November 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

It is a joy and privilege to be back here in Thailand. We have noticed many changes in Bangkok. There are new highways, and they are working on expanding the sky train to ease traffic and to make it easier to travel to the new airport. We live about 20 minutes from the new airport, far enough away from the air traffic noise. Buildings, stores, and housing communities are still popping up all over, increasing the congestion of traffic as infrastructure can’t seem to keep up with the rapid growth. The new Thai Constitution was approved by a slim majority, paving the way for elections on December 23. In spite of the coup in October last year, amazing Thailand continues to operate peacefully for the most part except for sporadic violence in three southern provinces. The loyalty to the King in Thailand remains strong, as we celebrate his 80th birthday this year. Throughout the week, many wear yellow, the royal color for the King, to show their love, respect, and solidarity for him.

Our main focus remains investing in students at the Bangkok Institute of Theology. Having been gone only one year, it is surprising to see so many new faces on campus. BIT is an affiliate of the Christian University, which now enables our students to receive a government-recognized degree. Our academic dean, Ajarn Nantiya, carries much responsibility in this recent transition. We are amazed how hard our Thai colleagues work and how little time off they have. Please pray that God would sustain and encourage her and all our faculty.

We continue to be concerned for and invested in the spiritual care of our students. The great need for personal discipling and mentoring remains a challenge for our faculty, who are stretched in many directions and have limited time to invest personally in students’ lives. Please pray as we enter a time of “revival” in November for repentance and change in all our lives. To see recent pictures, go to BIT’s Web site.

Rocco serving with the WELL ministry.

Rocco Ghezzi, who was on the mission committee at Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, New Jersey, left his job in the United States and began a one-year journey to grow in his vision of world mission. He visited and served in Morocco and Indonesia before coming to Bangkok, where he worked with the WELL and BIT ministries. What a neat way to see mission partnership in action! The students just loved him! Please pray that God would use Rocco’s vision and burden in the lives of the Kirkpatrick Church family and as Rocco looks into opportunities to return here next year as a “tentmaker,” using his professional math and accounting experience to serve.

From left: GAC Executive Director Linda Valentine; Moderator Ajarn Virat of the Church of Christ in Thailand; PC(USA) area coordinator for Asia, Insik Kim; Chris Valentine.

Recently, Carol had the privilege of welcoming Linda Valentine, the executive director of the General Assembly Council of the PC(USA). She was traveling in the region with her husband Chris and the PC(USA)’s area coordinator for Asia, Insik Kim. Carol accompanied the group as they visited with the leadership of our partnering body, the Church of Christ in Thailand. Carol was impressed by Linda’s enthusiasm and commitment to world mission and evangelism.

Last month, 144 presbyteries in the PC(USA) welcomed missionaries to share their stories and encourage congregations to connect to PC(USA) missionaries. This was called “Mission Challenge ’07.” Please pray that God would continue to use this outpouring of interest to grow and inspire the church onward. Check out Linda Valentine’s blog about her Asian trip.

While Carol was spending time with the Valentines, Leith and Rocco were with BIT ethnic Karen students at a camp and service project in northern Thailand. Leith says “This camp was one of the best I’ve been involved with, from what the students were able to contribute in ministry as well as what we gained from the fellowship and partnership with the Karen church. The Karen churches are doing an especially great job in church planting and evangelism and a revival movement is really taking hold among this tribal group, particularly in northern Thailand.”

Family highlights

Karin is the third Fujii to run a marathon! She was one of those who endured the heat in the recent Chicago Marathon and finished beautifully! Lani played her first year in soccer and her school team placed first in an international school soccer tournament. Mark is in his sophomore year of college. Joy continues to grow in responsibility and experience as an army officer in Seoul, Korea. Her new hobby is scuba diving. We are looking forward to their visit this Christmas.

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, we want to thank each of you for your vital prayer and financial support and friendship to us!  We are truly partners together in God’s Great Commission. Without Jesus and your faithful prayers, we can do nothing of eternal value! A blessed thanksgiving to each of you!

Joyfully in Christ,

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 119