The Mimi Project

I asked Mimi to compose her testimony in English.  Here it is, in her own words:

My Testimony Read the rest of this entry »

We are so excited to announce that Mimi is coming to the United States!!!  We will be her host “parents” for her year of school at Norfolk Senior High School.

Mimi’s journey to the U.S. has already been filled with faith.  God pulled together people from the International Student Exchange, which provided a significant discount for her insurance and visa fees, with people from our school district and friends from around the world. And now, it’s official.  She will be travelling back to the United States with me in mid-July.

I met Mimi last year through Mars Hill Academy.  Her testimony and her happy outlook on life touched me.  Her English improved quickly, and we found that we could communicate quite well.  Mimi is so grateful to have been adopted as a child of God.  He has provided for her future by matching her with a wonderful guardian.  She wants to be a missionary and share God’s message with everyone. 

While Mimi is in the U.S., we will be travelling to do some sightseeing and to meet some of the people and Church bodies that have supported the Family Connection in Thailand.  She is a remarkable young woman, and I hope many of you will get to visit with her while she is here.  You will certainly be blessed by her presence.

Mimi’s Needs:

· Prayer for the visa interview and the added visa to allow her to come early

· Prayer for travel safety

· Prayer for her continued improvement in English

· Financial needs:  Plane ticket ($3,000), other travel expenses, clothing (it’s much colder here than it is in Thailand!)

· Prayer for Phil and I as we prepare our hearts to parent another teenager

Mimi is a friend of mine from Thailand.  She is one of the students at the school where I taught English in 2008.  Mimi and I formed a special bond, and we are hoping that she can be an exchange student in the United States in 2009.  The arrangements are already under way. 

The current plan is for Mimi to travel back to the United States with me in July and to spend a year going to school and making friends here.  She will be able to attend Church and youth group every week, and she will share her story with all of her new friends.  She will attend the local high school and take classes that will teach her about the United States.  She will also share her culture with us.  We are so excited to spend a year with this incredible young lady. 

An international exchange agency has arranged for a discount on their fees.  This agency will provide visa services as well as insurance and coordination for the trip.  Mimi has already completed her application and is working on her English test.  Then, Mimi will need to interview at the U.S. Consolate and the local school district.

Meanwhile, we are trying to raise the money to pay the agency and to pay for the plane tickets.  Circuit ‘Riter Ministries is helping with this.  While here, Mimi will be able to visit with some of you who have helped to support the school and orphans’ homes in Thailand.  We are hoping you can also help us to fund the trip to America.  If you can help, please respond on this site, and I will get in touch with you.

In the meantime, please be praying about all the arrangements that need to be made and for safe preparations and travel.