Why tiny hearts you ask? As you probably noticed, smiling is generally not the norm for pictures in Thailand, people want to convey that they are serious. And yet, when someone suggests we take a picture with “tiny hearts” (thumb and forefinger held together like a tiny heart) people smile, it is the same with peace signs. Why is that? For one, it is fun, but when we take a picture of the kids or staff, they want to convey that they are serious, that they are taking things seriously, that they are thoughtful. However, with the tiny hearts the focus is not on the subject, the focus is the viewer of the picture and the message being conveyed to the viewer is that “we love you.” That is what I hope you recieve from the update about the summer, that it is not just an update about what God is doing in Thailand, it is that you are loved and appreciated by everyone here.

We are long overdue to update you all on what God is doing in Thailand and in our family. Many of you saw snip-its of our family’s summer travels via Facebook, but here is a recap if you were wondering where we have been. Now our family is back in Chiang Mai after a relatively quick (6-week) trip to America to visit as many churches and supporters as we could.

What have the Juanes family been up to this summer?

The first week of June we began our trip to America by starting in New York. This was the end of the school year so we began with 3 days of visiting historical American sites including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial. It was a really connecting way to end our school year with some U.S. historical sites where our kids could experience what they have studied. Especially since we began our school year in CA on home assignment and studied U.S. History throughout the year. Our visit to NY began our crazy, summer road trip that stretched over 4,500 miles. We traveled through 12 states, stayed overnight in 9 of them (plus an overnight in Ontario, Canada), we placed our heads to rest in 16 different places over a period of 6 weeks and visited 7 churches and many supporters along the way. We enjoyed family time, adventure, a family reunion, a Hope for Hilltribes prayer group, and loved the countless conversations we had with many of you about all the things God is doing in Chiang Mai. Thank you to those who housed us, hosted us, fed us, sent gift cards for food and snacks, encouraged us, prayed for us, loved on us, and so much more. We are beyond blessed by your generosity. It was a whirlwind trip and our only regret was that we didn’t get to see ALL of you!

Our cross-country drive ended in Colorado for International Ministries’ All-Staff Gathering. IM has hosted 3 ASGs in its history (about every 10 years) and this was our first. We cannot speak highly enough about what a beautiful time it was to be together with our colleagues from the U.S. and around the world worshiping and fellowshipping together. We enjoyed listening to all the stories God is doing globally. We loved the deep and challenging conversations about missions in today’s changing cultures and contexts. We laughed together, we cried together, we prayed together, and we enjoyed BEING together under one roof. Our biggest joy was watching our 3 kids thrive and grow in confidence as they connected with other IM missionary kids. They had a special program, led by IM’s Missionary Kid Care Person, Debby Witmer, and our kids left the ASG changed in a beautiful way and beaming with confidence in who they are! Oh what a blessing!

We enjoyed a quick stop in California for a few days of recovery and time with family and returned to Thailand the last week of July. We jumped right back into life, ministry, and the new school year. Whew … .I think that briefly catches you up on our family.

What has been happening at the CDPD this summer?

Things have been very busy at the CDPD as the 21 staff members work to provide various services to their 192 clients. Most recently, the three new children with special needs have finished the summer preparation program and passed the pre-school preparation requirements. They are very excited to be able to attend school. The CDPD program is praising God for the new truck we were able to purchase with grant funds. It has been a very wet rainy season and the 4-wheel-drive truck has allowed more consistent access to the farm so that the clients can continue their studies at the farm and also continue learning to provide agricultural care needs. We are so thankful for this gift! In addition, many families in the surrounding villages do not know what government disability assistance is available for their family, and the application process can be very confusing. We are thankful that God has provided the opportunity for the CDPD staff to help an additional 22 vulnerable children this year. The staff have assisted the families of these children affected with chronic disease apply for government pension and helped in opening relief cases. Having access to this program can go a long way in helping relieve the stress and financial burden of those caring for people with disabilities. Praise God for the opportunities to bring hope to families in need! We thank you for your continued prayers and support over this amazing program.

What about the House of Blessing preschool?

The summer break for Thai schools runs from March to May so the school has been up and running! The rooms of the preschool are filled with beautiful faces this school year. Our amazing teachers have been busy pouring their love and teaching skills over 48 littles from 5 tribal communities. The kids beam with joy when they arrive at school. They love learning Thai and are introduced to English. Mostly they enjoy learning songs and hearing Bible stories throughout their week and have really enjoyed their new playground that was installed at the end of last school year. The new playground is such a huge gift and we are so thankful to Hope for Hilltribes and the amazing kids and supporters who made this project happen!

Last month, the preschool hosted a parent’s meeting and public health clinic. Local doctors and dentists came to inform the parents on best health practices for themselves and their children. The doctors also brought awareness and information on how to help prevent various diseases that commonly cause illness in children in this region. The parents were so appreciative and enjoyed the activities that the teachers used to help engage them in this informative meeting.

How are things at the House of Love?

Things have been busy at the House of Love over the past few months. The house mother’s have been doing such a great job of caring for the kids who are living at the House of Love. They have Bible study twice a week, enjoy games and activities in the evenings after homework is finished, and the kids are actively involved in participating in church functions on weekends. The house mother’s have also enjoyed taking them on day trips to places like local festivals, waterfalls, hiking, special restaurants, and they also plan life-skills training activities like cooking, buying things at the market, yardwork, hygiene, taking care of their clothes, and even earning and saving their money. One of the boys worked hard to earn extra money and saved up to buy his own bicycle!

The College Care team has been working closely with the college students as they are entering their midterms. We have monthly worship nights where the students come back to the House of Love to enjoy activities, dinner, and worship time with the younger kids. Lessons on Life Skills training happen every other month, and we work to follow up with each of them and encourage them to incorporate the skills they are learning. We also plan monthly outings as a time to enjoy and connect. Last month the girls enjoyed going to the swimming pool to get relief from the hot weather, and the boys opted to see a movie together at the local theater. These young men and women grew up together like brothers and sisters so it is important we are intentional about giving them spaces to spend time together.

The Strong Families Project (now called the “Family of Love”) has been picking up momentum as we prepare to begin the program with a new group of 41 people. The Co-Director, Yuleybeh, has been very active in tribal women’s ministries and churches throughout northern Thailand. God has opened doors to share about this new program and families are hearing about new ways to support vulnerable families. Families are encouraged and church members want to hear more about how they can support families in their communities. We are praising God for opportunities to share His love with families in need.

After-summer prayer requests:

We are so thankful for each of you and encouraged by your love, prayers, and support. Thank you to those who give financially to us on a regular basis, we are so blessed by your generosity and we couldn’t be here without YOU! Thank you! Please continue to walk this journey with us and please join us in praying and praising God for what He is doing here:

• Thank God for our amazing staff and teachers at the House of Love and the House of Blessing. Pray for unity and excitement as we continue to step forward in the work that is in front of us and ahead of us. Pray for clarity and wisdom in developing the programs to care for needs as they unfold.
• Pray for wisdom, strength, stamina, and open doors to share the gospel and bring hope through the CDPD.
• Pray for the house mom’s and the kids at the House of Love, that they would feel God’s presence and that their relationships with our Father would be deepened.
• Pray for the College Care Team, for wisdom on how to disciple, guide, coach, encourage, and teach these amazing young adults as they strive towards goals and independent living. Praying that our young adults would know they are a Beloved child of God and that they would desire a deepened relationship with Him.
• Pray for wisdom and ways to encourage Soi as we walk alongside her while she strives to study in Japan, and for the finances to be able to send her if it’s God’s will.
• Pray for wisdom and unity in understanding for our Strong Families Team. Pray for the team to show Christ’s love, understanding, and compassion to families in crisis and the courage for our team to face those challenges and have wisdom to help those families in need. Praying that those families would experience and accept Christ’s love through our team or others who help them.
• Pray for health and strength for the House of Blessing preschool teachers and the children and families that they interact with. We pray that the preschool children and their families know and experience the love of Christ through our preschool and that they can be light in their communities as well.
• Pray for the Juanes Family, that we will continue to lean into God, draw nearer to Him and trust in Him with all these things. Pray for wisdom and understanding in how to navigate language and cultural barriers, and most of all, how to love those around us well.

As we write this…there is so much to hold and trust God with, sometimes it can feel so overwhelming. Today, I’m encouraged by Moses’ words to Joshua, maybe some of you will also be encouraged by them:

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:8