EW Farewell Luncheon

Susan, Diane and Me

We had our ladies bible study Encouraging Women Farewell Luncheon last week. It was a great time to talk with friends, eat wonderful food, say goodbye to ladies who are moving from Bangkok and say "see you soon" to ladies who will be returning in the fall! At the end of the luncheon, we have a friend of each of the ladies who are moving spend a couple of minutes talking about why they will miss their friend. So fun to hear how these 13 ladies have made an impact on lives of ladies here. And how great and big our God is that keeps these ladies close as they continue on to many other countries around the world :) Some of the friendships began in previous countries and continued when they both moved here...which is just amazing!

I got to help speak about my friend Susan, who is leaving at the end of June. She and Patrick came out here to be the Youth Pastor (and his wife) for our church in August. God has clearly used them here and refined His plan for them over the last year or so. They will be heading back to the States for Patrick to work towards his PhD in New Testament studies with the goal of being a professor at a seminary (I think). He has a heart for God's Word and Susan does, too! We loved getting to know them through our Life Group and Susan being on the Core Committee with me for EW! I am so thankful she was our Treasurer for the last year - she is very chill and doesn't get flustered easily, which I love! And, they get to bring home the best souvenir from their time here in Thailand - their new sweet baby boy, Levi! We are seriously going to miss them, but know that God has a great and perfect plan for them being back in the States! Here are some other pics of friends...

Jenn, Cat and Debi

Allayne, Eileen and Shamita

Shamita, Wendy (holding Levi), Susan, Jaya, Ro and Leslie holding Catie

Maryanne and Dana

Karla and Deborah