16 March 2011 - Praise & Prayer from Robert & Dara Peh

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:12-13, KJV).

THANK GOD! One month has passed since the fire broke out. By the grace of God which is always sufficient for us, we thank God for sustaining us and enabling us to cope with and adjust to all that has befallen us. Thank you for upholding us in your prayer.

On 7 March (Monday), we started pulling down all the burned woods and walls. All were cleared by 11 March (Friday). Reconstruction of the building began on 12 March (Saturday). Since then, we have been working on the foundations. It may take us about three weeks to get it done, depending on the weather. It has been raining for the past few days and the weather-forecast reported that our area will be cloudy and raining for the next few days (14 to 18 Mar). Temperature at night is below 20 degrees Celsius though it is supposed to be the hot season now. Thank God for the rain that cools off the heat and wash away the dust.

We have decided to rebuild the house by ourselves with the help of an experienced contractor. We think that our older boys (John, Isaac, Boaz, Joshua and Enoch) are fit and old enough now to learn and pick up the skill. Having been with us for so many years, it is a joy to see them growing "in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52, KJV). Since the beginning of the ministry, the older boys had been involved in many of the construction works here in the Christian Home of Love (CHOL) and all under the supervision of the same contractor that we have hired to take on this project. We believe that since they are much older now and with all the experiences that they had gained in the past, God will enable them to carry out the task as well as to master the skill at the same time. With such a skill on hand, not only would they be able to build their own houses in the future when they have their own families, but also could use it to serve God in the ministry. Moreover, part of the programmes of CHOL is to impart unto the residents a certain skill to equip them for service in the church or the society, or wherever the Lord leads them. So, we thank God for such an opportunity given unto them to be involved in the rebuilding project of the Home. 

Students are having their final examinations on Monday to Wednesday (14 – 16 March). Thereafter, it will begin their long summer holidays which will last till the middle of May. During the vacation, they will be helping out at Home. We have also prepared some learning activities for them and other children from the village. Pray that they will learn much and their time will be wisely spent.

THANK GOD! We were able to find a place for Dara, Evangel & Evangeline to do their studies. Please pray for Dara as she has four exam papers to do at home this week, to be completed by Saturday (19 Mar). THANK GOD for His healing hand upon Dara. She is recovering well. No more those unpleasant side-effects. PRAISE THE LORD!

We know that everything could proceed so steadily and quickly is because God has heard and answered all our prayers. Thank you once again for co-labouring with us in prayer. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16, KJV).

THANK GOD that He is so real to all those who walk close with Him. Recognising that He is always there for us and is faithful and in full control of our lives and the surrounding, there is no reason why we should be afraid or anxious, as the Scripture says, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22, KJV).

The assurance of God's sovereignty in our lives and the promises of God in His Word should cause us to trust Him in every situation, knowing that every event that unfolds in our lives comes with the knowledge of the all knowing God Who is working all things out "after the counsel of His Own will" (Ephesians 1:11, KJV). This should also encourage us to be thankful to God, like the early Christians, "rejoicing that (we) were counted worthy to suffer ...for His Name" (Acts 5:41, KJV). The apostle Paul puts it this way, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, KJV).

To view more pictures of CHOL Rebuilding Project (from 5-15 March), click here: https://picasaweb.google.com/robertdara/CHOLRebuildingProjectMarch162011#

Under His loving care,

Robert, Dara, Evangel, Evangeline Peh

& all in the Christian Home of Love

& the Truth Bible-Presbyterian Church

16 March 2011

1 March 2011 – Praise & Prayer from Robert & Dara Peh

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, KJV).

THANK GOD for the five brethren from Singapore who came to render their physical help. James Tan, May Eng, Sandra and her two children (Tze Anne & Tze Shaun) came on 16 February and returned on 23 February. They helped to clean up the books, bags, clothing, toys, kitchenware and cabinets, etc. Thank God for their labour of love. As it is written, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10, KJV). Thank God again for them, for sacrificing their time and comfort to come and bear the burden together with us. They were indeed a great help and encouragement to us.

Elder Victor Wee, though had just returned from the India mission trip on 19 February (Saturday), came on the 21 February (Monday), together with our co-worker Peigang (who was back in Singapore for the Lunar New Year).

Thank God also for Dara’s Thai friends, Ek and Pee Ploy for coming to offer us encouragement on 14 and 15 February respectively. God is indeed marvelous. He knows who to send and how to meet our needs. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee” (Psalm 84:11-12, KJV).

Thank God for all the love and concern, prayer and financial support we have received from fellow believers in Christ during this trying period. Clothing, toiletries, instant noodles, and some goodies were also provided. Jesus says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40, KJV). “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42, KJV).

Removing of the debris is still in the process, a little here and there every day. Thank God that along the way, we could find some soaps and toothpastes still in usable condition, reminding us of what Jesus says, “…Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” (John 6:12, KJV).

As one of the walls of the dormitories is joined with the kitchen outside, we may need to cut it apart before we could knock down the other walls. We may start to demolish the building, God willing, within this week to make way for the construction to take place. Please pray for safety and protection in the work and for wisdom in planning and ideas for the design of the dormitories. Weather is also an issue here.

While waiting for the dormitories for the boys and girls and Dara’s and the children’s study room to be built, we are trying to find a proper working space for Dara and our two kids to do their work. We have blocked up one portion of the building that was not affected by the fire to put our wardrobes in. Robert has fixed up electrical wiring, powered by car batteries, to bring in some light to the room. We have shifted our beds to Robert’s office. Thank God for this arrangement and for preserving Robert’s office from the fire. The office is just 5 metres away from the building that caught fire.

At this juncture, many of you may be interested to know how we are doing and coping after the fire incident. We must say again, “GOD IS ALWAYS SO GOOD TO HIS CHILDREN!” He has enabled us to adjust life back to normal again, though things are still quite messy in the rooms.

On 14 February (Monday), 2 days after the fire took place, the children got their school uniform and were back to school on the following day (15 Feb). The school said that they would be given new textbooks for free but until now, they are still sharing textbooks with their classmates. Thank God. There was not much studying for them for the past two weeks. Since 17 February, their school has been busy with a series of sports competitions and camp. They even requested us to use our lorry to fetch their students to another school for an inter-school sports tournament. THANK GOD! John, who had obtained his driving license two years ago, could serve as the driver. The end of the school term is coming soon. One more week to go and they will be sitting for their final examinations (around the middle of March). Pray that they will be ready for the exams and able to do well.

As for the older boys, they are back to their normal chores: looking after the animals, taking care of the paddy field, watering the crops, etc. It is a joy to see them faithfully and diligently serving the Lord each day. Pray also especially for John and Isaac in their preparation for their exams at the end of April. John recently twisted his ankle badly while playing soccer with the boys and it is still swollen and painful. Do pray for healing for him.

Evangel and Evangeline have also started their studies. Their home-school materials are not complete due to the fire, but they just have to move on with what they have. May God help them to be disciplined after so long a break. In addition to their studies, they have other learning activities too. This week, they are learning to bake. Thank God that they really enjoy it very much. They also learn Thai from Dara in the evening or sometimes at night, depending on their commitments. For this subject, Evangel is currently at Primary 4 level and Lin is at Primary 3. On top of these, beginning this week, Evangel has to do a research paper from the Internet about a famous person that he likes. Pray that this will expand his knowledge and improve his IT skills.

As for Dara, apart from home-schooling the two kids and teaching them how to bake (with Grace as her assistant), she has to do her own studies too. Thank God that she could attend classes last weekend. Thank God also that her health is improving steadily. THANK GOD! She has no more body cramps since last week. May the Lord grant her a complete recovery. Do continue to uphold her in prayer.

Grace is always working diligently behind the scenes. She joyfully does the laundry, cooking, washing, ironing, etc for our family to relieve us of those things. At times, she also assists Dara in teaching Thai to Evangel and Lin. Thank God for her. She is indeed a great helper and a blessing from God to all of us. May God grant her strength daily to discharge her daily duties.

Robert had wanted to get this update out since a week ago (24 Feb) but he has been occupied with so many different assignments on hand that he had to delay it. For the past one week until now, he has been feeling a bit weak physically and his eyes have been getting tired easily. We request you to pray for him, for better health and extra strength to manage the various tasks laid before him and for his recovery from bodily weakness. Thank God for sustaining Robert day by day. Indeed, God’s grace is always sufficient for us.

Our daily Family Worship is held in the evening. Robert is still doing the teaching. The residents also take turns to preach under Robert’s guidance. Pray that God will continue to bless the family worship, and for every soul in the Christian Home of Love to keep growing spiritually in the Lord and be strengthened daily to live in obedience to His Word. “Blessed are they that keep His Testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2, KJV).

Thank God! We have also started the Truth B-P Church Building Project on 14 February 2011. At present, we are in the midst of creating a new blog to testify the mighty acts of God in our church and to keep you informed of how you can continue to pray for this work together with us. Once the newsletter for the church building project is ready, we will notify you. Until then, keep praying and thanks for your prayer.

To view more photographs, click this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/robertdara/CHOLCaughtFire12Feb2011oogle.com/robertdara/CHOLCaughtFire12Feb2011

His unworthy servants,
Robert, Dara, Evangel & Evangeline Peh
& all in the Christian Home of Love
& the Truth Bible-Presbyterian Church
Chiang Mai, THAILAND
Mobile: 089-1916606 / +65-89-1916606