Trip to Vientiane
Thanks to those of you who prayed for Pon and I during my recent trip to visit him. I got to Vientiane the day after he had returned from spending a week with his family - grieving the death of his sister. This was the first time that so many of the family had all been together in a number of years and it was a good and encouraging time for him in spite of the tragic circumstances.
Our three days together were also good (for both of us). He was grateful for some companionship as he settled back into his studies at the university and continued to deal with the loneliness that comes from leaving family behind. We were able to have some good discussions about his family and about the hope that he has that, one day, they will also experience a relationship with Jesus. Pon especially feels a burden for his three young nephews who were left motherless. He now has an extra motivation to finish his studies so that he can get a job that will help support them and give them a better chance at a good education. He also commented that he believes he will have the chance to help them learn about God in the future.
I was encouraged by his attitude in the face of suffering and by his optimism about the future. Please continue to pray with us that He will continually sense the presence of God when he feels lonely and that he find friends who are open to learning about God with him.
I came home on the overnight train and was happily reunited with the rest of the family. They did well while I was gone (thanks for praying for them as well) but we were all happy to be together again. And, since the train was two hours late getting into Bangkok, I didn't have to rush out to teach the kindergartners that morning!
-Tom