Ron is at a hotel in Chiang Mei, Thailand

Yesterday, Ron made the flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mei.   He had some trouble getting the COVID test to travel on but I don't know the details of what he went through.  I think he had at least four COVID tests from the time he left Atlanta and arrived in Chiang Mei.    He said his hotel is good.   I don't know if he will have a room there the entire time or find a room in an apartment building as we had in Mukdahan, Thailand two years ago.    

Ron's back was hurting a lot from carrying the bag (one regular size bag plus a smaller satchel).   He was very tired so I have not pressed him for many details yet.

He said everyone is wearing masks.   Thailand has not faired well with the pandemic.   Most of the restaurants in the airport are closed and he said walking through was like being in a deserted airport.  They just opened up for foreigners on November 1st due to their great economic loss.    It seems we were better prepared in the U.S. in spite of closures and mandates.

The number of COVID cases in Georgia is less each week.   The majority of people are not wear masks.  Some stores still have a sign up that they are required (banks and grocery stores) but I still do not see many people observing the restrictions.    I wear one in these places out of courtesy since they state that they want us to wear them.   To me, it is the same as having a sign that says "no shirt, no shoes, no service."   They have a right to request it if its their place of business.   Their employees are all wearing masks.

We are having a beautiful fall week here in Georgia.   I have raked leaves this afternoon in 70 degree weather.   But, rain will come on Thursday and we will have a chilly weekend.

God bless you wherever you live and follow our work.   Thank you to all who care about us and keep us in your prayers.   

Arrived in Bangkok, Thailand

Ron wrote at 2 p.m. that he was at the hotel in Bangkok and very tired.  He said he would write tomorrow.  I know exactly how he feels, arriving in the middle of the night after a 22 hour flight.   It has been exactly 22 hours since he left Los Angeles.   Unless he slept on the plane, he's not had sleep in at least 30 hours.  A short message from him was sent in the middle of the night (about 10 hours ago) at 34,000' before he arrived in Narita, Japan.   He just said Japan Air was a wonderful airline.   They gave him pj's for the flight and he enjoyed a fabulous 6-course meal.   I'm sure he got fish because he loves seafood and no meal is fabulous to him unless it is seafood.   After snacking in Los Angeles for almost a week, he deserved the good food.    I am sure he mostly ate fruit and snacks while in Los Angeles because he said everything was terribly expensive there.

Just to know he's arrived safely gives me a chance to relax and get into a routine this week at home in Georgia.    He will travel on to Chiang Mei in a day or two but that is a short flight.   He will find a place to live for four months and begin looking at property to see if he can successfully establish a safe house for girls there.  

He promised me that he will eat healthy even though I'm not there to be sure he eats enough fruits and vegetables.    He and I know we both have to get enough rest and eat healthy to keep ourselves well enough to continue this work a few more years.

It was 33 here in North Georgia this morning and we had frost for the first time this fall season.   I went to church at the Woodstock church of Christ where I will attend every Sunday morning while Ron is gone.  Leigh Ann used to be a member there so many people I met asked about her.   I hope to establish a few friends there.

As I hear from Ron and know more about his work, I will post again.   

May God bless you all with a good week.

Take Off

Ron's flight is due to take off right now as I write this.    He finally got the last COVID test, checked in successfully for the flight and he was going to the gate when I last talked with him.   He is very happy to get all of this red tape behind him and finally be on his way to Bangkok.    He will arrive in the middle of the night.   He has to spend one night in a hotel to get another COVID test.  He plans to travel on to Chiang Mei on Monday or Tuesday.   I hope he will stay one more night to be fully rested but I know he is anxious to get there and start the work.   

The time will be exactly 12 hours different with our time change tonight.    When I get up in the mornings, he will be finished for the day and when I go to bed at night, he will be starting his day.    We will chat a few minutes just to know each is doing O.K.

As soon as he begins to make progress on the work, I will post his findings and let everyone know.  He hopes to find a building he can renovate but that may take weeks just looking at available properties and making a decision. 

If you need to contact me, write me at patbrown10@gmail.com or call 678-877-6300.  

Please continue to pray for both of us.

Thank you.   May God bless you!

  

Approval received!

Ron received the Thai Embassy approval this morning so he went to get the COVID test that is needed within 72 hours of arrival in Bangkok.   The result would not be available until 3 p.m. so he could not make today's flight.    He is scheduled to leave Los Angeles tomorrow (Saturday), Nov. 6 at 12:45 p.m.   

If he makes the connection in Narita, Japan, he will arrive in Bangkok about noon on Sunday (Atlanta time). He must stay in a hotel one night and have another COVID test before traveling on the Chiang Mei.  

Please pray for Ron's safe travels and his health.    Thank you.

More Red Tape!

Ron is still in Los Angeles due to more paperwork that must be submitted to the Thai Embassy for approval before he can leave the U.S. on the flight to Bangkok.   

He worked diligently to prepare a packet of information that they listed on the website that was required.  He needs a long term VISA.  Americans have never had to have a VISA to go for 30 days but it is more difficult to leave the country and go back in now due to border closures and restrictions of other countries because of COVID.  When we were there in 2019-2020, we made side trips to our safe houses in Laos and Nepal so we went in and out of the country every 30 days.   The borders of these countries are still closed so he needs to get a 5-month VISA to avoid this problem.

I will post again when Ron is able to fly and actually arrives in Thailand.   

Please pray that these setbacks will end soon and the rest of his trip will go smoothly.

Stranded in Los Angeles tonight!

Ron should be on his way to Narita, Japan but the flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems.   He will try to reschedule his flight and be on his way tomorrow.    He will be at least one day behind if he can leave Los Angeles tomorrow.   I will post short posts until he arrives safely.

Ron is on his way to Thailand

Ron left Dallas about 8:15 a.m. on his way to Los Angeles, Narita, Japan and Bangkok.    If flights are on time and he makes the connections, he will arrive in Bangkok Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. in Atlanta).    He will apply for a long-term VISA and be tested for COVID.    He will spend one or two nights in Bangkok, presuming he tests negative, before flying on to Chiang Mei, Thailand.    I will post again once he's arrived and each time he has something to report about his progress.   Please keep him mentioned in your prayers.

Ranjit, one of our workers in Nepal has been in the ICU in critical condition for over a week with COVID.  Please pray for his recovery.

Thank you for your interest in our lives and in our work in Asia.   Thank you for your prayers for both Ron and me during this four-month period of time we will be apart.   

God bless you!