Johnmark's Expirences and our future

To start off I wanted to post a little bit about what I have been doing (and continue to do) at The Well. I figured it was only fair for you to hear what I do, since last time Jessica shared her expirences.

My job title at The Well is a little harder to nail down then Jessica's. I would say I am the Education department assistant. The education department is one of the ways The Well attempts to fulfill its mission to help the women become healthier individuals. This department would do this mostly through structured classes on particular subjects. What does my specific job entail? Well it changes week by week but I can give you an overview.

• I have and continue to help develop the education departments goals, structure and curriculum. I also help organize the logistics of the class schedule: What class is when, and who teaches it.
• I am one of those teachers and have been teaching a Bible class since January on the basic Bible stories found in the Old Testament. You know, those stories we all heard when we were 7. However I get to teach them to adults who either do not recognize the stories or have never heard them. The central theme to my class is: Every verse of the Bible points to Jesus and His grace. 
• The other weekly task I have is attending a leaders meeting in which I try to take notes on the decisions being made, as well as be an outside "third party" voice. 
• When I am not doing these things, I am trying to help one of the student leaders of The Well develop her art business. Basically since she does not really know how internet sales works, I am trying to help her set up a way to sell her art on line. This includes trying to figure out how to put her art online (as it is paintings)
• At the moment I am also helping one day a week in the children's center. Basically I get to play with kids for the morning, and help the main workers keep them in line. This is a pretty fun part of my week, as it is a job I a quite familiar with. 

So there is the summary of what I do. It keeps me busy for sure. It can be something that is over my head, especially in the area of organization, but I have enjoyed being a help were I can, as well as stepping into holes that need filling.

You can pray as I try to keep the education department on track. Also since parts of my job are not needed every week, pray as I try to listen and step into places that need help.

Ok. Now for a switch in topics.

So if you have been adding up the months you will have realized that we are approaching our pre-advertised 9 month stay in Bangkok. We were hoping to make a decision about were to go after this point. We indeed have decided.

We are returning to America (more specifically New York City) at the end of June. We actually have already booked (some) of our flight.

So here is the reasoning:
1. Johnmark was able to get into a difficult Social Work masters program in NYC for this fall.
2. We were feeling that we did not have a centralized base of personal support in the US for long term missions support.
3. We realized we love social work missions, but felt under-trained and spiritually unready to step into this world long term.
4. We felt our strongest gifts were not being utilized in the current ministry we were doing
5. We felt a draw to be near our families at this time of our lives, and since some major life events have come to pass in their lives since we have been in Thailand. 

We have loved Thailand, The Well and the people we get to work with. It has been a great learning and growing experience. We also have really been able to see God work very directly. But at this moment we just do not feel ready to jump into this world full time.

If you would like to talk to us more about what we are doing in the states, as well as what will be going on in our lives as we transition, please contact us! We plan to keep on putting updates and pictures until we leave so please keep on checking!.

Whew. Sorry for the long update, so much happening!

Johnmark and Jessica