Growing… Changing…

Dear friends,
Just wanting to share a couple of fun testimonies with you all so you are encouraged at what God is doing in Chiang Rai, Thailand with our Thai family…. thanks for partnering with us…

Bom (19 years) has started at university in Bangkok, in the past month he has made the transition from home to Bangkok and he has orientation this week, starts classes next week. We are so proud of him. Studying Business Entrepreneurship, a 4 year degree.

Two of our teenagers Hope 18 years and Bam 17 years, have had the opportunity to do a Media Training Course. How to use multi-media for advertising and promotional material. How to build websites and excel in photography and videography. This was an expensive training however they were sponsored by some Singaporean partners and this has been a valuable and beneficial tool for them to add to their resume and equip them for their future. We are incredibly grateful for the unique opportunities many of our teenagers are experiencing after so many years of being disadvantaged.

Another of our teenagers Nui, 17 years, has scored herself an internship as a veterinary assistant at the Chiang Rai Pet Hotel and Hospital. She is thoroughly enjoying this training and it has been her dream for many years to work with animals in a veterinary clinic. 

We are more than thrilled as we journey with these young people, all of whom have lived with us since they were infants. They have overcome so much, losing parents, facing life-threatening illnesses, and yet they are still walking forward in success, actively choosing each day to soldier on. We are so very proud of them all as they make great decisions and are in the process of becoming more independent.

We hope all is well for you all. Write when you have time, to let us know your news too. 
Paul and Penny Wilcox

Latest News

Hello Friends,

Life is full as we continue to be “Mum and Dad” to these ten wonderful souls (9 teenagers and one 6 year old) who live under our roof. What a privilege to have this large family and to have cared for each one since infants. We find such great joy as we continue to teach, support and journey alongside these precious ones. Six of our kids are only a little more than one year away from completing their high school, so we realise life is about to make a BIG change. Please remember us in this season…. 

All dressed up here for an evening school function. Bom is missing from this photo, as he was at his part time job! 

Paul is currently planning for and helping in a 6 week intensive with other elders from our region (He will be both participant and staff). He will be encouraging, empowering, equipping other leaders from around Asia in an Applied Practical Leadership Course (APLC). Leaders in Asia and beyond are crying out for help! How do we equip these leaders for growing ministry? How do we prepare them for going to where we are not?

The APLC (Applied Practical Leadership Course) will aim to provide a custom-made curriculum with multiple topics to address felt needs. Please pray for this intensive and exciting opportunity for so many leaders, June 30 – August 9, 2019 and especially for Paul and the other elders who are managing and steering this crucial training. 

Would you also please pray for Josiah and Garin, two of our boys, who used to live with us but are now out in their communities and growing up with others around them, that they will continue to make good life decisions. We are grateful that we are able to have regular contact.

We are more than grateful for your financial and prayer support, grateful to all of you for the many ways you partner with us in making a difference in the lives of so many. It takes a village…

The APLC (Applied Practical Leadership Course)
Place: YWAM Chiang Rai Base
For more info and to register, email: [email protected]

Quan (centre, bottom row) who has served with us for 16 years has made the difficult decision to leave, as she wants to join her husband living in Australia with their son, Quinn. We will miss her so very much. She has been a dear friend for 20 years.

Thanks for standing with us in our work in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Peace,
Paul and Penny

Our Thai Staff Move On

Dear Friends of Quan,
As you know, since 2003 I’ve been working at the Home of the Open Heart in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I’ve served in a few different roles during the years including helping look after the kids since they were little and now they are in their teens. I’ve also helped care for the many mothers and young children who’ve lived in our cottages over the years, helping them with life skills and health management. I’ve enjoyed being Penny’s assistant and I know I will miss the children, my role with Paul and Penny and also my work colleagues very much. 

I’ve learned and seen many things in life and I’m grateful for all that God has been teaching me. At the beginning of my career at the Home of the Open Heart, I was single but now I am a mother with a family. God has been teaching me different things these past 16 years.

Thank you so very much in helping to support me. I now know God is leading me to another chapter in my life… to be with my little family. I am now in the process of getting my partner visa for Australia and my hope is to relocate to Australia sometime before the end of this year, so that Quinn, my son, can start the 2020 school year there.  I began my visa application process in June last year, so since then I’ve been waiting for my visa to be granted. Please pray for me, my husband and son as we are all hoping to be together in Australia sometime soon.

I will be working at the Home of the Open Heart until the end of April, so in a little over 2 months I will finish up. However, Kak, who is currently the accountant will be taking on my role, as well as doing the accounting for Home of the Open Heart, so please pray for her in that transition. I will then take some time off to be with my Mum here in Chiang Rai, as well as getting ready to go to Australia. Thank you all again for your love, support and prayer. Thank you for praying for me as I face this very big life change with my family.

God Bless.
Quan
Quan, Quinn (7yrs), Kevin

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