Several streets over, the dogs started howling, and Kanong’s little eyes widened. I looked at her older sister. “Why are the dogs barking?” I asked. She just shook her head.
When I repeated the question to Kanong, she quickly replied, “The ghosts came.”
I looked at the pictures they were coloring—Daniel in the lions’ den with a protective angel that slid up and down like a barrier between the man and the beasts. I prayed silently for the right words. How could I help them understand that God loved them and could protect them like He did Daniel?
Kanong and her siblings have been coming with their mother to Pastor Wanlop’s house on Sabbath mornings for the past couple of months. On a typical Sabbath, our student missionary Rachel Perry, Daniel, and I work with the children while their mother and any other visitors meet with Pastor Wanlop and his wife. After the worship service, we eat together, and then Rachel provides massage therapy to those in need while I do physical therapy with an older woman who is recovering from a stroke.
While we are busy in Khon Kaen, Ricardo and Gabriel are on their way to Nong Kluay Hom, a village about 25 miles away. There is a small Adventist church there with four members and 10 and 15 neighborhood children who enjoy the special activities. Ricardo is going through Bible stories with them. After the story of the day, everyone eats lunch, and then Toom and Gabriel work with the children. The kids love to sing and have learned several songs, even one in Spanish they heard us sing last year. Toom is teaching some of the kids to play the guitar, and Gabriel is teaching the younger ones simple chords on the ukulele. Ricardo takes his violin and plays along, much to the children’s delight. It is exciting to see the children’s interest in the Bible stories and to join in their enthusiasm for singing and making music.
Ricardo had initially planned to travel to Nong Kluay Hom on his motorcycle, but commuting this way on the main highway out of Khon Kaen is dangerous. Several years ago, Toom’s brother was killed in a motorcycle accident on this road, and someone else from the village died recently in another motorcycle accident. Our motorcycles serve us well for short trips around town, but they aren’t safe for longer trips.
The time has come for us to purchase a vehicle. We invite you to consider joining us in our outreach through your donation towards a vehicle and through your prayers. Thank you!
