Let’s see them through… a view of history

Dear friends, We thought it was pertinent to give you a brief update on each one of the Thai kids that have come through our home, that have called us Mum and Dad.  It is amazing how the years fly by and how much they have all grown! We wanted to ask you especially to pray for us on two IMPORTANT upcoming dates: Feb 22 & March 22! A little background is important first… Multiple times, over the years, we have inquired about legally adopting these precious children who have come into our care but always that door has closed. Instead, we have been given permission to be their legal guardians.   However, last year, when we took steps to secure a passport for 18 year old Jono, as he wanted to go to Mexico to study DTS, something quite miraculous happened in the process. Long story short, we came across a lawyer who not only provided us free services, but also successfully completed the process of me, Penny, to be legally stated as Jono’s mother! Then with that documentation, he easily obtained his passport at the passport office. Also through the process, when I inquired if Arnie, 10 years, could be legally adopted by us, she told us she didn’t see why not! So over the past 8 months, we have prayerfully and deliberately taken all the steps under the lawyer’s guidance and instruction. As it stands, it appears like we may be able to be approved as his legal parents. So, on Feb 22nd, we will be interviewed by a panel of government workers, who will assess our suitability and experience as parents. Then, on March 22 at 9am, we will go to the Chiang Rai courthouse to stand before the judge. That should be our final step! Please would you pray for us and for favour in this process. Without doubt, it is definitely in Arnie’s best interest to legally be our son for many reasons. An update on all the other grown up Thai kiddos…. Belle, 26 years old, lives and works in Bangkok.  Hope 22, and Mae, 21, both live close by each other, just 3 minutes from home, we see them often. Hope works in childcare and restaurant work. Mae works in childcare full time. Bom & Bam both study at one of the local Chiang Rai Universities and are being diligent in their studies. Bam 21, is in her 2nd year and Bom 22 yrs, is in his 3rd year.  Foon 21, is thriving at Cornerstone University in Michigan, USA, in his 3rd year.  Garin, 21 yrs, works doing ground/garden maintenance, both for us, on our large property, as well as for our church at the local YMCA.    Nui, 20 yrs, is studying DTS at YWAM Battambang, Cambodia.  Jono, 19 yrs, plans to further his studies through YWAM’s University of the Nations, after he completes his DTS in Mexico on March 10th.   Mai, 19 yrs, still lives at home but works full time in childcare.  Yanee, 18 yrs, also still lives at home and is doing on-going training in life skills. Yanee’s goal is to leave home before she is 20 yrs, to serve at another YWAM location in Thailand.  Our youngest, Arnie, 10 years, is in grade 3, and will start grade 4 in August. Josiah 17 yrs, left our home when he was 13yrs, due to behaviour difficulties he was having at the time. However, after a couple of difficult years, has found more peace within himself and has settled very well with another family in Chiang Rai, who we know well. We are thrilled he is happy with them and we still see him regularly. Non has just turned 12 yrs. He was able to return to his birth mother at 4 yrs, when her health had improved enough to care for him. We have stayed in touch over the years and are glad to be able to offer occasional support as needed.   That’s a long list of details and if you have made it through all that, then you must really love our kids and us. Of course, there is much more we could share and are happy to answer any questions you have, if you email us any questions.  We are thrilled to have been able to be family to these precious children, who are now mostly young adults. Grateful that we see the ones who live in Chiang Rai regularly. Blessed to have them returning home for regular visits. Grateful for the ones who still live under our roof! Thanks for helping us ‘see these kids through’. It is not over yet – they have grown up so fast but they still need parents and we are more than grateful that we can still be in Chiang Rai to fill that role. Please pray that the government will continue to issue us a visa to stay, we know of many friends and colleagues who in recent months are not being granted renewal of their visas.  Thanks for praying for this process with Arnie on 22 Feb, then 22 March! God is writing a story for all of us and we are excited as we witness this part of Arnie’s story. Please email us if you’d like to know more details on any of the above. We’d love to hear from you and what is happening in your lives too.  Peace, Paul & Penny