Enjoy the pics of Katelyn, Michalea, and Seth's ministry and tournament trip to the Philippines. Kathy and Don were able to watch the tournament after education meetings in Manila.

Michaela sitting on the front row in the red shirt. Katelyn sitting behind her and to the left in a blue shirt. Seth in the green shirt in the same row as Katelyn.

Michalea again in the front row on the left. Katelyn in the fourth row.

Katelyn hanging out with the kids in a shelter in a gym. The children's homes were destroyed in the typhoon.

Michalea blocking a Faith Academy player's shot. Between Michaela and Katelyn they are a formidable blocking wall.

Michalea going for a dig.

Michaela at the serving line.

Katelyn at the serving line...look at that form.

Katelyn going up for the block against one of the national Filipino teams.

A family picture at the end of the tournament with the Manila skyline in the background reminding us all why we really are here in Asia. Katelyn's wearing one of the six medals given out to All Star Players from the six teams that participated in the tournament.

A picture with the Walt and Cheryl Spicer and our family. A couple we used to work with while living at Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya in northern Philippines.

Our time in the Philippines was especially meaningful because of the opportunity to share the love of Christ with those affected by the typhoon and because the children hadn't been back to the Philippines since 1997. Being able to spend some time with old friends and making news ones was another wonderful part of the trip. Thanks for your prayers.

Hello, All

After a 3 hour delay because of a Typhoon in Japan, an open call for a doctor on both flights for an unknown reason and a 12 hr train ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I arrived in one piece with all 100+ pounds of luggage; so all in all a successful trip! Thanks again Tim for the ticket, what a blessing. But wow, was I exhausted when I finally arrived. On the train up, I was again blown away by the beauty of Thailand, right now its transitioning from the hot wet season to the cool dry season (which is the best time to be in Thailand), so we have a striking blue sky full of puffy white clouds that are constantly changing shapes and making their way across the sky.

When I did arrive at the train station I was meet by friends and family, but I think I let my friends down, when I told them I was going to bed instead of going to celebrate my return with them. After 48+ hours, all my body wanted was sleep! It was very nice though to be greeted by familiar faces.

I stopped by school the very next day (wed.) which was a half day. I said hello, ate lunch and then got my long-ish hair chopped off to better cope with the temperature. Thursday was my first official day at work, So with a half day of rest I was off and running. And what a first day. I found out that I'm teaching a different PE curriculum than the one I taught last year! (which means more curriculum planning) I also learned that I'm the head teacher of a PE class with 50 middle school students every day, not a helper as I was last year. Which brings my class total up to 5 (3 HS and 1 MS) + a Study hall. I also found out that I'm in charge of all the inter-mural sports that we run at the school starting with ultimate Frisbee which is just now getting underway! Then just last Friday I was asked to be the MC and Game master for "Kick-off" which is the first all Secondary school event (7-12th grade). It went really well and during the program I really started to feel that I was truly back into the full swing of things.

I've now been in Thailand for two weeks and I'm just now getting settled in. But as soon as I feel like I have everything under control, I start piling more things on to the to do list. First of which is to start Thai lessons, I figure its about time I learned, you see I kept putting it off because its a tonal language which mean you can say the word Hi 5 different ways and it means 5 different things .... not the best language for a tone deaf farang [Thai word for foreigner]. Also I begin the process of searching for and applying to Grad schools for next year. Which I'm quickly learning is no small process what with the GRE and Praxis tests to take, so I'm trying to freshen up on my math skills since my last math class was over 6 years ago. It's safe to say I'm a little concerned. I will also be looking for jobs in England and applying to the JET program in Japan, as a back up to Grad school; the deadline for JET is November! So, with planning new curriculum, organizing and refereeing inter-murals, studying Thai, application deadlines and prepping for grad level tests my free time is quickly shrinking.

Finally an up-date on my financial standings:

Of the $6,000 of my total need $3,502 has been given. To think that over half of the money has come in just over a months time is astounding and show the power of prayer. I've been absolutely stunned to see where money is coming from, I've received support from all over the world, from Japan, Thailand and from over 8 different states in the US; from family, friends, family friends to People I've never meet; from Christians, non-Christian's, business people and even missionaries. To be supported by such a diverse group of people is inspiring. God truly does work in mysterious ways. And to see missionaries especially those with kids at the school stepping up sends a simple message what I do in Thailand is appreciated and is important. Many of the staff and parents have said "Thanks for coming back" and every time I hear this, I want to tell them not to thank me but to thank my supporters. So, to all those who have contributed, thank you so much for your support, know that no matter how much you have given it has made a huge impact on me and GIS(Grace international school). Like a stone hitting water the ripples of your contribution reach out much further then just my being able to eat. It impacts each of my students all 170 of them, it impacts the kids I coach all 200+ of them, the countless kids who take part in various sports programs, and the kids we visit in the Refugee camps with the high school sports leaders. The support you provide makes all of this possible thank you for being apart of it, and for allowing me the chance to make an impact on kid's lives.

If you are thinking about supporting me, but you figure the amount you could give won't make that big of a difference, let me assure you that even a single dollar helps! A beach is not made up of one giant stone and beaches of medium or large rocks are not considered the best. The best beaches in the world are made up of millions of tiny grains of sand which together produce a fantastic feeling on ones feet! So too, every dollar helps, believe me; in Thailand a dollar goes a lot further then it does in the US.

Bellow is info on contributing:

Checks should be sent to the address bellow:

Rita Camden
5721 N Co. Rd. 1330 E
Russiaville IN, 46979

Make checks out to JOAM with Seth Williams on the MEMO line of the check (If my name is not on the memo line then it goes into the general fund)

JOAM is a registered 501(c)3 which means that the money you donate is tax deductible. When you send a check Rita (the accountant) deposited the check into JOAM's (Jesus Open Arm Mission) account and then it's transferred to my account to be used here in Thailand. She sends out quarterly receipts detailing what you gave (Check #, Date written, Date Deposited, the amount, and who it went to [ME]). These statements or receipts again are sent out quarterly, you will receive the receipt it just might not be right after you send in the check! If you decide to do monthly gifts these will all be broken down by each check.

If you are interested in making online or monthly deposits, I'm waiting to find out whether there is a routing number for the JOAM account, at the moment, I believe that checks are the only way to get money to my account with JOAM.

If you have questions about deductions or want to verify that Rita received the check you can call or e-mail her!
phone # 765-883-8331
e-mail: rcamden@ides.org

Thanks again for helping me return to teaching at Grace. I know that every one here is very appreciative, as I am, of your willingness to contribute and pray for me this year. Its been amazing to see how God rewards our faith in him.

Blessings and Much Love

Seth Williams

P.S. attached is a story titled "who says teaching isn't dangerous!" I hope you enjoy ......Its kind of a day in the life of me ...just not the best of days

Who Says Teaching Isn't Dangerous

by Seth Williams

So last year I became enamored with a coffee mug .... sure it was just a mug but it was my mug. Well one day, I come to school grab my mug and go get some coffee and low and behold the handle just falls right off. The mug tumbles to the ground .... miraculously it was some how unscathed. So i did what any caring mug parent would do I went and fixed it .... and it continued to serve my purpose for that entire year.

Flash forward to a week ago, I arrive from the states come into the office for the first time and there she is, just as I left her, glued on handle and all. Flash forward again to this morning .... I came in early, since no one else is in that early I can get lots done with out distractions. I had just had my first cup of coffee and went back to get my second ....I fill up MY mug .... the coffee sends off visible steam. I sit down at the computer start typing out my last thoughts .... grab my mug, bring it up to my lips ... i can feel the warmth on the tip of my nose and then time stops.

The next 30 plus seconds are fuzzy, but the following is what i've been able to dig out of the suppressed memories I have of the event:

The handle which I had so caringly glued on; came un-glued in an instant .... pouring the molten liquid down and around my stomach and like lava tearing a hole through a forest with its destructive furry .... the coffee if that is even what we can continue to call it because of its ridiculous temperature, so now it will be referred to as Lava .... made its way down south. its hard to bring back these memories, its was such an explosively painful event in my life. But suffice to say I jumped out of my seat ....flinging the Lava about the PE office.

In my mad dash towards the locker-room, to seek relief in the supple cold waters of the boys shower....I over looked the fact that the door connecting the Men’s PE office to the locker-room was latched .... Bong .... I run smack into what should be a free swinging door, but is currently an immovable object between me and relief ..... and so another frantic struggle takes place. As I try and hold my now scalding shorts and shirt away from the effected areas I'm simultaneously struggling with the latch.

Seemingly, hours pass by and finally I find the right combination of jumping around, vocal noise, finger movements and click the latch is freed .... I find relief....I asses the damage the aforementioned areas are a nice hue of rosé red.

Earlier before the epic struggle with the latch, Khun Kee the sports departments’ secretary, upon hearing the noise i was making came to check and see if I was dying. Some how I conveyed to her that I had burnt my self .... again everything was quite hazy, I don’t quite remember what i said .... but whatever it was sent Kee running for the nurses office to find something to soothe my pain. On her way she was held up by the Thai staff sing the Kings anthem, you see this day's date is 9/9/9 and so the Thai staff had a singing of the anthem at exactly 9:9:09am to Honor the king on this momentous occasion.... so Kee doing as any good Thai would, stops to sing for the king. To do other wise would be un-heard of. This brings me to realize that this incident if it did not happen at exactly 9:09:09am of 9/9/09 then it was mighty close. Momentous for sure.

Kee returns with said Aloe and some other balm, she finds me mopping up the lava which was flung about and Icing my affected areas.

So on this momentous day, realize that teachers face a vast array of dangers, from the horrible spilled coffee to ties being caught in shredders .... and like teachers you too might not have the most dangerous of jobs but don’t let life catch you off guard. I Hope this brightens your day as it brightened my stomach which again is a nice hue of red.

All the best,

Seth Williams

PS Please feel free to forward this on to any you think would find it amusing, educational or profit from reading it (I sent this out to the staff at the school and it was greeted with smiles to say the least.)

Meeting with Parents
August 25, 2009 7PM to 8PM
August 26, 2009 2PM to 3PM

A little background on our situation at present with the court case:

Grace purchased World Club land and buildings; Grace improved and added buildings. School grew from 174 students in 1999 to 530 students in 2009

Key points to keep in mind about our shared values here at Grace:
1. GIS was established to prepare students to achieve academically while living in Thailand with hearts for service. GIS students, faculty, and staff have served local communities, Thailand, and the world in many ways.
2. GIS serves 320 families from 23 countries and offers a college prep program.
3. GIS is a gateway for other charitable organizations in Thailand.
4. GIS is not for profit. Lands and buildings have been purchased with gifts from donors.
5. The school desires to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors.
6. With all the respect to the justice and the final court’s verdict, GIS wants a judgment that proves a legitimate right to own and use the land and buildings purchased in good faith.
7. Grace was planning for growth despite the uncertainties of the lawsuit. Because of space and logistical limitations of the present site, GIS was already making plans to relocate before the lawsuit. The move was intended to be implemented in such a way as to have the least negative impact on all the communities concerned.

On August 29, 2007 almost a year to the day before the suit was brought against the school the Board of Trustees of Grace made the following declaration…an Affirmation of Dedication

They wrote, “To Whom It May Concern: Today, August 29, 2007, we, the undersigned hereby record the affirmation of our dedication of Grace International School to the Triune God-- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We as trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students and constituents hold it as a gift and trust from Him. We will continue to make use of it for the education of students for the furthering of His Kingdom for as long as He allows. This includes all the lands, facilities and equipments-- including the Sports Complex, the Secondary school, the Elementary Building, the Multi-purpose Building, the music building, the playing fields, all and any future buildings constructed and grounds acquired. God has given us Grace International School. We give it back to Him.”

The Nittibukon or neighborhood association has sued three parties almost one year ago: the original developer of the mubaan (World Club), the bank who took over the loans and helped sell some of the property to us, and the third party is Grace International School Educational Foundation. They sued for many things, those of which pertain to the school was suing for the return and control of the sports club complex…property and buildings as well as for the return of the facilities to their original condition, and 4.9 million baht.

The underlying problem is that people who originally bought property from WC Housing were promised lifetime access to the Sports Facility according to the advertising brochure. There were 970 land titles which were part of the original development. There were only 300 “lifetime memberships” issued.

When Grace first began using the facilities the developer had control of the Sports Club Complex and started limiting access to certain portions of the facilities, then came a period of time where we rented, and then we bought the Sports Club and further restricted access to “sports club hours” which are in operation now. When we bought it, there was no law that said we couldn’t do what we did – it was all legal and it was all done properly. The complaint was that residents rights were limited, hours changed, and some facilities shrunk. The benefit promised was limited, the plaintiffs claimed.

The letter we sent out to World Club residents and our GIS community recently stated, “we would like to make sure you have correct information. Title deeds to all the property used by Grace International School were legally transferred to the school when Grace International School Education Foundation purchased the property in 2001. At that time, no questions were raised about the legality of the transaction. All papers were properly filed in government offices to transfer ownership to GISEF.”


On the 25th of August 2008 a new consumer law was passed in Thailand – some mubaan residents used this new consumer rights law to claim that their rights as consumers had been compromised and filed their suit on the 26 of August. They claimed they have the right to take possession of the original sports complex. They claim that the developer had broken the promise of lifetime memberships. Roads, nursery school, and the water tower are other items that need to be turned over, the Nittibukon claimed all of this in their suit against the three plaintiffs.

GIS claimed in its defense that the contract was between the developer and the residents – we bought the property legally, and assumed no responsibility for the “contract”. We paid a fair market value considering the fact that there had been a market downturn at the time with the economic meltdown in the early 90’s. We claimed we still provide access to the sports club and have not taken away any rights. After months of presenting our evidence and waiting for the verdict, the court ruled against us and said that we must turn over GIS property and titles, and also pay a fine, with interest and return the property to its original condition. The plaintiff didn’t win the back rent, the playground or the property adjacent to it as they filed in their suit against GIS. We are exploring every avenue to see justice and fairness prevail in the appeal process.

Our lawyer requested an extension to submit our appeal to 21 September (30 days) because we did not receive the written verdict until late afternoon on August 26th. Our appeal was to be submitted August 21st. We have been granted the extension.

Other steps are being taken to ensure we explore every avenue possible prior to our appeal and each step that ensues. Many are stepping forwards to assist GIS however they can.

If the appeal proceeds according to schedule the verdict at the appellate level will not exceed one year. Some suggest that a decision will be made in December. While we are working on our appeal we are also looking into the future in terms of next steps. For example…further appeals to the Supreme Court. The information is too sketchy at this point to say what this option might look like or hold for the school.

In all of this the administrative team and I would like to reassure you as we trust the recent letter that was sent out helped by stating once again, “Regardless of where we meet, we are committed to continuing to provide an excellent education for our students.”

The admin team and I also want to assure you that we do have contingency plans. We envision finishing the school year here this year. By the first of December and before re-enrollment we will announce our plans for where school will take place for both secondary and elementary students during the 2010-11 school year. As a crisis back-up contingency scenario we’d use the elementary campus for a split secondary/elementary program should that be the only option available. However, the administration and those involved in the temporary re-location plan are working hard to find a much better solution in the next 2-3 months for the 2010-11 school year. If you know of sites we should be checking out please let me know and we’ll take a look.

The recent letter you received also stated, “As we spend time this year looking at options, we want to keep you informed. We would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and provision of the resources that will be required in the days ahead.”

Part of the keeping you informed is to let you know that the property search for a new campus has started up again in earnest. We are also working on hiring an architect in the coming months to begin the work of helping to design our new facilities. A US Foundation is poised and ready to partner with Grace to help us get the word out about our needs for teachers and to raise awareness and support for our financial needs for land purchase and new campus development. The end of this week the president of the foundation, Tom Matyas, will return to CM to meet with the leadership, faculty, staff and parents of the school and to once again share how we might all work together to realize the plans God has for Grace’s future. One of those points I’m sure he’ll touch upon is the fact that a donor has given $30,000 USD as a matching gift. The idea is that for every dollar raised before the end of September the donor will contribute up to $30,000 USD. Please help get the word out that we have the opportunity to raise $60,000 USD in the coming weeks for Grace with their prayers and potential gift. Also if you are willing to host a tea, coffee, dessert meeting in your home for parents who would like to hear more about how parents can be part of helping discover much needed funding for GIS we invite you to sign up on the sheets on the back table. Bill Clark who’s the Advancement Director this year will be back there to answer your questions and show you where you can sign up.

I trust you see these days we’re in as some of the brightest for Grace. If we’re not careful the larger picture in your minds could be of cloudy overcast skies looming overhead with ominous flashes of light just before the suspected onslaught of a raucous and deafening clap of thunder. Just remember there is a sun that sits above all of these distractions and that the noise comes from a toothless wanna-be masquerading lion. Let that be the bigger picture in your minds. I have hope….my admin team has hope…the Board of Trustees have hope. Our prayer is that you will practice hope with us and in the One who is and will make a difference.

Before I go to a time for questions I want to close this part of this meeting with these thoughts: it is likely that all of us sitting in this room today are at very different stages of reacting to the news that we've lost the court case in this first round. Some will have just found out, some have thought about it for awhile and some know just how much this could cost us. Our natural fleshly response to this kind of news tends to be somewhere along the lines of fear, anger, discouragement, and worry. The leadership of the school believes that this is an opportunity for us to model a response of faith and to spiritually encourage everyone to also respond in faith and not fear. In the end the leadership believes that this call to faith and a response focused on Christ is more important than our being able to provide you with all of the answers to calm your fears. If the truth be told we don’t have all the answers. I gave a message related to the topic, "Faith for the Future" at the 10th anniversary celebration at the close of last school year. I want to say once again here as we begin the new school year in these present circumstances that this is the time for exercising Faith for the Future and these are the circumstances in which we get to exercise that faith. We invite you to walk this way with us…walk with us in Faith for the Future.

Questions and Answers:

It seems the environment is not Grace friendly. For those that buy property in this country or live in close proximity to Grace, how can we give families confidence we are not jumping from one problem to another? We are considering many things including not buying property in a muubaan. We are being extraordinarily careful. While there are no 100% guarantees in life, we are doing everything we know to do to be intentional on being law abiding.

What was the reasoning to apply a new law to something that happened seven years ago? About a year ago the new consumer protection law that came into place which opened the door for people to bring suits. There is no statute of limitations it seems with consumer cases.

Would it not be an option for someone to buy land and build a new sport club? That was put out there at one point, however, our sense is the Nittibukon would still prefer to have the present Sports Complex.

Is it a possibility since we own the elem. site and adjacent fields to expand here? When I first came four years ago I began to look at what needs GIS had in order to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors. We have done some things stellar and we have done some not so stellar things. One of those issues is parking. We wanted to look at purchasing adjacent property for parking. To buy land in this present community we would have needed for expansion, we could build an entire facility for the same price. Another solution was to turn the front of the school towards Ratchaprueck Road and have that land be for expansion, parking, and the front entrance of the school, etc. When we went into the lawsuit we realized we do not have the right environment to be able to accomplish this.

Does the whole muubaan realize what’s happened and are they behind this? Do they realize what will happen to the property that people rent? We have tried in the right attitude to share the consequences but unfortunately there is a higher goal they have and that is to possess this property.

Parent – comment to school that it is very difficult to have a plan because the consumer protection laws.

Even it an appeal was successful – do we have a rough timeframe to relocate? We have mapped out a timeline what it would take from beginning to end to do everything is 4-5 years.

Does Grace have to pay for everything? What has been mentioned in this talk is the financial judgment against Grace. The other two defendants have financial judgments against them that are not included in the financial judgments against Grace.

Does the 4.9 million reflect the amount of money to return this facility to its original condition? No, we don’t know how much more it will cost to return it to its original state.

Is the elementary school and sports field part of the lawsuit? No, nor is the music room or the two plots of land beside the music room. The Nittibukon also lost their claim to two titles - the playground and property next to it. They were claiming this was the muubaan playground.

Is that side of the property safe? That is a good question. When we built the property, it all went through the proper channels. We actually got permission from the Nittibukon to build the stables. Could a problem still arise with this land portion? It is possible. Again, we did everything at the time according to the law and muubaan regulations.

Is it true that some people that could help the school (e.g. absentee owners that are renting their property) didn’t get copies of the letter the school sent out? The letter was addressed to the owner so it is the responsibility of the resident / renter of the home to forward it to the owner.

Is there any chance for settlement outside of court? One of the things that GIS has attempted to do all along is to have face to face arbitration, which has met with no success. We were told by those bringing the lawsuit against us, “give us the property or we’ll see you in court”. Early in the court case we approached the bench to see if the judge would assign a mediator, which the judge did, but the negotiations met with no success. We have made attempts to negotiate. We learned today the Nittibukon is going to appeal the judge’s verdict and what he has awarded them.

What else can we as tenants be doing to alert the owners (residential)? Anything that you can do such as copying them with our official communiqués from the superintendent’s office.

Misc Comment: There was a petition signed by some residents. There was no statement on the petition stating that it would be used to sue the school.

How does the Nittibukon move from having access for lifetime membership to getting ownership? They claim this property was a public utility, such as roads, sidewalks, lights, water tower, and sewage treatment. They used the brochure as evidence against us. This piece of property the sports club was built on is labeled “a big piece of land” on the original plot plan laying out the muubaan. In Thai law, this statement would refer to a piece of property for sale which is allowable for purchase similar to other pieces of property for sale in the muubaan. The gymnasium and tennis courts were not a part of the original property laid out in the plot plan approved by the land office but we have lost these two properties as well.

How many times can we appeal? We have to first go through the appellant court, then we possibly can go to the supreme court.

Will this case ever go out of Chiang Mai? I don’t have an answer for this question at this time.

How much money are we needing for the ideal facility and if we had the money today, how long would it take to build and move? We’ve spent over a year on this case and looking at over 50 properties and had narrowed the search down to three then two then one and were poised to make a decision but then the suit came up. While this was going on we had a series of meetings with parents to gather ideas to submit to architects. In the process of dreaming of the new purpose designed campus, we are looking for 50 Rai to have room to grow, create a buffer between school buildings and neighbors, and possible space for dorm facilities, etc. The cost of the new campus will be approximately $8-10 million US dollars. Our time frame would be four to five years maximum to complete the site. (We don’t have any of the 8-10 million at this point…these are funds that will need to be raised.)

What are the cost breakdowns?
• 4.9 million lawsuit judgment for GIS
• court did not clarify the boundaries or cost ascribed to putting the facilities back to the original condition.
• Interest that accrues from the time the court case was filed to when we’re done with appealing
• Back rent that the Nittibukon is appealing for, plus interest
• Approx. 8-9 mill USD. (50 rai of land and buildings)
• Cost of Appeal process

Some of the equipment in this facility was here when we acquired the building so some of that would stay here. We have costed this out yet.


Are we still looking at other property? Yes, we have given permission for the property search to begin again. We have focused our search based on input from GIS community in terms of criteria. We would like to find something within 5-10 kilometers to the present facility.

Hasn’t the muubaan association thought about the economic impact of GIS moving out? We think some have but what overshadows that is their “righteousness” to get this property. They are standing up for what they believe is right.

Has the muubaan association realized the cost to run or keep the facility up? We have passed that along to them but they do not appear to be interested in what we say. The actually cost is around 2-3 million baht per year. For the longest time we have wanted the facility to pay for itself but we’ve kept it free for lifetime members and land owners. We want to be good stewards and want to be generous but the funds collected from sports club users has not been enough to pay for up keep.

Do the 300 lifetime members expect the facility to be run free for them the rest of their lives? I think yes. The original developer ran it as a business. They think the money they will get in the judgment will help them run this facility for awhile. We don’t know – we can’t make sense of it all.

Was there expectation for us to lease the property back? They thought they could lease but the judge said no.

Misc Comment: The MOE recommended the glass wall be installed separating the main school from the sport club.

Do we know any World Club land owners that have supported the school who might be able to help? What I know about Thai culture is to make a Thai stand up against people they have to live with, they will not do it and we should not ask them to do this. We want to protect and hold relationships. If we damage relationships because we held the land in too high priority, shame on us. We want to bring glory to God. We also want to honor the relationships we have with our Thai neighbors.

Are the two other defendants in the appeal process as well? Yes, they are. If they don’t appeal they are almost admitting guilt. The appeal costs are quite high. We have learned that the plaintiff is also appealing as they want back rent and all properties (including the two they did not win – the playground and adjacent land).

What kind of communication have we had with founding organizations? Through the board members who are represented, it is their responsibility for linkage between the board and the organizations. Also through family and community as most leaders are somehow connected to GIS as parents or in some other way. What are we hearing from them on commitment? They are all over the map on that but we are trying to get on the same page. The same passion that started Grace, has to be re-built in order to move forward. What keeps Grace in the front of most org. minds is the help we need for teachers. We cannot do this on our own. One of our core values is to keep tuition low for our families so in order to do this, we don’t pay our foreign staff. Now our needs include money for land and buildings.

Is the appeal being moved forward as one case with the other defendants? No.



What decision do we want to make by December for the next school year? I want to create confidence in our community that we have a plan for after this year. We will be providing the word about where we will be.

What role can the MOE play in all of this? There is a bit of shame for the MOE because they authorized us to be here and we would be inviting them into a process that they may lose face so for them to stand up and support us in Thai culture may not good for them.

How do we model to our students that we model what it means to be Christian in this situation? We have the opportunity to model what faith looks like and not fear and not anger and frustration. We are calling everyone in the community to live out relationships with love for their neighbors.

How do we guard and protect those around us so that when they look at this situation they are not feeling embarrassed? We can stand with each other and love and comfort them in those times when we know what’s happening.

Do you have Thai advisors? We don’t do much of anything in the school culture without Thai advisors.

One of the things we have found that with people that have knowledge on the legal system here is it depends on who you ask and when you ask. We will press through the avenues we feel are the legal steps. Many of the issues we are dealing with are first time dealings for this country and the outcome will bring about new laws and precedent for future suits. We are moving forward in the strength of God and when we look back on this we want to be proud on how we interacted with each other but also how we proceeded and ran this case. We are holding this loosely as it is all Gods.

Comment from one parent: appreciate what Don and the board is doing. Through the process of wrestling with God and moving a school in India, we were helpless and maybe that is where we need to be. It is during this time we can sense more of God’s power than any other time. The parent wanted to encourage us the community to come together to pray and worship the Lord for His Glory to be revealed.

Our Spiritual Life Director, Mike Wood, is working on helping to bring our community together for times of worship and prayer.

Last Comment: If you are asked to give an interview or respond to the press as a parent regarding our court case in all instances if you would, please use the pat line, “all communication regarding this case comes through the superintendent’s office”. Please defer the person or agency to the superintendent’s office. Thank you and thank you for coming.

Don encouraged everyone to be thinking on how they can help financially, with property ideas, and through PRAYER! Things you can do – sign up to host a dessert, tea, coffee. Tom Matyas will come talk about how you can assist the school in this time of great need.

From:	The Williams Family
Subject:	Update from Seth
Reply:	donewms@gmail.com

Williams' Weekly Prayer 'n Praise Points Chiang Mai, Thailand Volume 3 Edition 30

Dear Don and Kathy, Arrived in Thailand this morning. Received the following update from Seth we thought you might appreciate reading. This is long but well worth it to read how the Lord shapes a young man's faith as only He can. Please continue to hold him in your prayers as he trusts God to be able to return to Thailand and teach at Grace in a couple weeks. Hello all, Well, I've been back in the States now for just over a month and wow what a month its been! I've been a groomsman for a best friend, a best man for my brother Tad's wedding, I spent a week working in LA selling markers over the 4th of July weekend, found a place to call home till September (since sleeping on couches only lasts so long) and I've been seeing friends whom I don't see enough of and love deeply! Now being back for 30+ days I've had ample time to think about what the future holds for me .... and well .... I've narrowed the options down to three and will explain them as follows 1. Going back to Thailand for another year of teaching high school PE and Health classes at Grace International School If this option is to be considered though I will need to raise at least $6,000. Now some of you might be asking why do you need to raise money to work a job they should pay you for and my answer is that none of the foreign staff at the school are paid of which there are about 80 or so. I am in all ways of speaking a missionary when I teach at Grace, and just like a missionary ministering to hill tribe people I am required to raise my own support to buy my airline tickets, food, and living expenses. The good news is that of the six thousand needed I have already received pledges of two thousand leaving a very achievable $4,000 left to raise. 2. Staying in Seattle working and going back to school to get my Teaching cert. / Masters of Education Had I thought ahead more I would have already applied to programs and be well on my way to picking a school .... however and fortunately for Grace that is not how I operated and so teaching at Grace is still an option. 3. Teaching English in Japan I thoroughly enjoyed teaching in Thailand in fact I loved it ..... I took to teaching like a Williams to wandering (which we are quite adept in - think along the fish to water line). And the thought of being "paid" to teach, well, now fancy that, and to boot living in a country that I love "Japan" ... but it hasn't panned out quite how I thought it would. I was over in Japan for two weeks on my way home form Thailand and talked with some friends who teach over there, they sounded very up-beat about the possibility of teaching but since then I have not heard anything from them and so again not the most promising of options! -AND NOW FOR THE CHANGE IN PLANS- The above was what I was planning on sending out .... letting people know what I've been up to and what the future was looking like. That is until yesterday when I got an incredible offer from the Athletic Director's brother-in-law offering me a free ticket to Thailand on the 12th of August. This e-mail was right on the heels of one from the acting superintendent while my father was in the US. Both of these e-mails are included below: (I've included them so that you can see the need that my going will fill and how God is providing a way for me to go) *the underlined text in the e-mails are my additions to give you a better idea of the context* From: Jennie Garcia (acting superintendent @ Grace international school) Date: Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 8:22 PM Hi, Seth I don't use the word "desperate" often - I don't find it theologically appropriate for common use. BUT I'M MIGHTY CLOSE. If you don't come, we're going to have to clone Matt (currently the only PE teacher for high school students) and the process is not pretty. Really, we have seven high school students still on the waiting list and four teacher-less PE classes in the schedule. At this moment, the PE shortage is the deal-breaker in admitting more students. I'll add that as tough as this is, we're not interested in moving to the Warm Body Theory of staffing. We want someone who relates to the kids in healthy, God-honoring ways and who provides a great role model. As best we can tell, you're the man. From: Tim Skoog (Sonny Thweatt [Athletic director @ GIS] brother-in-law) Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 3:26 PM seth. this is tim skoog,,,,sonny thweatt's brother in law. i have helped your dad with some tickets in the past. if it would be of help to you, our company has a free ticket on NW to BKK that i would be willing to release to you. the space is very restricted. but i found space Seattle to BKK on the 12th of august. please advise if we can help on this! With these two e-mails .... my mind is changing, and as a Bob Dylan song goes .... "Don't think twice, Its all right" and by Golly its going to be all right. So here is what I'm thinking, now! So far I've raised close to 2,000 of the 6,000 I will need to survive financially for the year. With a ticket to Thailand for free and a motor bike (transportation) waiting for me in Thailand the only expenses I'll have are college loans, cell phone, and living expenses (clothing, food, etc.) My parents who have lived / served in Thailand the last 4 years have offered to house me while I'm there, which takes care of housing expenses. I lived with them last year and it worked out quite well. Now I'm sure you're wondering "Seth, what can I do to help?" There are a couple of ways ..... just like some of you did last year when I went to teach, you can make financial donations which will be tax deductible. I have access to a 501(c)3 account through a ministry organization where you can send checks and get a tax deduction. I also want to assure you that if you send money I'll tell you exactly what it was spent on. For instance, if you send 5 dollars I'll let you know what meals it got me just as an example. I'm not looking for donations in the hundred dollar amounts although those would be nice, I know in these tough times people don't have much to spare ... but anything helps and will be greatly appreciated, at this point even a couple of dollars here or there, would be amazing. Let me reassure you I will not be lounging around on your dime. While I taught last year, I was at school 6 days a week teaching, coaching, prepping and supervising various classes, sports and activities. The athletic department runs by far the most extra-curricular programs at the school as well as a variety of camps to serve both National Thai's as well as children in refugee camps which keeps the team busy year round. Now with my return they will only be short one teacher instead of two...! You could also help by keeping me and the school in your prayers and if your not down with prayers then in your thoughts .... I would appreciate all the positive-ness I can get! I'll be honest, I'm scared out of my mind, not with what I'll be doing in Thailand, last year was such an incredible experience and I loved it. But I'm scared to death to trust my finances to GOD .... which I know some of you won't understand but I trust with great faith comes great power... or happiness I'm not sure how that quote goes but I'm looking forward to seeing how I can serve this next year at Grace. I could go through and describe what Grace is, to bring you all up to speed but instead ..... check out this web-site. There are great videos and info concerning the school, its mission and what it provides : Grace International School Here's the contact info for the tax deductible receipt should you decide to make a contribution to my teaching at Grace and want or need a tax receipt: Rita L. Camden, bookkeeper IDES P.O. Box 60 Kempton IN 46049 p. 765-947-5100 f. 765-947-5394 Thanks for praying for Seth. We love his faith to trust God beyond his comprehension. Pray the Lord will encourage his faith and relationship to Him to grow even more throughout this journey. Seth with the rest of the family walking off in the background Blessings, Don and Kathy Williams Serving Grace International School and the Thai National FM Churches

A Few Family Pics

The following email was sent out to the GIS community by the acting superintendent in Don's absence. We are sending this out as the latest update in the school's court case to inform our friends and partners in ministry.

July 2009

Dear Friends,

Today the court announced the verdict of the World Club Nittibukol's (neighborhood association) lawsuit against the Grace International School Education Foundation. The finding was in favor of the Nittibukol and against GIS and the other two defendants.

Taken at face value, the impact on the school is huge. However, no judgment will be enforced during the appeals process, which we anticipate will take at least a year. During the months ahead, we'll continue the process we've already begun of crafting a transition plan so that our students and faculty are impacted as little as possible. Hear us clearly: We believe God has called us to this ministry. We're committed to being in this community, serving kingdom workers through providing excellent education for their children for decades to come.

Today's decision reminds us of our total dependence on God and His provision. We ask that you join us in prayer as we look forward to seeing His mighty hand at work in the days ahead.

Blessings,
Jennie Garcia
Acting Superintendent

We return the end of July to work through the appeals process and to revisit a contingency transition plan that was already drafted prior to the court's decision. We join Jennie in asking for your prayers as we see God at work in and through these circumstances.

Blessings,

Don and Kathy

One of the students ( Mr. Van Lian Thang) is pictured above that passed his exam with four subjects distinctions and who would like to study medicine but will need financial assistance. In Myanmar, there are very few Christian medical doctors so this is a very special opportunity the church has in Mynamar in transforming the culture.

Below is a letter about Pa Kep's boarding school students and the results from their matriculation exams:

Praise from Light and Life Boarding School in Myanmar

In Myanmar every high school student wishing to further their education at a university must pass a very strict matriculation exam. During the school year there are six specific subjects that the students will focus on for this exam. Within the exam, there will be eight to ten questions per subject. The student will have three hours to answer the questions within each subject. The student must pass every subject within the exam to be given a passing mark for the exam. If the student fails one subject within the exam, they will not be given a passing grade for the exam. The student will then be allowed to re-take the entire exam the following school year. When the student passes the exam they will be allowed to then choose an area of interest to study at the university according to their grade marks on the exam. For example, if the student receives a mark of eighty or above per subject, the student can choose the medical field if desired. This is the most difficult exam that is offered in Myanmar and the average of students that pass this exam is only 30% per year, in all of Myanmar.

The Myanmar government has just released the results of the 2008-2009 academic school year for high school students taking this matriculation exam. After just finding out this years results, I am happy to say that eleven out of our seventeen boarding school students that were eligible to take this exam passed. One of our students even received four subject distinctions (eighty marks or above in four of his subjects).

Thank you very much for your prayers. God blessed our ministry once again this year through your faithful prayers. Please continue to pray for our ministry in Myanmar.

Our Boarding students in 2008-09 academic year.

A photo of Pa Kep's fathers Church pictured above in the Chin State (the first FMC in Myanmar). His Church is wanting to re-build because of the condition but needs approximately $5,000 U.S. dollars for this project.

Exercising Faith for the Future...a speech given at the Tenth Annivesaray Celebration Dinner of Grace International School, April 30, 2009.

It is my privilege to speak to the second half of the 10th Year Anniversary Theme: Faith for the Future. Believe it or not this second part of the theme brought to mind my work these past two years of disciplining my body in exercise. In fact this part of the theme became crystal clear thinking about my exercise regiment.

I find that any good derived from exercise, and the words still out on that one as far as I’m concerned, is being worked out in the actualities. In other words, growth and improvement happens because muscles, cardio and stretching are pushed through very real pain. I can remember the first couple days of exercise two years ago as if it were yesterday. Throughout the first couple sessions I felt so sick to my stomach I was in the bathroom working out more there than I was doing an actual workout. Some might even call my bathroom “exercises” a form of working out…I sure thought it was. At the end of the first couple sessions I couldn’t stand in the shower or raise my arms to bathe myself. I just had to sit there and let the water pour over me. A couple times early on I felt like I was going to die. Faith for the future for Grace is going to come in very similar ways…it’s going to be worked out in our community through the actualities and even sometimes through periods of desolation. Death will not be physical but it could be the death of an idea, a desire, a want or even a dream that becomes a wonderful seedbed for new life to spring forth…Faith for our Future.

I have to tell you a funny story. If this was a sermon this would definitely be the illustration…Jullian, a friend and school colleague came into my office yesterday to share how he had made a cultural blunder. He described how his organization had asked him to bring in some flowers for the school to celebrate our school’s 10th Year Anniversary and show the organization’s appreciation. In typical male fashion he didn’t want to buy the “little” basket of flowers. Oh no, he had to go out and find the biggest flower arrangement possible. So he goes to the market and he sees this fantastic huge flower arrangement and is so proud that the size of the arrangement will reflect his organizations huge appreciation for Grace. He stuffs the thing in the back of his truck and brings the arrangement into his house where a Thai student from Grace says, “Who died?” You see Jullian bought a wreath given when someone dies. I asked if he would loan it to me as I thought it would make a wonderful illustration for this point on death and how death can serve as a seedbed for Faith for the Future. He said, “No, I went out and bought a basket and made a new floral arrangement.” You’ll want to stop by the office and check out his flower arranging skills. Personally I want to thank him for bringing so much laughter into my world as I was preparing this talk on this very point.

I can tell you right now I’ve never felt so close to God as I did in those first months of starting to exercise. I have never prayed so much or had so many times of sweet or was that sweat communion. I remember telling God if you just get me through this set I’ll be OK. I never counted so carefully in all my life so as not to do a single extra lift, stretch, peddle, or stride. I literally looked at some of the pieces of equipment as torture chambers and would frequently think, “I am paying for this?” The challenge I was facing in exercise was bringing me into a deeper relation with God. This may sound strange but at times I remember weeping with such a keen sense of God’s presence. A trust was emerging which dared to dream that He was exercising right there with me. Some say it’s a foxhole conversion where they met God. I was meeting God afresh and anew every single time I exercised. What I came to slowly realize was that God was making it possible for all that I was coming up against in those early months of exercise was actually developing my faith for future physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental challenges. Just like grapes when crushed or squeezed become wine, Faith for the Future is going to come through squeezing and even crushing circumstances or situations. When a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it’s no longer alone remaining a single seed, instead it produces many seeds. Faith for the Future comes from a trust which never dreams that Christ will not stand by us. The root of our Faith for the Future is in knowing God and being in relationship with Him.

Those first several months of exercise were filled with trusting God to do something I didn’t think possible. A vigorous and unutterable confidence and I mean unspeakable that is unless you count dry heaves as utterances, kind of trust in God that went way beyond commonsense ways. In fact I might go as far as saying that what was being accomplished was almost supernatural. You see during the summer before school started two years ago a “revelation sense” came over me about starting an exercise regiment in August 2007. In a similar way Faith for the Future is going to come from a vigorous confidence and unutterable trust in God in the face of the impossible odds and more than likely it is not going to come from commonsense ways but from revelation sense and possibly even supernatural ways.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in these early months of exercise there was this raging conflict going on in my mind. It went something like this…to get out of bed…or to stay in bed. Thankfully most days, “get out of bed” won. Conflict is very much a place where Faith for the Future will be tested. In the same way that “get out of bed” won, Faith for the Future wins or can only fully be realized and become a corporate community possession as we go through conflict.

For weeks on end exercise was a huge trial. It was like every exercise session was an ordeal filled with hardship, pain, suffering, misery and distress. You see it had been way too many years to count since I did any form of real exercise other than moving a spoon or fork from my plate to my mouth. What I discovered through the journey was that I had to experience all this from the trials before the benefit of exercise was actual…something real and definite for me. Faith for the Future will come to us from the trials before it is actual, real and definite.

Slowly I’ve been coming to realize that out of discipline I am making forward progress and can now actually stand and bathe myself after a workout. Now that’s progress. I no longer consider the same pieces of equipment as torture chambers. I learned that my physical well being was coming from fighting trim. Where does faith for the future come from for Grace? It will come out of discipline…a discipline to do the will of the Father…a fighting trim spiritual posture we will be able to take in the coming years.

There’s a great deal I could tell you about what is being produced from my exercise regiment but instead because time is running short I’d like to share with you what I believe my exercise has taught me that Faith for the Future will accomplish as well if we allow it to bear the fruit it’s intended to produce. Faith for the Future will not necessarily know where it is being led but it will know who is leading, it will give us a mental poise in the midst of the challenges we face along the way, it will make the impossible possible, it will create boundlessness, it will prepare us to do what we’re called to do, it will provide a way when there doesn’t seem to be one, it will lead us through and even around barriers and obstacles, it will make possible not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting, it will keep us from being shipwrecked, it will help us attain Christ-like character, it will create benefit for others, it will help us to become the hands and feet of God, it will make possible stepping out where we don’t see the next step, it will give us the ability to face anything we might have to face without wavering, we’ll be able to see new opportunities, and it will produce even more faith and love knowing the One who is leading.

May the Lord bless us as we exercise our Faith for the Future!