(Photos by: Al Purvis, Alyssa Redner, Tyler Thompson, and June Mituna)
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Alyssa snuck a photo of me while we are out preaching in Manila
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Hey friends, here is what I have been up to lately:
This summer I spent 3 months in Canada visiting friends and family and speaking in churches; (if I missed you on this trip I am sorry, please send me a message and I will fit you on my next trip.)
I returned to Thailand at the beginning of August and started getting ready for the next school year. This year we have renovated some rooms at our dormitory building into classrooms and are now holding our bible school classes there. We have some beautiful classrooms built and having the classes and dorms in the same place is easy for getting the students to class (no morning commute). The rooms are almost completed, we are just adding some finishing touches...and now that we have some students here it should go quick. The next step is for us to get registered as a bible college with Thailand education, this will make it easier for our foreign students to get visas to come here and study, as well as for our missionaries that work here (like me). (Currently we have a language and music school registered, which does allow us to get student visa, but it is more complicated.). Pray for favor with the education department and officials that they will approve our request in a speedy manner.
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| VABC students visit with Pastor Al Purvis—Victory Asia, Pastor Rich Conte—VCA Phillippines, and Pastor Jay Kumar—Victory Churches of India |
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| Pastor's Lunch after one of the conference session. Clockwise from top left are: Pastor Jay Kumar—Victory churches India, Myself, Pastor John Albert—Vicory Churches Myanmar, Pastor Prem Bradhur—Victory Churches Nepal, Pastor Kris Pagan—Victory Churches Thailand, Pastor Matt Watson—Victory Churches Thailand, Pastor Aua Treenayon—Victory Churches Thailand, Pastor Matt Funk—Victory Churches Canada, and Pastor Al Purvis—Victory Churches Of Asia |
We began our new school term with our annual leadship conference, this time in The Philippines. We took all the students to Manila for two weeks, one week was spent in the conference and the second week was spent with our sister college at one of the churches in Manila. We would go out in the morning to evangelize and in the afternoons we would all gather together for class. A friend of mine, Matt Funk, from Canada came and taught on children and family ministry, and some of the local missionaries taught on cross cultural missions. We had a great time as the students go to know many of the young people involved in our ministries in the Philippines.
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| VABC students and young leaders from VCA Fairview out sharing the gospel |
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| VABC and Victory Bible Institute—Fairview, Manila. Joint class photo |
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| Pastor Matt Funk, from Okotoks, Alberta teaches young men and women the importance of children ministry |
One of the things we try to teach the students and anyone that comes here is that we are all part of the same ministry and organization, all working towards the same goal. So whether you live and minister in Thailand, Pakistan, Canada, or The Philippines, we are all part of the same team and can support one another in our purpose and vision.
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| Chapel time at VBI Fairview |
This year we have 21 students registered, about half of them are from Canada, and another large group is from Myanmar. We also have several from Thailand, and a few from Pakistan to year. I am excited to see these young men and women grow, develop, and step out into their life's mission as they study with us here in Thailand.
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| Chapel Time in VABC's new classroom |
In more personal news: some of you who follow me on Facebook or speak to me on a regular basis would probably know this already, but: for 7 months I have been dating Hanna, a woman from Pakistan who is also a missionary with our ministry here in Thailand. In August (the day before our six-month of dating) I asked her to marry me...she said yes. We have set the date for at the end of the school year in April as we are both too busy to plan a wedding before then.
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| Hannah and Myself at VABC grad last April. |
Well that is all for now. Hope to talk to you soon. If you have any questions, or want more information about the work I do here in Thailand, or want to partner with my missions work please send me a message or comment below.
Thank you for your prayers, love and support
Tyler
(A boy wonder)