Land Update for your information and prayer:
The Need as we see and understand it.
1.The Target Group:
1.1 primary groups
The attrition rate of Native Pastors in SE Asia has not yet reached the number experienced by Western churches. Rather than placing the ‘ambulance down in the valley’ (an expression used to describe – too little, too late) we are committed to anticipate the increase and be prepared to step out in faith by providing a care facility for Pastors and their families to be utilized before the disillusionment and over work takes that toll. It is a fact that there are not enough workers for the field and the workers themselves feel compelled to do more and more.
The result is a lack of quality family time; often the Pastor’s own children and spouse are the ones to suffer. In addition the self-sacrificing of the typical Asian Pastor laboring in a small church or village sees the family without basic needs of medical, dental, clothing and school supplies. Some families struggle just to have adequate food. In some Asian countries the Pastoral role is seen as only a step away from beggar status.
1.2 secondary groups
Eaglesrest will also be available, should facilities allow, to those who are Asian lay workers actively involved in their churches who also are in need of the services we offer. These should be recommended by their Pastor and come with his blessing for refreshment and rest.
2. Thus we see the need for a facility that will provide in the long
term:
1. A place for refreshing of vision, calling to ministry, vision
and purpose for those serving in the ministry.
2. To provide a venue for physical, spiritual and emotional
restoration and healing for those burnt out, disillusioned or suffering from trauma on the field.
3. To provide encouragement to continue in the faith and define and
clarify realistic goals for a return to the ministry.
4. To help Pastors and their families to be strengthened and renew
personal commitments to each other and work through issues which otherwise get avoided or overlooked. Individual or family counseling will be provided as necessary.
5. To provide rest and prayer, teaching and edification, child
minding and children’s programs as required.
6. A safe place to talk and debrief.
7. Provision of basic physical needs/ clothing/ food / resources.
Basic medical and dental care.
8. Other perceived benefits include the health of the home church.
When a Pastor is suffering from over-use and burn-out/stress etc, the church indirectly or directly suffers. When help is administered in a timely fashion, the Pastor will be empowered to return and minister more efficiently in his role as shepherd.
Our Current Situation
Currently we are situated in four rooms given to us (on loan) through the Christian Love of Thai Pastor Prakop Tinno and his family. We are registering Eaglesrest Foundation in the Province of Phang Nga, Thailand and this registration should be complete by mid 2009. After that time we will be free to purchase land in the area under the name of the foundation.
At present we can accommodate one couple and six singles/children comfortably, although the school room can be converted into a make shift bedroom for a larger number if required.
Phang Nga is a beautiful place of limestone mountains and caves, jungle and rivers. The area is less than an hour to the island of Phuket and the International airport situated there.
We are currently raising funds to purchase a property nearby which is 34 Rai in size and includes a 4 Rai lake. (one Rai is equal to approximately 0.4 acres or 1600 sq.mt.) It is off the main road in a quiet street and the current asking price is 14million Thai Baht. In Phuket land is currently selling at over 12million PER RAI so this is a marvelous rate. This size land will allow us to fully develop all the proposed structures while maintaining the natural beauty of the area. Please pray for this very real need to be met through the generosity and love of God's people around the world.
--Eaglesrest -
janene and rommel
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