A Mini-DTS, a Year Visa, and a Shocking Loss

The tentmaker visa journey reached its goal. Philip obtained his work permit in Bangkok in early August, and by the end of September his year-long visa was granted. A YWAM team visited from 17 to 27 August and, he wrote, "crept deep into the Moken's hearts." During the visit six young Moken completed a three-day mini Discipleship Training School — the young men Meak, Larm and Prem, and the young women Prang, BaiTong and Da — led by two facilitators, New and Hanna, with fruit already visible in their lives.

The ordinary rhythms carried on: Mark and two of his sons visited to plan a future team from the United States; Yod, Gung and Mai placed well at an island surf competition; Wud, the eldest foster son, came home briefly and went straight to inspect the grass he had planted; and Philip and three Moken boys built a shed, between downpours, to make room for the ice factory. The high-school students at the informal school sat their September exams and did well, then broke for the long holiday.

The season also carried a heavy grief. Just after the exams, a young Burmese man named Thor — one who had grown up on the island in front of Philip and had been his student — was stabbed to death over a fishing rod; the two who killed him, also well known to Philip, were caught. He was cremated on 28 September, and the whole island was left in shock. Philip asked for prayer for Thor's family.