DOWNLOAD PDF - FEBRUARY 2011 DAHLFREDS PRAYER LETTER

Dear Friends & Family,

We have been told that one of the reasons for missionaries to take home assignment is rest and refreshment.  The only problem is that our family is not very good at resting.

From early in the morning until bedtime, four year old Joshua is zipping around the house in a flurry of activity and non-stop chatter.  Baby Caitlin tries to copy big brother.  Where do they get this from?  Hard to say because Mom and Dad are equally active in their own way.

At the beginning of February, Karl began studies at Talbot School of Theology, part of Biola University.  He is studying for a Masters of Theology (Th.M) which is one year of post-graduate work beyond the M.Div.  The plan is to graduate in December 2011, after which we will return to Thailand.  The purpose of doing a Th.M is twofold.  First, I want to equip myself to better respond to trends and questions of theology, culture, and strategy on the mission field.  Secondly, a Th.M will help prepare me to teach at both the bachelors and masters degree level in a Bible college or seminary in Thailand.  Upon our return to Thailand, there is a very strong possibility that we will be based in Bangkok and I will teach church history part-time at a seminary there.  At the moment though, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the work and am still looking for a thesis advisor.  Please pray that either I can find a professor willing to supervise my thesis or it becomes clear that I should pursue a non-thesis track.  I need to figure this out ASAP.

Karl is not the only new student in the family though.  Joshua has begun junior kindergarten five half-days per week at Calvary Christian Preschool.  He is enjoying himself and getting used to being in a class with other students.  Up until now, Sun has been homeschooling him.  The homeschooling has been going fine but we thought it would be a good experience for him to be in a class with other students.

On the ministry side of things, we are having lots of opportunities to preach and speak in different churches. It is great to connect with many folks who have been praying for, and supporting us while we have been on the mission field, to minister the Word to them, and to share about what God is doing in Thailand.  We look forward to more opportunities like this, to times of fellowship and renewing of relationships during our year in the U.S.

On top of all of the above, we are going to try to buy a home.  A few years back a senior missionary told us that if he could go back in time and do things differently, he would find a way to buy a house in the U.S. early in his missionary career so that his family would have a place to come back to in the future.  In the current economy, both interest rates and house prices are low, so it may be now or never if we want to get a home.  Sun has been working hard to get us pre-approved for a loan, and now we are starting to look at homes.  Pray that we are able to get a home that will be a blessing to us in the years to come, and not a burden.

We have a lot on our plates and request your prayers that we do what we do to the glory of God, not distracted by lesser things.

by Christ’s grace,
Karl & Sun Dahlfred

PRAYER POINTS

• Perseverance and grace in balancing family, school, and ministry
• Sufficient financial support for our return to Thailand
• Hoping to buy house while in U.S.

PRAISES

• Karl & Joshua both beginning school
• Opportunities to speak & preach in churches
• Another church has started supporting us

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