Since our last update, the season has shifted here in Thailand. What was once the intense heat of summer has now turned into the cool, rain-filled days of the wet season. Living in Chiang Mai has taught us how each season brings its own beauty and its own challenges—summer brings fun and festivities, but also smoke and pollution; the rains cool the air, yet often disrupt plans.
This season also marks a different kind of shift for us personally and in ministry. Jason is currently on sabbatical, learning what it means to truly rest—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In the stillness, where ministry once filled every hour, God is speaking in new and quiet ways. But rest also takes discipline, and we are learning that sabbatical is not about inactivity, but about intentional restoration.
For Sheryl, the initial weeks were daunting—navigating ministry without Jason’s daily presence. Yet God made space for others in the team to rise up and carry the load together. Two months in, by God’s grace, we’ve begun to find a new rhythm. The challenges are real, but so are the gifts of this season.
We are learning to embrace what each moment offers, trusting that God is at work in the rest and the reordering.
Loving our neighbours
With the changes in our ministry team this year, we made the difficult decision to scale down our direct involvement with the refugee community in Tak. Yet our concern for them has never waned. We continued to pray for them and asked God for a chance to reconnect.
In March, God answered our prayers. He prompted us to bring a few friends on a ministry recce trip to Tak—a timely and Spirit-led opportunity. We were able to visit our ministry partners, hear about their current work, pray with them, and encourage them in person.
God’s miraculous provision continues to shine in this region. One joyful testimony: an anonymous donor gave them bunk beds, so the girls who had been sleeping on thin blankets on the floor now have proper beds to sleep in. They’re also praying about buying a piece of land next door to build a facility that could house and provide schooling for 300 children.
At another site, we met a couple faithfully leading a growing ministry. The wife recently left her salaried job to serve alongside her husband, especially reaching out to the many women God is drawing to their care. At their last Christmas outreach, they had over 800 (!!!) attendees! Their faith, perseverance, and trust in God deeply moved us. Even though our presence in Tak is now more limited, we continue to stand with these faithful brothers and sisters, believing with them for breakthroughs and provision.
Even with very little, our ministry partners in Tak have big visions to build churches and schools for people who do not yet know God.
Shaken
On 28 March, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the region. We were having lunch in the office when the ground began to tremble beneath us, and the shelves around us swayed. Thankfully, Northern Thailand was largely spared from major damage.
However, the impact was far more severe elsewhere. In Bangkok, a government building under construction collapsed during the quake, trapping over 90 workers under the rubble—many of them missing or confirmed dead. At the epicentre in Mandalay, the devastation was heartbreaking. Thousands of lives were lost, and many more were left injured or homeless within seconds.
Our hearts ache for those affected, especially in Myanmar where the recovery will be long and painful. God opened a door for us to respond when Hope Church Mandalay reached out for emergency relief. With your financial giving, we were able to raise and donate approximately 4,500 SGD toward the distribution of relief food supplies in Mandalay—supporting around 70 families affected by this crisis.
We are grateful to be part of a global body of Christ that responds with love and compassion. Please continue to pray for healing, provision, and hope for all those impacted.
Food distribution to earthquake victims through our ground liaison, Hope Church Mandalay
Baan Dem Rak
We’re now in the middle of Term 2 at BDR, and we’re so thankful for how God has been growing the work. Since the start of the year, the number of families we serve has increased from 40 to around 70. It’s been a joy to welcome new faces and see deeper relationships form with those we’ve journeyed with for years.
A key highlight for 2025 has been the launch of our new youth sports and music programmes. These initiatives are already bearing fruit—several teens who had outgrown our children’s programmes and drifted away are now re-engaging through these new activities. We’re grateful for these renewed connections and the opportunity to continue walking alongside them, encouraging them to stay on the right path away from drugs and other vices, and planting seeds of God’s love in their hearts. Check out their debut song here!
A new skill: Coaching
This year, Sheryl is pursuing her coaching certification through Coaching Mission International’s Foundations of Coaching Excellence course—a year-long programme with online learning, in-person training, and hands-on practicum. She’s currently in the practicum phase, coaching real clients and putting what she’s learned into practice.
This journey has been a time of both personal and professional growth. Coaching emphasizes asking powerful questions and intentional listening, which are Godly attitudes and skills that bring much fruit even in everyday life. It’s been deeply rewarding to walk with people as they discover what matters most to them and take steps toward meaningful change.
To complete her practicum, Sheryl is still looking for a few more clients. The coaching service will be provided free of charge. If you or someone you know might be interested in receiving coaching, please contact us!
