A sweet start to the new year.

The first few weeks of 2025 have been very full and special in many ways! We continue to see relationships within the church growing in depth (Nova and a church friend pictured above), and are thankful to see Sauced & Tossed continue to keep us busy and provide gospel opportunities in the marketplace.

An especially exciting conversation at the food truck this past month was when our newest employee told Ryan that she was exploring changing her religion and wanted to know more about what we believe. She is a young woman who recently graduated college, and had only been working with us part time for two weeks at the time. She said she has been impressed with the outlook that Christians have on life and wanted to have a better perspective herself. She said she had been interested in Christianity in the past, but only studied it herself since she didn't have any friends who were Christians. We are so thankful for this wide open door to share the gospel with her and would ask for you to join us in praying that God would continue to give her an open heart to the truth of Jesus Christ and grant us wisdom and grace to share clearly. Her name is "Gun."

This month, it has been so fun to have some special visitors as well! Two young ladies from our denomination in America came to spend some time with us in Udon Thani and encourage us in life and ministry here. They were fearless about driving the motorbike and exploring some of the less familiar Thai cuisine (think fried bugs)! It was so fun for us to spend a few days with them.

And then Ryan's cousin from the states came to spend some time with us towards the end of the month, and will be with us for the first part of February as well! It is so precious to have people we love here with us on this side of world and to get to do life together. Nova has been so spoiled with attention from our recent visitors. :)

 

And Nova also has some big news to share! Baby Steffen is due in early August, and we are all so thrilled. We praise the Lord for this answered prayer and already cant wait to meet them.

PRAISES & PRAYER REQUESTS: 

- praise the Lord for this new little life He has given us! Pray for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and that this little one would be a man or woman after His heart one day.

- praise the Lord for bringing Gun to us and for opening her heart to hear the gospel. Pray for the Spirit's continued work in her.

- praise the Lord for encouraging us through visitors recently. We know it is a privilege to have friends and family who travel across the world to be here!

- pray for us as we navigate the various pressures and challenges of small business owning, functioning in our second language and culture, and the busyness of the "little years." We feel overwhelmed at times and discouraged about how to balance everything well. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)