Story Time

Story Time | By Phil
So a few weeks ago Kate and I traveled to Pittsburgh and were at a computer shop looking for a new computer for Kate.  While at the shop, we began talking to a sales person who asked where we were going and what we were doing.  We began to tell him about Thailand and missions.  He then proceeded to tell us about his family's involvement in mission work!  


Needless to say, we did not even spend much time talking about computers but spent a majority of the time talking about Jesus.  The best thing of all was the faithfulness of the Lord because at the end of our time talking to him he actually asked for our information so that he could support in prayer and other ways.  As we walked out of the shop we couldn't help but laugh because of the Lord's never-ending goodness.  We went to buy a new computer, left the store without a computer, but with someone who wanted to partner with us in missions.  

Off and Running!

We're in the full swing of Partnership Development now after a full month of getting together with families and churches to share our heart and calling.  We've been having a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new people.  It's been encouraging hearing how excited others get about what the Lord is doing in missions around the world!  


We've also had some great opportunities to travel and talk with a few church congregations about mission and our heart for Thailand.  We have been moved by our interactions with brothers and sisters in Christ as we talk about being actively involved in the global church body through mission work.  

Over 250 ways of getting involved! 

**This link is a huge list of big and small ways to get involved 

with what Jesus is doing around the world!**

Sermon on the Missional Church 

This is a great sermon on the missional church by Charles Stanley that my mom shared with me.  It's about 25 minutes long, and would be great to listen to as you cook dinner or surf the web!  

Here are a couple photos for our trip to Huntingdon, PA: 

We traveled around with an itinerant pastor and were able to preach at three churches on Sunday, February 5.

This was the third church that we preached at in Huntingdon.  Phil's Grandma Bookhamer and some cousins attend there.  

1 Corinthians 3:4-6 says, ^"4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. ⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Thank you for your prayers during this time of partnership development and preparation for Thailand.  The Lord is so faithful to provide!  

If you want to receive prayer and update letters, or to partner with us through prayer or financial support click here then scroll down.  It's a simple form to fill out.

What's Next

Now that we have celebrated our graduation from Wheaton College, we are concentrating our efforts on preparation for moving to Thailand in July.  Below is some information about where we are headed and why.  

(*Feel free to tease Phil about his mustache)

Why Missions?

Over the past few years, we have become increasingly passionate about global missions.  Hearing stories about the Lord moving powerfully among various people groups has given us the desire to be be a part of what God is doing around the world.  


We will be going to Thailand for a 3-year term with OMF International, a Christian mission that serves in East Asia.  

Why Thailand?

As many of you know, the Lord has given us a heart for the people of Thailand.  Phil lived in Thailand for a number of months in 2006 and 2007.  He developed a love for the Thai people which has continued to grow.  

Thai Buddhists rub gold leaf on statues of Buddha
as a method of merit-making to improve personal karma.

The situation in Thailand tends to be very dark spiritually and the need for Christ's love and healing is deep.  Buddhism mixed with animism (spirit worship) is the religion of 92% of the Thai people.  Most Thai people live in constant fear of spirits as they attempt to appease these beings with food, drink, and financial offerings.  

Our Vision

By the power of Jesus, we long to see the Gospel of love and grace take root among the Thai people resulting in: salvation through relationship with a personal, loving God; freedom from fear (1 John 4:18); emotional and spiritual healing; and a body of Thai believers who carry this Gospel to their own people.  

Next Steps

For the next several months we will be preparing for our 3-year term in Thailand.  A few aspects of this preparation are getting medical clearances, receiving vaccinations, and doing Partnership Development.  


OMF International has a wonderful theology of Partnership Development.  The idea, briefly, is that mission takes place on every side, the home side and the field side.  Those sending and supporting the missionary are just as vital in God's mission as those who are on the front lines. The relationship is a true, mutually beneficial partnership.  


Partnering: 6 Ways 2 Reach God's World
Partnership is a multifaceted concept which includes and goes far beyond financial support.  OMF Int'l was founded by Hudson Taylor, a man of prayer.  To this day, Taylor's emphasis on prayer is a driving force in OMF Int'l.  


These are the 6 categories under which one can partner with missions as identified by OMF Int'l: 

LEARN • PRAY • GO • SEND • WELCOME • MOBILIZE

6ways2reach.org


6 WAYS TO REACH GOD'S WORLD - OVERVIEW from K H on Vimeo.

Who is OMF International?

For more information about OMF International you can watch this incredible video... 

HOPE FOR BILLIONS - OMF International U.S. from K H on Vimeo.

...or visit their website at http://www.omf.org/

Moving Forward...

With graduation from the Wheaton College Graduate School only weeks away, we're very excited about how the Lord is moving and where He seems to be moving us.  


We have recently returned from an OMF International training called Candidate Course and are happy to announce that we have been accepted to go to Thailand with OMF International, a Christian mission that serves in East Asia!  


Candidate Course (CC) was held in Colorado, which was gorgeous!  Here's a photo of the group that we went through Candidate Course with 

Imagine mountains in the background... it was gorgeous!

Our acceptance with OMF means that our dream of going to Thailand is becoming a reality!  We are hoping to leave in July 2012.  We have signed up to go for a 3 year term to start with, and we'll be praying for the Lord's guidance beyond that.  

Just to give you an idea of Thailand's location

We've had lots of intercultural relationships here at Wheaton that have deepened our love for world missions.  We hope and pray that that love is contagious.