Dear Family & Friends

Culture Corner

This past month we've learned more about marriage in the Thai culture. Dtaum, 24, who was on staff at Home of Hope, was talking to a man, 39, on her cell phone for a period of three months. We teased her and asked her if she was going to marry him. She said they weren't close, he was dark skinned and not good looking; that he was just a friend that had gone to Bible school for one year with Visanuk. The next thing we know, he is coming to visit. While visiting, she still says the same things and when they are together, they don't even appear to even be friends. Riding in the truck with him, he says they have to go buy things for their wedding. We talk to her, Visanuk and her sister, May, and they all say they are not sure they are getting married. A couple of days later, we are told Dtaum's father had set the wedding date. We think that it was an arranged marriage because Dtaum did not seem excited at all. Visanuk said this is often done in Lahu culture.

One of Neill's former English students got married recently. I was surprised to see her a few days after her wedding. She said her husband was going to work in a city near Bangkok for another year and then come to Mae Sot (a six hour trip by car), while she remains here for her work. It seems that Thai's very seldom have honeymoons directly following their wedding day and they often continue living their lives as they did prior to marriage, at least for a while.

Diana's Delights

Six years ago George Butron, the area's missionary, told me that he envisioned me walking while saying, "Good morning" to everyone on the street. Remember that, George? One month ago, I started walking to work in the mornings for health reasons, but also to meet people and understand Mae Sot better. Each morning I talk to store owners and others who like to practice their English on me. So now the shop owners greet me by saying, "Good morning" and I try to greet other people on the street, too. It's a wonder feeling; I love it! So George, it came to pass, thank you!

We are becoming involved with FFW (Foundation for Women) which helps women (ages 12+) avoid trafficking and get out of bad situations they don't want to be in. Neill teaches English to the person in charge and she showed me their offices and safehouse here in Mae Sot. The first woman to arrive for help was beaten and abused so badly that she would scream when she saw a man and would sometimes start to strangle the person closest to her. She would just go crazy. She has calmed down a lot and is getting psychological help and physical healing. I pray that her spirit will one day be healed and she will know Jesus as Lord and Savior. When I visit her; I hold her and hug her. FFW is going to partner with the Oasis by sending some of its women to be trained at the Oasis and obtain job skills. FFW will help the women to get jobs, education and training, as needed, so they can re-enter and contribute to society and support themselves.

Nonglak, Mo and Wichai (kids from Home of Hope) got baptized last month! It is always exciting for us when there is a baptism, especially if some of them are our kids.

Recently, we have discussed with them what they will do following graduation from high school. Nonglak wants to be a doctor, Baan an English teacher, Samchai a doctor, Issamoei a missionary, Wichai a doctor, Nana & Pagaa Bible teachers, and Mo a teacher. We would like to start saving money to help them with their post-high school education. If you are interested in helping with this, you can send a check to The Creek Church and write in the memo or in a note: H of H Higher Ed. The money will be set aside in a separate fund for this purpose only.

Neill's Notes

Intharakiri Road is one of the two main one-way roads in Mae Sot. There is parking on both sides of the street and we were pulling out from our spot from the left side when a motorcycle with two teenage girls bounced off of the driver's door and into a parked car on the right (the driver sits on the right over here). We had our blinker on, were pulling out slowly and BAM!! We were both shocked! Neither one of us saw them coming. We called our insurance guy, he called the police and we waited. We ended up having four or five policeman there and the head honcho talks to the girls, to our agent and then promptly declares us at fault, even though we were already in the middle of the road and they were speeding. He didn't even bother to look at our truck or reconstruct the scene of the accident. He saw a truck—the truck is bigger than a motorcycle, so the truck is at fault; he also saw a white person—the richest person involved in the accident is at fault. Quick and easy solution; no fuss, no muss. Everyone gets their vehicles fixed through our insurance and we get to pay a higher premium. At least no one was injured.

We just returned from getting our physicals in Bangkok and we are doing well. Just need to watch our "indicators." When you get older, you will understand what that means. Neill will go back in June for an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, since he has never had either one.

That about wraps up another month here in Thailand. Let us know what you are up to. We would love to hear from you. If you have any prayer needs, please feel free to share those, too. We are partners in this and we appreciate all you do for us. Email us at ndgthai@hotmail.com.

REMINDER: For churches that send our missionary support to FMI, please use the following address:

Foursquare Missions International

P.O. Box 26776

Los Angeles, CA 90026

Love, Prayers and Blessings to you,

Neill & Diana

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot