Sawat-dee ka! (Thai for Hello!)
We hope you are all doing well.  As we may have mentioned, we will be sending out a monthly update that will let you know how things are going with the ministry and with life here in Thailand, as well as how you can be praying.  We would love to hear back from you about how you are and ways we can be praying for you.

While there are many things that have happened and many changes that have taken place over the past two weeks, we’re excited to get to update you on just a few of them.

Our briefing time in Colorado was such a blessing. It was a time to praise God and get to know our team on a deeper level, as well as learn about living in another culture, discipleship, sharing our faith and what it looks like to launch a movement on a college campus in a different country.  On the last night we participated in a commissioning service.  The president of Campus Crusade, Steve Douglass, shared with us the vision of CCC (Campus Crusade for Christ) as well as the impact the organization has in so many places.  It was a very uplifting experience as our team was sent off in prayer by the other  300 STINTers who are representing over 50 other ministry locations around the world.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for our good travel and safe arrival in Thailand!  God was certainly with us as there were no major mishaps and we all arrived in Chiang Mai intact and with all of our luggage, which was a small miracle in itself!  We were momentarily concerned when we attempted to pass through our last security stop at the Chiang Mai airport with knives and a mixer – the guards seemed a little suspicious, especially since Jon appeared very anxious when asked why we were entering the country and how long we were staying.  Do four giant suitcases and four questionably sized carry-ons really seem like too much luggage for a month’s stay (our visas are only for one month, but we’ll be renewing them)?  After anxiously awaiting their approval, we were finally admitted into our new home country for the next year, where we were greeted by the Thai staff of CCC and our new team members!

The last several days we have been spending a lot of time talking about our vision for Rajabhat University.  As a team, we’ve developed a strategic plan for sharing the Gospel with students, helping them to grow and become lifelong disciples of Christ, and equipping and training them to take ownership of the movement at Rajabhat.  The ultimate goal is that the Thai students would become multipliers, meaning that they would transfer the training we have given them to the next generation and develop a vision for their country and the world.  This training involves modeling discipleship, sharing, Christian fellowship, prayer, Bible study etc.  Our intention is that everything we do would be transferable to a new generation of followers of Christ.

The following are some things that you can be praying for:

• That God would guide us as we plan for LTI (Leadership Training Institute) camp.  This is a five day leadership camp where the students will receive intense training in sharing their faith and in discipleship.
• That we would acquire the language as quickly as possibles
• That the Christian students at Rajabhat would be empowered by God in their own ministries.
• That God would be preparing non-Christian students at Rajabhat to hear the Gospel of Jesus and that they would be responsive
• That we would continually walk closely with the Lord so that our ministry will be fruitful.

Praises:

• We have been able to begin building good relationships with the Thai staff
• The health of our team has been great – no major problems
• Our team has been able to bond and unify since we’ve been here
• God has raised up Thai students who are willing to go sharing on campus with us and help translate.

We are so thankful and excited that you are an integral part of our ministry.  We think of you often and thank the Lord for you.  For news and additional pictures and stories, be sure and check our website at: www.reachthailand.com.  We will be updating as often as possible.  We would be greatly encouraged to hear how you are doing, so please feel free to contact us!

Much love, 
Jonathan and Candice
1 Thessalonians 2:8