Newsletters from the DeNeuis

Dear Friends,

How wonderful it is to sing and celebrate Christ's birth in our home culture this year! The carols are fun to sing - and often have deeper meanings if we just stop and think about them. The above carol has struck us with how much it talks about the world and every heart/person. People in Thailand, Afghanistan, Israel, United States, we all need to prepare our hearts for Jesus, the Savior and the only source of lasting peace.

Enclosed is our Christmas present to you, a new DeNeui family picture (posted at the top of this page). We received so many positive comments about the DeNeuis in DeNim that we tried for another picture this year. Yes, the kids are growing up! JP is as tall as his Dad, Anna is a young lady, Andrew is already in 3rd grade, and Nettie has lost her front teeth in time for Christmas. (She refused to open her mouth for the picture so you'll have to take our word for it!) The picture, complete with magnet, is all ready for your refrigerator.

As we write this letter, Paul is finishing up his papers for his first term at Fuller Seminary. Studying continues to be a good challenge. He is grateful for this chance to reflect on what we have learned in Thailand and to write down in English some of the theology of the church and the work in Thailand and how they 'do the gospel'. Our `bilingual' computer is often put to use communicating through e-mail in Thai to colleagues and friends.
May you know the wonders of his love this next year. - -

Peace and joy with love,

Paul & Gretchen, JP, Anna, Andrew, & Nettie DeNeui

So how ARE the DeNeuis doing?? Schooling - My first day back at Fuller Seminary I (Paul) sat in the prayer garden and turned to read Isaiah 30:15 engraved on the wall, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; quietness and trust shall be your strength." My time of reflection in the School of World Mission began Sept 24th and I am being challenged and blessed daily. JP (9th), Anna (7th), Andrew (3rd), and Nettie (1st) started school Sept. 5th at Judson International School. This new school is only 3 blocks from our home and all four kids attend. Andrew reported that all 14 students in his class speak at least 2 languages so our kids fit in and feel at home. We're so thankful for a church which is helping us financially to make this possible. Gretchen started the school of 'speaking to large groups' with an invitation to share at the Pacific Southwest Covenant Women's retreats. She is rediscovering gifts of sharing that have been basically unused for 14 years. Paul is ready to hand over the mantle of speaking engagements to her but she hasn't fully accepted it yet. Housing - After living with Gretchen's parents in Los Gatos, CA for 6 weeks, we moved down to the Providence Mission Homes apartments in Pasadena, CA. How good it felt to settle in again!! The three bedroom furnished apartment has plenty of space and is within bike riding distance from Fuller and the kids can walk to Judson. Please note our new address: DeNeui Family 1594 N. Allen Ave., #15 Pasadena, CA 91104 (626) 797-8446 pgdeneui@loxinfo.co.th

So what will the DeNeuis be doing?? Paul - Paul will be a full time student at Fuller this year. Books, papers, reflections, and study will be his constant companions. Cultural contextualization will be his theme. Four Fantastic DeNeui Kids - JP, Anna, Andrew, and Nettie will be learning academically as well as learning about this country of America in which they have never lived. There's so much to do here! Libraries! Choirs! Brownies! Museums! Art Classes! Gretchen - Gretchen, as the one non-student, will be keeping the household going. The van and her are getting to be good friends. Speaking engagements will be her stretching point. THANKS! For your continued prayer and financial support as we have made this move to be in the States for two years of study before returning to Thailand. Our hearts are still in Thailand, but we are enjoying our time here and adjusting well. In Him, Paul & Gretchen, JP, Anna, Andrew, & Nettie DeNeui

Greetings from warm Thailand! We're gearing up for an active summer and wanted to catch you up on what has been happening in our lives.

The younger three DeNeui kids, Anna, Andrew and Nettie, finished 6th, 2nd and grade K, at their Bi-lingual school in Khon Kaen in early March (Thai school calendars take their summer break Mar-May, during the hot season). The kids' Thai abilities (and social skills) have really improved. We're glad they had this opportunity.

Soon after Khon Kaen's "graduation" we packed, loaded a truck and moved to Chiang Mai to help with our Covenant dorm. JP is finishing 8th grade here at Chiang Mai International School (CMIS). Also here are Kevin Dutton (10th), Jenny and Amy Johnson (10th and 8th) and Kala, a loving black lab. It's been a real joy growing together as family - and will be even better when Uncle Paul finally wins a game of Risk! Gretchen is learning how to shop and cook for nine (including 5 teens!)

Paul has continued to work with the center in Udon Thani to help the Thai staff team there start a new 3 month study program focused on training others to use the best elements of their culture in reaching out to their community (contextualization). Along with continued writing, he is also involved in seminar planning and handling visitors who come to learn.

After much soul-searching, Paul and Gretchen have recognized God's timing for Paul to return to school this fall. This is a major change for us after 14 years in Thailand.. Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA has accepted Paul into their Th.M cross-cultural studies program and Dr. Viggo Sogaard has kindly offered to help mentor Paul through doctoral studies. The initial phase of this program means two years of our family living in Pasadena, CA.. Reverse-culture shock here we come!

With school not starting again until September in Pasadena, the younger three were planning six months of summer vacation. Sorry gang. Mom is getting ready to do some home schooling to keep up the skills right after the dorm kids return from their Thai New Year's (Songkran) school break.

As we prepared to write this letter we were notified of a furnished 3-bedroom apartment available in Pasadena for our use. Once again, we are thankful for God's providential care for us in all ways.

MORE DATES AND DATA - FYI AND PRAYERS

• May 14-17 Isaan Intensive for missionaries at the center in Udon
• JP, Amy Johnson and Kevin Dutton all have parts in "Alice Through the Looking Glass" production at Chiang Mai International School May 18-20th.
• June 6th Last Day of School at Chiang Mai International School.
• June 14th DeNeui family travels to US, Bangkok-Taipai-San Francisco.

We thank you for your partnership and look forward to seeing you in the next few months.

Love,

Paul and Gretchen, JP, Anna, Andrew and Nettie

Addresses:

(Through June 13, 2001)
c/o Bevis, 195/12 New Mae Joe Rd, Thanavan Village, Chiang Mai 50300 THAILAND
Dorm Phone 66-053-246-802 (From US Dial 011 then the number)

(June 13-Aug.5, 2001)
c/o Stricklands
143 Old Orchard Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032 USA

(After August 5, 2001)
Providence Home, 1594 North Allen Ave. #15 Pasadena, CA 91104 USA

Our e-mail stays the same throughout our moves: pgdeneui@loxinfo.co.th

Tax-deductible contributions towards on-going schooling can be sent to:
Dept. of World Mission, 5101 N. Francisco Ave, Chicago,IL 60625.
Note: DeNeui Schooling Project Account #5003-2163-50-30

Have you heard that the DeNeui family has moved and is now involved in a new work? It's true. Where is it? What is it? Test your knowledge level and see if this quiz helps.

1. In June, the DeNeui family moved to:

   A. Kapidagi, Turkey
   B. Khon Kaen, Thailand
   C. KwangTing, Taiwan
   D. Kairouan, Tunisia

2. The DeNeui family moved to the above location because:

   A. It is strategically in the middle of Isaan, has good transportation and a bilingual school.
   B. There was a house with a big yard with lots of mango trees and a shaded area for meetings.
   C. There is a French chef who has a restaurant around the corner.
   D. The landlady has a nursery and gives us free orchid plants.

3. What are the DeNeuis doing now?

   A. Digging fishponds.
   B. Seeking ways to Help Thai people use their culture in the church.
   C. Researching and writing.
   D. Thinking up astounding quizzes to send back home.

4. What is the term used to describe what DeNeuis now do?

   A. Contemplation
   B. Incontinentalization
   C. Contextualization
   D. Continuing Education

5. What does contextualization mean?

   A. The process of counting textbooks
   B. Making sure people wear proper clothing (textiles)
   C. Adapt communication to cultures
   D. To make something simple sound technical and complicated.

6. Which saying best describes contextualization?

   A. When in Rome do as the Romans do.
   B. Monkey see, monkey do.
   C. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, have no fun.
   D. Birds of a feather flock together.

7. What is the core of the DeNeui's new work?

   A. Get Thai people to act, talk, dress, eat, and drive like Americans.
   B. Get Thai people to start building church buildings and sing "How Great Thou Art".
   C. Get Thai people to stop building church buildings and stop singing HGTA.
   D. Help Thai people understand that it is possible to be a Christian and still be a Thai.

8. What is the goal of Christian Contextualization?

   A. That Jesus be reborn as one of us.
   B. That Jesus be just like the pictures we have.
   C. That Jesus be authentically Jewish.
   D. That Jesus be whomever you want him to be.

9. How is Christian contextualization accomplished?

   A. By taking a ten-week course with fifteen principles all starting with the letter "P".
   B. By equipping local Christians to share Christ in ways most appropriate to that culture.
   C. By finding funds to buy local instruments and teaching people to play them.
   D. By dressing, eating, and speaking like a native and start passing out tracts in the local language.

10. Where does Christian Contextualization need to happen? Circle area of greatest need.
    
    

Check your scores:

Answer: Score one point for each correct answer

1. B (1 point)
2. A (1 point), B, C, & D are true but were not reasons for moving here
3. B, C, D (3 points)
4. C (1 point)
5. C (1 point) C is the answer but D has also been suggested.
6. A (1 point) D is a useful principle to follow especially if you are a cat.
7. D (1 point) B is already widely practiced in Thailand.
8. A (1 point)
9. B (1 point) D is not made up
10. 1 point if you circled the area in which you live.

Score:

12-10 points: Congratulations, you should be here!
9-7 points: You are ready to start doing things now.
6 or fewer: Order out for Thai food and try again.

A friend wrote and asked about Paul’s new job writing about ‘contextualization’; "Don’t you get tired sitting in one position all the time?" Actually, it isn’t like that. He’s finding that it really takes discipline to sit and write even two hours daily. Thankfully he has some help from gifted Thai writers with whom he interacts. But what about the rest of his time?

Building Relationships: like a new one with Mr. Nipon, a teacher at the Northeastern Bible Seminary here in Khon Kaen. This is a man who was born and raised in Isaan (northeast Thailand) and then went to the Philippines to study for his M.Div. Upon his return this year he was struck with the reality that the Thai church isn’t Thai – it’s western. We have had lots of good talks together and he has invited Paul to speak with the students in his class.

Ja is one of those students. She grew up in a province next to Roi Et. After seeing our Isaan style house-warming ceremony she immediately wanted to try using some of the practices in her church. She asked during Paul’s talk, "Why did it take a foreigner to help us Thais see what it means to be a Thai in the church?"

This is an important point. Paul’s job isn’t teaching Thai people to be Thai but to help them evaluate and apply the good things of their culture into their Christian life, worship, practice and service. It means getting those who are gifted in teaching culturally appropriate methods (contextualized) together with those who desire the help. One such place is a new work in Chayaphum province where Pastor Manop and his wife (friends of ours from our Bangkok days) are starting a church. Going as Thai missionaries from a large church in Bangkok to a rural Isaan area has been a radical change for them. Neither knows the local language or culture but they want to learn! It was a privilege to take our very gifted Isaan musician, Mr. Hongsa, to visit their work and begin to build a relationship of church-enabling there.

In October we were part of a large gathering of churches called "Isaan Congress" here in Khon Kaen. Paul worked with our denominational president, Rev. Tongpan, who held four hours of seminars on using Isaan culture in the church. After "singing" part of the traditional Isaan wedding ceremony with new Christian meaning, one woman from Bangkok stood with a request. "Pastor Tongpan, I can’t understand all the words since I don’t speak Isaan but I wondered if you would do that ceremony in central Thai in my church in Bangkok?" When Tongpan mentioned that he would need to rewrite the ceremony so that it was in Thai, not Lao, her response was, "Well, would you please hurry up and do it!"

There are people waiting for Christ to be reborn into their culture, for the gospel to be real in their context, for ‘contextualization’ to happen on a much larger scale.

What we’ve learned so far about "contextualization":

1. It is a big word with no simple definition. It involves allowing Jesus to be reborn in every culture.
2. It means more than playing local instruments but involves ways of thinking, leading, working and living.
3. Many are interested in the topic but few are involved or even trying to practice it.
4. Contextualization never really ends since cultures are constantly changing.

So what about you? Has Christ been reborn in your culture? Do people see Jesus as "one of us" or is he a foreigner? May the truth of John 1:14 be seen in every culture. "The Word became human and lived here on earth among us."

Summary: We have a new job. We’ve moved (note new address above). Kids are going to a new school. Want to know more? Read on:

DeTails: April 15th. We were just back from a very uplifting and encouraging week of meetings with other mission leaders in the beautiful city of Prague, Czech Republic. Jim Gustafson, International Coordinator for the Dept. of World Mission, had arranged to meet with us in Roi Et, Thailand immediately following. In fact, he had called twice to confirm it. Something was up.

As we sat in the relative “luxury” of the Roi Et Hotel’s coffee shop Jim laid out for us his vision of contextualized ministry (more on what that means next newsletter). “We’ve been doing this type of work in Thailand now for almost thirty years but no one has focused on looking into how & why it works and writing it down. What are the principles behind it? How best can it be shared with others who are asking for help so that they can also do contextualized ministry where they are? Would you consider a move to focus on this area?”

We were given time to think, pray and talk about it. Others gave input both directly and indirectly. The mission team was positive. Our close Thai friends on our Roi Et LIFE staff team were also positive. Our schooling options changed for our three younger children’s education. We found ourselves freed up to accept the position. Many confirmations in a row.

Where to go? In order to coordinate and travel between the Covenant works in Roi Et and Udon Thani, the city of Khon Kaen which is halfway between the two seemed the logical place. Many people encouraged us to stay within “Isaan” (Northeast Thailand). “And did you know,” someone casually mentioned, “there is a new international school in Khon Kaen?”

Was this another confirmation? We found out that the school is not “international” but is bi-lingual. It is a Thai school which employs both Thai and New Zealand teachers in every classroom. All subjects are taught in both English and Thai to encourage Thai kids to learn English but also remain Thai culturally. We went to visit and the kids were excited. The Thai school calendar had already started the beginning of May so if we were going to do this it seemed that the sooner we moved the better. That afternoon we drove around and saw an empty house that seemed to fit the description of many of the things we had put on our “wish” list for a new place. The next week it was available. Two more confirmations.

The decision was made to both accept the position and move to Khon Kaen. After picking up JP in Chiang Mai on June 6th, where he had just finished his first year of boarding school (7th grade), we drove with a vanload of friends down to Hua Hin for ten days on the beach to think and pray and enjoy being family together. An unexpected surprise was to see Dr. John and Mrs. Davis filling-in as managers of the guesthouse. They are former OMF missionaries and writers. John did his doctoral work on “Contextualization in Asia”. We had some stimulating talks together. Another confirmation.

June 26. We all took a final walk through the empty house in Roi Et. Nine very special years had been spent there. We gathered together on the front porch where scores of kids had come for Sunday school and several dozen had prayed for Christ to come into their life. Each family member attempted a tearful prayer of thanks for the special memories of Roi Et and we gave ourselves to God for his leading in the future. Saying goodbye to Pong, our “Aunt Patty” who is a second mother to our children, and her husband Noi hurt. Driving down that street for the last time was the most painful goodbye we have been through.

That night we slept in our new house. Gretchen’s folks arrived one week later, the same day our younger three went off on their first day at the new school. Somehow we managed to get all the uniforms and books right.

Getting settled into the new house, finding the stores, the post office, the new bank all filled up the last month. Weekly trips back to Roi Et have included teaching, brainstorming, and moving tree seedlings donated for the new youth camp there. We are gradually getting into a new routine with visits to people in Udon Thani to collect the information needed to start writing. Some time has been spent on the web looking for other resources in the area of contextualization and there is surprisingly little. Where to go for further education? Further help? What is the next step?

God is leading and we are thankful. Thank YOU also for your prayers and support especially now as we go between feelings of missing old connections to excitement about new directions for the future.

Your fellow servants,

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui
JP, Anna, Andrew & Nettie

1999 - a year of lots of youth! Sure, lots of events but the real results show in the changed lives of the kids themselves. Kids from alcoholic and split families, school dropouts, vagrants in their own villages these are the kids that have come into our lives. 73 attended the October camp (held at the fish farm this year) and we were bursting at the seams. What a crazy, energized time! Since then several of the boys get together weekly to practice using Isaan instruments. This band has now performed for Christmas and they’re really starting to sound good! Twenty kids between the ages of 9 and 16 decided they would follow Christ this year. And eight were baptized on a cold windy Christmas gathering in the front fishpond of our LIFE farm . A group of 5 teens has taken over the majority of the leadership of the “in Town” Roi Et youth group which meets each Friday at our house. This team helped plan their New Year’s Overnight Event for about 40 non-sleepy kids.

Early in 1999 the opportunity became available to purchase a forested area next to the Roi Et fish farm but what to do with it? The unanimous decision of our management team was build a youth camp! Miraculously the funding became available. We’re still in the process of finalizing all the details for the purchase and hope to make the final deed transfer in January. Appreciate your prayers! Anyone interested in coming to dig some latrines?

And the newest venture for outreach is counted cross-stitch! It actually started in a small way several years ago when Gretchen taught our Thai financial manager, Tipawan, using some leftover material. Tip, in turn, has really gotten turned on to this and taught others. Turns out there is a market for this kind of thing! With help from Thai Country Trim, a handicrafts venture of the South Baptists, LIFE has contracts to make little cross-stitch bookmarkers. But things have grown! Now we’ve also developed several pictures - scenes of Isaan life - for sale. The little figures singing and dancing below (for those who can access the email attachment version) are an example. This venture is helping people from all walks of life to have some supplemental income. It’s bringing people together. It’s helping families, women with young kids, even the elderly. Also several women at the Roi Et AIDS house are involved and thus able to buy food and things they need. We’re encouraged by the interest and again, appreciate prayers as we pursue marketing these things both in Thailand and abroad.

Rejoice with us in what God is doing in northeast Thailand! Happy 2000!

In Christ,
Paul and Gretchen, JP, Anna, Andrew, and Nettie DeNeui

September 1998

A living skeleton lay in the shade of a grass-roof shelter. "Aren't you afraid of getting AIDS?" he asked. A volunteer working with our LIFE foundation told him, "Somphet, I'm more afraid of something else." When he asked what that could be she told him, "I'm afraid you'll die and not know God loves you." Somphet asked Jesus to help him with his life that day. Five days later he met Christ face to face.

"You know about prayer?" Women were talking together at the weekly church leaders meeting at the LIFE farm, "I was working out in the field and it was so hot I just prayed to God for a cloud and I got one. He shaded me!" "Let me tell you," said another, "We had nothing to eat in the house. Nothing! I was walking down the road asking God what are my children going to eat today? I turned down the path and there it was ­ a whole area of mushrooms. I stewed them and we were full all day."

"I can't do anything about it. It is up to God." Uncle Tong was being evicted from his house ­ built years ago as a squatter on public land. The family with four children had nowhere to go. After returning from worship that night the village headman came and told him, "The decision is made. You can stay here as long as you want." Uncle Tong's response, "God is real."

"Why are they calling me sister?" Within a week of her moving to Roi Et, Alicia Nolan had already learned a lot of what it takes to survive in rural Thailand. Our resourceful, multi-talented short-term teacher had figured out a lot of what was going on but the title still confused her. Finally when she started riding the motorcycle it was clear. She was not a mormon missionary who only rode a bicycle! With this misunderstanding out of the way neighbors now drop by all the time. And our kids are enjoying their new teacher Miss Nolan!

As I watched Mrs. Worn teaching the Bible study I wondered if this was really the same person I had known only six months ago. Then she knew nothing about Jesus. Now she leads a weekly group with over twenty in attendance telling others all about Him. She has friends learning to lead singing.

Thanks for your support in prayers, gifts, letters and e-mail! We praise God with you for the glimpses we have of what He is doing in Thailand.

With gratitude and love,

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui, JP, Anna, Andrew and Nettie

April, 1998

Greetings from Thailand! Here’s a short run-down on what’s been happening with our Lower Isaan Foundation for Enablement (LIFE) in Roi ET recently:

1. Agricultural. In January a Christian contractor dug fish ponds on our new land for one third normal cost. We are helping him establish a fish farm in a nearby province. In Feb., the Roi Et farm team took a trip to the fish farm in Udon Thani (our original Covenant work) to learn from the work there. Now we can tell males from females (fish, that is). Fish sales continue, people still have to eat even though the economy is hurting. New chicken barns are being built. A member of the Roi Et youth group, on probation from juvenile jail was employed for two months to help at the farm until he ran away in March. We continue to pray for him.

2. Physical. Weekly worship now occurs at the AIDS house in Roi Et, located in the Buddhist temple ground - with the blessing of the Buddhist abbot whom we continue to pray for also. Eight persons with AIDS have become followers of Christ. In Feb. our Covenant Asia Director, Rev. Byron Amundsen, representing Covenant World Relief (CWR), presented the AIDS house with CWR funds to install a permanent electrical system to the facility. Let there be light!

3. Vocational. The Good Friend Bakery continues to produce and sell goodies even in the tightening market. Plans are to start a sewing project this year to employ youth and adults from the Roi Et area.

4. Spiritual. 9 leaders from village churches are being trained weekly to lead worship in their homes. A daughter church began worshipping in February in Don Sai village and 25 people gather regularly - more than in the mother church! Four members of the Roi Et youth group have given their life to Christ thus far this year. 20 of the youth gather each Sunday afternoon to learn to play Isaan instruments to be used in their churches. Their first performance will be at the area Easter gathering to held April 9th.

For weekly updates on LIFE in Roi Et and all Covenant work in Thailand check out our web page at: www.iserv.net/~thaicov

Family Notes: We’ve just been informed that Alicia Nolan, from McMinnville Covenant Church, Oregon, has been approved to come as a short-term teacher for Roi Et Missionary kids for a two year term starting Fall ’98. If you feel led to help with her support (and our getting a teacher over here) please send donations to Dept. of World Mission, 5101 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 Attention: Support for STM Alicia Nolan. Thanks!!

Recently, a Southern Baptist couple, Mark and Helen Caldwell, moved to Roi Et with their son Casey (11). This couple is especially interested in promoting a contextualized Isaan-style church-planting movement throughout northeast Thailand and are eagerly learning from what God is doing here through LIFE. Our family is enjoying having another expat family nearby with which to fellowship this year when Johnson’s are on home assignment. The Caldwells are from Tennessee and we are learning new vocabulary all the time! One Sunday morning, when Helen Caldwell saw Andrew (4) with tightly closed fist she asked him, "Is that your tithe you have there?" "Yes," he answered, "but in English we call it money we give to God."

Hope y’all are speaking the language people can understand.

Thanks for your prayers and support. Gratefully, in Christ,

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui, J.P., Anna, Andrew and Nettie

P.O. Box 20
Roi Et 45000 THAILAND
email: pgdeneui@loxinfo.co.th

P.S. Our hard drive broke down and we lost our e-mail address list. Please update us!

November, 1997

BUSY or STRATEGIC?

It's tempting to fill a newsletter with the many things that keep our lives busy here in Thailand. Our Western culture encourages industriousness. But what is important? Many good and pressing things fill our lives, but are they strategic to the task of sharing the gospel with the Isaan people in northeast Thailand (where less than 1 percent know Jesus)?

WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY?

Each day here convinces us that the best people for the task of communicating to Isaan people are still Isaan people themselves. This means empowering local people first with vision and then with the resources necessary to do the task. Thankfully we work together as a mission team(known as LIFE) made up of Thais and Americans.

Recently we (the foreigners) have had the opportunity to be out on the front line beginning work in new areas (with AIDS patients and with children). As these ministries are developing, others of our team are catching the vision. Our Thai partners' participation is helping to expand these and other ministries as well as making them more effective.

A STRATEGY FOR THE CHURCH

There are certain of our villages where we (foreigners) do not participate in Christian worship simply because our presence there is misunderstood. Most of the time our participation is through equipping and enabling those who lead. Each Tuesday, Paul assists in the training of a group of men and women who are learning to be leaders in their own village churches. Outwardly these people would never strike you as leadership material. But we believe in the "body" image where each person has an important role to play. We are trusting God to give the body "life" and looking to him for results.

A STRATEGY FOR YOUTH

You may have heard of the 10-40 window - the latitudes within which 80% of the world's unreached peoples live. But have you heard of the 4-14 window? This refers to the age window within which 80% of people make a decision for Christ. Working with this age is strategic to the future of the church. We didn't know that at the time but God did!

Now we can understand why God began our front yard Sunday school which continues to bring in kids. In addition to this God has opened our eyes to the opportunities available during school breaks. Altogether we had fifty children involved in LIFE's school break youth camps. Twelve of these made a decision to follow Christ. Is this strategic?

A STRATEGY FOR PWA's

Since our visits began to the AIDS house six month ago one couple has become Christians. LIFE was able to help them build a house in a field they owned. When, after several bouts with spinal meningitis Rung Rote finally died on Nov. 1st, we were all able to pray with Lom Duan and her grandmother and to clearly share about our hope in Christ with several other AIDS patients who are staying with the young widow at this time. Recently, the serious overcrowding in the AIDS house prompted the board of directors of that home to ask LIFE to visit persons with AIDS (PWAs) in their villages and encourage their families to care for them. Although involved from the beginning, Paul was specifically asked NOT to go out into the village context as too many misunderstandings arise just with the presence of foreigners (such as: Paul will adopt all the children of PWAs or will provide scholarship funds or coffins or cash or ???). Once again, our role is to equip and enable, this time through advising, writing project requests, leading planning meetings and sharing information about what we are doing (such as this newsletter).

HOW'S THE STRATEGY WORKING?

Not everything we do can be strategic but it is a healthy goal and a useful tool for evaluation.

Is it strategic that we attempt to support this LIFE ministry with local income-generating projects like a fish farm and a bakery? Is it strategic that Paul teach our Thai staff enough English to converse with overseas visitors? Or that Gretchen spend time with our bakery manager to explain pricing procedures of new bakery items in the light of Thailand's recent economic troubles? Is it strategic that LIFE is linking with seven other like-minded organizations replicating our efforts throughout Thailand? We think so. Now, how can we do these things better?

How about the strategic use of what you have - your time, talents and money? We hope that your increased understanding of what God is doing herein northeast Thailand will encourage your further participation in the most strategic force of all: prayer. Now that's an effective strategy! James5:16b

With You in His Service,

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui, J.P., Anna, Andrew, Jeannette

July, 1997

DeNEUI DeTALES: THE SPREAD OF AIDS AND THE GOSPEL

When the phone call came over a year ago we never knew it would lead to this. The Roi Et hospital called Pon, one of our staff women, asking if she would please visit people dying of AIDS living in field huts outcast by their villages. For a year Pon continued this ministry and participated in meetings to plan the construction of an AIDS home.

Now with construction (on a Buddhist temple's property) complete, Pon, myself (Paul) and other of our Thai staff go each Wednesday to visit the patients. We felt it important to introduce ourselves to the head abbot even though we were well known by the patients. We arrived the 15th of the month and a crowd of people was waiting to see this Buddhist monk. We suddenly realized what day it was! People were coming to ask for winning lottery numbers from the monk (lottery numbers are announced on the 16th). When we heard, "The farang plays the lottery too!" we decided to come back another day. Eventually we met the monk who seemed to know all about us. He remembered the ceiling fans and clothes racks we had donated months ago. He encouraged us to continue to visit the patients and donate small fry for their compound fish pond.

Most of the patients are men but there is a young couple in the home who are both HIV positive: Mr. Rung Rote and his wife Lom Duan. Their three year old daughter, Jim Lim, lives with them. This family was driven from their village and has had no family visit them in the eight months they have lived in the home. Pon asked Tipawan, another of our female staff, to teach Lom Duan how to do cross stitch. (Gretchen introduced this to Tipawan a few years ago and she has really improved). Lom Duan was able to find a few kits and is selling them faster than she can make them. In addition, she is the cook for all the patients while being a patient herself.

One day as we talked I mentioned to Rung Rote something about the street where we live in Roi Et. He asked me if we were the ones who had the bakery on that street. Turns out he had sent our bakery goods to schools and stores for us several times before he contracted AIDS. After further discussion he asked about our guard - and then I asked him if it wasn't him who had come and talked to me about Jesus a few years ago. Yes, it was. I didn't recognize him since he is so thin now. He had felt at that time that God was calling him and he needed God. I remember when he came because I was right in the middle of a badminton game, dripping with sweat and he wanted to talk. He had come knowing he had a spiritual need in his life which nothing and no one could fill. He wanted Jesus in his life but when it came to making a decision he turned to our guard who had told him about us and asked him if he wouldn't accept Christ also. Our guard's answer was, "Not yet, I'm not sure what my father-in-law will think" (i.e. no inheritance). So Rung Rote had also said, not yet. I got his name but we never saw him again.

Now almost four years later we meet again at the AIDS home. Rung Rote's comment was, "The world really is round."

Call it a lack of curiosity but I don't feel any need to know how any of these patients contracted the HIV virus. I am told that most were truck drivers who contracted it from roadside prostitutes. Rung Rote told me that after our talk four years ago he worked several jobs and got in with a group of heavy drinkers. One night he and a friend were drunk and involved in a car wreck. Pulling his friend from the wreckage their wounds and blood mixed. One year later, married with a wife seven months pregnant, Rote's health was ruined. He had full-blown AIDS. His friend, who had died of AIDS months before, never told anyone until it was too late. Miraculously, the baby, Jim Lim, was born virus-free.

As we talked both of us realized that it was God who had brought us back together again. I ask Rote if he was still thinking about God these days. He confessed he had spent much time thinking about God. He was very hungry for answers. We invited him to worship the following Sunday when we would be holding a service in a nearby village.

The day arrived and both of them were dressed waiting to go when the hospital administrator asked them to speak at a special seminar that night. Since they are supported by the hospital they had no choice but to go though they were deeply disappointed. I found it no coincidence and we continued to pray.

The following weeks we talked more at each visit and two weeks later another worship was to be held in a village near the AIDS home. This time they went and were warmly received by church members (who had discussed beforehand that a couple with AIDS was coming). That night strangers became family. Both Rote and Lom Duan prayed to received Christ and were tied into the family of God by their new brothers and sisters. Both sides were touched, both needed each other. It was a moment of grace and growth.

The story isn't over yet. Our weekly visits continue. We are building relationships with others. At the same time we are seeing the inside view of what is really going on. The AIDS house has become a political instrument to elevate certain politicians. It is a lucrative tool to draw in funds - most of which are not going to patients. We see injustice but are determined to be light and salt and focus on relationships to the sick. However, when one doctor asked when we were going to adopt Jim Lim from her parents we had to set the record straight. Lom Duan's success with cross-stitch sales is viewed with a certain amount of jealousy. Meanwhile Rote's health is returning and he is eager to find a place to rent where they can live a normal life. But where? Pray for us as we attempt to address some of the needs of ailing bodies and starving souls.

FAMILY NEWS

The first piece of mail we received on our return to Thailand was from the Dalat Boarding School in Malaysia. It was a letter informing us that the school was full and they would be unable to accept JP and Anna for the fall of 97. We had mixed feelings about this. Gretchen made immediate plans to homeschool this fall, along with preschooling our two youngest and our maid's daughter (bilingual teaching). We painted and tiled up a storage room and it will become our class room in August. Recently we've found out that Dalat's lease on their property on Panang Island in Malaysia will not be renewed in two years and the future of the entire school is up in the air. Maybe this was why God didn't allow us to send our kids there for two years only to send them back to us!

Thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul and Gretchen DeNeui