Learning Thai

Yesterday was our commissioning service at LCF. We've attended this church since 2001 and have greatly appreciated the support and encouragement that they have offered as we've explored and acted on our call to Thailand. It was sad to realize that this would be our last Sunday there for quite a while, but the commissioning service was very meaningful and it felt like a very good way to leave - being sent out by the congregation with their prayers and their blessing.

Rob Swartz (our pastor) shared from Acts 13, and while we certainly don't count ourselves in the same league as Paul and Barnabas, it was exciting to think about being commissioned by our local body of Christ in the same way that they were.

The congregation also gave us an enormous bag filled with a wide variety of gifts for us to enjoy on the trip and while we're in Thailand. There were toys and clothes for the girls, snacks, and best of all (for me anyway), a book of Sudoku puzzles and an I-tunes gift card. There was also a large stack of letters. We were instructed to save at least some of them until we get to Thailand, so I'm trying to encourage Candice to abide by that request! One of the members of the church designed t-shirts that say "I Love Thailand" (that's what we're all wearing in the picture).

After the service we enjoyed a very impressive Thai potluck that was organized by the church fellowship team.

We're blessed to belong to such a caring church - thanks to all of you who were a part of that service. We'll value your partnership with us as we move to Thailand and we hope that you can truly feel like you are a part of our ministry there.

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 09:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've passed another milestone...we now measure our remaining time in North America in weeks instead of months. And before long it will be days.

We're currently in Xenia, Ohio, at an RMM orientation. We're learning more about RMM policies and also getting some good input from the RMM administration. Earlier in the week we weren't sure that spending several days at a training was really what we needed right now, but it has been worthwhile. It's reminded us of why we're going to Thailand in the first place, and has helped us focus on the exciting aspects of learning a new culture. It's been easy for me to lose sight of those things as we've moved into the thick of moving.

This coming Sunday we're being commissioned by our church and I'll try to write more about that later.

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The packing has begun!

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 03:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)