Hello Friends,
Summertime is officially upon us, which means monsoon season here in Thailand. We are getting rain 4-5 days per week and on the days it doesn't rain the heat index is usually around 110 degrees Farenheit. Summertime also means Leeza gets some much deserved vacation time and extra time with the kiddos. Just 2 more weeks of school! Pray for her! The end of the school year is always crazy busy, including taking her 6th graders on a 4 day trip to Kanchanaburi, the location of the bridge over the River Kwai for you history lovers. Usually I'm the one heading out of town leaving Leeza to manage the household on her own, but this time we're reversing roles a bit. I think I can manage. I like to think I'm pretty good at this whole dad gig, but life with a 2 year old and 9 month old is always a little crazy!
I have to say we are very excited about our summertime plans. To my great surprise my dad finally got a passport, he hasn't had one in probably 30 years, so my parents and sister will be coming to visit us in a couple of weeks. Leeza's sister will also be coming for a visit in early July. We are really looking forward to the time with them and we trust that God will use it to fill us up and refresh us. It means so much to us that our family is willing to make great sacrifices to come spend time with us and our kids. They support us well from afar with regualar video chats and things, but there is no replacement for quality time and just being together. The end of our summer will be comprised of 2 weeks of training Leeza and I will participate in together. The purpose of this time will be for us to grow further in our ability to cross cultures and deeper our understanding of Asian cultures. We will be doing this in partnership with LDI (Life Development International, http://www.lifedevonline.com).
Obviously this means we won't be back in the States this summer, but that doesn't mean we don't want to stay in touch with you, our friends and partners in this ministry. If you would like to set up some time to do a video chat this summer please let me know. We would love to do that and be able to give you a "face to face" update on life and ministry here in Bangkok and the various parts of Asia we are working in as well.
I'll be posting another update later this week that will be focused on ministry and some ways we have seen our prayers answered as well as our prayer needs for this next season. Blessings to you all!
Carl, Leeza, Tripp and Lindlee