February 2012 e-newsletter Dear Family & Friends Hooray!! Thank God for answer to prayer! For four years we have come against many obstacles concerning the construction of the new Home of Hope building. For the past year or so, it has mainly been to receive the finances needed to start and complete the building. A couple of weeks ago we were told that all the money needed to complete the Home of Hope has been donated by someone. This couple came with a team three years ago and since then have gone through their own battles with cancer. But even with their own struggles and financial situation, they chose to give the needed funds! This is truly a gift of love for our children here. This couple will be returning with a team this February and be able to see the children again and hopefully see the start of the construction. The construction engineer was to sign a contract last week which means he will have until the end of May to complete the building. He has to move his people out from the land first so we are hoping and praying that the team will be able to see some progress on the building and know that this time it will continue to completion. It has been a long four years but everything is always in God’s perfect timing. There are so many others of you who have prayed and given toward this project and we really appreciate each of you! Once they move into their new home, the staff and children will then be able to prepare and use their land across the street to raise vegetables, pigs, chickens, fish or whatever they are able to, to help offset food costs. What they don’t eat themselves, they will be able to sell and they won’t have any rent to pay. It is all coming together so that they can be as self-sufficient as possible in the future.   CULTURAL CORNER We have gotten through the ‘world’ New Year’s day, the Karen New Year, the Lahu New Year and the Chinese New Year. Only one left—Thai New Year—which will be April 13-15, otherwise known as Songkran. Something I find interesting in Thailand is when the police catch criminals, they take the criminals back to the scene of the crime and have them re-enact the crime. They have policemen, the criminals, camera crews, bystanders and others all there watching.   DIANA’S DELIGHTS Thank you for the wonderful Christmas the Home of Hope kids were able to have. They each received a new set of clothes (shirt/top, slacks/skirts, socks & shoes). We also had a gift exchange and a Korean BBQ. They love Korean BBQ! I had a Burmese lady knit sweaters for all the girls while Neill got the guys sports stuff.   NEILL’S NOTES Please continue to pray for the Home of Hope staff, they are looking for a couple to help them take care of the children. Diana still has her neuropathy problem but not as much lately. She also is suffering from philonexia and has been for quite some time. Those of you who google ‘philonexia’ will find this to be very true. We want to thank you again for being our partners in ministry. If not for your prayers and generosity, we would not be able to be here to help Pastor John, the Home of Hope kids, the Ban Gao Church and others in the Mae Sot community.   Blessings and Prayers to you, Neill & Diana Tree and Gifts Home of Hope, the staff and us Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Receiving new clothes Brand new purple shirt Gift exchange Diana with girl at Korean BBQ Neill eating at Korean BBQ Korean BBQ

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Your December newsletter from Neill & Diana Gilbert. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. December 2011 e-newsletter Dear Family & Friends, This is the time of year for Christmas letters telling what has happened over the past year. We will only be covering the past 6 weeks. If you have missed any newsletters this year, you can find them on our website. CULTURE CORNER We had a special worship service in Ban Gao to coincide with the ‘harvest holiday’ in Thailand. Pastor John came with some of the members from the Mae Sot church and gave the message. The service was followed (of course) by great food and fellowship! The five oldest Home of Hope girls got a special treat. They went with us to Tak to go shopping in the new Big C and Tesco Lotus stores there. Big C is like K-Mart and Lotus is like Wal-Mart. We have a small Lotus in Mae Sot that sells mostly food but there aren’t any other large department stores. DIANA’S DELIGHTS It’s also that time of year here that the Christmas Carolers make their rounds. We had a group of young girls from ELPIS lead by the Philippinas last Sunday night. They were wonderful and sang many songs in English, Thai, Burmese, Karen, Spanish (Feliz Navidad) and the Philippinas sang one in their language. The Friendship Bridge between Burma and Thailand is now open. We were able to be there to see the first Burmese come across, the first vehicle to cross to the Thai side and the first foreigner to go to the Burma side. A lot of media were there to talk with the Minister of Foreign affairs and his entourage. This should help business pick up in Mae Sot and now foreigners can make their visa runs in Mae Sot again. NEILL’S NOTES A couple of weeks ago we joined Pastor John and some of the Mae Sot Foursquare Church members to deliver four pickup loads of goods for flood victims in Nakorn Sawaan and Lop Buri. We left at 5:30am and were back home at 10pm, helping about 300 families. In Lop Buri it was especially devastating with the flood over 3 meters (10 ft) high and washing away many, many homes. They had temporary shelters (tents) set up along both sides of the main highway. The flood victims were very grateful to receive blankets, cooking utensils and other things they lost in the flood. Please continue to pray for them as the waters have not receded completely. There are many people who are suffering around the world with natural disasters and financial problems but this is an opportunity to reach out to them with the message of Christ, especially at this time of year. So we want to wish you all a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and a "HAPPY NEW YEAR" and thank you for your prayers and financial support for us and the Home of Hope kids, too. We couldn’t be here without your support and who knows where the children of Home of Hope would be. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Love & Prayers, Neill & Diana Your ministry partners in Mae Sot If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address: Neill & Diana Gilbert c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church P.O. Box 13 Mae Sot, Tak 63110 Thailand If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church" and mail it to: Lynette Rohde c/o Monticello Foursquare Church PO Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Churches and pastors who send their support through FMI, please use the following P.O. Box to expedite the processing of your gifts to us. FMI P.O. Box 26776 Los Angeles, CA 90026 www.foursquare.org Temple and Grounds Underwater Neill giving Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Lady Di with kids Harvest Offering Young Carolers 1st person from Burma side Friendship Bridge P. John giving Tents There were homes along here  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Gilbert Thailand, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for Thailand newsletter from Neill and Diana Gilbert. Our mailing address is: Gilbert Thailand P.O. Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Your November newsletter from Neill & Diana Gilbert. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. November 2011 e-newsletter Dear Family & Friends, CULTURAL CORNER We had the pleasure of officiating a Lahu wedding in Ban Gao, where the groom gave his life to Christ prior to the ceremony. The ceremony was held in a village house with family and friends, followed by a special lunch which included lop (raw, marinated blood pork with seasonings mixed in). They also served it cooked. We were guests at another Lahu wedding later in the month with this ceremony being more of a western culture style wedding with white dress and white suit and held in a church. It was scheduled to start at 10a.m. and started only 40 minutes late. They also had a special meal following. A few years ago we had been guests at a Lahu wedding where they dressed in their traditional clothes and had two friends stand up with the bride and groom in the Ban Gao Church. Quite a variety. DIANA’S DELIGHTS Dr. RaymondMooi from Malaysia held a three day crusade in Mae Sot where about five or six thousand people attended. There were hundreds of  healings and salvations. A Buddhist monk had no hearing for 20 years in his left ear was healed and could hear again; Somyot’s (boy from Home of Hope) mother received Christ as Lord and Savior. We have a Bible Study on Fridays with friends who own a restaurant and the wife became a Christian at the crusade, too. During the crusade they had a traditional Thai dance from the Issan area except the words were changed to have a Christian message of how God loves us, Christ came to die for us, how He will come again and that we all need to repent and be ready – so beautiful. We thank God for all the miracles and we want to thank you for all your prayers – God is answering them.   Hooray!!The roof is on the Home of Hope! This is what is needed next: $10,000US for the walls; $20,000 US for plumbing, steps, doors, windows, toilets, water tanks and kitchen; $2,000 for electrical work (total=$32,000US). We have half of that already and need another $16,000US to finish the building to the extent that the children and staff can move in and live there. Just by moving in, their expenses will be cut by almost $500 per month. Slowly but surely and with God’s help, we are getting there.   NEILL’S NOTES I helped the Philippinas and a YWAM team with an English Camp at Don Gaeow School and then the team visited Ban Gao one evening where they shared God’s Word through testimonies, song and drama. They were a good group and a lot of fun.   Pastor John is starting a Bible School once again in Mae Sot. That was the original purpose for our coming to Thailand. We asked what we could do, so I will be teaching some courses for him, Diana will share at various times and he has asked us to help raise money for this worthy project. He is starting this on faith because this is what he has heard from God. We need to raise money for food, drinking water and electricity for the students. At this time there will be about 15 students, both men and women, who will stay on the church grounds while studying. Pastor John says that if we don’t teach the younger generation now, they will be lost and the church will not grow and bear fruit. We don’t know what the total costs will be yet but please pray about it and obey the Holy Spirit and everything will be covered. The school is starting Nov 14 so this is all happening on faith.   We pray that you are in good health, safe and a blessing to others, Neill & Diana Your partners in ministry ndgthai@hotmail.com  www.gilbertthailand.com www.homeofhopethai.org    If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address: Neill & Diana Gilbert c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church P.O. Box 13 Mae Sot, Tak 63110 Thailand   If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church" and mail it to: Lynette Rohde c/o Monticello Foursquare Church PO Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311   Churches and pastors who send their support through FMI, please use the following P.O. Box to expedite the processing of your gifts to us. FMI P.O. Box 26776 Los Angeles, CA 90026 www.foursquare.org YWAM Team at Ban Gao Bull with Feet in his Food Church before Wedding Guests Attending the Wedding Groom & Bride Walking Down Aisle Couple Saying Vows Crowd at Crusade Matthew & Maam Samyot and his Mom  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Gilbert Thailand, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for Thailand newsletter from Neill and Diana Gilbert. Our mailing address is: Gilbert Thailand P.O. Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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March 2011 e-newsletter
Dear Family & Friends With so many natural disasters continuing to happen around the world, it is sometimes difficult not to get discouraged or depressed about things. The Bible talks about things like this happening in the end times. We need to be ready when Jesus comes to meet us in the air and that is where our hope lies, with Jesus. We pray that no matter what your circumstance is right now, that you have the joy of the Lord and that you are encouraged by our newsletter this month. Diana's Delights We go to have steak on special occasions at a certain restaurant in Mae Sot. We have gotten to know the owner and have found out he was a Christian but he said his family kept telling him he was a bad Christian for various reasons. Over the past couple of years he has gotten to know us and has openly talked about his faith and his family. We are encouraging him to come back to serving the Lord. A couple weeks ago he came to our table and gave us a bunch of money and said, "Here is my tithe. I feel I need to give a tithe but I have no where else to give it to, so I want you to use it for your children (Home of Hope)." Please pray that he will continue his journey back to God. We really enjoyed our time with the team from the Heartland District and we want to express our deepest gratitude for the way they served the Thai people. Some of them almost didn't make it because of the huge snowstorm that hit the day they were supposed to leave the US, but God got them all here safely. They loved the Hill Tribes, Home of Hope kids, ELPIS School, working on the church building and the warm weather. Everyone was excited when we visited a Karen village that had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ before. It is such a great feeling when God uses you to bring His light into the darkness. The Home of Hope children and staff want to thank you so much for praying and giving toward the Home of Hope building project. During the last 4 weeks we have received all the money we need to put the roof on. It seems as though God only wanted two floors because right after we had decided to not build the third floor, the money seemed to pour in! Praise God—now we need to pray for the next phase of getting walls, smoothing, paint and plaster = $24,000US. This is higher than the amount mentioned in a previous email. Pastor John told me that all building materials have gone up between 10 and 30 percent! We have just found out today (Mar 18) that on one Sunday a Heartland District church has raised almost two thirds of the money needed for the next phase of construction. Neill's Notes I held my first funeral service in Thailand for a missionary friend that passed away here suddenly. He was not sent by an agency and we didn't have any family references handy but eventually with the help of some friends, we were able to contact his family and pastor. It was quite a week dealing with the Thai police and the hospital—another learning experience to say the least and another plunge into Thai culture. After his death, neighbors near his apartment told the landlord they had seen Shane walking in the street at 2am so we were asked to do a Christian ceremony to get rid of any spirits (They said that a pair of his shoes that were thrown away also came back to sit near the entrance of his apartment). We told them we would do that so we went and prayed in and around the building and they would do their Buddhist ceremony later. We discovered that we knew his landlord and he and his sister helped us tremendously in dealing with the police, hospital and other things. It's a good thing we had a good relationship with him for almost seven years. The Ban Gao church had its first paint job in over 10 years. The people are very excited that someone cares enough to help them make the church look nice. Please pray for my language learning as I am trying to teach and preach in Thai. It does not flow smoothly too often but they understand, they help me and they are very patient. We were privileged to be able to attend a Ralph Moore seminar on making disciples and church planting in Bangkok. It was a lot of great teaching, learning and fellowship with people from various countries and with some friends we hadn't seen for a while. Prayer Requests Pastor John, Sara, Gift and Got Pastor Dear, Dtay and Dew Diana's health—complete healing for chronic health issues Other missionaries in Thailand and around the world If you have a need that we can pray for, please email us and let us know. We will join you. Peace, Joy, Blessings & Prayers, Neill & Diana Your missionary partners in Mae Sot ndgthai@hotmail.com www.gilbertthailand.com www.homeofhopethai.org If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address: Neill & Diana Gilbert c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church P.O. Box 13 Mae Sot, Tak 63110 Thailand If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church" and mail it to: Lynette Rohde c/o Monticello Foursquare Church P.O. Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Churches and pastors who send their support through FMI, please use the following P.O. Box to expedite the processing of your gifts to us. FMI P.O. Box 26776 Los Angeles, CA 90026 www.foursquare.org

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February 2011 e-newsletter
Dear Family & Friends We would like to thank you for praying for us and the Thai people. We and the ministry here are so dependent upon you for this. The following is from the Global Prayer Digest: "1 Samuel 20:23 'May the Lord make us keep our promises to each other, for He has witnessed them.' Those at home never know just how much the missionaries overseas truly rely on their promises to pray. Even when they are sent out to work with a national church, missionaries still have problems of loneliness and culture shock. But when they go to an unreached people, they enter into situations where they are invading Satan's previously unchallenged territory. He will attack them in many ways beyond the expected culture shock. If those at home who promised to pray for them do not keep their promise, some of these missionaries may experience severe defeat in their personal lives or public ministries. But earnest, continual prayer can make the difference. Dear Lord, help us who stay to recognize how vital we are in the battle for the unreached. Teach us to Pray!" Diana's Delights We are so glad to be pastoring and discipling the church in the Muser village of Ban Gao. We have known the people in the church there for over six and a half years now. We love them and being in the mountains. This past Sunday we had our first communion with them; it was very special. We will be gone a couple of weeks from the mountain as we have our team to take care of but in the mean time, the members of the church are going to repaint the church. It should look really nice when we get back there. Please pray for Nalaa and her extended family. There has been some sickness going through their livestock. Ten small pigs and now about ten of their chickens have died in the past couple of weeks. These animals are their livelihood and this will set them back quite a bit financially. Two weeks ago, the sow and piglets were sick and dying. We prayed for them and the sow revived within an hour but the little ones didn't. Praise God for their breeding sow being OK. Neill's Notes Visanuk has put in posts, strung barbed wire and wrapped screening around the boundaries of their new farming land. They have also hauled some good soil for planting crops onto the land. The plans are to plant vegetables and to have a pond for raising fish and/or make a place to raise pigs. There is a pond on the land that they will use for water but they can't enclose it because only half is on their land. They are excited about this as we are because it will help save money on the food budget and it will also teach the children skills about raising crops and animals. One picture of the land show the land when bought it. The one with the dirt is from the same spot and angle, looking diagonally across the land. Another is across the pond with the land lying to the right (beyond the house in the background you might be able to see the unfinished Home of Hope building). The other is the opposite diagonal view from the one when we bought the land. Prayer Requests The midwest team here from the 5th thru 15th of Feb. The Home of Hope building to be completed. Direction and guidance for Diana. The new job skills training program. Pastors John & Dear and their families. Encouragement and growth for the Ban Gao church. Traveling safety good health and protection. Peace, Joy, Blessings & Prayers, Neill & Diana Your missionary partners in Mae Sot ndgthai@hotmail.com www.gilbertthailand.com www.homeofhopethai.org If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address: Neill & Diana Gilbert c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church P.O. Box 13 Mae Sot, Tak 63110 Thailand If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church" and mail it to: Lynette Rohde c/o Monticello Foursquare Church P.O. Box 1356 Maple Grove, MN 55311 Churches and pastors who send their support through FMI, please use the following P.O. Box to expedite the processing of your gifts to us. FMI P.O. Box 26776 Los Angeles, CA 90026 www.foursquare.org

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Dear Family & Friends

We hope your Christmas was merry and bright—we know for several it was very white! We pray this new year will bring you much contentment and peace as you grow in your relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. This past month we have been caroling, having community outreaches, the church Christmas party, Home of Hope Christmas party and the church's New Year's camping outing, as well as teaching at a seminar, attending a seminar and visiting our friends in Ban Gao Village as well as hospital and home visitation of people who are ill.

We have also been praying for a while about what God would have us do in this next part of our journey serving Him. We had several options: 1) return to the US 2) go to another country 3) leave Mae Sot to start a church in another part of Thailand 4) stay in Mae Sot with a different ministry focus. After much praying and deliberation we feel we are to stay in Mae Sot but with a slightly different ministry focus.

1. We will still oversee the staff at Home of Hope and keep them financially accountable but the decisions will be made by Visanuk and May. This is what a missionary does is to train up nationals to take over the ministries.
2. We will be teaching and training the small Hill Tribes Church in Ban Gao Village. We have known most of the people there for over six and one half years and we are excited to be able to do this. Neill will be studying the Thai language more, to be able to communicate better as he teaches.
3. Diana has received training concerning human trafficking over the past couple of years and will assist Pastor John in his vision of having a training center to give the migrant young people job skills to be able to make a living without venturing to the larger cities and becoming easy targets for trafficking. She will be starting a 'micro business' enterprise, which means she will give a small loan to someone who wants to start a business. After they show that they are diligent in working and faithful in repaying the loan, they will receive a larger loan to expand their business until they are self-sufficient. When the Home of Hope building is completed, it will house about 40 children and it will also be home to women and children who are at risk of being trafficked. Now we understand why we built it so big—God knew we would need more room! This is still our top prayer priority. It will serve the church and community in several ways and help the Home of Hope to become self-sufficient as well.
4. We will continue to visit various pastors and churches to encourage them and also help Pastor John with teams, outreaches, visitation and other needs in conjunction with the Mae Sot Foursquare Church.

Diana's Delights

Uli, a good friend of ours from Germany, passed away last week. It was a bit sudden but not totally surprising. He will be missed by many people, especially those at Mae Tao Clinic, where he taught and performed acupuncture. We first met Uli when he came to the Oasis. I discovered he was a doctor and hooked him up with Mae Tao clinic. He was very likable and was always smiling. He had lived in Sri Lanka for over 20 years, then came to Thailand after losing his wife to the tsunami. He loved Mae Sot and the people at Mae Tao Clinic. He considered this his home and his family.

Neill's Notes

Thank you so much for giving to the Home of Hope Christmas party fund. Everyone had a great time of eating, singing, playing games and opening presents.

Each year the church has its 'welcoming in' the new year by going camping, eating lots and lots of food, singing karaoke and just visiting. Everyone seemed to have a great time, especially the next morning with huge pork burgers, eggs and other culinary delights—food ;). They say that if you starve to death in Thailand it’s your own fault. There is always food and lots of it!

Prayer Requests

• Completion of the Home of Hope building
• Funding for the micro-business enterprise
• The church at Ban Gao Village
• The breaking down of spiritual strongholds in the Mae Sot area
• Good health, strength, wisdom and protection for Pastors John & Dear and their families
• The same for us during this transition time

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

ndgthai@hotmail.com
www.gilbertthailand.com
www.homeofhopethai.org

If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address:
Neill & Diana Gilbert
c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church
P.O. Box 13
Mae Sot, Tak
63110 Thailand

If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church" and mail it to:
Lynette Rohde
c/o Monticello Foursquare Church
P.O. Box 1356
Maple Grove, MN 55311

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Dear Family & Friends,

 We would like you to know that the Oasis Coffee Shop will be closing 31 December, 2010 under our direction. The new landlord, who bought the property earlier this year, is increasing the rent by 43% on 1 January, 2011 and is requiring a minimum of a one-year lease. We can’t afford the new rent price and do not feel we should sign a long term lease, so we have decided to close it. 

 We have no regrets; Oasis has been an oasis to those who came to be refreshed, take a break or just spend some quiet time in the ‘upper room’. Several people gave their lives to Christ and many were strengthened in their walk through the Saturday Night Fellowship. The Oasis has been a place of networking to find people jobs, to learn languages, to find their way around Mae Sot and several other connections.  We have met so many wonderful people literally from all over the world who had come to Mae Sot for a  variety of reasons.

 We are so thankful that God gave us the opportunity to oversee the Oasis and all the good things that have happened here over the past 2 ½ years. We feel that God is closing this chapter of our book and beginning a new one. We are not sure what that ministry will be specifically yet, so please pray with us for guidance and divine wisdom for the next part of our journey.

 The Oasis will be under new leadership. Mike Arter, Foursquare missionary in Mae Sot, and his wife, Bee, will be living on the premises and keeping the coffee shop going. They also plan to use the building for youth meetings and activities and teaching English. Mike and Bee had been looking to move to a different place and also that the place would have room for the youth and for teaching English. So it appears that God has His hand in this so that we can be released into a new ministry and Mike and Bee can expand the ministry God has given them.

 Blessings,
Neill & Diana

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Dear Family & Friends

By the time you receive this newsletter, Veteran's Day will have passed but I hope you will have paid homage and tribute to all those who have served our country. I do not look down upon other countries and cultures but we are proud to be Americans. More importantly, we realize we are much blessed to have been born in America. Please pray with us that the USA gets back on track and once again becomes a nation that other nations can look up to and admire; one that helps those in need. Whether or not the USA accomplishes this, we as Christians need to do it—get back on track, stay on track and help those who God places in our path that need our help.

Diana's Delights

Noi #1 was my first employee hired at the Oasis Coffee Shop and she was the person in charge. She came to me all excited, telling me she had a dream in which she had an accident and then Jesus came to visit her and took her to a place where people were golden in color and the music was beautiful, although she had never heard that kind before. The place He took her was so peaceful and beautiful. She was so excited that she had to tell me and then she came to church and told Pastor John. I gave her a Thai Bible so she could read more about Jesus.

The older children at Home of Hope and the rest of the Youth Group at church, about 30 of them, went on a one week mission trip north to the Chiang Mai/Fang area. They visited six churches, ministering through drama, song, preaching, games, the Gospel Box and prayer. This was the first trip of its kind from the Foursquare Mae Sot Church for youth and it was a great success, not only in those being ministered to, but for the training of the youth for ministry.

SURPRISE!! Wichai’s father left when he was a baby so Wichai, 14, had never met him and knew nothing about him. While they were on the missions trip, his father, who lives in the very northernmost part of Thailand, somehow got in touch with him. It was a special time for them.

Neill's Notes

Safety First!! If you come to a flooded road, don’t drive through it. Stop and wash your truck first! On our way to Bangkok we were on a four-lane highway that was partially flooded. There were a group of trucks parked on the side which had stopped to wash their trucks. Amazing Thailand.

We finally took our second vacation in over 6 ½ years. We figured if we were going to the ECFC conference in the Philippines, we may as well take a vacation there too, to save on travel costs. The vacation was very restful and we saw many interesting parts of the Philippines. We will never fly Cebu Pacific Air again, though. Don't ask, we're trying to forget that part of the trip.

Christmas at Home of Hope

If you would like to give money for the kids' Christmas at Home of Hope, please send it to Lynette Rohde c/o Monticello Foursquare Church, PO Box 1356, Maple Grove, MN 55311. We would like to have a special meal for them, one new set of good clothes and a gift for each. We are looking at about $500.00 US total. Any amount given will be greatly appreciated.

There is always so much to be thankful for but it is good to try to name everything you are thankful for just to realize how much we have been blessed and that we need to share those blessings with those not so fortunate. Our prayer is that this Thanksgiving you will do something you have never done before as far as reaching out to others. Be creative and do it in the love of Jesus and then tell us about it. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Eat some turkey & dressing for us.

Prayer Requests

• Pastor John, Sarah, Gift & Got: health, rest, wisdom, strength, protection and guidance.

• Pastor Dear, Dtay & Dew: same as P. John & family plus continued spiritual growth.

• Youth to keep growing stronger spiritually, receive their callings and to always follow Jesus.

• Karen & Burmese refugees and the political situation in Burma (Myanmar) It has calmed down in Mae Sot for now but other areas are expected to have fighting.

• Home of Hope staff: Visanuk & May for strength, wisdom, good health, rest and protection.

• Home of Hope kids: school, friends, good health, protection, spiritual growth and understanding.

• Building funds to finish the new Home of Hope building so they can become self-sufficient.

• Neill & Diana: against frustration & discouragement, for good health, protection and finances.

• Other missionaries in Thailand.

You are truly precious to us and very important to the winning of Thailand for the Kingdom of God. Please continue to network for us by telling others about the ministries here and opportunities to come and see first hand what God is doing. We are thankful for you.

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot,

Neill & Diana

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Dear Family & Friends

We first want to thank you for your kind and sympathetic words through cards, gifts, flowers and in person concerning the passing of Neill's mom. Florence was 89 and had some health issues but it was still a bit of a surprise, as she had been doing very well for the previous month. The important thing is that she did know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and is now reunited with her husband in the arms of Jesus. We thank God for this.

Diana's Delights

Michelle Mustain came to help us and Pastor John with the ministries in Mae Sot. She had taught English in Bangkok during her previous stay in Thailand. She helps teach English at the Oasis, teaches the Home of Hope kids, watched over things while we were in the States and helps wherever she is needed. She has been a blessing to all she has met; we are glad she is with us.

Neill preaches on the second Sunday of the month at Hua Fai Immanuel Church. This past Sunday there were twice as many people as normal there and many testimonies were given of what God is doing in their lives. After the service, during prayer, a woman gave her heart to Jesus! Everyone rejoiced!

Neill's Notes

Pastor John shared with me that on his latest trip to Ban Gao Village, there were some teens that were making a disturbance outside the house church as Pastor John began his teaching. The Holy Spirit had him change the message and at the end, three teenage boys gave their lives to Jesus! This included the 'leader', who had been causing the most trouble. The people are being revived in the Spirit and many of all ages are coming to these Sunday evening meetings.

Pastor John also shared that on September 12 at the Foursquare Mae Sot Church, the 'mayor' of a nearby village gave his life to Christ, too! God’s Spirit is beginning to move amongst the Thai people as well as the Hill Tribes in this area.

One more praise report is that I will be teaching English to a colonel, captain and first lieutenant, who are stationed here in Mae Sot. They are in charge of five districts covering a distance of 542 km (about 340 miles). The colonel is expecting to be promoted soon to a higher position.

Please Note:

You will be receiving a letter soon concerning our new Facilitating Church and the addresses and information concerning donations. Please keep it handy for future reference. FMI is now on facebook. The Southeast Asia Area missionaries are being highlighted. Another way to keep in touch with us is to be on facebook. We sometimes post what we are doing or what is happening here.

Prayer Requests

• Pastor John and family
• Pastor Dear and family
• Leaders in the church
• New Christians
• The youth missions trip in October
• Sufficient funds for Home of Hope and for the new building
• Good health for the staff & children at Home of Hope
• The team coming in Feb 2010
• The new Director of FMI
• For direction and good health for us

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

ndgthai@hotmail.com

www.gilbertthailand.com

www.homeofhopethai.org

If you would like to write to us or send us something please use this address:

Neill & Diana Gilbert

c/o Foursquare Mae Sot Church

P.O. Box 13

Mae Sot, Tak

63110 Thailand

If you would like to support us financially you can donate online. Otherwise you can make your check out to "Monticello Foursquare Church", you can put "Thailand Missions" in the memo area and mail it to:

Monticello Foursquare Church

c/o Gilberts/Thailand

P.O. Box 1356

Maple Grove, MN 55311

Churches and pastors who send their support through FMI, please use the following P.O. Box to expedite the processing of your gifts to us.

FMI

P.O. Box 26776

Los Angeles, CA 90026

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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

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Dear Family & Friends

Things have settled down in Bangkok and around the country, at least on the surface. Their still needs to be much reconciliation and healing, so please pray with us for that to happen with no further protests, outbreaks of violence, etc.

Culture Corner

Neill teaches English at two government (public) schools and last Thursday arrived at Huaikralok School to find that it was Wan Wai Khruu (Honoring Teachers Day). All the students in the school make individual flower arrangements which contain some or all of the following: various flowers, jos sticks, grass and candles which are wrapped in a leaf. Each grade also makes two large flower arrangements, sometimes designed to look like animals or other things, very similar to a mini Rose Bowl Parade float. They use hundreds of pins and they sew the flowers onto leaves, etc. It takes two days to make them. This year was the best I have seen and have attached pictures of some. The students, beginning with the youngest, have a boy and a girl from each grade level bring up their arrangements and present them to the school director. The school director and the teachers are seated on the stage in order of their age. After the larger arrangements have been presented, the teachers receive the arrangements from the children as the boys from the lowest grade come first, then the girls from that grade, then boys from the next level, etc. After presenting their individual arrangements, they "wai" the teachers. Former students also attend this ceremony and are the last to present their arrangements. Then the school director gives an encouraging speech which includes speaking about three main things important in Thai life. The first is having a good brain, which is represented by the red needle flower (sharp brain). Second is the purple and yellow eggplant flower which represents respect as it bows down. Thirdly, grass represents knowledge: it grows very fast and does not die easily. Enjoy the pictures.

Diana's Delights

The Oasis serves the Mae Sot community in many ways, even hosting a wedding! Patrick and May, from the UK, found the Oasis and became 'regulars' during their stay in Mae Sot. Patrick is a professional photographer and has done some photography for HM the King of Thailand and May is a medical student. They decided to have a Burmese Buddhist Monk, Rasheen, perform the ceremony, with Phyllis, a friend, giving a Jewish blessing on the couple and Diana reading Scripture from I Corinthians 13. It ended with the Home of Hope children praying for the couple. Rasheen is one of the monks from the 2007 "Saffron Revolution" in Burma. The documentary was up for an Oscar at the Academy Awards this year but a documentary on capturing dolphins to perform in captivity won out over the appalling genocide and related conditions that has been going on in Burma for over 60 years. If Rasheen were to return to Burma, he would be killed or imprisoned.

Neill's Notes

Pastor John asked us to travel to Li (pronounced Lee) to talk to a couple about starting a Foursquare church there. We had a great time talking with Nuanjan and her husband Sawang, eating her homemade jams and even baptizing her! She said she had only been sprinkled before and believed that according to the Bible she should be immersed, so we went up to the dam just a few hours after we got there. We also prayed for her mother, who had not walked since becoming a Christian several months ago. Diana sensed that this lady was thinking she could not walk so she told her, "You can!". The devil says, "You can"t!" but God is saying, "You can!". "Who are you going to believe?" Sawang and Diana helped her to her feet and she walked around her house. She hadn"t walked for a while, so she was a little dizzy but she walked and we were only there to steady her. When Diana told her she had hope now in Jesus, she had tears in her eyes. Please pray for her as she is a new believer. Nuanjan and Sawang have a home group that two other couples attend on Friday nights and another couple comes on Saturday night from Lumphun (2 hours away) and they have a home group meeting Sunday morning. As we left, they told us they were so happy that Foursquare and Pastor John cared about them enough to send someone to them. A few years ago there were about 25 Foursquare churches in Thailand. Today there are near 50 so Pastor John has asked us to visit some of the churches for him to encourage the pastors and their congregations. I also preach once a month at the Hua Fai Immanuel Church, just outside of Mae Sot. One of my former graduates from the Bible School, Somneuk, is the pastor there. Please pray for the Foursquare Thailand churches and their pastors.

Prayer Requests

• Pastor John (Foursquare Thailand President) and his family.
• The funds for completion of the new Home of Hope building
• Traveling safety as we go to different churches
• Continued improvement in understanding and speaking Thai
• Peace and a democratic government in Burmad
• For our marriage to be strong and for our families in the States

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

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Dear Family & Friends

Culture Corner

You have probably seen stories about the "Red Shirts" in Bangkok and the violence that has ensued. This political group wants the current Prime Minister to resign and for the government to dissolve. They began peacefully and legally protested, but quit the negotiations and now are attacking the government officials, army and police personnel. There is talk of possible civil war if they're not stopped soon. The newspapers are also talking of a plot to depose the king and the royal family. We have not been effected by this in Mae Sot. There will be a big meeting of people in opposition to the Red Shirts here in Mae Sot next week. It seems a possibility of things spreading to provinces outside of Bangkok, but everything is speculation. We are trusting the Lord. We do not feel threatened or in any danger. Please pray for this situation to be resolved quickly and as peacefully as possible.

It has been hotter than normal this year, so the Songkran Festival was more than welcome as we celebrated the Thai New Year from April 13 through 15. The water fights and splashing are actually extended a day or two either side of those dates and is a lot of fun for those who enjoy being soaked on hot summer days. Read more about it on our web site: www.gilbertthailand.com.

Diana's Delights

The Home of Hope children have been keeping busy during their "summer vacation." They went on a boat ride and had a picnic at Bhumibol Dam, went to the hot springs, the youth group went camping, to the waterfalls and swimming. They also enjoyed a couple of nights during Songkran, going to what we in the U.S. would call a small fair with games that they can play and win prizes.

Beginning in May we will be renting all six of the apartments where the kids are currently living. This is to make room for more children to come; there are so many waiting! We will trust God to supply the extra funds needed to do this. Since construction on the new building has stopped for lack of funds, the construction crew and their families (70-80 people) are now residing on the land until their next job. Please pray for funds to come in that are need to continue building. Visit www.homeofhopethai.org to learn more.

Neill's Notes

We traveled seven hours up north to Fang, near Burma, this past week for a seminar, then two hours south and three hours west to Mae Hong Son to visit a new church plant, then back one hour east for a church dedication and baptism in Bahng Mapaa. In Fang, Pastor Alan Bay spoke one day on blessings and giving. Neill continued the next morning on giving. Pastor John spoke in the afternoon and evening. The Lahu Hill Tribe people at the seminar were like sponges, soaking up everything and even asking questions! (not common in this culture) Our hosts were so gracious and the Lahu food was delicious and spicy! It felt so good to be back in the mountains with these beautiful people.

In Mae Hong Son we visited with friends who are starting a home church in a Hmong village, about 30 km (19 miles) from town. The first 22 km were fine, then we turned off the road and headed straight up the side of the mountain on a one-lane road with no guard rails. Once in a while I got to use third gear but mostly second and first. The village has about 70 families and 400 people with 10 believers. One of them is a teacher who came back to her village to teach - not many people want to return to their poor villages and teach. We had a wonderful time of teaching, prayer and fellowship. We also enjoyed the beautiful traditional Hmong clothing.

The next day we were blessed to witness the baptizing of six believers, all youth! This church has a great mix of age groups and seeing the youth baptized made us excited. We then had the church dedication, where they sang Lahu songs, some of the children sang songs with motions. This, of course, was followed by a meal of Lahu food, not quite as spicy as in Fang, but just as delicious.

Additional Prayer Requests

Below is a list to help guide you as your pray for us. Please pray for:

The Hill Tribes people and their churches

Pastor John (Somphon) & Sarah Srivichai

and their two sons, Gift and Got

Foursquare Thailand

All missionaries working in Thailand

Home of Hope children, building and finances

Oasis Coffee Shop to be a beacon for the people in Mae Sot

Neill & Diana's marriage to be strong, for our daughter and grandchildren and other family in United States.

Thank you again for partnering with us in prayer, networking, teams and finances. We mean it when we say that we could not be here without your support. Thank you for believing in us.

Love, Prayers and Blessings to you,

Neill & Diana

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot

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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

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Dear Family & Friends

Culture Corner

The Bangkok bus ride is always interesting, if not exciting at times. During our last trip, three weeks ago, we observed passengers arriving at 8:05 and later for the 8:00 a.m. bus. Finally, we left the Mae Sot terminal a little after 8:10 a.m. We then traveled to the old Mae Sot bus terminal where the bus picked up more passengers and our 'breakfasts.' These breakfasts usually consist of some kind of bread filled with anything from shredded pork to something sweet to something strange tasting, along with a packet of instant 3-in-1 coffee with a stir stick. If we hadn’t asked for hot water, we would never have been able to drink our instant coffee. They also gave us a small bottle of water and then later in the afternoon we got a small cup of Coke to drink.

About 20 minutes into our journey, we came around a blind curve and, lo and behold, we came within 50 yards of the front of a semi-tractor-trailer. There were two lanes at this spot. One semi was passing another semi going uphill at this blind curve. Those of you who have been here know, these large trucks going uphill usually travel at speeds of 15 mph, and neither of the trucks will brake nor can they move over. We prayed that the driver would hit the brakes and use the shoulder. Fortunately, the three huge vehicles made three lanes and we had no accident. These types of meetings occur regularly with all sizes of vehicles at all kinds of speeds (exciting, huh!?).

This particular morning we had actually left Mae Sot city limits early, around 8:20 a.m., but then two women, one is a friend of the driver, got out to buy something at the Doi Muser Market located in the mountains between Mae Sot and the 'super highway' to Bangkok. This was a first for us to have a 'stop and shop' bus trip. We finally made it to Bangkok without too many additional incidents, other than people getting on and off at places other than bus stops. I’m sure glad we ride the first-class bus!

Then in Bangkok we got a taxi with a driver who prefers to use the shoulders of the expressway as an extra lane. This gives us a great scenic view of the cement guard rail about 18 inches from the window. We were on our way to the hospital anyway but we prefer to and gladly did arrive there safely.

Diana's Delights

I would like to share a few exciting things that have happened lately. Visanuk built a roof over the outside area next (see picture) to their apartment so the children have a place to eat, study and worship out from under the sun and rain. Teams will enjoy it, too. Gary, a friend we met at the Oasis, buys 22 pounds of fresh fish every week for the Home of Hope. Everybody loves it; it is a big treat for them!

One morning, we served breakfast to a team of 47 before they went into the streets to evangelize. That day a Burmese monk listened to them and came back to the Oasis with the team. He asked for a Bible to practice reading English and said that he wants to know more about Christianity. Please pray for his heart to be turned to Jesus.

I am now taking a little more pain medicine but otherwise, I am feeling better, little by little. Thanks for all your prayers! If you, or someone you know, would like to come and help with the ministry here for 6 months or longer, let us know. We and Pastor John would love to have you come.

Neill's Notes

Pastor John and our engineer/contractor asked me to send you an itemized list of what is needed to finish the new Home of Hope building, so here it is:

Project: US Dollar Amount

Finish stairway (cement, plumbing for 3rd floor): $17,500

Roof and related structure: $15,400

Build all walls on three floors, paint, plaster, etc.: $24,800

Ceramic tile for three floors: $16,900

Doors, windows and room divider: $19,000

Water drainage (prevent grounds from flooding) & car park: $11,100

Total(current prices & exchange rates): $104,700

We shared with several people for quite some time, we sensed God changing our ministry. We were not sure if we were to pastor in the USA, go to another country, move to another area in Thailand or stay in Mae Sot. Through much prayer and counsel from godly people, we decided to stay in Mae Sot. Since that time, many new things have begun to unfold. Pastor John has asked us to visit various churches in Thailand to encourage them on his behalf because he doesn't have the time anymore—too many churches for only him to visit!

We sense a new move of God in Mae Sot and we have had several people come into the Oasis Coffee Shop with opportunities of new ministry connections. Pastor John has also told us recently that he is so happy we are staying in Mae Sot and that is why he is trusting us to go to the other churches for him. We feel there has been a breakthrough in our relationship with him and the church members. Finally after almost six years, we are being accepted. This is a very normal occurrence in Thai culture; the people watch your life and see if what you do and say are the same for a long period of time and then they accept you. We will keep you informed as God leads the way for us.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers, your financial support and your love and friendship. We really could not be here without faithful partners like you.

Love, Prayers and Blessings to you,

Neill & Diana

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot

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Dear Family & Friends

We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and will have the best new year! We don't even try to have New Year's resolutions anymore because the first time we fail, that's it! It's over! And we feel like a failure. What we do is set goals for the year—to see what God would have us do and then try to accomplish that. If we fall short of our goals we still have many successes along the way. Even if we make mistakes, we always learn from them—they are life's best teachers sometimes. I like this definition of success: "Find God's purpose for your life and do it." May this year be your most successful yet.

Diana's Delights

I am feeling much better. My blood pressure has returned to normal and eventually I will see if I can go without medication. I still have blurry or double vision at times and ringing in my ears, but I have improved a lot. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Our missionary retreat in Chiang Mai was a time of good fellowship, resting and (of course) good food. We had too much Western food again, now we have to lose more weight. The Mae Sot Church's Christmas programs were full of fun and joy. The Home of Hope children and staff had a great time at there celebration, too. We had a "Korean BBQ" where we cooked our meat and made soup over small clay "ovens" fired with charcoal. I have attached some pictures. Issamoei and Samchai are playing guitar and bass with the youth worship team. The youth lead worship at least once a month as they rotate with two other worship teams. They do a great job and bring a new vitality to the church with their enthusiasm!

I look forward to our Saturday night International Fellowship meetings, it is a mix of denominations as well as countries. It seems God has brought many new Christians for discipleship and mentorship to us. These meetings are always thought-provoking and interesting.

Neill's Notes

In December we had an evangelistic and healing crusade with Dr. Matthew Thomas Tue from India. One man in our church suffered from similar symptoms as Diana plus a couple of other health issues. He was healed of all his symptoms and health problems. Another woman, who came to the Lord last year at the Mae Sot Church after being a witch doctor for her whole life, brought nine family members to church. They are now serving the Lord. She also brought four neighbors, in need of healing, to the church since the December crusade and they are now new Christians. Pastor John said that in the Hill Tribes near Chiang Dao (north of Chiang Mai) people of different church denominations are getting baptized in the Holy Spirit and then going to other villages to preach the Good News. Even the teens and young people are getting excited and telling others about what Jesus has done for them. Pastor John, who has been in ministry in Thailand for over 20 years, said he has never seen anything like this before. It is an exciting time in Thailand.

For close to a year, we felt God was changing our ministry. We did not know whether it would be in the U.S., Thailand or another country. We also thought it might be somewhere else in Thailand. We have been praying, asking others to pray and seeking the counsel of godly people concerning this. We feel that we should stay in Mae Sot. We are not sure what this new ministry might be. Please pray with us. After making the decision to stay in Mae Sot for now, we received confirmation. Sunday morning in church a man gave his testimony and thanked God for us being in this church in Mae Sot. It was the first time in 6 years that anyone thanked us. We've heard it takes 5-6 years to be accepted into the Thai culture at all. Maybe this is the start of new and better things God has for us here. We are excited to see what it will be!

Our goals this year are to get the new Home of Hope home built, fill it with new children at risk and more staff, grow spiritually in the Lord and do what He calls us to do.

Love, Prayers and Blessings to you,

Neill & Diana

Your missionary partners in Mae Sot

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Dear Family & Friends,

As the season of Christmas is upon us, we can reflect on this year and all the blessings we have received from our loving father. Life is always full of twists and turns, some surprisingly good while others are disappointing or even frightening – they are not what we would choose to happen – but God is always in control and we must trust Him to work things out according to His purposes, not for our comfort. The past few weeks have brought much stress, but also much joy.

The staff (and children) at Home of Hope were very happy to receive their new clothes washer because they were using one machine to wash and another to rinse and they had been using two washing machines prior to that, so the washing was taking a lot of time. Thanks to all who donated but we still have some to pay off and we know God will provide. The water pipe coming into the house at Home of Hope broke and they were flooded. The pipe broke underneath the cement in front of house, inside the gate so they would have had to tear up everything to fix it. Sooooooo the staff and kids moved one Saturday to a new place. They live in four ‘apartments’ as they are called here. Each apartment has a living or sitting area, a bedroom, a kitchen and a back area for cleaning, hanging clothes to dry, etc. Daum and two of the girls live in the first and the cooking is done there. The second one is where the other girls stay, the fourth, the boys stay in and the fourth is lived in by Nu, May and their baby boy. This building is brand new and they were allowed to use the back area for themselves, so it provides a place to play, eat and have worship together and to keep their two dogs. Because of having to rent 4 of the apartments to house them all, we are paying more for rent so the need is still great to finish our new building. The funds are beginning to come in, so please be in prayer with us that this will be completed soon.

The Rock Magazine, a Thai, Christian magazine in Bangkok, is putting out its first edition this month or early next year. It is going to showcase Christian ministries in Thailand and they decided to highlight orphanages in their first edition, so the Home of Hope will be featured in one of the articles. Praise God for networking for us!

This past week was exciting as we had Dr. Matthew from India here in Mae Sot. He is pastor of one of the largest churches in India and holds evangelistic and healing crusades. He has already held several throughout Thailand this year and this past week in Mae Sot was exciting to see many people healed, saved and lives changed through the power of the Holy Spirit. He even spoke at Foursquare Mae Sot Church this past Sunday. I haven’t received the results of the crusade yet because we had to take ‘the detour’ to Bangkok but I will try to remember to get them out to you when I get them.

A brief update on Diana after her first tests: She is very low on vitamin B12, her sugar is a little high, there is no nerve damage and her blood pressure came down today from 196/150 to 150/90. She has some good meds now and feeling better. She will have a “cervical spine” (I think that’s what they called it) MRI on Wednesday at 7am. We will talk to the neurologist Thursday at 8am to discuss the results and see if there is anything more to her symptoms than what we know now. We will hopefully return to Mae Sot on Thursday afternoon and go to Chiang Mai Friday for some much needed R & R.

We pray that you can look back on this year at the good along with the ‘bad’ and give thanks to God for all things. May peace and joy be with you, no matter what your circumstances and may you experience the stillness of the night that baby Jesus was born (of course the shepherds didn’t think it was too quiet at the start, but I am talking about later). Thank you again for partnering with us in prayer, and giving and coming to Thailand. We could not be here without you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And a very contented New Year. (Happiness is an emotion that comes and goes depending on circumstances, while Paul says he was content in all ways).

So Merry Christmas and a Contented New Year to you!

Neill & Diana

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Our furlough time is almost over as we will be heading back to Thailand on Nov 4. We were only able to visit a few churches but we want to thank all the pastors, congregations and individuals who have supported us with your prayers and giving. We have one more chance to see you at the Heartland District Conference in Clinton, Iowa, if we have not been able to see or talk to you yet. We will be involved with the missions workshop, so we hope you will stop by and see us there from Oct 26-28.

Here is some of what has been happening lately. Through a series of unfortunate events, Neill’s mother broke two of her ribs, developed bronchitis (near pneumonia), was hospitalized for three days and is currently in a nursing home to complete her recovery. She has agreed to go directly to a wonderful retirement facility that is in the area and so we are working on the final details for that to happen, including moving her things in this coming week, before she is released from the nursing home. We would appreciate you prayers for a smooth transition for Neill’s mom and that she would be content in her new surroundings and for healing and strength for her.

Thank you again for your prayers and partnering with us.

Neill & Diana

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