“I can’t believe that we actually spent over an hour talking with them,” I triumphantly exclaimed to Cindi as we walked home.

“Yeah, and we were able to understand them, and they were able to understand us, the conversation didn’t really have any lapses,” Cindi replied.  With each passing day, we sense that our ability to speak in Thai is improving, and I am often surprised by what I am able to communicate to people.  When we first moved to Thailand, I often worried that we wouldn’t be able to do the day to day things that needed to be done due to a language barrier, however the longer we stay here, the more my fear subsides.  This is not to say that there still aren’t challenges, or that we are entirely fluent, rather it is merely a sign of progress.

Work Bee at the Music School

These last three weeks have been extremely busy; so much has happened that we want to share with you.  In our last Tidbits we mentioned that we would be studying English with one of our Thai neighbors; we have now had two meetings with her and during our second meeting someone else joined the class who also wants to study!  I plan to contact this gentleman later in the week to schedule a time to meet with him, as our initial friend will be moving away from Chiangmai to take a new job.  Please continue to pray for us as we seek to “build bridges” with our neighbors.

A week ago we traveled to Khon Kaen, the site where we will be doing the church plant to spend time with our partners Ricardo and Alicia Palacios, Danielle K., and fellow AFM Thailand missionaries Chris Sorensen, Robbie Doss, and families.  We were privileged to witness 3 precious souls take their stand for baptism and take part in a work bee for an exciting development that I will now share.  For the past several months Ricardo and others have been working to start a Music School in Khon Kaen as a non-threatening way to make friendships and establish a presence in the community.  A couple of weeks ago, after several months of looking, he was able to locate a building to rent for the school.  We, along with the other missionaries listed above came down to clean and landscape in preparation for its opening, in all likelihood, later this month.  On Sunday evening September 29, we had a dedication for the school, it was a beautiful service, and we pray that this school can truly be a light to the community.  Please pray for Peace Music Academy and for the work currently going on in Khon Kaen.

Work Bee at the Music School

This coming week, we will be starting Thai classes at a new Language School in Chiangmai, we did not intend to switch schools, but we feel this new school offers a better program in Reading and Writing than the one we have currently been going to, and is also cheaper.  We will still continue attending the school we started, but only for one hour a week.  We solicit your prayers for continued progress in our studies.  On other notes, this past week I went down to Bangkok to purchase a vehicle, and get an official Thai drivers license.  I will now have to adjust to driving on the left side of the road and having the steering wheel on the right side of the car.  It will be nice to no longer be dependent on public transportation.  Last week I was also able to complete my first online seminary class through the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines; I am working toward a Master’s of Divinity degree, one class at a time, all online.  I praise God for opening this door that allows me to continue my educational goals while still being involved in full-time missionary work; I will start my next class in a week.

Work Bee at the Music School

As we conclude this letter, our hearts are again turned heaven-ward as we recount the many blessings that we have received and the many wonderful people who have made this ministry and experience possible.  You are in our thoughts and prayers, please let us know how we can pray for you, may the Lord bless you all!

Sincerely,

Kyle & Cindi Tumberg    

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