Welcome to our blog!

C.O's wife sat with us in Sign for a session

It's been a few months since we've arrived here, but much has happened in our short period of time. We've started Thai Classes, attended English Convention (worked behind scenes for Drama) and Thai/ Sign Language Convention, visited Krabi (soon to be assignment), assisted with Pioneer School lunch, and had C.O visit within two months...and our days here are just the beginning!





So, this is a quick update on our last few events, and we hope to include much more thorough updates in the future:




This is our current congregation: Samutprakan.

Samutprakan

The majority are need-greaters from South Korea, so there are many pioneers ("women are a large army"-  Psl.68:11). Here, we attempt to preach in Thai and practice what we learn from our course in the ministry. From the first week of being here, there has been one brother that has assisted us tremendously- Br. Chachawon. He has been assigned to teach our Thai course with the goal of having us read within three months. With his skill, patience, love for the ministry and dedicated teaching- we should be fine. He used to serve as a missionary, so his experience and continuous zeal has only encouraged us more and more along the way.

Regular Service Day

We've had some memorable moments in our class- trying to pronounce even the basic tones is not easy!

That's when we know to visit the...









                                          Bangkok Sign Language Group>>

Deena and Grace visiting before going to Korat
...and so many are missing from this picture, but you get the idea!

Each week, we try to attend meetings and reach the ministry on Sunday after our Thai meetings. After a 2 hour travel, we usually make it in time to associate with the friends and sit on a few studies before the meeting. At times, we even get to search for deaf at the mall before meetings. Once, we had met a group of deaf , who were so interested in the topic of a new world, that we shared Bible scriptures with them twice and watched sections of the truth tract from my iPod before we went to our meeting.



Just within the two months here, there has been a big increase in attendance and great amount of regular visitors to Sunday meetings- it's great, but, they're taking all the easy comments! 












While having classes and participating in the ministry, we had hours of practice with Drama rehearsal. What a privilege it was to be with friends that spoke English- but most of all joyous to help in the background with costumes. How do the beards look?

The English/Japanese District Convention in Bangkok had approximate average of 350 in attendance for English and 7 baptized. It may be a small district, but many interested ones, met through campaign, came and stayed for at least 2 days-the harvest is great, but the workers are few!

Gluing on Info for Convention Invitations

Then, we had our Thai/Sign Language District Convention with the attendance of 1,600 as an average for all three days. Many were baptized, but 2 sisters had us particularly excited for them- they belong to the Bangkok Sign Language group and has shown tremendous spiritual growth over the past two years. Quite a few visited for the Sign section, so here is a few nice pictures of some of the sisters serving throughout Thailand for the sign territory:

                                           Speaking of Sign Language>> 

Newest Addition to Brotherhood- 2 deaf sisters

 As most of you are aware, we have been assigned to assist the Krabi Thai Congregation and the Thai Sign "group" that is in progress of becoming finalized as a group. So, we went for a visit to "search out the land" and we are so excited to move down there!

Krabi Thai Congregation in Service 

 The territory is vast, but within the past month, a couple and one sister from Japan has moved to Krabi to assist the Sign "group" so that the search for the deaf can be worked in numbers! Including Cynthia and I, there will be one couple from the Bronx (shout-out to Jeff and Melissa), one from Japan, and a sister from Japan serving as need-greaters in that sign "group" for the south of Thailand. This "group" has great potential as we have the first deaf publisher in the south of Thailand to encourage. So, we are hoping that Jehovah uses all of us to assist in the growth in Krabi! Now- we just need to learn how to ride a motorcycle... anyone up for the challenge?

Melissa, Jeff, and 1st deaf publisher in South

Lunch before thorough cleaning of hall

Holding on to the pick-up ride into the service territory

C.O (left) visiting Samutprakan- last week
Ironically, he'll also be our C.O in Krabi - Jan. 2011