A Prayer Granted

Hope of Chiang Mai Church

"If you abide in Me,
and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire,
and it shall be done for you."

John 15: 7

It was our last Sunday at Hope of Chiang Mai Church yesterday.

During the worship service the pastor and the congregation prayed for us. Our care group leaders, Marcus and Boom, and some of the elders in the church gathered around Ernie and me to also pray for us. They even honored us by giving us a lovely bouquet of red roses, and garlands of fragrant sampaguita flowers. It was really a touching moment.




As I was preparing to come to Thailand a year ago, one specific prayer I had was for God to bring us to a church that was alive, growing, and hungry for more of Him. I asked God for a pastor who would faithfully feed his flock with solid teaching, and a worship team that was obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.




My faithful Father gave me all that I asked for.

And now the time has come for us to move on.


As the service was ending, I felt such a deep sadness in my heart at having to say goodbye. This church has been our home for the twelve months that we were here. In that brief span of time, we have developed close relationships. People have opened their hearts to us, and we have truly felt welcomed and loved.

At Ann's Coffee Shop

Pastor Suchart

Thank you Pastor Suchart for being such a faithful and humble pastor. You have the heart of a shepherd. You have been such a blessing to us!

Pastor Nimit

Thank you Pastor Nimit. The three nights during the Bible Intensive Course that I sat under your anointed teaching had such a deep impact upon me!

Marcus and Boom and their daughter Janina

Thank you Marcus and Boom for your care and kindness. You have modeled for us selflessness, generosity, kindness. Thank you both for joyfully doing the difficult work of translating while Pastor Suchart is preaching. Marcus, your teaching is practical and flows from your heart. Boom, you have the heart of a worshiper. And Janina has really brought such a delight to our hearts by her worshipful dancing even at an early age!

Tessie, you have been sent by God to be a kind friend to me. Thank you for having been there. You have a gentle heart. God will restore to you all the years that the locust has eaten.

Ann, thank you too for joyfully translating Pastor's sermon. Together with Joanne, Marcus, and Boom, the sermons have come alive for us who do not speak Thai because of you. God will reward all of you richly for your willing obedience.

We have really enjoyed your delicious coffee, but more than the coffee, the ambience of your coffee shop and your sweet smile will always be a part of my beautiful memories.

And dear fellow members at the International Fellowship:

It has been such a joy walking with you on this journey. We will remember to pray for you often. May God keep watch over us as we are far from each other.

God's Way from Zimbabwe, during a Care Group meeting at our flat.

Jan Lu and Ping

Wen and Ah-Bing

With my young Chinese friends

Thank you, dear brothers and sisters at Hope Chiang Mai, for sharing your lives with us. We will never forget you. We will cherish the warm memories we have of our journey together.

We take comfort in knowing that "friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them."

I know we will meet often at God's throne of grace!