Back to the Future

Gonzalez Family in Thailand, Vol. 2, No. 5

"Patience is not just the ability to wait, it's how we behave while we're waiting."

Covid in Thailand

This episode feels like a rerun.

We have been so happy to see that Covid is in the rear view mirror in the U.S. It may not be gone altogether but it seems the worst has passed in America. This is not the case in Thailand. Throughout 2020 Thailand had been lauded as one of the countries that was able to keep Covid-19 at bay. As we entered 2021 it seemed that Thailand might be able to make it to the vaccination stage without a major outbreak. However, when April arrived so did a couple of the more contagious variants of the virus and it feels like the U.S. did in March/April 2020. Restaurants, schools, recreation areas and certain stores have been closed by government order. Many people are staying home and overall activity (including ministry activity) has slowed down to a virtual halt. It has been a challenge some days to keep our spirits up, having to go though this all over again. However, we are thankful for good family time and a new home to settle into.

There are some significant differences between the U.S. and Thailand in terms of how Covid is handled. If you test positive for Covid here you don't get to go home and self quarantine. You must be admitted to a hospital (or field hospital) and spend at least 14 days there. You must be symptom free before you can leave. Also, you can be fined up to 20,000 THB ($600) for not wearing a mask in public. Some provinces even require mask wearing in cars. Finally, vaccines are not yet widely available. There is hope for large scale vaccination drives in June and July but as of today very few people in Thailand are vaccinated.

International Religious Freedom

In Thailand we are fortunate that authorities here have historically valued and protected religious freedom. In fact, it seems to me that Thailand has appreciated the contributions of Christian missionaries over the course of the last few centuries, even though less than 5% of the population here identifies with any from of Christianity. However, this is not the case in every country in this part of the world. It is not an exaggeration to say that about 1 out of every 4 ministry workers we have met here have spent time in that much larger country north of us and for some reason or another have found themselves unable to get back there. Many of you know that the first vision trip Sara and I took when we began considering missions was to that very country. We still have a heart for the 1.4 billion people of that nation.

I share this because I hope you might be moved to pray for those who have less access to the Gospel due to socio-political circumstances. Also, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom just issued its most recent report on persecution. For more information on this topic I would encourage you to read this article from World News Group. We are one Church and I hope you might be moved to offer even just one prayer for those struggling to freely live out their faith in Jesus Christ.

A Long Term Home?

It has been a little less than a year since we moved out of our home in Webb City. I have to admit we really loved that house. Sara and I wanted to raise our kids in that home and the girls still get sad when they see pictures of us there. However, we know God called us to what we are doing now and obedience to Him is far more valuable than even the best house money can buy. Since leaving that house we have lived in a house owned by two of the most generous people you will ever meet, we lived with Sara's sister for a month, a couple of weeks in a Bangkok quarantine hotel and then here in Chiang Mai we have been living in the home of another missionary family while we gathered our bearings. Three weeks ago we finally got to sleep in a house that we hope to be in for more than just a few months.

God has provided a nice home within our budget with just enough room for our family and our ministry goals. Its located in a safe neighborhood that we hope will give the kids a chance to be outside as much as possible. We feel very blessed to have found this home and it may be a thin silver lining associated with Covid-19, since demand for expat housing is way down right now. Perhaps the best part of this move is we can share our address with you all.

Just a few things to know should you ever decide to send anything. First, know that it is very expensive to send packages here. Many of you have asked if you can send anything and Sara and I have mostly declined simply because of the cost. Also, we can get just about anything we need here. However, there are a few items that some of us miss so if you feel especially compelled to send something let us know. Otherwise, just keep sending your love and messages of encouragement. Second, if you send a letter, card or package I suggest writing in ALL CAPS. Thai postal workers are really good at their job but we try to do everything we can to help when it comes to communication in English. Finally, it takes awhile for anything to get here and it doesn't always make it, so just keep that in mind. Here is our address...

JAMES & SARA GONZALEZ

334/150 PHASE 2, SOI 6, PHIMUK 4

MOO 3. T. SANPHRANET

A. SANSAI, CHIANGMAI, 50210

Now you have no excuse to not visit us (once Covid is gone)!

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Specific Prayer Requests

• Easing of Restrictions - Ministry is more difficult when the government (or fear) keeps people from gathering. Please pray that our churches, LTC and other ministries reopen and resume activities soon. Also, its over a 100 degrees most days and the girls want to go swimming.

• Visas - Still working on it. Maybe we'll just keep this one on the list forever.

• LTC Students - Our staff at LTC are working to finalize and prepare to onboard the new freshman class of students. School is set to begin next month. Pray for these students as they prepare for the next major step in their relationships with God.

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Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

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*With lockdowns in place, we have had fewer opportunities to get out into the community. Thus, we have focused on what God has been doing with us at home.

Laughing over language differences and missteps with two of our new friends. We are happy to know these woman who each have their own strong ministries here in Chiang Mai.

Our children are our first disciples. Sara recently took Miriam through a preteen study called Passport 2 Purity. We highly recommend this study for parents wanting help navigating the early teenage years. The study culminated in nice dinner date with Dad.

Sometimes just being able to find the little comforts of life helps us get through the tough days.