Newsletter

Dear friends and family,
Life in Thailand seems to have a unique way of daily presenting us with interesting and unexpected opportunities and experiences. The reason for this could be a combination of facts, not the least of which is that we are foreigners living in this asian culture, and also that we have chosen as one of our major life roles, the joyous challenge of raising a largish number of Thai children as our own. We do find great joy in the process, and are acutely aware of our need to rely on Jesus, not our own strength or wisdom in all the ups and downs of life. 

We hope we are coming to the end of our rainy season, this year the rains started early, and have lasted longer than any year we can remember. We have lost power and water more times this year than ‘normal’ and we have seen more flooding than other years. Needless to say, as well as being involved in flood relief, everything is a beautiful shade of green, all the trees and grass, the surrounding rice fields and even the inside walls of our house, our cupboards, ceiling, roof, etc, which we prefer were not moldy!  Vinegar is a great solution at this time of year.

Mai and Mae are both enjoying almost full time child care work. Yanee is a beautiful encourager. She continues at home working alongside Supun, making meals, cleaning, shopping, serving our kids church, joining us on regular community visits as we support families in our nearby communities who are affected by HIV.

Some of you might have heard directly from Nui and/or Jono, regarding their future plans. In summary…. It was disappointing when Jono was denied his Mexican visa in May, however, we learned in the process and were able to reapply three months later. So, on August 15th we travelled again to the Mexican Consulate in Bangkok, to reapply. Hugely grateful to report that Jono was successful on his second attempt. He plans to travel to do his DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Mazatlán, Mexico on September 10th. Paul will travel with Jono, as he has never travelled outside of Thailand. We want to be sure he arrives safely in Mexico. Thanks to so many who have cheered him on in this process.

Other news is Nui, who also has the goal of doing a DTS, also has changed her location choice to Battambang, Cambodia. Previously she had thought that she would go to Orlando. Several factors have caused her change of heart, most significantly is the level of difficulty for Thai passport holders to enter USA. We all believe she will have a great experience in Battambang.

August 17, was Arnie first day in grade 3. We are grateful his health is much stronger. He is a carefree and caring young boy, it is a delight to nurture him. 

Mercy and Faith (twins who continue in Colleen’s care) also started grade 4 on that same day, at the same school. Both girls are thriving in Colleen’s care. Colleen does a spectacular job of caring for their many varied special medical needs. They do need more tuition support for school fees, so if you have a heart for education and would like to help specifically with their school fees, please email me.Thanks for standing with us in prayer and thanks to so many of you who encourage us and continue to partner financially with us.
Paul & Penny.

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My goal is to write a short note with a couple of pictures once every two months. So This note is to ask you … “would you like to hear from me during my adventure with YWAM?”

Currently, my goal is to complete a DTS (discipleship training school) in Mazatlan, Mexico. This gives me 12 credits toward my degree with YWAM’s University of the Nations. After that, if I can renew my visa without leaving Mexico, I will register for another course in art, that is offered in that same location. That will give me a further 12 credits. My current goal is to pursue a degree in Digital Animation, I want to use this art form for God’s Kingdom. I am aware there are many opportunities, many more than I currently even know.
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        So if you want to follow my journey, know how to pray, even help me out from time to time if God puts that on your heart and most of all know where I end up. Please reply to my parents, Paul and Penny at this email and then, they will pass it on to me and I will form my own email list and write to you about once every 2-3 months.

       Thanks for being part of my life and for praying and supporting my parents to help rescue me from a pretty tough situation when I was very little and then help me grow up.

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Please pray my visa is approved for Mexico on May 12. Mum and I are going to Bangkok to the Mexican Consulate to apply. I will graduate from high school in 3 weeks on the 21st May and I’m both nervous and excited about the future. It’ll help to have people standing with me on the journey starting out.I leave Chiang Rai, flying from the nest and the security of my parent’s home, end of June, and the DTS starts in Mexico on July 4.

Thanks for considering this,
Jonathan Wilcox
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Our newsletter theme over recent years has been “Let’s see them through”. This month we are thrilled to share some next step decisions that two of our Thai kids are in the process of working through.
 

Twenty three years ago we started the adventure of caring for orphaned babies (our Thai family), babies who joined our family one or two at a time until they numbered 15. Our ministry also cared for some single mothers and their families, who lived for different periods of time in the 6 cottages we built on the property that we purchased all those years ago. We still live here now, with the remainder of the growing kids, but we are so grateful that the single mums and their children have been able to reintegrate back into the community. Some of you know the long story and have followed us from those early days.There have been a good share of tough times, but this report today is about the joy we feel in these ones who are moving toward great life choices. They need you to pray for them as they step out.

We want to give you an opportunity to give to them as they take these next steps. So we bravely, boldly, and gladly invite you to partner with these two, Jono and Nui, as they fly from the nest soon, toward their goals. Both want to start their journey with YWAM – DTS (Discipleship Training School).

Nui has been accepted to DTS in Orlando, Florida. Yep, USA! She will start the first week of October this year. Nui is 20, and she joined our family when she was one year old. The obstacles she has overcome are countless and she has come out shining. Nui has learned to NOT give up, she has learned how to choose joy, and we are confident that this next step will ground her life foundation even more. She has been given a considerable fee discount for a few reasons, but still needs a good chunk to help her apply for her visa, airfare, and tuition. If you’d like to help, email Penny or Nui, or you can send us a message on facebook messenger – PaulNPennyWilcox. We would love to give you more details.

Jono has also been accepted to DTS in Mazatlan, Mexico! DTS there begins July 4th, which is pretty soon! Jono is 18, and his having a passport is truly a miracle. We were told that it would be impossible here in Thailand to successfully acquire a passport before the age of 20 without living birth parents. Penny took on the challenge and jumped through MANY hoops, asking God to pave the way….and He did! Please pray with us for his visa and the funds needed for airfare and tuition fees. We would like to give you the opportunity to partner with Jono in this exciting step he is about to take.Contact us! PaulNPennyWilcox on Facebook messenger, reply to this email, or call Penny, +66 818811198 (but please check Thailand timezone first!).

As always, we are more than grateful for your kind partnership, and your prayers. 

Thanks for your help to springboard these kids into their destiny…
Peace,
Paul and Penny