The Feeling of Gratification

Celebrating the long-awaited completion of a new dorm at House of Grace–Thailand and the beginning of a new season of rescue

For me and I think for most of us, there is a huge sense of gratification that comes in completing a project or making it to the end of a season in life. I remember years ago when Courtney and I were watching our two older sons graduate from high school. It was gratifying and also a relief. For those of you with rowdy boys, like we had, you understand the feeling. You feel like you did it! Of course, they passed the actual classes, but you feel like you helped, cajoled, pushed or pulled them across the finish line. So, in that moment, as you watch them walk across the stage you feel a deep sense of gratification. You think to yourself, “I did not do all of this, but I helped make this happen”!



The same thing is true as we have finished the construction on the new middle school dormitory at House of Grace-Thailand. I did not pour any concrete, frame any windows or build any furniture. Yet I helped to make this new building a possibility. I helped to see that construction get finished and it fills me with a huge level of gratification and satisfaction.

For those you that faithfully read this magazine, you will remember that I have been occasionally writing about this new dorm for more than 5 years now. We were all set to begin construction in the spring of 2020 and then, of course, COVID arrived and shut the entire world down. Over the next 3 years, we tried numerous times to get the project started but every time we got close to starting, the Thai government would shut the country down again. Finally, in 2024 we were able to begin the construction project and now 2 years later, we are done! You will see pictures in this weServe edition of the dedication of the new building. I am so thrilled and gratified to share these pictures and the news of the completion with you.

I also hope that you personally feel a sense of gratification too. You were part of this. You partnered with us to make this new dormitory a reality. Your faithfulness and generosity during this construction now give us the opportunity to bring even more girls to House of Grace-Thailand. This new dormitory represents more lives rescued and more destinies empowered. Over the last two years, we have seen the old building demolished and a brand new, larger building rise in its place. God has blessed us every step of the way and it is wonderful to finally see it finished.

So, on behalf of all the girls that will live in this beautiful new building, I say thank you!

On behalf of the lives that will be transformed, I say thank you! This is the end of the lengthy season of construction but not the end of what God is doing in Thailand! Now the next season begins, and it is just as wonderful. It is a new season of more girls being rescued and more lives being changed.