Andy & Carmen Owen – MBMSI -- Thailand

Address:
192/215 M. 4 Koolpunt Ville 6, Soi 10
T. Mae Hia, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
Thailand

website:  http://www.mbmsi.org/acowen

e-mail: acowen@msnpost.com

Biography: We serve as resource missionaries for the growing Thailand MB conference. We look to train leaders and develop materials to equip believers in discipleship and evangelism. We also resource emerging and existing churches like the one we helped plant, The Life Center in Chonburi.

Children: Connor, Isaac, Eleanna 

Birthday: Andy (March 25), Carmen (January 6) 

July 13, 2011

Summer 2011 Newsletter

Hi friends,

Just want to say thanks again for all you do to make it possible for us to serve in Thailand. Your light is pretty bright to be shining all the way on the other side of the world through your prayers and support!

Attached is our latest newsletter with several updates including Carmen's exciting new role with MB Mission. My apologies for the large file, but I didn't want the pictures to get too grainy in case you'd like to print it.

Many blessings to you and we hope you are having a great summer!

Peace,  Andy & Carmen



December 15, 2010

Christmas 2010 newsletter

Hello friends,

It certainly won't be a white Christmas here in Thailand, but we are enjoying relatively cooler temperatures in our new city Chiang Mai. We have been here for a couple of months and are getting settled in to our new roles and building new relationships. We're happy to share more about what God's been doing in and through us in the attached newsletter.

Also, we put together a little "news update" video about our move as well, and you can watch it on our youtube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NArRAiYPs1c. (While you're there feel free to check out Isaac's epic bike video or Eleanna's 2nd birthday party by clicking the "SiamSammy" link above the video.)

Thanks again for your prayers and support which make it possible for us to continue to serve God and His people in Thailand. Check out the last page of the newsletter for specific prayer and project requests.

Merry Christmas!
Andy, Carmen, Connor, Isaac, & Eleanna



September 26, 2010
A Tearful, Yet Joyful, Goodbye
Hello again friends,

It was an emotional evening as we said goodbye to our brothers and sisters at The Life Center Church.  Tomorrow we will be packing up the moving truck and driving to Chiang Mai, roughly a ten hour drive, to our new home.  Last week we were able to find a suitable house close to the boys' new school, and we look forward to diving into our new ministry there developing resources and training leaders in MB churches all over Thailand.  Thanks for your prayers for the many transitions ahead.

But what a night!  We were taken by surprise as many old and new friends came to the worship service this evening at TLC.  After the sermon was finished, the church arranged a foot washing ceremony for us, with people lining up to come and wash our feet (including the boys - very special), give words of thanks and encouragement, and pray for us.  It was a full circle moment especially for Carmen, who had taught about and led the first foot washing at TLC a few years ago.  We also were able to enjoy special songs and a slideshow prepared for us, and say a few words of thanks ourselves.  Many tears were shed as we considered how meaningful these relationships have become over the past 10 years with our teammates and our Thai brothers and sisters.  We look back with joy and thankfulness to God for His faithfulness in building a community of believers here, and for choosing us to help Him do it.   We wish you could have been there!  Not just to see the beautiful new building TLC is able to worship in.  Not just to hear the nice things that people said about us.  And not just to experience a vibrant worship service with our precious Thai friends, as awesome as that is.  No, we wish you could have been there so we could publicly THANK GOD FOR YOU for making it possible for us to experience this day because of your prayers, your support, and your ongoing encouragement.  Whatever sacrifices we all may have made in order to make the gospel known in Thailand have been worth it all, absolutely, no question, without a doubt.     We want to say thank you again as well for encouraging us during our visit to Kansas and California, and for your prayers and support as we dealt with the theft of much of our belongings.  The devil comes to steal and destroy, but Jesus comes to bring abundant life:  He has helped restore all that we have lost and more!  We did get a notice yesterday that someone tried to use our identity to create an account, but we are taking the necessary steps and trusting God to continue to work out His good plans no matter what happens.

We hope you enjoy a few pictures to get a taste of the wonderful evening tonight.  Look for another update from us in the coming weeks with new address information and more about Chiang Mai and our new ministry.  Many blessings to you!

Love, Andy, Carmen, Connor, Isaac, and Eleanna Owen



August 30, 2010
Hello friends,

We are wrapping up a very fast trip to our churches and supporters this summer to head back to Thailand to finish our adoption process.  It has been wonderful to connect with many of you, and we wish we could have had more time to see you all!  We are so thankful for our team of friends and supporters that make it possible for us to minister in Thailand.

After reporting yesterday in Bakersfield and Kingsburg, we came back to Carmen's parents home in Fresno to finish packing up and get ready to head out early this morning to take the kids to Disneyland, before driving back to Kansas where we were to catch our flight back to Thailand.  We got our bags packed up in the van ready for an early departure, only to wake up this morning and find that our van was broken into and most of our belongings were stolen.  Our clothes, a laptop computer, a new game system, and lots of items that we had "stocked up" on to take back to Thailand were taken.  We also lost some important adoption documents (thankfully have copies), medical information, and receipts.  What a shock!  We're now in the process of trying to get repairs done and replacing the essential items before we can leave.  
We have had some good prayer times this morning as a family thanking God that we are safe, forgiving the offenders, and reminding ourselves to store up our treasures in heaven, "where thieves do not break in and steal" (Mt 6:20).  We are trusting in Jesus and not going to let the enemy rob our joy!  

Thanks for continuing to pray for us; we would love it if you would join us in asking God for His peace to cover us, His wisdom to guide us, and His courage to not fear but trust Him in all things.  Our kids have also been battling a stomach virus so we'd appreciate your prayers for health as well.

Love, Andy & Carmen

August 3, 2010
Hello friends,

Entering the US for the first time with Eleanna was a great thrill! We have enjoyed visiting family, friends, and supporters during our first couple of weeks here. We had fun connecting with my home church in Cimarron, and had a great weekend sharing and reporting in Hillsboro this last weekend. We look forward to the rest of our fast-paced schedule before we have to be back to Thailand in September to finish our adoption process. The rest of our schedule is coming together and we have included some details below of when we are reporting at our churches.

We will also be on the move once we return to Thailand! We have accepted a new role with MBMSI as Thailand Resource Missionaries. This new role has components of leadership training with our Thai church leaders, resource development, and retooling for future ministry in Thailand. We will be moving to Chiang Mai, a city in Northern Thailand, for this term in our new position. We will be teaming up with Rob & Judy Griffioen while they are in Chiang Mai and will be overseeing the work at our MB Foundation's Chiang Mai branch. We'll continue to make regular trips back to Chonburi to help resource the ongoing ministry at TLC, as well as to meet with local leaders and missionaries. In Chiang Mai, our kids will be attending a new school (Grace International School), and we will be moving into a new home for the first time since we moved to Chonburi 9 years ago! We appreciate your prayers in the transition. If you have any questions feel free to let us know.

Below is an overview of our the rest of our schedule for our time in North America. We'd love to see you if it works!

August 5-8: Wichita, KS; reporting at First MB Church for all three services on Sunday the 8th, reporting at Hesston MB at 7 pm on the 8th as well.

August 9-10: with family in Cimarron

August 11-13: drive to California

August 15: reporting at Butler Church for the Sunday am service

August 16 - 19: vacation with Carmen's family

August 21-22: Visalia, CA - visiting and reporting at Neighborhood Church

August 25: Reedley, CA - visiting small groups

August 27-29: Bakersfield, CA - reporting at Laurelglen Church and The Bridge; reporting at Kingsburg Church on the evening of Sunday the 29th

August 31 - 3: Drive back to KS

September 5 (am): Report at Valleyview Bible Church, Cimarron

September 5-7: Fly to Seattle; Fly from Vancouver to Bangkok arriving on the 7th

We have had lots of highlights in North America already, including celebrating 10 years of ministry together with Team 2000 at the 150th MB Celebration in Vancouver, and of course having the opportunity to introduce Eleanna to family and friends! Below are a few pictures for you to enjoy...

Thanks for your ongoing prayers and support of our family and our ministry. You are loved!  Andy & Carmen

June 2010 Owen Newsletter

May 25, 2010
Hi friends,
Things have calmed down here in Thailand now after the storm of protests and a military crackdown, although we are still under a nighttime curfew through the weekend. However, much work remains to rebuild after the damage done to buildings, the economy, and national unity. We are praying for more opportunities for the Thai church to rise up and share of the enduring hope and peace that we have in Jesus.

Attached is a newsletter with our ministry and family highlights. We're excited about what God is doing here, especially at TLC as the church is moving to a new facility in the next month! And praise God we are picking up Eleanna's Thai passport today - we are trusting God to be able to get her US & Canadian visas in order to make it back to North America for a short visit this summer. We would love to see you if it works out!

We appreciate you,  Andy & Carmen

May 19, 2010
Dear friends,

As many of you may have seen in the news, Thailand is in a state of emergency after ongoing protests have crippled the capital, Bangkok. Today the army went in to clear out the protest site downtown, and the protest leaders surrendered and told the protestors to go home. Unfortunately many of the protestors have scattered, setting fires and attacking news stations, malls, and the Thai stock exchange. Authorities are working to get things under control and have imposed a curfew for Bangkok tonight in order to do that.

We are safe here in Chonburi (about 1 1/2 hours away), but are monitoring the situation closely as people who align themselves with the protestors are spread throughout the country. There have started to be incidents of arson and violence in other provinces now as well.

The majority of our Thai friends are simply shocked and saddened by all that has been happening. The divisions between sections of society run deep, but I believe it is sin that runs even deeper, fanning into flames the fires of anger, revenge, mistrust, and destruction. Please pray for peace to prevail and that God would use even this situation for His glory.

The situation affects everyone in one way or another, but as for our family, we had received great news that we would be able to apply for a Thai passport for our daughter Eleanna and had an appointment for yesterday (Tuesday). That appointment had to be canceled as all government offices have been closed all of this week. We are hoping to be able to reschedule soon so we can get a passport and start the visa process with the US and Canada. We are praying that we will be able to get a visitor's visa for Eleanna so we can all go back to North America this summer.

We hope to have a newsletter out soon - there are some great things happening here in the ministry, even as we are saddened by the political situation. Thanks for praying.

Andy & Carmen

 

January 1, 2010

Happy New Year everyone!

God is moving in Thailand! He is drawing many to Himself, and as You will read, He is working in the hearts of governors, university students, and slum dwellers alike. (AND in our adoption - pictures inside!)

We invite you to celebrate with us as we start this new year by reading our attached newsletter. Isn't it fun to share good news?

January 2010 Owen newsletter

Peace,

Andy & Carmen

Click here for the Owen October 2009 Newsletter


December 3, 2009    Thank you so much for your concerts of prayer for our family this last two weeks. We found out today that God in His wisdom has chosen not to bring her home to us before Christmas, but hopefully in January or February. We are disappointed, but trusting in Him through the process. We appreciate your continued prayers as we once again are in a posture of waiting.     Love, Andy & Carmen

November 25, 2009

Awaiting our precious gift...

THANKS!!! Heart-felt thanks to the many of you who have continued praying for our adoption over the years, and since the call for our match last week!  It brought tears of joy and overwhelming thankfulness every time we opened the computer to find your email responses.  What a beautiful picture of meeting together in thankfulness around the Throne, on behalf of this precious child...and so many like her the Lord loves so dearly! Names Last Tuesday night, after hearing we were matched with our daughter, I went to the market and asked the Lord to show me something that would symbolize this miracle in the years to come.  In one stall hung black and white photographs of various images, when one brighter photo caught my eye.  It was a branch of yellow and white frangipani flowers.  Tearing up, I told the lady, "I need to buy that photo."  She made the sale, and quickly tapped every other photo with the baht bills I had paid, giving way to her superstition that this initial sale of the night would bring her good luck.  She asked, "Do you know the story of that flower?  It used to be called 'Lantome, flower of sadness' and it was basically prohibited to be planted in homes or anywhere it might bring a curse of sadness. However, in recent years, the Queen of Thailand  "redeemed" that flower, changing it's name to 'Lilawadee,' and inviting Thai people to plant it readily, enjoying its incredible fragrance and beauty."  As I shared my story with her, I understood that God was speaking to me about His redeeming love for our daughter.  Later that night, I claimed Isaiah 62:2 over our daughter, "The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name, that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.  You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Lord, You are the Redeemer and Restorer of all things in heaven and on earth.  Thank you for your redeeming love! Visas We spent Monday this week in Bangkok, first with a visit to the American Consulate, then a visit to the Thailand Adoption Center, where we met with our social worker.  We were trying to find out what process we need to use for eventually obtaining a visa for our daughter.  We realize that this is not an easy process, and will continue to trust in God's sovereign plan as He unfolds it in His timing.   Please pray with us for discernment and breakthrough in this process. Homecoming! "December 16 is the board meeting," said our social worker.  That means, if the paperwork (in the Adoption Center's hands) is completed by the 1st of December, our file could be approved by the board and we could get custody of our daughter on December 17th!  Otherwise, we have to wait til after mid-January to pick her up...ugh! Please pray for expedition in the paperwork completion, and that we'll meet our daughter on Dec. 17th. We love you much! Carmen, Andy, Connor, Isaac and ? PS!  Thailand MB Foundation Soft Opening On the ministry front, today we celebrated the establishment of the Thailand Mennonite Brethren Foundation!  We gathered under a white tent in front of TLC with church members, friends, and various influential community people present.  Praise God with us for this monumental step as He opens more doors for His Kingdom to come in Thailand!  (We will write more soon!)

November 17, 2009

Dear friends,

Today, at 3pm Thailand time, Carmen answered her cell phone to our social worker's words, "I have good news...you have a daughter!"

After being "pregnant" for well over 2 years, we are elated to announce our match with our daughter, 11 months old, and waiting for mommy, daddy and brothers to pick her up from the orphanage.  At this point we have minimal information, but know that she is the miracle we've been waiting for.  We have been told we will get to see her in about 1 month, and hopefully bring her home soon after that.  Who could ask for a better Christmas gift!

Thank you for your faithful prayers and for standing with us in this emotional roller coaster in the last several years.  Please keep praying!...

**  that all the needed paperwork would come together quickly for our daughter and us
**  that the process would be finished in 1 month or less and our daughter could come home with us in time for Christmas
**  that we would have open doors to share the Gospel with our social worker and others involved

We will send more detials soon we hope, but we wanted to let you in on the great news and say thanks again for standing with us in rayer.

Love, Andy & Carmen






October 6, 2009

Dear friends,

A number of years ago, a Japanese theologian named Kosuke Koyama wrote
a book called "Water Buffalo Theology". It was written out of the
effort to communicate the gospel to farmers in Thailand in a way they
could understand. It was a monumental work on Asian theology and has
become a textbook for contextualism in many seminary classes.

This newsletter is neither monumental nor will it be used in any
seminaries. Mostly I was just trying to figure out a way to use a
cool picture. Nonetheless, we hope you enjoy reading this mini /
bonus edition of the Owen Outlook.

Sincerely,

Andy & Carmen

8/14/09

Friends,

On a cool, rainy afternoon in July, we had the privilege to conduct
another baptism service with the members of The Life Center church.
Once again, it proved to be a huge highlight and a reminder of why we
came to Thailand in the first place. Attached is our newsletter with
some pictures and stories, and be sure and watch a short highlight
video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtxnDoK2ubU. You may not know
these young people, but someday in heaven they may thank you for your
prayers and gifts which made this day possible. In the meantime, we
say a big thanks on their behalf. You have been faithful to pray and
support us over these years and we can't thank you enough - together
we are impacting eternity.

Our family is well after just getting back from some much needed
holidays. Connor and Isaac are getting ready to enter international
school together and we appreciate your prayers for adjustment and
safety in travel. Isaac, upon learning he would have to wear black
patent leather uniform shoes at school, said "I think I'd rather be
home schooled." But he is truly excited and looking forward to the
adventure of 1st grade - two of his best friends will be in his class,
and he will have a Christian teacher whom we know from Canada.

We'd love to hear how your summer has gone and what's new in your
life. Let us know how we can pray for you as well. We thank God for
you.

Sincerely, Andy & Carmen

May 7, 2009

Dear friends,

The other day I reached deep into a bush to get Connor's ball, and
when I pulled it out, I had fire ants all over my body! The ensuing
excitement helped me to better appreciate the term "ants in your
pants", and I am almost as excited (in a good way) to share our
newsletter with you, with an "ants" theme. If you have trouble
opening it let us know.

Click here for the Owen's July Newsletter

Thanks so much for partnering with us - we couldn't be here without you!

With love,

Andy & Carmen

PS If you don't have time to look through the newsletter now, please
pray for our combined MB church camp this weekend, that God would meet
us all there in powerful ways! Thanks.

 

Page last updated on Mon, Aug 1, 2011 2:50 PM CDT