It’s been several years now in the making, but God’s finally making a way for our plans to return to Thailand and the mission field to continue the work we started before COVID-19 came and delayed everything.
In mid-2019 as Georgia and I were halfway through our year-long stay we dedicated a lot of thought and prayer to what the next steps would be once we completed that year and returned home to the U.S. We were tired and anticipated a rest period, but couldn’t have imagined three years would pass before we could even return for visits. We left the Village Of Hope promising the kids we’d revisit no more than a year from then when we knew our church would come back on their annual trip and that, if nothing else, we’d at least travel with them.
We were able to finally make that return visit in October 2022, and now there’s simply little to keep us here in Tampa in any meaningful way. For over 5 years now, we have filtered every decision we’ve made through the lens of knowing we’d be living in Thailand at some point: every electronic device needed to be 220V compatible; countless smaller purchases that can be made in Southeast Asia have been postponed until then; our career decisions and financial planning; renting apartments instead of buying a home. We are stuck in a constant state of transition, not fully here and not yet there.
We were also blessed during our year overseas with donations from our supporters above and beyond what we needed for that phase, and are now able to use those funds for the most immediate next step involving a return to Thailand later this year and focusing on language acquisition while we handle business on the Thai side needed to smooth our eventual long-term transition. We have a head start on the language portion from our time already spent in Thailand, and in addition to the formal instruction we plan to launch our ministry in earnest by building relationships and trust with our neighbors and the local shops and restaurants. The best way to learn a language fast is by using it!
We are also close to finalizing our partnership with Compassionate Hope Foundation by joining their overseas missionary staff which will open up many more opportunities to serve in Thailand as well as additional fundraising avenues. We’re excited to be getting onboard and will have additional information here as that develops.
Stay tuned for more! We’re so excited to share our journey with all of you!