The Olivers In Thailand

Last Christmas we had been in Chiang Mai only a short time but were already considering the possibility of staying on for a further school year. We unanimously voted to stay.

There is not space to cover all our adventures but we have recorded details with photos on our blog.

In Feb, Jenny joined a team to a conference for Christians in the military. Recently Adrian has had the privilege to join a team providing training for pastors. Our concern has grown for those around the world who don’t enjoy the same liberties that we do.

Wa Bible Meeting

We have been working on typesetting a Bible for the Wa people group. This will be released in April, the 100 yr anniversary since the first Wa believer. We have become interested in the development of software tools to support Bible translation work.

With some of the children at Hoay Maw

Helping the large orphanage at Hoay Maw has had its challenges. The establishment of an organic pig farm has been a slow process but we are pleased to announce that a second litter of 9 piglets was born on Christmas eve.

Adrian inspects the piglets

A positive area of progress has been the introduction of a staff team who have improved the care of the children making it more personal. They have recorded personal details with photos for each child in the home. They have also organised the children into small ‘family’ groups with young leaders as a forum for relational, spiritual, social and recreational development.

Ban San Faan children at Oct Play-Scheme

We have continued to spend regular times with the children and staff of the local Ban San Faan children’s home. The 17 children are a delight. We have again worked on a Christmas production which they have presented at a local school, church and community events.

We have worked hard on PocketWeather. Our original plan to release an upgrade by Christmas ’06 has extended until the present. Adrian released the new version for Pocket PC on Christmas Eve. The Smart Phone version will be released on New Year’s Eve. We hope this will be fruitful.

With cousins in Tonbridge

We enjoyed a 2 month stay in the UK spending some quality time with family, friends and church. It wasn’t exactly a holiday though as Adrian worked full-time on-site at Eurotherm.

The children continue to thoroughly enjoy life here. They love the school and enjoy many good friends.

Tom at Swim Meet

Thomas (13 ½) is in Grade 8. He is now a teenager! Tom had the opportunity to study with a friend for ABRSM music theory grade 5 and got 75%. He got 80% clarinet grade 5 with merit in early December. In Sept he was in the swim team. He had a great time with the middle school at a residential camp led by a team of young Americans.

David's Birthday

David (12) is in Grade 6. David has started band and is learning to play tenor sax – which is big and loud. I think he wanted to compete with Tom’s clarinet. He still devours books. He has partially fulfilled his dream of having a pet by looking after the class albino hamster, ‘Fatima’, during break and also stocking the garden pond with goldfish.

David and Jess both took part in after school sports including soccer, basketball, futsol and tag rugby.

Jessica at Charin Garden Pie Shop

Jessica (9 ¾) is in Grade 5. She copes well with working up a grade level and we were delighted that she received the ‘Academic Excellence’ award in her class last year. She has started learning the clarinet.

After Christmas Lunch at The Dukes

Jenny’s Mum, Jillian, is here with us for Christmas. Our friends and family near and far will be in our thoughts as we celebrate this Christmas - Emmanuel – God with us!
Our love and prayers for a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year.

Jenny, Adrian, Thomas, David & Jessica
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