Hello from the Attaways.

We hope you are all doing well and had a Happy 4th of July!  We missed celebrating with friends and family at home, but were invited to attend a cookout at a guest house near the church where we live.  There were several families from the US there and the menu included hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and a red, white and blue cake!  They even had some sparklers and a few fireworks so it was great to celebrate our nation's Independence day along with you, actually 11 hours ahead of you!

This past month has had its ups and downs.  One of the positive things is we have founds an alternative Thai language program that is more practical and written for English speakers.  This program is online and also includes native Thai tutors.  Our Thai tutor in Bangkok is Kruu Nid, she has been a blessing and is teaching us commonly used phrases and sentence structure.  They have tutors in Roi Et as well so this program would allow us the opportunity to move to the Northeast where we plan on serving sooner.  The Thai language is challenging, but we are committed to learn to speak and understand the language of those who we will serve.  Please pray for our language acquisition.

Noah and Hannah Grace have enjoying being out of school, but of course have to study Thai each day.  They are troopers and continue to bring joy to everyone they meet.  Noah has made a couple of friends at an English church we have attended this month and has been to youth group a couple of times.  Hannah Grace has enjoyed her Sunday School and has also made friends.  They had a family picnic this month that we attended and enjoyed the fellowship.  We feel blessed to have found an opportunity to worship and have some fellowship in our native tongue since we are not yet proficient in Thai.

Water games at the Church Picnic

Water fun and fellowship

Hannah Grace was reading her Bible one night and called us in her room.  She said she felt lead to pack her backpack with water and snacks and take it to the people who live on the street near our home.  We went to 7-11 the next morning where she bought 6 bottles of water and 6 snacks with her money.  Hannah Grace packed them in her book bag along with her Bible, we prayed and then went out.  She prayed during the walk, found people in need, offered the water and food and tried to greet everyone in Thai.  It was really an amazing experience for her and for us.  We are proud of Hannah Grace's and Noah's hearts for the Lord and for others.

Prepared to go the the streets

Hannah Grace being the Light

We traveled to Roi Et this month to pray over where the Lord needs us to serve.  We met with the English teachers at the Muang Suang school.  They are eager to have volunteer English teachers and would welcome us.  The school has 1000 students and several other neighboring schools are in need of conversational English teachers.   While in Roi Et we were able to participate in the Wednesday night worship and fellowship with the Barbees and Mot, a member of the team.  Noah lead the students in a new game.  It was a blessing being in their company and praising God in Thai.

Wednesday night worship and study at the Barbees in Roi Et

Noah teaching a game-Ninja to Roi Et Students

A challenge we have faced is missing Sidney and Ashley since their visit.  We have had time to reflect on their time here and have stayed in touch each week, but it is still difficult.  Please keep them both in your prayers.  Sidney is working at  Camp Greenville this summer in a leadership role and is really enjoying it.  Ashley has had a lot of opportunity to travel and has seen so many new things, she in now back in Clemson.  We believe their visit here was important for them to see some of the reasons we feel called to serve in Thailand.

We are learning so much about Thai culture and about the people here.  We are also learning a lot about God and trusting him.  We continually lift you up in prayer and hope you know how important you all are to us.  Please join us in prayer for our family in the US and for us here.  We ask for spiritual protection, health, language learning, and guidance for our transition to the Northeast.  We pray that God will use us to his glory here and that we make his name known to many who haven't heard the Good News.  Thank you again for all of your love and support on this journey we are on together.

May God be glorified.

I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28