A Starting Point

Whenever we begin any project, there is a starting point and a missionary has to learn a lot about the area and the possibilities available before any momentum can be achieved. 

Ron and I have been chatting early every morning before he begins his day and every evening before he get some rest.   I ask questions to try to understand how he is doing and what he is doing.   This first week in Chiang Mei has been a learning experience.

As I posted in the last segment, he likes his hotel.   He thinks there are only three guests there and maybe one staff member as the hotel has low occupancy due to COVID.  He found a mall to get a sim card for his cell phone we used in Thailand two years ago.  A 7-11 market is several blocks from the hotel.   He has a fridge in his room but this particular 7-11 does not have the supply of foods that we enjoyed while in Bangkok with a 7-11 nearby.   He is getting tired of junk food he can buy there but street food is not safe for a foreigner.   The small restaurants that are open are not safe either.   Our systems are not protected from bacteria from impure water or unsanitary cooking utensils so we get stomach viruses very easily in Asia.   

The market is mention in an article as the location where a number of new COVID cases have been identified.   Although Ron has gotten his vaccinations and booster, he still wants to be careful as a breakthrough case would at least slow down his work, even if he is not seriously ill.    Everywhere he goes, his temperature is taken so that is a little precaution.    How people got into a market and spread the disease with this precaution, is questionable.

Ron estimates that at least 60% of the businesses are closed.   Many people do not have jobs and are seeking help with food.    Streets are empty and the city is far from its normal pace of activity.

He has only seen properties on the internet but hopes to meet with a realtor this coming week to literally see some of the available houses.   He will determine which could be renovated to serve our needs as a safe house for girls.    Please pray that his search will find something that can easily be completed and adequate at a reasonable price.

Ron will meet with a lawyer this week to find out what is required for us to be legal and what is involved to form a foundation (NGO).   Patinya, the minister in Bangkok that we have known for years, will go to Chiang Mei to meet with Ron is two weeks.   Patinya has a Bible School in Bangkok and a foundation through which it operates.   I believe we went through his foundation to set up the safe house in Mukdahan, Thailand two years ago.   We may have to do that again if the legal process is too long and expensive to achieve quickly.    Many countries make it very difficult for foreigners to operate a business or a mission work while others welcome in such organizations quite easily.

As I stated in my opening sentence....a work has a beginning and then it takes time to implement the steps required to move forward.    I hope we will be able to report more and more progress each week.

Ron is sending out newsletter emails.  Watch for those if you are on his mailing list.  Or write to him at ronbrown10@gmail.com if you do not receive them but want to be added to his list.

Please continue to pray for Ron and for the search underway to establish this new work in Chiang Mei.