Playgroup Newsletter #1

As a new form of outreach and connection, Seoul International Playgroup now offers a quarterly newsletter to all its members. We will also publish these online (on our website) and allow anyone to share them by email, etc. I'm serving as editor and main writer. Please pray that others will join me in this endeavor. It seems like an excellent opportunity to learn more about those who attend (through interviews), give important announcements, and share the Christian message of love and hope.

Originally, we thought these would be photocopied in black and white on regular paper. However, the church that sponsors our playgroup--Seoul International Baptist Church--stepped in and set us up with the same publisher who prints their church newsletters. So ours are printed on quality paper in color! What a blessing!

The first issue of Naptime Reader went out today, April 4, at our annual Easter Party. So excited!

'12 MARCH: Back to Bangkok

We filled our month of March with quality family time. On weekends, we took the kids out to see different exhibits and sights in Seoul. They are at such fun ages, absorbing everything around them and teaching us new things as parents constantly.

For spring break, we returned to our other home overseas: Bangkok, Thailand. As always, it was amazing to reconnect with our friends there, visit our former church Newsong, and enjoy time with our own family doing special activities like the zoo and a day at the beach in Pattaya. We value the relationships we are able to continue with friends (both foreigners and Thais) and pray for them as they minister and live in this incredible country. We also pray for our friends who are still seeking spiritual truth--that the Holy Spirit will draw them to Christ and that we will be open and bold in our presentation of His gospel.

In Seoul, Malia continues to volunteer with the international playgroup, and Mark disciples his small group at school. The kids are learning the Easter story, and we look forward to an eventful April, especially with the upcoming visit of Mark's parents.

Praises:
-We're so thankful we were able to travel to Bangkok!
-Malia (now 7 months pregnant) and our baby girl are doing well.
-Mika and Coby are excited about their coming baby sister.
-Mark led a successful seminar at an education conference in Seoul as an Apple consultant.

Prayer Requests:
-Mark's parents, Ken and Dee, will visit at the end of April. Please pray for their safe travel and for an enjoyable time together.
-Please continue to remember Mark as he creates curriculum and balances a heavier workload this semester.
-The international playgroup only has six more meetings for this school year. Please pray for opportunities to form relationships and to bless those that come (and, of course, openness toward the Christian faith).
-Off-season volleyball "open gyms" have begun. Please pray as we (particularly Mark) begin to train and disciple students who will probably be on our volleyball team in the fall.