A Year of Building — Church, Water Factory, and New Life

Philip's December 2025 / January 2026 newsletter is a rich, busy update. Over the festive season he hosted Michael and Kim Nel and their three children from South Africa on their first visit — the Moken children played soccer with them every day after school and already miss them. The Moken organised their own Christmas celebration over a weekend (Christmas Day is a normal school day on the island).

In January, friends from Kauai, USA came to help with the church, replacing the roof and repainting the whole building. Philip also asked prayer for Ta-Tê, a baby boy born at just six-and-a-half months who, with his mother, had spent nearly two months in hospital; at a follow-up visit he was doing well but still faces many challenges. Philip also mentions, with characteristic humour, that he commentates Thai boxing on the island every other Saturday.

The biggest ongoing project is a water and ice factory, almost finished, with machines expected 10–15 February. Its purpose is to generate income — especially out of tourist season — to pay the boys who work there and cover work-visa taxes. The team also rebuilt the soccer field, bathrooms and a road, and repaired storm erosion. Prayer is requested for how to sustain the work through the coming months.