides of the building and people 'walking their dogs', or whatever. Once again the cleaning lady is there with her mop.

I have noticed more recently that the 'view' to most of the urinal locations at these places has been obstructed by shrubs or new walls. A small cultural change among several others we have seen.

Diana's Delights

We were privileged to visit the Foursquare church in Phitsanulok and visit with the pastor and his family. He told us if he had more trained leaders, he could easily start two new churches. He also has a vision to build a guest house on his property for visitors and especially for hosting pastors' conferences and seminars. He told us when the Home of Hope kids graduate high school they can stay with him and help with the church, be discipled and learn more about the ministry while attending school in Phitsanulok. They have several schools there, including one for nursing.

I saw a few more doctors, this time at a different hospital and the spine specialist agreed with the chiropractor's assesment that osteoporosis has caused my upper back to 'hump forward', which in turn causes my head to be too far forward and so my neck muscles are pulling to bring my head back above my spine. This is causing my spinal cord to be severely stretched and inflamed, which brings about pain throughout my whole body. I have been going to therapy and will continue exercises for this at home. I feel really good with no pain for the first time in 10 months.

Neill's Notes

I was happy once again to present the GPA awards to our Home of Hope kids. They get money and/or prizes for being in the top 10 of their class and for showing improvement. It has really encouraged them to try to do the best they can in school.

I think my competitive basketball is over. I have broken and dislocated fingers on my right hand (and still cannot completely close it) and I had some kind of foot injury that took five or six weeks to heal, so I finally took the hint and am trying to find something else for exercise. I am thinking of bicycling. The Mae Sot churches are having a football (soccer) tournament so Visanuk and the three oldest Home of Hope boys and myself will be on the team along with Pastor Dear, Moses and other youth and church members. It should be a lot of fun.

Prayer Requests

• We thank God for answering your prayers concerning Diana's health problem. We cherish your continued prayers for our good health and safety.

• Pastor John, his wife Sarah and their two boys, Gift and Got.

• Pastor Dear, his wife Dtay and their son, Dew.

• The Home of Hope children, Visanuk, May and their son Mot, along with May's mother and father, who have come to help. Pray for the funds needed to finish the Home of Hope building so that it can be completed, once they begin construction again. We have not been receiving enough funds to meet the Home of Hope budget and seriously need to get the new building finished.

Once again we thank you for partnering with us in Thailand. We would love to have you visit individually or with a team. We could not be here without your prayers and financial support.

Love, Prayers and Blessings to you,

Neill & Diana

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot