A letter from Carol and Leith Fujii in Thailand
March 2, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
We wish you God’s blessings in 2009 from steamy Bangkok. Imagine, near 100-degree weather in February! Meteorologists predict scorching temperatures for March and April, Thailand’s summer months. Since we’ve been out of touch for awhile, we would like to give you a quick glimpse into our family’s lives.
How quickly time flies. Joy, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, ended her two-year overseas tour in South Korea this month. She has been working as an executive officer in a signal company and will be returning to the United States to attend the Signal Captain’s Career Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Joy just dropped into Bangkok with a friend to visit us.
Karin recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She is on her way to Madagascar to serve in the Peace Corps.
Having graduated with a degree in international relations in June 2008, Karin has continued to work at a local law firm, waiting to hear from the Peace Corps about both her acceptance and placement. Just the arduous application process has proved to be a challenge! During her visit with us in October, Karin finally heard that she will be serving on the island nation of Madagascar in economic development. It’s always been a dream of hers to live and work in Africa. Since unrest has recently broken out, and the political situation remains unstable in the capital city, the Peace Corps delayed its original departure date until March 9. Please pray for God to restore peace and stability to Madagascar as well as safety for Karin and our PC(USA) colleagues in mission, Dan and Elizabeth Turk.
Having just returned from Bangkok to Chicago, it was great having Mark home for a visit during his Christmas break from UIC. He is so blessed to be in a ideal living situation provided by one of the loving families from the Church of Christ, Presbyterian, which has been a special home base for us. Mark, a third-year English major, is trying his hand at freelance writing. Whether creating video game reviews, advertisements or press releases, he enjoys his work and is gaining valuable experience in the process.
ICS girls soccer champs. (Lani is in the second row, second from left.)
Now in her senior year of high school, Lani has been playing varsity soccer and basketball as well as applying to colleges. It has been bittersweet to be living through these high school “lasts” with her. We are trying to make it to as many games and activities, savoring these precious times. After graduation, Lani would like to study physical therapy in California.
We will be accompanying Lani to the United States as she returns this summer, helping her to get settled as a university freshman. While itinerating in the United States, we will be involved with the PC(USA)’s World Mission Challenge ‘09. In October, both Leith and Carol will be traveling as speakers in different presbyteries and hope to connect with many of you whether in person or by phone contact. Carol is looking forward to giving her parents some TLC, which is hard to do so far away! Her mother Jane celebrated a milestone 88th birthday this year!
As a former promotional advertisement states, “Amazing Thailand!” we are grateful for the opportunity to serve here amidst recent political unrest, protests and many changes in government leadership in 2008. Many expressed concern for our safety as antigovernment protests closed Bangkok’s international airport for a week in December. In spite of the turmoil and chaos the media reported, the majority of the people were not in physical danger. We are thankful for the present leadership of Prime Minister Apisit, who is trying to stabilize Thailand’s political and economic climate. Whether it be locally or globally, we realize peace is fragile and fleeting. In spite of this, we can live confidently under the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus, the One still in control and the One who is using all that has, is and will be for God’s eternal purposes. We are seeing God at work in Thailand. We are privileged to be a part of what He is doing as we continue to serve at the Bangkok Theological Institute and the Well ministries.
Thank you for continuing to pray, give and believe God with us for His amazing work in this world!
Grateful for each of you,
Carol and Leith Fujii
The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 110
