April Prayer Letter (Update)

A letter from Esther Wakeman, serving in Thailand

April 2020 (Update)

Dear friends and supporters,

It’s Palm Sunday in Chiang Mai already—I’m looking forward to worshiping on line with First Church Chiang Mai in a few minutes. Churches here are doing what you are doing there. Life is changing, and I’m curious to see what the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic will produce in our collective life on this planet. Personally, I’m trying to use it as a nature-imposed powerful Lenten experience. Daily I grieve the loss of many things, but I’m also grateful for what this time is offering me—getting back to basics—cooking, caring for our garden, and taking much more time to enjoy my husband. Forty years ago this month was when we first started courting, and we appreciate and enjoy one another more than ever.

My March 20 letter noted that Rob and I had a few rough edges to work on together—that is still true, but I’ve been focusing on what I appreciate—and there is much to appreciate in him and in our life together. Here is a link to my latest letter, which says a bit about what is happening here.
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/letter/%e2%80%afall-the-good-gifts/

Sadly, we in Chiang Mai are also dealing with terrible air quality because of fires on the mountains around us, and in the region. Here’s a link to a recent editorial in the Bangkok Post that sheds some light on the situation. Please pray for justice, and for wise and courageous leadership.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1891350/forests-doomed-by-power-and-prejudice

Here is another link—to my PC(USA) web page that has a short video made in January that helps me share my heart, and might be useful if you want to introduce me to your church at some point. I had planned to visit many of you in April, May, and June. Maybe we can do an online version– not as satisfying as in person, for sure, but might still be enjoyable.
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/the-rev-dr-esther-wakeman/

Hosanna to our Lord Jesus, who is Lord of all. His humility and obedience led him to the cross, where he is with us in all our need, and does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He rose from death, and reigns now, and has commissioned and empowered us to work with him to bring his reign and rule into every part of our lives personally and collectively. May you draw near to him, and find him drawing near to you.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Esther