Dear Friends,

On August 29^th, the CRICS (Chiang Rai International Christian School) 2017-18 school year will begin, marking the 20^th year since its early beginnings as the Family Learning Center of Chiang Rai (1998).  The school has evolved and grown in so many ways.  We are in our 5^th (and final!) location, and expect to begin the new year with about 210 students.  This is a far cry from when we arrived in Chiang Rai and our kids rounded out the total number of students to 19!

Even when issues of health, finances, landlords, family problems, and even political upheaval, have arisen, God has seen us through.  Many of you know that we have been dealing for over three years with the knowledge of a highway that will encircle the city of Chiang Rai when it is complete.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, the road route was changed, and with those changes, a corner of the school property was confiscated.  While some payment was made to compensate the school for its loss, the amount given fell short by about 1/3 of what we needed to rebuild.  We lost 4 buildings in the process.  With some initial generous gifts and the money from the government, 2 new buildings were built to house administrative offices, classrooms, an auditorium, and a cafeteria.  However, our additional needs for a basketball court, locker rooms, a science lab, parking lot and a protective sound barrier/wall were not met.

Today we are excited to share that the science building (with an upstairs room for cultural activities and Thai classes) is partially built and the locker rooms are also underway.  But we are still short about $180,000 to complete the project. Especially concerning is the need for the wall that will give us protection from the road. Our current facilities are directly on the edge of the road. Our students and staff, as well as our facilities, are at risk without this wall.  Will you help us meet our goal, so that on August 29, when the children return to school, they will return to a safe and secure environment?

Thank you so much for considering this project!  To give electronically, you may go to https://internationalministries.org/projects/210 or you may send a check to:  International Ministries, P.O Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. On the notation line, please include the information that it is for “Building Blocks for CRICS.” We are grateful for God’s faithfulness to us throughout this process and covet your prayers as we move forward.

Blessings,
Ruth