We have finally reached 100% of our support! God is so good! Our prayer was that He would allow us to raise it by the end of 2024, and He did just that. We are so thankful for the many churches and people of God who have committed to partner with us in reaching Thailand with the Gospel. Thank you to each one who has prayed for us while we were on deputation. We are thankful for God’s protection and provision all along the way.
Our plan from the start has been to join the Thailand Team when we get to the field. The team leader for the last decade has been my uncle, Tim Shook. Last month, the Shooks contacted us and made us aware that they have moved back to the States and have taken a ministry position at a wonderful church in Nebraska. While we are saddened that we will not have the opportunity to work alongside them in Thailand, we know that God has a special plan for their family and are encouraged that they are following His leading during this time of transition. We still plan to work with the Thailand Team and are so excited about what God has in store.
We celebrated our anniversary the first week of January by taking a short trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was so wonderful to spend some alone time together. My wife’s amazing parents watched Mikey while we were away, and it was truly refreshing. One afternoon, we went to “The Island” in Pigeon Forge. While strolling past some of the small shops, one little 5/10 shop caught my eye. We spent several minutes looking at odds and ends and then got ready to check out. Behind the register was a young man with a thick accent. I asked him where he was from, and he responded, “Argentina!” Martin is in the U.S. on a J-1 visa and is working at that shop for four months before returning home. I asked him if anyone had ever showed him from the Bible how he could be saved. He shook his head and then agreed to let me show him several verses. A few moments later, Martin bowed his head and asked Jesus into his heart. When we lifted our heads, he was beaming! He thanked us repeatedly as we left. Later that afternoon, he texted me and said, “Thank you, Matt. It was very nice meeting you. I have recently received bad news from a family member back in Argentina, so I wanted to thank you for making my day way better . . . and for saving me too. I really mean it. Thanks!”
We are so excited about getting to Thailand! Please pray that God will allow us to get our visas soon and that we can find a house to move into upon our arrival. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
With love,
The Bosje Family