February 2008

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your faithful and generous support for me during the past year. I’m deeply grateful for the privilege of being at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in these days when God’s Spirit is moving powerfully all over this land.

When I was first invited by the former president of Payap University to work as his assistant for the Christian chaplaincy work seven and a half years ago, I came across Psalm 78, in which God’s faithfulness to his people is recounted. The psalm ends with thanksgiving for King David, who shepherded God’s people and who took care of them with unselfish devotion and led them with skill. It has been my prayer that I would be a leader like David—both devoted and skillful. I ask you to make it your prayer for me as well.

A year ago, our new president, the Reverend Dr. Pradit Takerngrangsarit, increased my responsibility, giving me oversight not only of the chaplaincy work, but for all our student development work (everything non-academic). This includes student government, clubs, student services such as counseling and career services, financial aid, health care, and sports. The year has gone well, and the chaplain’s and student development offices have been working together more closely.

God has given us a new staff person, Peerapong, a recent grad of Payap, who came to know Jesus while a student. He was the student government president one year, and was baptized about a month ago and joined Payap Church. He is passionate about leading students to Jesus as well as helping us in student leadership development and expanding our use of computer and Internet technologies. Peerapong will also be a key player in developing a network of student cell groups throughout every academic department of the university (our vision for the next five years). We are growing a network of staff cell groups in all the supporting offices of the university, too. This year two more groups got started—one just began on Valentine’s Day.

This week the president has appointed a new head of the student development office. Aj Chutipong has been at Payap a long time, but only in the past year has he become a believer. His young son attends a local Christian school, and through the witness of his teachers and CCI’s performances each year, he has become a hungry and growing little follower of Jesus. His constant questions to his dad encouraged Aj Chutipong to investigate Jesus himself and come to faith. I’m looking forward to working with this man to revamp many of our programs. We need to focus on relationships and mentoring for student development work.

Pray that we’ll continue to integrate these two offices effectively and efficiently. Pray that we’ll be able to deepen and broaden our work in the dorms on and around the campus. We need young people to come to Chiang Mai as residential life assistants and English tutors. We also need to expand our sports programs and opportunities for our students. If you know anyone who can coach and would like to volunteer for a couple years, have them contact me.

Thank you again for your prayers and support,

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 92