~ Greg and Nancy Nakamura ~
are in Thailand serving at
Zoe Children's Homes with Zoe International Ministries.

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

~ May 2005 Photos ~