{"id":3692,"date":"2020-05-15T17:27:30","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T22:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=3692"},"modified":"2020-05-15T17:27:30","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T22:27:30","slug":"riley-newsletter-may-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/riley-newsletter-may-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Riley Newsletter: May 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LIVING IN THE UNKNOWN<\/h3>\n

What a unique start to missions we've had. If there is one thing we've learned in this missionary process, it's that we must be flexible and allow the Lord to lead us, not our fine crafted plans. Our last newsletter in March was written from our new home in Krugersdorp. Our children attended school for about 2 weeks when they shut down the schools because of COVID-19. That weekend we decided to travel out to my sister's house for a short visit, not knowing they would shut down the whole country from travel between provinces. We ended up being locked down there, unable to leave their farm for almost 7 weeks. And we thought we were done living out of a suitcase for a while! We made the most of our new situation. We studied the Bible and we went for walks around the farm where we were able to see a vast array of African wildlife. We also were able to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday and taught the children about Passover and made unleavened bread. Every Sunday we did our own church service on their veranda and had bible studies. David was able to lead us in worship and learn a few more songs on the guitar. Callie & Brittyn learned about chickens and how to care for them. In fact, they each named one of the chickens as their own. We\u2019re thankful our family shared their home with us for so long.<\/p>\n

\"Spending<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hanging<\/a><\/p>\n

We've had discussions with several missionaries lately, some who are stuck in the U.S on furlough, and some who are stuck in their houses on the field. The commonality, no matter where we are, is that we don't like not being able to minister to the people where God has placed us. We know many churches were able transition to meeting online or drive-in. We hadn't yet had time to make connections and build relationships in our new community before being locked down in our home. Instead of focusing on what we aren't able to do, we've been focusing on God. We believe that this \"pause\" in activity is a call, at least for us, to just sit and rest in Him. One of our favorite quotes from Watchman Nee's book Sit, Walk, Stand is this: \"If we are not sitting before God, we cannot hope to stand before the enemy.\" We've all been taught that we must \"do\" to get. The opposite is true in the kingdom. In all the doing for Him, we often lose sight of Him. We've been using this time to rest in Him. As Nee states, \"We sit forever with Christ that we may walk continuously before men.\"<\/p>\n

\"Studying<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

\"Going<\/a><\/p>\n

These last two months don't look anything like we thought they would, but time is never wasted. We are His no matter where we are, and no matter what government restrictions there are. On May 1st the restrictions lightened a bit and we were able to travel back to our home in Krugersdorp. We are still only allowed to leave our homes for food, medicine, or essential needs. The children are maintaining their schoolwork online, which has been a new learning experience for them as well. We've made the most of our restricted situation by ministering to those the Lord puts in front of us when we are out getting groceries or running outside of the compound. The Lord is gracious to put people in our path that have food and physical needs. We give and we pray when those opportunities arise.<\/p>\n

We hope you've used some of this \"pause\" time to just rest in Him. To rediscover, reconnect, and redefine what our focus as Christians is on this earth. It's not on what we have or don't have. It's not on our finances or our situations. It\u2019s on HIM.<\/p>\n

BRADYN'S CORNER<\/h3>\n

I got to visit my cousins and sleep on air mattress for a long time. I appreciate my family for putting up with me for that long. 10 people in a house is quite interesting. I enjoyed hanging out with my cousin and goofing off. I got to play Monopoly with my new friend, Piet, who works on my uncle's farm. It was good returning home to my own bed and getting to leave the property for the first time in almost 7 weeks. Online school isn't the most fun, but I've decided to make the best out of a bad situation. Our wifi is not very good, so we don't get to use it except for school and an occasional movie.<\/p>\n

\"Bradyn<\/a><\/p>\n

CALLIE'S CORNER<\/h3>\n

Hi. I stayed a long time at my cousin's house because of the quarantine. While I was there, I had a lot of fun and I had to do a bunch of online schoolwork. I had to memorize a poem in Afrikaans - The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. My birthday is in a couple days and I will be...Guess how old? You got it, the big One One. My mom's going to make me a homemade cheesecake. She's never made one before so it should be interesting.<\/p>\n

\"Callie<\/a><\/p>\n

BRITTYN'S CORNER<\/h3>\n

This is my chicken \"Cookie.\" You can't squeeze them too hard, or you'll hurt their guts and wings. They are soft, but they sometimes poop on you. I also enjoyed my aunt's cute dogs, Theo and Arie. I like doing online school. Since we came home, I get to play with my friend here on the compound and ride my scooter. I like the drink they have here called Grapetizer.<\/p>\n

\"Brittyn<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you to each one of you that have continued to send in your monthly support during these tough times. We greatly appreciate your prayers and partnership. Please let us know how we can be praying for you.<\/p>\n

PRAYER REQUESTS<\/strong>
\n\u2022 For our budget to be met each month despite the effects of COVID-19.
\n\u2022 God's wisdom on creative ways to minister to people during lock down restrictions here.
\n\u2022 Our family to grow in love and unity in the Lord.
\n\u2022 That we will continue to transition smoothly through all of these changes while acclimating to living abroad.<\/p>\n

David & Michelle, Bradyn, Callie, and Brittyn Riley<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LIVING IN THE UNKNOWN What a unique start to missions we’ve had. If there is one thing we’ve learned in this missionary process, it’s that we must be flexible and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":3505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[367,377,300,376],"class_list":{"0":"post-3692","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-367","11":"tag-david-michelle-riley","12":"tag-may","13":"tag-riley","14":"entry"},"title_es":"Bolet\u00edn de Riley: marzo de 2020","content_es":"

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\r\n\r\nQueridos y queridos socios y amigos:\r\n\r\nEstamos muy agradecidos con Dios por permitirnos continuar sirvi\u00e9ndole con usted, nuestros fieles socios y amigos de los Estados Unidos. Tambi\u00e9n estamos agradecidos al Rev. Russell Board y al Director Nacional Dr. Wallapa Wisawasukmongchol. Ahora tenemos m\u00e1s de 19 a\u00f1os en el campo y nos sentimos honrados de poder ver el poderoso movimiento de Dios al llevar la vida de las personas de la oscuridad a una luz maravillosa. Por su gracia y poder, el n\u00famero de iglesias aument\u00f3 a 81 de 75 en 2018, con cerca de 5,000 miembros de 4,500 a fines de diciembre de 2019.\r\n\r\nEl programa de discipulado, a trav\u00e9s del Seminario Teol\u00f3gico de Tailandia (TTS) y el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n B\u00edblica del Mekong (MBTC), incluye las Conferencias Anuales de IPHC \/ ACA y una variedad de capacitaciones impartidas por iglesias individuales para equipar a los santos. Este programa est\u00e1 dando muchos frutos en la expansi\u00f3n del reino de Dios en Tailandia y en los pa\u00edses vecinos. Hubo siete graduados en MBTC en Mae Sai el 1 de febrero de 2020, para el programa de dos a\u00f1os. Esperamos que un total de 230 estudiantes en TTS se grad\u00faen (diplomas, licenciaturas, maestr\u00edas y grados dcotroales en el ministerio) en noviembre de este a\u00f1o. La construcci\u00f3n del edificio MBTC est\u00e1 progresando, y la construcci\u00f3n principal del edificio TTS en Petchabun est\u00e1 a punto de comenzar. \u00a1Gracias, IPHC WMM, socios y amigos, por sus continuas oraciones y apoyo inquebrantable!\r\n\r\n\u00a1Alabado sea el Se\u00f1or! La celebraci\u00f3n del 18 aniversario de la Iglesia Pantamit Don Muang (la primera iglesia IPHC en Tailandia) el 19 de enero de 2020, fue incre\u00edble. Asistimos a m\u00e1s de 120 personas en presencia de Dios y disfrutamos de la celebraci\u00f3n de adoraci\u00f3n en la ma\u00f1ana. Tuvimos un gran almuerzo juntos y seguimos con un alegre momento de comuni\u00f3n por la tarde. Agradecemos a Dios por bendecir continuamente los ministerios de nuestros ni\u00f1os, j\u00f3venes, hombres y mujeres. Tambi\u00e9n le agradecemos por enviarnos l\u00edderes y trabajadores fieles para ayudarnos a cumplir el ministerio que el Se\u00f1or nos ha confiado para que hagamos como pastor de la iglesia y como misioneros junto con Jiep. Agradecemos a Dios por bendecir el a\u00f1o 2019, y creemos que lo mejor est\u00e1 por venir este a\u00f1o.\r\n\r\nLo pasamos de maravilla celebrando la Navidad en nuestra iglesia en Don Muang el 22 de diciembre de 2019, la Iglesia Khon Suey con la tribu Akha en Chiang Rai el 31 de diciembre, y en la casa del Dr. Wallapa con pastores y l\u00edderes de la ACA el 10 de enero de 2020. Est\u00e1bamos abrumados de alegr\u00eda al ver la gloria de Dios manifestada en medio de nosotros. \u00a1Aleluya! De hecho, \u00e9l es la \u00fanica raz\u00f3n de este gran evento.\r\n\r\nNuestro equipo de 20 personas de Bangkok tuvo el honor de interpretar dos bailes y cuatro canciones con una multitud de m\u00e1s de 1,000 personas como p\u00fablico, incluidos el gobernador, el vicegobernador y el director del Departamento de Desarrollo Social y Bienestar durante la celebraci\u00f3n del \"Festival del Tamarindo\". en la provincia de Petchabun el 26 de enero. Fue un gran desempe\u00f1o que el gobernador y otros funcionarios del gobierno subieron al escenario despu\u00e9s y mostraron un gran aprecio por nuestra presencia y plena cooperaci\u00f3n con el programa gubernamental en el desarrollo comunitario. Agradecemos a Dios por tener una relaci\u00f3n armoniosa con el gobierno tailand\u00e9s, lo que nos ayuda a expandir el reino de Dios en Tailandia de manera legal y efectiva.\r\n\r\nQue el Se\u00f1or los bendiga a todos con abundancia y abundancia.\r\n\r\nTus colaboradores en Cristo,\r\nHermano Albert y hermana Jiep Gonzales\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","author_name":"David & Michelle Riley","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/01\/Missionary-NL-Featured-Image.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-Xy","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}