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