Carl & Karen Groot

News and Prayer Update from the Groots in Bangkok… “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”       Psalm 21:30 September 1, 2003

The Abundant Life Center:

ALC Crafts Sewing Project: God is raising-up His people in the “upper room” of ALC! Imagine women sitting at treadle sewing machines making purses and bags…. gathered together in a circle on the floor studying God’s word and praying for each other. Imagine a mat and pillow on the floor with babies lying next to their working moms. (There have been 3 new babies born just this August in this group too!) This is what’s happening in the lives of 9 women who are part of the ALC Crafts project. We’re encouraged to see God’s Spirit moving in new ways and giving new life to these women who are part of our ALC Community House--several who are not yet followers of Christ. There are others anxious to join-in, but we’re not quite ready to handle the growth, though we struggle with turning folks away.

Pray for these women and their young families who are struggling with wayward husbands and to know how to be good moms and wives. We praise God for groups and churches who have been willing to help sell our purses and bags this year! This partnership is a great encouragement to us here at ALC in Bangkok!

The Building Purchase is Final! Covenant Women Ministries Project funds have made possible the purchase of the Abundant Life Center building, a 5 story-high set of adjacent “row buildings” that serve and house all the activities of the ALC. We’ve been uneasy with the long wait, but last month the landlord finally and miraculously accepted our below-market offer. We celebrate and see it as God’s provision and timing. Give thanks with us!

Struggles in our Sister Organizations…

God has called us to be peacemakers and truth seekers… This has been Carl’s challenge as he has been drawn-in as a mediator between Thai co-workers in ministry as we face some thorny issues up-country. Having walked the difficult road of relational breakdown within the ALC ministry a couple of years ago, we have experienced the pain that comes with division and distrust within our ranks. Listening, praying, talking, challenging and, sometimes frustrated and confused, we have done our best to wait on God knowing that in ourselves we have nothing to bring to the table.

We thank God for His Spirit’s guidance and progress through some difficult meetings—and that things are moving forward. Pray that the tensions and misunderstanding would not be allowed to dishonor God’s name particularly as people in the churches have their eyes on the leadership. Please pray with us for reconciliation and God’s victory!

A Groot-Family prayer:

We give you our time.
We plan and make schedules, use watches, palm pilots and calendars…
Knowing that a phone call, an unexpected visitor, emergency or problem can change everything, “just like that!”

We give you our energy…
Knowing that the clock is ticking fast and the mental and physical capacity of our bodies keeps taunting us.

We give you our most precious possessions in Daniel, Naomi and Bethany…
Knowing that the window to be their parents slips by so quickly.

We give you our hearts…
Knowing that you often use struggles and pain to strengthen them.

We give you our will…
Knowing that at every minute we are liable to take it back. It’s not only Bethany who says, “It’s mine!”

We give you our emotions…
Knowing that You are in the business of changing people and we don’t have to “react” to situations.

We thank you for the truth that, “Those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.”

Amen!

We are strengthened by the prayers of God’s people.
Thank you!

Love, the Groots