Cause for Hope and Joy

It also provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce you to another of our Friends In Mission in Thailand. Welcome to the Jungle is a weblog maintained by Brett and Shelly, mission co-workers living in Chiang Mai Thailand as HIV/AIDS regional consultants. Brett is a nurse and amateur photographer. Shelly, a literacy specialist and ESL teacher. They are joined in mission by their two wonderful children, Acacia and Annapurna.

We had a chance to meet Brett and Shelly in February, when our mission team was invited to join a gathering at the home of Reverend Dr. William J. Yoder, Dean Emeritus of the McGilvray College of Divinity in Chiang Mai, for dinner and fellowship with men and women, young and old, who have devoted years of their lives to education and Christian mission in Thailand.

Which brings us to this post by Brett and Shelly about a wedding they attended for Jeem, their friend and helper. Jeem is from the Karen tribe, which is one of the many 'Hill Tribes' that occupy northern Thailand and eastern Burma. Jeem and her new husband Somchai were dressed in traditional Karen wedding attire, and photos of the event provide a wonderful and especially colorful look at the people who have become an indelible part of our lives since our mission to Thailand. A majority of the Karen are Christian and provided us many places and opportunities for service, prayer, fellowship and worship while we were there.

Best wishes, and prayers of hope and joy for Jeem and Somchai, for Brett and Shelly, and for so many others committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ in southeast Asia.