An unexpected October.

Our October started with re-admitting Esme to the hospital due to low oxygen levels from the RSV pneumonia she contracted, mentioned in our previous post. It was a very challenging time for our family, as she ended up needing to be on oxygen for 6 days and was admitted to the NICU for about 24 hours of our hospital stay as well. There's a lot that could be said about what that week held and how it impacted our family, but I will just say a huge "thank you" to all of you who prayed and stood with us during this challenging experience, and we are praising the Lord for restoring Esme to health! We know there were hundreds of people praying for her and us, and we do not take that lightly. What a blessing to be cared for in that way.

Esme on high-flow oxygen in the NICU.

Loving being able to be with her again when she was able to return to our normal hospital room, on less oxygen supplementation.

A peaceful moment during our stay in the hospital. The accommodations were Thai-style: a king-sized mattress on the ground for the whole family to share.

Finally home again and relishing the beauty of "normal life" after our hospital stay!

Our team meal this month! Not everyone could make it, but we continue to thank the Lord for this team He has provided for us. The truck continued to run while Esme was in the hospital, and they blessed us by stepping in a little extra while Ryan was juggling keeping the business going, as well as being Nova's primary caregiver for that week and supporting Esme and I in the hospital.

About two weeks after Esme was able to come home, we went on a trip to Chiang Mai that we have had on the calendar and been looking forward to for a while now! We were able to visit Ryan's cousin and his business partner there who are also managing a BAM (business as missions) venture. It was such an encouragement to be with them. Very inspired and challenged by their lives and ministry!

After spending a few days with them, we went over to Chiang Rai for a little family rest and recuperation in the mountains. It was a sweet time to breathe a little deeper and step away from the demands of the business to focus on connecting with the Lord and enjoying each other.

And now back to life in Udon! It's been a whirlwind of a month, and we are left now with a mix of relief for restored health, praising God for His faithfulness each step of the way, and sorting through a future of unknowns and business/ministry-related decisions to be made. So thankful for Christ and the surety of the gospel through it all.

PRAISES & PRAYER REQUESTS:

- praise the Lord for healing little Esme's lungs and seeing us through a challenging experience! 

- praise the Lord for the opportunity to connect with relatives and like-minded co-laborers to be encouraged by.

- pray for surrender from us and clarity from the Lord regarding the future of S&T and our family's ministry here in Thailand.

- pray for gospel opportunities and the Spirit's work in the hearts of the unreached we interact with here day by day. Some names we would love specific prayers for: Plaa, Som, Ploy, Tony, and Paper & Muay.

"Forgetfulness of God's grace is one of the greatest tools in the enemy's war against our souls." (Mark Dever)