Smokey Season 

Hello from Chiang Mai,

It is hot, smokey season here, our least favorite weather, but thankfully it doesn’t last for more than a few months. I personally struggle this time of year as we find ourselves “stuck” indoors often while it’s really hot. I really have to be intentional about looking for, and identifying, the things that are good. I find that there are always things that are good and to be thankful for, even in the midst of a season of “yuck”.

Graduation Time 2023

This month it was easier to find things to celebrate because it’s graduation time! The Thai school year begins in mid-May and ends in mid-March (I’m still not used to that yet!). On March 17th we enjoyed celebrating the 11 graduates of House of Blessing daycare. These students worked hard learning the Thai and English alphabet, basic math skills, classroom behavior, personal hygiene, and loved learning about Jesus through Bible stories and songs. Our House of Blessing teachers are amazing! These graduates have all been accepted to continue their education in the Thai public school system at the first grade level and we know they are well-prepared for their next step in education. Please pray for these graduates and their future endeavors, and that most importantly they will always remember that they are loved by God. We will miss having them at the daycare this next school year but we look forward to welcoming 15 new level-one students bringing our enrollment to around 45 students for the 2023-2024 school year. 

The following week, on March 23, we gathered together at the House of Love to honor the 7 graduates from this school year. Four of our residents graduated from college, two from middle school, and one of our staff members completed her high school equivalency certificate. We are super proud of all of them and their hard-work in persevering to complete the tasks required for each of their levels of achievement. Would you please continue to pray for our House of Love graduates? We especially ask that you hold our college graduates in your prayers as they launch into the workforce. Though they have college degrees it can still be quite challenging to find a full-time job, especially one within their fields of study. They know that God is their provider and we all trust in His plans for each of their lives.  Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Thank you for celebrating these precious people and their accomplishments with us. Thank you for your continued provision, love, and support that makes it possible for these students to have a solid education and firm foundation in the Lord. We thank you for walking the journey with all of us. 

-Alise & Mark Juanes

Our staff enjoying lunch together after our All-Staff Training Session.  We work with amazing people!

All of the House of Blessing members enjoying the celebration.

We are so proud of these College Graduates and all the hardwork they have put into their studies. Please hold them closely in your prayers as they seek God for job opportunities.

Our family recently escapted the smoke and took a spring break week down at the beach. We had a wonderful time being together as a family in a beautiful location. Here are some vacation highlights:  snorkeling at our hotel beach (Sydney counted 52 species of fish, including Clownfish), boat rides to surrounding islands (Kolin loved the Ferry), epic sandcastle building (Gavin’s favorite was the hermit crab gladiator ring), kayaking in the crystal clear water (Alise enjoyed kayaking around smaller islands), visiting Maya Beach (Mark’s favorite) which is a protected coral reef=no swimming allowed but oh so beautiful!