Greetings
from Thailand!
MAY
2005
To Our Beloved Partners:
God is SO faithful! One month has passed since
we arrived in Thailand. Our first two weeks were a blur as we ran
from errand to errand to settle in. The Lord graciously provided
us with fellow missionaries that devoted much time and energy in
getting us up-to-speed on life and ministry in Chiang Mai.
For the past two weeks, we have been at the
Children’s Home on a full-time basis. It has been such a privilege
to share our hearts with Mike and Carol Hart (founders of ZOE Children’s
Homes). Based on various meetings with them, they have delegated
to us various formal responsibilities in the pioneering effort of
ZOE. In addition to the day-to-day duties of assisting in taking
care and ministering to the children, we will be managing the following:
• Finance (Greg & Nancy): Our first
priority is to write and implement formal financial policies and
procedures for ZOE Children’s Homes and to address any tax,
audit or compliance issues. I guess Nancy and I will never escape
those debits and credits! The Lord doesn’t waste anything…
• Operation Safe House: Greg is partnering with Carol Hart in establishing
the infrastructure and detailed plan of ZOE’s first safe house that will
protect girls and boys rescued directly from brothels.
• Stewardship Program: Nancy will be in-charge of the program which trains
and holds accountable our children to maintaining the facilities and donations
that the Lord has provided.
• Short Term Missions: Greg will serve as the chief liaison for short-term
mission teams to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
• Children Evaluations: Nancy will be in-charge of coordinating the effort
of systematically monitoring the physical and spiritual development of all children
under 12 years old.
We are ABSOLUTELY EXCITED about our roles at
ZOE!! We were a bit overwhelmed at first, but we have faith that
the Lord will equip us with what we need to accomplish His will.
Prayer Requests:
• For Wisdom – Several opportunities
have arisen in which the Home could take-in additional children.
Please pray for wisdom as we discern how to use our limited space
and resources in housing new children.
• For Compassion and Protection – We recently connected with a missionary
that has a ministry and heart to reaching prostitutes in brothels. Nancy will
be working with her to hand-deliver single roses, a simple message of “you’re
beautiful”, and the gospel to these girls.
• Our Health – Thus far, we have been perfectly healthy! Praise the
Lord!! There was a recent LICE outbreak at the Home that we managed to avoid.
Also, our stomachs have not “strenuously” objected to what we have
eaten yet. Please continue to pray that our health remains strong.
Please be ENCOURAGED! When we share with other
missionaries, they are AMAZED at the quantity and quality of partners
that we have been blessed with. We continually give thanks and praise
to God for your love and compassion for the children of Thailand
and us.
SEE FOR YOURSELF!! (pictures are worth a thousand
words). See NEW pictures and stories
from Thailand Below
By His Grace Alone,
Greg & Nancy Nakamura
Lanna Thara Project
228/49 Moo 7 T. Nong-Kwai A. Hang-Dong
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50230
gregandnancynakamura@yahoo.com
|
