about us
Dear Friends & Family,
We are taking time to write you in order to gain your support by prayer as we work towards the next phase our lives as disciples. We hope this letter will help explain why we are considering going to Thailand in the Fall of 2011.
Our Goals
We hope to go to Chiang Rai, Thailand in September ‘11 for a 9 month School of Biblical Studies (SBS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) . While only Mike will be able to take the course because of the intensity of the program, Amy hopes to help with a local ministry if possible in her time away from taking care of Abby. The purpose of the trip is twofold: Besides the SBS, we want to be immersed in Thai culture/language and scout out potential longer-term ministry opportunities.
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” - James 1:27
Why SBS?
As you may know, we did a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with YWAM in Montana right after we got married in Fall 2006. We did 3 months training in Montana, followed by a 2 month outreach in Uganda working with local churches and preaching/evangelizing in villages. This was an amazing but difficult experience since neither of us are naturally gifted in evangelizing.
YWAM has another school called nicknamed ”SBS” (School of Biblical Studies).
“SBS is a nine month school which trains students in Inductive Bible Study, equipping them to study God’s Word for themselves while challenging them to give it out to others. Every book of the Bible is studied separately, reading it at least 5 times. We write our observations of the text, interpretations of the text and how we can apply the Word of God to our lives here and now.”
Mike feels like whatever lays ahead (whether it be in Thailand, the United States, or anywhere else) that God is calling him to take a period to study the scriptures, to know them inside and out.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot
Uhhh so you want to go to Seminary or something?
No…Here are a few things that SBS is NOT:
- A school to teach people how to preach.
- A school to teach people how to teach (though there may be a few assignments that give the student an opportunity to teach)
- An outreach (though there may be some opportunities for short outreaches during the school or after the school)
- A theology course (though theology is learned in searching the scriptures).
15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15
Ok so why do you have to go to Thailand for SBS?
It is true that the SBS course is offered in countries around the world. But since there is a course offered in English in Chiang Rai, we think it’s a good opportunity to learn about Thai culture & hone our language skills (yes we are taking Thai classes right now!). Also to check out existing ministries & opportunities in regards to our long-term goals.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Pslams 46:10
What are these “long-term goals” for ministry in Thailand?
While we were in DTS God laid human trafficking, particularly the sex slave trade in Thailand, on our hearts. For the past 4 years we have prayed, dreamed, & strategized about how to make a difference in this particular area of darkness. While we have thought up some pretty crazy plans & ideas, we aren’t exactly sure what it is that God has in store for us to do there yet. There is a good chance that whatever we end up doing there long term will not be a non-profit organization, but a for profit company, starting to know and understand the language and culture is imperative. A great example of a company that already does this in Cambodia is Hagar International. It is a group of for profit companies that provide jobs to women and children escapees from the slave trade. They currently have rescued, and provide full time, well paying jobs for over 250 women.
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17
Did you say slaves?
There are currently more slaves in the world now than at the height of the African slave trade. At one time we were all in school, and read books about Harriet Tubman, and heroic German families who harbored Jewish families during world war II. Our imaginations ran wild with what we would do. How we would do it. We (as a family) cannot sit by and do nothing.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” - Edmund Burke
How are you going to pay for all this?
Upon returning to the states, Amy and I had decided that we were going to focus on paying off our student debts (around $100k) prior to returning to the mission field. After much prayer we decided to start a company, HireAHelper.com, that we hoped would provide us with that opportunity.
While we haven’t paid off 100% of our student loans, we have worked ourselves into a position where we should be able to support ourselves in a foreign country off of the HireAHelper profits (our cost of living abroad should be in the neighborhood of $2500/mo for the family).
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9
