As the time approaches when we must give our decision about the land that has been offered to Faithful Heart, some of you have encouraged me to lay out a vision for how Faithful Heart might use this land if we were to purchase it.

A refresher on the land:

• 6 acres of land
• 20 minutes from our current office
• Only offered to Faithful Heart
• 1/2 price the original cost
• Must make a decision by the end of August 2017

Audrey and I were both struck during a sermon at Mill City Church, one of the churches that has supported Faithful Heart, when the pastor spoke from Jeremiah 29. 

 You might be familiar with verse 11:

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, they are plans for good, and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

But the pastor pointed out that promise was for many years later. 

 In the previous verses God said this:

"Build homes, and plan to stay.  Plant gardens and eat the food you produce...Work for the peace and prosperity of the city and pray to the Lord for that city where you live..." (5-7)

The pastor reminded us that while our citizenship is in heaven, our vocation (our work) is on earth, where God has called and placed us.  

We are not merely waiting to go to heaven, 

we are working to bring heaven to the corner of the world where we are.  

What resonated with Audrey and I both was the emphasis on putting down roots, planting gardens and working and praying for the peace of Chiang Mai---the city where God has called and placed us.

Matt and Ezra surveying the land (and dreaming) ;)

Faithful Heart currently rents all our facilities, (save one dorm for boys).  Our directors, Dave and Shirley, have done a great job maximizing resources to have the greatest impact on the largest number of children possible.  And we want to continue to do that.

But like all of us who purchase our own home, or build a church in a community,
 there comes a time to put down roots.  

The blue is the outline of the land--the lower left being the road access point. The land is divided into 3 parcels, but sold together.

Here is part of the vision Audrey and I believe God has given us for this land:

We envision Faithful heart having our own office and area to gather for activities.  Perhaps a space we could share with a local Thai church for use on Sundays.  

We envision a college dorm with space for more students as our orphan children are reaching high school age, and thinking about college.  We see God blessing this college ministry already, and we are excited about the opportunity to disciple these young people.   

We envision a farm where our college students can earn some extra income and our children can learn the joys of partnering with God in the creating process.
Where fresh, healthy food can be grown for and by our families.
Sustainability, doing all we can to help ourselves, has always been a value of Faithful Heart.
 It may also be an opportunity to give work to those who need it in our community.

Currently the land is overgrown, but it has a lot of potential and a beautiful view.

And we envision a home for Audrey, Ezra, and I.
Where we can be connected to the ministry, working with agriculture (part of my heart passion),
and disciplining young Thai men and women.  

Will you pray about this vision with us?  

If you would like to give to this project, you can give using the link below.  Your gift is tax deductible. (Isaac Foundation is a US partner who collects donations on our behalf.) 

The total cost of the land is $65,000 USD.  

We currently have about $20,000 pledged for the land.

We would need at least another $40,000 before the end of the August 2017 to begin this vision.

Donate here:

http://isaacfoundation.org/donatefaithfulheartministry.html

Thank you partnering and praying with us!  

May His will be done, and May His Kingdom come, on earth, as it is in heaven!

Love, 

Matt, Audrey, Ezra