Dear Friends,

A Joyful House Blessing

I am greatly enjoying my lovely home in the NC mountains (when I am not traveling). Part of the tradition of those living in the Laurel Ridge development is to have a 'house blessing' shortly after moving in. Mine was on Saturday, January 6. There were 42 persons present, and after the service we all enjoyed a potluck dinner. The service was led by Jim Jackson, director of Christian Believers United (a non-denominational ministry that began the development approximately 10 years ago). Laurel Ridge has 1100 acres, and there are now 55 homes in the development, with another six or seven in the process of being built. There are no additional lots for sale (unless someone re-sells a lot purchased earlier). There is already a youth camp on the grounds, a ball field, a helicopter pad, and plans are underway to build a huge retirement complex called The Village (it will be the second largest Medicare facility in NC). Do come and visit me!

Training for the Asia Area

As most of you know, I facilitated the Reflection and Prayer Training for the Asia Area in Thailand during the month of February. We were delighted that the participants came from ten countries (in addition to those of us who traveled from the U.S.). Countries represented were Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Thailand. The training was held at Baan Phu Waan Retreat in Bangkok, the pastoral training center of the Bangkok Archdiocese.

The participants experienced two of the reflection and prayer topics, and then they worked in small groups with a staff facilitator to prepare and present one of the other topics that I have prepared-so that they would have practice in how to facilitate the topics for others when they returned to their entities. There were a few challenges since some of the participants weren't fluent in English, but we tried to put participants together in groups if they spoke the same language.

Bangkok: Golden Spires and Orange-Tiered Roofs

We enjoyed being in the Bangkok area, and several of us planned our schedules to have a few days before or after the training to do a bit of sightseeing. Bangkok (population approximately 12 million) is an exotic city of palaces, Asian sightseeing spots (and also many Buddhist temples). Yet it is equally a modern metropolis of office towers and condominiums, with much concrete, many glass-curtained walls, traffic-snarled streets, and business-suited executives. Bangkok is, therefore, essentially a paradox and a seemingly impossible blend of the old and new, trying to become 'all things to all people'. The Thai people call it the 'City of Angels' because of its classic Oriental wonders and its many contemporary indulgences.

Founded as the Thai capitol in 1782, Bangkok indeed keeps its essence even in the wake of massive modern development. Thai style prevails in the classical dance and the simple Wai greeting (hands put to the lips and bowing). In spite of a modern world of dynamic change, Bangkok preserves its cultural heritage to a marked degree-so one sees the gleaming golden spires of the Grand Palace and the countless temples (presenting dazzling images of the Orient of old) at the same time as the orange-tiered roofs of the many office buildings and towers.

Upcoming Reflection and Prayer Training Sessions To Be Scheduled

There will be two reflection and prayer training sessions in the U.S. in 2007: May 17-26 at Lutheridge Retreat near Asheville, NC and October 4-13 at Brookhaven Retreat near Dallas, TX. We welcome participants from other missions in addition to those who are members of Wycliffe. We also welcome participants from churches and other Christian groups. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please get in touch with me (evelyn_davis@wycliffe.org) for additional information and an application form. Scholarship assistance is available if that is needed.

Because of the great interest shown by those who came to the Bangkok training, and because the Asia/Pacific Area has a total of twenty-one entities, I have been asked to facilitate the training for the Asia Area again this year-in late November or early December. They also have requested that I facilitate it for the Pacific Area in June or July of 2008 (likely in Australia).

I have also been in recent contact with East Africa-they had earlier requested the training, and now we have settled on late January or early February of 2008. The training will be held in Kenya. Keep posted for additional exciting developments! ?

Asia Prayer Focus Items

A team working on an Asian language is currently preparing the script for a Bible video which gives an overview of the whole Bible. Their goal was to finish drafts of the Old Testament section of the video script. This project was recently delayed when the computer crashed. Pray for protection over both the people and the equipment, and that the Bible video will soon be available to the speakers of this language.

Participants traveled from three language communities to take part in a literacy workshop. Pray for commitment and discipline to carry out the literacy program plans, and ask God to prepare speakers of these languages to eventually be able to read his Word.

In Joy I Serve Him,

Thank you for your support of my ministry, as it is entirely dependent on gifts that are received

1. Support for regular, on-going needs should be sent to Wyclliffe Bible Translators (WBT), P.O. Box 62800, Orlando, FL, 32862-8200, and marked 'for Evelyn Davis.'
2. Gifts for travel, equipment, and other special needs should be sent to Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) at the same Orlando address and marked '990051 for Evelyn Davis' 44410 YTRC54 account.'
3. Contributions for medical and dental expenses, and to provide a stipend to persons assisting with the preparation of my training materials should be sent to Carmel Presbyterian Church, Attn: Director of Operations, 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226-5098 and marked 'for Evelyn Davis."

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