(Bento'd Sojourning^3 in TjkailanJ

)ij^

"By faith they sojourned In the land....

looking forward to a city which has foundations,
whose builder and maker is God."
HE8. 11:8'10

Alan & Janet Bemo

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
Box 108

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke
3106 Summit Ave

Nongkhai 43000

St. Joseph, MO 64506

Thailand

(816) 279-7783

January, 1991
Dear Friends and Co-workers,

Happy New Year! May God bless you as you continue to serve Him in the coming year. We thank God
for you, especially for your part in our lives during 1991. It has mostly been a year of learning, as during
this time we finished our six months of Thai language study and started working with the Thais in Surin
Province God has taught us how to help in the capacity of development workers, given us the privilege
of starting a Bible study group in Baan Isan with three people wanting to accept the Lord, as well as
use His given skills to work on projects such as wells, irrigation canals and reservoirs. We have loved

it,.but th'enjiist'aa we were ptttng^Qmfortable with the whole situation, we. were asked to go and_work
in Laps for the next two years.

_ypu know, we had btflin pbaying and planning for this possibility for a long time Laos is a country

which "is closed to missionarj' activity since it became a Communist country fifteen years ago During
my month long trip there I discovered that our experiences to this point in life have been wonderful
preparation for this field. God had this planned. The Lao language and culture are very similar to the
Thai, as both of them have the same roots. While there I saw literally thousands of bomb pock-marks

left by American bombers during our secret war there The U.S. dropped more bombs on Laos than have
been dropped on any country on the face ot the earth and most of us didn't even know it. I ate with

aluminum utensils made from downed American aircraft, and saw piles of scrap war materials everywhere j

I vrent. I talked to people whose children died in U.S. bombing, yet in my short experiences I did not //

notice any hatred for us, but saw people hungry for knowledge and help. Despite the fact that Communism'^

has destroyed religion, per se, people are still-or maybe more so-interested in spiritual things. I was
able to find several Chinese families in different towns and vUlages who were eager to talk but had never
heard of the name of Christ. Twas able to talk to Hmong, Khamu, and Black Thai, as well as Lau and

Lausung. Outside-oi^the captlal of Vientiane,^TTd3d-otjneet orie Christian. Now, I can hardly wait to
get back tb^re Please pray that we will be God's tools toaTieedy^people

/j Lord wljling, we are planning on arriving in Vientiane on January 8th. We

y. at the F^Hi^jieadquartersjust opened in Vientiane We have plenty of w(^
] working on

.^amia

pinn npwinnltnml iirfiiili mliihr

;dy have a place to live

out for us as I will be

willbe running the hostel.

f doing the bookkeepin^and orgafemg luQmistian resource center. It looks like there will be a school
( for Rachel there

The only thing bad about my trip to Laos was having to be separated from Janet and Rachel. Even before
we knew we were going to Laos, Janet had planned a trip to the U.S. to be with our oldest daughter,

Beth, during the birth ofour first grandchild. Praise Charis Adkins arrived early, a day before Janet j

arrived in the U.S. Janet, Rachel and mom Dittemore were able to be with Beth, Moo and Praise for ;/
ten days enjoying the warm fellowship of the church there Moo and Beth work with the church youth'
and are loved and love their ministry. Beth enjoys teaching in a community ladies Bible study too, so
they give us joy in every way.

^{S^^pon first arriving, Dad took Janet and Rachel up to Columbia to see Becky in aplay at the University.
^ \ Agreat treat. Becky is finishing her Senior.y^r and will be student teaching next semester, so her hands
are full between being a wife and sludent. Brian, her husband, is also a student there in forestry and
conservation. Who knows, perhaps someday they will join us over here. We siire need them.

jj After seeing Beth's family, Janet and Rachel then went to ^mpa to see our son Jon and wif^ Michelle,
// and had a whirlwind time at Disneyworld, visiting UncIeTibbs Max^ for hisrS.Oth birthday, and having
a grand tour of the huge wastewater plant where Jon works. He has a good job as an operator there
and the city will be paying for him to finish his last two years of college there. Michelle too has a good
job so God has really been blessing them. Thank you for your prayers for our young'uns. God hears and
answers prayers. He knows what it is like to be a parent so far away from His children.

We also had the added joy of Janet's mom, Isabel Dittemore, and her friend, Susy (liebler. (-{mie Imck
with Janet for a 2-week visit. Add on top of that the joyous return of our two younj^'uns Nnlhan and
Sarali from bf^iding school plus Nathan's friend, Gavin. December was a challenge of trying to work,
vifsit, cat. travel up to Chiangmaito visit the Chinesechurches,open presents, and get everything packed

and ready for our move to Laos. Nathan and Sarah are great kids and were a big help. They have both
grown so much physically and spirituallyv^a^han is Junior Class President and had won the friend he
brought home with him to the Lord. He wanted him to see a Christian home. He says, "It's only the
beginning." Praise the Lord.^^^ml^ has had a hard time adjusting to being away from home. She need.s
your prayers. She is so much fun to have around. Definitely a social creature. And then there is
little joy of all our lives. It amazes me how she adapts to so many changes in her life. She is now

^,/Jseven and our "liUle missiona^', opening up so many doors for us. Pray for tliis new adjustment for lier too

Lord willing, the next letter you receive from us will be from Laos. Laos is a Communist country, so
plea.se be aware that we will have to becareful what we writefrom there, Our new address above is right
across the border on the Thai side to avoid jeopardizing ours and F.H.I.'s presence in Laos. People will
pick up mail for us there so PLEASE write
Yours for His Kingdom's sake.

-.v- >

(Please see the bulletin board for pictures that were at the bottom of this
newsletter. Pictures don*t always come out very good on the memeograph.)

January 22, 1991

Dear Precious Friends at Treaty,

Greetings in the name of our LordI You all have been such a blessing and

encouragement to us.

Your yummy package arrived the day after we brought the

kids up franLaos to put on the plane for school in Malaysia. It brought bright

ness to the sadness of parting.

Thanks so much for caring.

And now Rachel and I are alone on the train back to the border.

Sob!

We've just srrlvedl Now we're waiting for our ferry across the Mekong

Mver and I want to get this in

their post office because mail from Laos takes

forever. Pray for us in Laos. Our household goods haven't gotten through all
the red tape and arrived yetl Alan is 3 days journey away working on a weir
close to the Vietnam border. We're hoping our whole family can move up there,
but not sure yet.

The possibilities for the gospel are limitless.

Praise God! We love you. Your faith and love for one another is beautiful
to behold.

In Rim,
Janet -

for all

V&ar Fi*iend8t

Thanks for the oookiee and fudge.

They ware good.

Dear Friends^

We got them the

day before we went to Bording

Thanke eo muah for the oookiee,

school. It e something to munch on

on the plane. Thank you again!

Ijove^

^r<^Bemo

murm, they were really good.

/ 2nd eemeeter. I had a great Chrietmae

^vacation.
[

....

Thanks again.
Tours.

tear Fz^ndB,

lhank you for the oandy.

I'm going to love it'.
Lovet
Raohel Bemo

Todzy

yi go hack to Malayeia to etart my

ZJke Sento J Sojourning.^ in Okailand

"By faith they sojourned in the land....
looking forward to a city which has foundations,
whose builder and maker is God."
HEB. 11:8-10

Alan & Janet Bemo

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke

Box 108

3106 Summit Ave.

Nongkhai 43000

St. Joseph, MO 64506

Thailand

(816) 279-7783

January, 1991
Dear Friends and Co-workers,

Happy New Year! May God bless you as you continue to serve Him in the coming year. We thank God

for you, especially for your part in our lives during 1991. It has mostly been a year of learning, as during
this time we finished our six months of Thai language study and started working with the Thais in Surin
Province. God has taught us how to help in the capacity of development workers, given us the privilege
of starting a Bible study group in Baan Isan with three people wanting to accept the Lord, as well as
use His given skills to work on projects such as wells, irrigation canals and reservoirs. We have loved
it, but then just as we were getting comfortable with the whole situation, we were asked to go and work

in Laos for the next two years.

As you know, we had been praying and planning for this possibility for a long time Laos is a country
which is closed to missionary activity since it became a Communist country fifteen years ago. During
my month long trip there I discovered that our experiences to this point in life have been wonderful
preparation for this field. God had this planned. The Lao language and culture are very similar to the
Thai, as both of them have the same roots. While there I saw literally thousands of bomb pock-marks
left by American bombers during our secret war there The U.S. dropped more bombs on Laos than have
been dropped on any country on the face ot the earth and most of us didn't even know it. I ate with

aluminum utensils made from downed American aircraft, and sawpiles of scrap war materials everywhere
I went. I talked to people whose children died in U.S. bombing, yet in my short experiences I did not
noticeany hatred for us, but saw people hungry for knowledge and help. Despite the fact that Communism
has destroyed religion, per se, people are still-or maybe more so-interested in spiritual things. I was
able to find several Chinese families in different towns and villageswho were eager to talk but had never
heard of the name of Christ. I was able to talk to Hmong, Khamu, and Black Thai, as well as Lau and

Lausung. Outside of the captial of Vientiane, I did not meet one Christian. Now, I can hardly wait to
get back there. Please pray that we will be God's tools to a needy people.

Lord willinm wp arp planning nn QvnV^np- in VipTitianp nn .Tarmar\r

We already have a place to live

at the F.H.I, headquarters just opened in Vientiane We have plenty of work set out for us as I will be
working on three irrigation dams up-country plus agricultural work, while Janet will be running the hostel,
doing the bookkeeping, and organizing a Christian resource center. It looks like there will be a school
for Rachel there

The only thing bad about my trip to Laos was having to be separated from Janet and Rachel. Even before
we knew we were going to Laos, Janet had planned a trip to the U.S. to be with our oldest daughter,
Beth, during the birth of our first grandchild. Praise Charis Adkins arrived .early, a day before Janet
arrived in the U.S. Janet, Rachel and mom Dittemore were able to be with Beth, Moo and Praise for

ten days enjoying the warm fellowship of the church there. Moo and Beth work with the church youth
and are loved and love their ministry. Beth enjoys teaching in a community ladies Bible study too, so
they give us joy in every way.
Upon first arriving. Dad took Janet and Rachel up to Columbia to see Becky in a play at the University.
A great treat. Becky is finishing her Senior year and will be student teaching next semester, so her hands
are full between being a wife and student. Brian, her husband, is also a student there in forestry and
conservation. Who knows, perhaps someday they will join us over here. We sure need them.
After seeing Beth's family, Janet and Rachel then went to Ihmpa to see our son Jon and wife, Michelle,
and had a whirlwind time at Disneyworld, visiting Uncle Tibbs Maxey for his 80th birthday, and having
a grand tour of the huge wastewater plant where Jon works. He has a good job as an operator there
and the city will be paying for him to finish his last two years of college there. Michelle too has a good
job so God has really been blessing them. Thank you for your prayers for our young'uns. God hears and
answers prayers. He knows what it is like to be a parent so far away from His children.

We also had the added joy of Janet's mom, Isabel Dittemore, and her friend, Susy Giebler, come back
with Janet for a 2-week visit. Add on top of that the joyous return of our two young'uns Nathan and
Sarah from boarding school plus Nathan's friend, Gavin. December was a challenge of trying to work,
visit, eat, travel up to Chiangmai to visit the Chinese churches, open presents, and get everything packed
and ready for our move to Laos. Nathan and Sarah are great kids and were a big help. They have both
grown so much physically and spiritually. Nathan is Junior Class President and had won the friend he
brought home with him to the Lord. He wanted him to see a Christian home. He says, "It's only the
beginning." Praise the Lord. Sarah has had a hard time adjusting to being away from home. She needs
your prayers. She is so much fun to have around. Definitely a social creature. And then there is Rachel,

"the little joy of all our lives. It amazes me how she adapts to so many changes in her life. She is now
seven and our "little missionary", opening up somany doors for us. Pray for thisnew adjustment forher too.

-^ord willing, the next letter you receive from us will be from Laos. Laos is a Communist country, so
please be aware that we will have to be careful what we write from there. Our new address above is right
across the border on the Thai side to avoid jeopardizing ours and RH.I.'s presence in Laos. People will
pick up mail for us there so PLEASE write.
Yours for His Kingdom's sake.

Gavin. Nathan, Sarah, Rachel and Susy Giebler on Bangkok ferry.

Our precious granddaughter. Praise Charis Adkins.

horn October 31. 1990.

Our son Jon and wife Michelle

.Moo, Beth, Grandma Janet. Greatgrandma

with Rachel at DisneyWorld.

Isabel and Auntie Rachel with Praise.

Becky and Brian Hamlin. our college kids.

Non-profit Organization

Central Christian Church

U.S. Postage

1501 N. Leonard Road

St. Joseph, MO 64508

PAID

St. Joseph. MO

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Permit No. 2223

Mission Services
P. 0. Bok 2427

Knoxville?

TN

Assn

37901-2427

^'^5

Am^ 'iI

ZJke (Bemo i SojournLng.3 in (jhadand

"By faith they sojourned in the land....

looking forward to a city which has foundations,

whose builder and maker is God."
HEB. 11:8-10

Alan & Janet Bemo

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke

Box 108

3106 Summit Ave.

Nongkhai 43000

St. Joseph, MO 64506

Thailand

(316) 279-7783

February,1991
Dear Friends,

What a place! Laos! We have been here almost two months and already we have faced our life's
biggest challenges and adventures.

F.H.I.'s headquarters is in the capital city of Vientiane where we have two small rooms to live

in. Rachel is enrolled in the small international grade school there and has attendedabout half
the time we've been here, with Janet teaching her the other times. My place ofwork right now

is in Xiang Kho, in the northeast part ofthe country close to the Vietnam border. Here I am

supervising the construction of two irrigation dams or weirs. It takes three days ifhard travel,
at best, and most often four, to get here There are no telephones or mail service We have

yet to meet a Christian in the Xiang Kho area.

On my first trip here I brought four varieties of plum and one variety of peach stalk, all^ to
graft onto the local native peach trees which are abuntant in this area but bear hard little fruits.
I did about 40 grafts and got the weir project in one area started. Then in the_ second week.
I was grafting a tree when the razor sharp knife slipped and I cut my left wrist very badly.
Cut through tendons, nerves, and my artery. I lost alot of blood and thought this was probably
the end. We had no vehicle and no hope of one coming because ofthe severe gas shortage here,

but God provided that a cattle truck come through that remote village about one half hour

after the accident, I was taken to the nearest dirt floored clinic and about four and a half hours

later, a Lao doctor trained in Vietnam finished an excellent job of sewing back tendons and
artery and repairing the damage, all only with the light of a fading flashlight. Through this
experience I literally faced death and found that my faith and hope of eternal life that Jesus
has given us is real! Praise God! I made many close friends in the shortest possible time I
was able to share my reason for living ina very meaningful way. It seems most breakthroughs
must come through suffering and for Christ's sake it was well worth it. Janet and Rachel were
able to come up with me on my second trip. Rachel is the first white child many have ever
seen and brought whole villages out wherever we went. She and Janet made our light for Christ
shine complete as they saw us and talked with us. We had awide open door here with a unique
opportunity that would be hard to duplicate. These people are not anti-religious, but mostly
not religious at all because of Communist rula Pray that as the seed is planted it will grow
in fertile hearts.

We are helping 160 families to be able to cultivate fifty hectres of rice paddies twice a year
with these weirs. As we are living, eating and working with these people we are growing to
love and appreciate them more and mora Our witness can be natural and unforced. "A city
on a hill cannot be hid." People see too, that our every action is based on our religious convic
tions and they ask about it. It has been so thrilling to see one family, in particular, excited
about God's message Pray for Wang Hing, Uun, and their six children.
How has the Gulf war affected you? It has affected us with fuel shortage, terrorist threats
which delayed our childern going to boarding school in Malaysia for a few days, and a bomb
threat at their school in which they were all evacuated for a few hours, but the police found
no bombs. This has been hard on Janet especially. We listen to our shortwave radio daily and

hope the war will soon be over. For many of youwho have family fighting over there, our prayers
go out for you too. Arabia has been one of the hardest countries to penetrate missionary-wise,
and who knows but what God has planned this opportunity for our Christian young men to
spread the Good News in a needy field. Hearts couldn't be more open.

Prayer is the mighty weapon that God had given us to call upon this power to penetrate areas
and hearts lost to the evil powers without the blood of Jesus Christ. Over and over we have

seen the wonderful power of prayer. Let us gird up our loins and sharpen our spiritual weapons
as the last days come swirling down upon us. After all, this is not really a physical battle, but
a spiritual battle for the very lives and souls of the people He loves everywhere
Yours, in there fighting.

Alan, Janet and family.

Central Christian Church

1501 N. Leonard Road

Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage

St. Joseph, MO 64508

PAID
St. Josept), MO

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Permit No. 2223

Mission Services Assn

Oo Bo>{ 24Z7
Knoxvi 1le? TN
37901-24Z7

P.

litiiiiiiilliiiillMiiiijliiiiliiiiliiliiiiiiliiiiil

'P'DIR
'By faith they sojourned in the land....
looking forward to a city which has foundations,
whose builder and maker is God."
HEB. 11:8-10

Alan & Janet Bemo

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
Box 108
' *ewe

.gacn .

Nongkhai 43000
Thailand

XcemMT

IB

-^AJA>^SV*

1)

i
4

_<

It
11

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke
3106 Summit Ava

St. Joseph, MO 64506

(816) 279-7783

At^g

14 jwiy^i

March 1991

Dear Friends,

Janet & Rachel passed the test. I guess we all did. At first I was told by the government I could only
be in Northeastern Laos for two weeks at a tima I suppose this was for political reasons. But after
two trips they told me I could get a permanent pass and stay as long as I wanted to. Officials were
reluctant to let Janet &Rachel even visit for safety reasons, but after one time theyhave lifted restric
tions for them as well, and now they can get a pass to come up and visit whenever they want. I believe,
because of past experiences, we have been adaptable to this situation and they recognize that. I have
spent most of my time in Laos up here and Janet and Rachel made their second trip up here by

themselves, which is a big accomplishment involving finding your own trucks to get you to various
points and staying overnight in various inns.

Exactlv what is the situation? It takes three days at best to get to Xiengkho from the capital and most
commonly four days. It has taken more The travel is by plane and then the rest by truck over about
18 hours of very rough roads, made in several stages. Going over ranges of high altitudes, the climate
changes to bitter cold (even in April) and then back to the tropics aj- ain. There are no stores or markets
to speak of. We stay in a crumbling Vietnamese-made innand whether we eatthere or with local villagers
the diet is usually sticky rice and boiled chicken or duck. No vegetables, some fruit, and lots ofcoconuts.
Forthis reason we have planteda garden, not only for our own use, but also, hopefully, for an example,
and I've been grafting all the good varieties of fruits onto the bad, which thrills the villagers. (That's
how I cut my arm, if you remember)...Janet always brings along some goodies when she comes. We
sometimes like to make each other miserable by talking aboutice-cold lemonades, cherrypiesmothered

with vanilla ice-cream, and sticky, cheesy thick pizzas, and then console ourselves by drinking a luke
warm coconut. Asyou can see, entertainment is limited to reading, family games, and visiting. Believe
it or not an entrepeneur in the village operates a video theater (he has a generator) almost nightly.
I attended one night but found that 200 people watching a 10" screen ina language I only halfunderstood
was not entertaining. I also discovered that the crowd of mostly young people sitting in the dimly lit
and crowded room were showing more interest in each other than the video. This is a provision which
I imagine they greatly appreciate in a society where dating, and even casual conversation are rarely
permitted. But I suppose that the hardest for us is that there is no receiving or sendingof mail from
hera Janet will,be mailing this across the river in Nongkhai when she gets back to Vientiane.

My work is" mostly supervising the construction of two weirs. This involves designing, redesigning,
instruction, showing, and laboring. I like it very much. I know almost every man, woman, and teenager
in two villages now. I can't remember their names but know their faces and am welcome into all of

their homes. I am striving to be a Light set on top of a hill for them. I'v^ enjoyed getting into some

deep spiritual discussions with several. They appreciate the air-layering and grafting, done for them
in love. When Janet is up here she teaches Rachel, gardens, washes the clothes by hand, and visits
with friends. They love having our whole family up here On this trip up here she brought 120 cuttings
of a special variety of big leafed Mulberry tree (Mulberry leaves are commonly used for growing silk
worms here). The villagers are calling them the "Janet Mulberry" and the name will probably stick.
Easter Sunday found me traveling back here to Xiengkho and Janet arriving in Penang, Malaysia.
She and Rachel went down there for a mid-term visit to encourage Nathan and Sarah. They were all

mutually uplifted and by the time Janet and I were together again it took us hours to get caught up
on everything that had happened.
The bad news is that after almost four months of hard work there was a big flash flood and the retain

ing wall on one side of the weir was washed out, causing the stream to change course This happened
because we were not quite finished. We were two days away from completion. Now, we figure it will
take three weeks and 5 tons of cement to complete the job. Since we are entering the rainy season
it is particularly dangerous now. This was so discouraging to everyone. It is hard to see the good in
this but there is some: It humbled me and taught that FOOD and I weren't as great as they had been
saying we were It also taught us a lot about building weirs.

We continue to desperately need your prayers as we deal with the living conditions, separation, work,
and being a light here
In Jesus,

Alan Bemo

Central Christian Church

1501 N. Leonard Road

NON-PROFIT

U.S. Postage
PAID

St. Joseph, MO 64506

St. Joseph, MO

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Permit No. 2223

Mission Services Assn

P.

0.

Bok

Kno;<ville

Z4Z7

TN

37901-2427

itnq-

"By faith they sojourned in the land....

lAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCnATIC OEPUBUC

looking forward to a city which has foundations,

whose builder and maker is God."
HEB. 11:8-10

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke

Box 108

3106 Summit Ave.

Alan & Janet Bemo

Ml

Nongkhai 43000
Thailand

St. Joseph, MO 64506

(816) 279-7783

April - July 1991

MMlMCi CtflUC

NAieHU UHOlfl
mnnti aqhoih
M

A M

Dear Friends,

novmCfs wiiH CAi.rCKii

cVi'

.)c< K r-

Soon after we last wrote, the two weirs were finished and I got back
to Veintiane on May 26th. (What in the world is a weir??? "A weir*^
is a small dam which mises the level of a stream so water can flow

into an irrigation canal. It usually does not create areservoir.") Because of this about 200 acres of Ian

are now being irrigated so that 400 tons of rice can be produced a yeai.

Afew days after I got back we went to Bangkok to meet Nathan and Sarah who arrived for summer

break on June 6th. What ajoy to see them again. One day later Ientered the hospital for an operation
for a reoccurring hernia. What a way to spend your vacation! Four days later we took a trip to see

the bridge on the River Kwai. I had acomfortable seat while Janet and the kids ran around and saw,
the museum, cemetery, trains, bridge, and waterfall. I got around a little, but
^

teresting to ride over some of the same track laid by the forced labor oi allied POMs.

The doctor had told me to take it easy for three weeks 1

and this I did writing up reports back at the office in ^

Vientiane. Then, the beginning ofJuly, our whole family
left for our project site - Xiengkho, in Houaphan pro
vince (see map). Since we had to depend on public

transportation it took us 7days to get there. Four days

were spent in actual travel. The other three days to see
some local sights along the way. One was the Plain of
Jars. This is a large open plain on which can be found
several clustersofhuge stonejars which have been left
there by some ancient culture. No one is quite certain
who made them or why ~ maybe they are religious ar
tifacts or are for burial, or making wine. On another

Nniiiun..

Driver. Sarah. a,ui .laiu-i u-iih (i itane jar.

day, we went out to see the caves where people hid durii;^g the time toHs of bombs woi'c di'opped ou this area

by American planes. This is the rainy season and it rained a little each day. The last day we traveled
it was raining in earnest all day. The six-wheeled truck we traveled in along with 45 other people^, got
stuck in a swollen stream and all the men had to get out and push. We got there safely but could not

get out to do any work for two more days as it was raining solid. The river came up about 20 teet.
The rivei' actually came up twice while we were there and the second tinie most of the fish were killed
by the muddy water. It was really something to see fish of ail sizes being taken out of the river by
the hundreds to be eaten or dried.

While we were there we were able to check on the two weirs, which were doing great, and survey some

other sites where we plan to start projects soon. It looks like we will be doing three more weirs, and
two village water systems, besides drilling some wells. It was so great having the kids there. The villagers
loved them. Nathan spent a whole day helping me by surveying with the transit-level. This particular
village was Black Thai and in appreciation they made him a Black Thai outfit.
Everywhere we go we try to be a witness by deed and word. Sometimes we get real opportunities to

teach. In one village where we spent the night while surveying there, they asked about our religion. A
Lao that I had been teaching and who had accompanied me, started teaching, even though he hirnseli
is not yet a follower. His enthusiasm was thrilling, I also gave a testimony. Goose bumps rose on my body
as I realized I again had the privilege of sharing the gospel where it had never been told. At another
village we were asked to spend the night so we could really see their medical and spiritual needs. I^ally.

One woman, standing there with 50 lbs. of corn on her back, said, "If you would stay the night and Jisit

around you would see what a problem we have with sickness and evil spirits." Aman squatting off to

one side said, "Don't bother them about spirits. They don't know anything about that stuff. I said, Yes
we do! We are Christians and Jesus has power over evil spirits. He ca.n chase thern away I thought we
were going to get taken up on it right then and there The woman said, "Next time spent sorne time
here" I believe the time is coming when there will be spiritual confrontations in these villages. We are
just praying for God's timing. We are determined to not pass up an opportunity to tell of His greatness
but at the same time don't want to be too pushy ourselves.

Now is the sad time for the kids to go back to school. We will miss them so much. Sarah is getUng to
be such a beautiful young lady and agreat cook. She'll be in the 9th grade. Nathan is going to be a Senior
already Is it possible? He's been such a help to me this summer and Lord willing, I look forward to
more years working with him. Pray for their loneliness away from home, and lor their spiritual growt .
Nathan, especially has so many decisions to make this year. They would love any small care packages.
Their address is: Dalat Schooi, Ihnjong Bungah Rd., Penang, Malaysia. So that l^ves precious little
Rachel home with her mamma and papa. She really misses her brothers and sisters, but she is a territic
boost to us all and loved by all the Lao.

/IA real boost to the work in Laos is the arrival of the Love Family They arrived the first of June. Tbm

//has already made two trips up-country and has some neat programs lined up in agriculture. We are look// ing forward to working together.

Early in June we got a phone call from the States telling us Janet's mom was having heart trouble We\
talked to her and to her doctor. She is now taking medicine for it and has oxygen in her room lor when

she over exerts. We sure appreciate your prayers for her and us as we consider what we need to do. J
-

Alan & Janet

UO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

"By faith they sojourned in the land....

looking forward to a city which has foundations,

yl

whose builder and maker is God."

HEB, 11:8-10

."V

>

li

slT' \\--s
^
// U
J
V-v-,

-"v .-.

Alan & Janet Bemo

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
Box 108

Nongkhai 43000

St. Joseph, MO 64506

(816) 279-7783

Thailand

Yokefellow:
Linda Goerke
3106 Summit Ave.

PWriNCE CAPiUL

''

NAflONAL lOAOCR

PAOVlHCf BOflOCR

ROAO ' 13

novwcfs itHCMuws

October 12, 1991

Dear Friends & Co-workers,

Surprise! We are writing from here in the U.S.A.! We have returned for

a short time in order to help mom Dittemore. She is 82 and Janet is her
only daughter. In August she fell and broke her right arm up close to the

shoulder. She had to have a pin put in for it to heal properly. Through the month that followed she lost use
ofher right hand. The stress ofthe accident has caused her to be forgetful and she has generally gone downhill.

With the advice of family, doctor, and friends we returned on September 30 to do what we can to help by en
couraging her, working with her on physical therapy, and organizing her financial affairs. We and others have

seen the improvement since we have come back. We hope you will pray for her. I am planning on returning
to Laos on November 9th and Janet on November 27th. We are staying with her at #241, Spring River Chris
tian Village, 201 Park Lane, Joplin, MO 64083. The telephone number is 417-782-2225.

On our way to the States we stopped in Malaysia for a few days to see Nathan and Sarah who are in boarding
school there. We did not want them to feel abandoned. Nathan, being in his senior year, has a lot of decisions
to make about the next step in his life. He's a dedicated Christian and interested in Bible College first. Sarah
is well adjusted in her freshman year. She is beautiful, sweet, and smart. Please-no letters from boys-she is
too boy-crazy already. Rachel is with us and enjoying a month or so of "American School" here in Joplin.
I have been able to spend some time with my parents too, and we are seeing our state-side
kids while we are here. Becky came to Joplinlast week-end and Beth has flown up from Ibxas
with our grand daughter (her daughter). I have seen her and it took a few .days for her to
get used to us. This week Jon and Michelle are coming up from Florida. We'll up-date you
on all their happenings next newsletter.

Since we wrote last I have spent the latter part of August and most of September in Vien
Grandpa & Praise
getting acquainted

tiane getting 1992 projects figured and written up. We will be doing over $30,000 worth of
water resource projects next year. These are paid for by FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY. They
include four irrigation dams, which will irrigate 350 acres of paddy fields, and four village
gravity-fed water systems to provide clean water for domestic use for 1,460 people. The most

exciting part is that we will be able to be God's witnesses in five villages that have never had an opportunity
to know the name of Jesus in the history of the world! Besides this we will be able to do follow up work in
three villages we worked in last year.

As soon as I get back to Laos I will be going right up-country to start gearing up for the 1992 projects. I
will be visiting the villages where the projects are to be done and get the villagers started collecting sand and
gravel, and doing road repair so cement can be delivered. I will alsobe ordering cement and steel from Vietnam.

We are really excited about the opportunities inLaos and want to thank you foryour support and prayers which
are making it all possible
In Jesus,

Alan Bemo

//z 't55

Hioii

*7^ ^emo- '4 S<uc^(utn'ttut^ ctt

/RSJ-

LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

'By faith they sojourned in the land....

looking forward to a city which has foundations,

'X

whose builder and maker is God."

HEB. 11:8-10

Alan & Janet Bemo

imo
FOOD FOR THEC HUNGRY

Yokefellow:

Linda Goerke
3106 Summit Ava

Box 108

;y
T/^ _ A

St. Joseph, MO 64506

(816) 279-7783

Nongkhai 43000
Thailand

December 23, 1991

KDVINCE eWEf)

KMC.,

L. _ - WINCESwiin CKU11CM6S

-r' KAMPUCHU

/'

T>

-n

Dear Friends,
-

^ I

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
T

1
n

We were in the States for a

saa^tiSBiWMaBiKxs'

short visitwhen we last wrota

Janet's mom, Isabel Dittemore, is doing much better. She has had

the pin removed from her arm and is responding to physical therapy.

|r

xyH^BPHEif^

She had a bout with a viral infection in November which was real-

ly hard on her but she isover that now too. She continues to need
our prayers. We had a wonderful time visiting with my parents and

e* ^
'

I arrived back in Laos on November 12th and Janet on November

30th.
There was a FHI staff meeting
with our director from Scott,,
11T
sdale on the 13th and then on the 14th I went up-country with a

-Ifi
Mom Dittemore in her room.

consultant who was sent to check up on the irrigation projects. He was there for two days and said,
In myfive years of experience, this was the best example of development I have seen." Needless to say,
that gave me much encouragement. He left and I stayed up there for about three more weeks. I was
able to visit all the 1992 project sites. We discussed with villagers how much sand, gravel, stone, and
lumber they had to get ready. I was also able to order 100 tons of cement, three motor cycles, and
some reinforcing steel. Now we are all set to get started in January. By the way, FHI has purchased
a four wheel drive truck so work should go much easier now.

We are so excited about being in this place-one of the neediest countries of the world and a province
where the gospel has never been preached. I can't imagine a more challenging situation. I am so anx
ious to tell you some details of spiritual ministries here but must be very careful. A man from the

Menonite Central Committee waskicked out ofthe country the first of December for what the govern
ment considered Christian activities. Things are tense here now politically too. So please don't post
or publish our newsletter. What I would like to tell you is that on this last trip I was able to witness
to about 20 men in a new village we are going to be working in and do some specific teaching to one
man in particular. In another village I overheard a conversation. "What is it with Alan? He's different.

He doesn't smoke or drink and he is a good man. He works right along side us. Why is he different?"
The other man said, "It's because he is a very religious man. He is a Christian. You don't know what

that is. Well, he worships the God, Jesus. It is a good religion. Let me tell you some of its teaching."
He then proceeded to tell him a parable. He, himself, is not a Christian yet, and he did not tell the
parable perfectly, but he got the point across. I was overcome with joy. I feel like seed has been planted
and that there will be a wonderful harvest because of it. If it is God's will, we will have many more
opportunities before this life ends. Let us work while it is yet day, for the night is coming when man's
work is done.

The kids arrived in Bangkok on December 12th for their

mid-term break. Nathan had minor surgery of a varicose
vein on the 17th and is recovering fine from that. It is

so good to be together for this short time

Christmas is always a hectic time for us. No, the shopp
ing is all done. It is visiting the relatives that makes it
almost always impossible to open our presents together
exactly on the 25th. This year Nathan and I are going to
Thailand to take part in a Christmas revival in

Piangluang which is being held from the 22nd to the

26th. Many of you will remember this being a Chinese
village where we worked for seven years and lived in for
three years. These Chinese brethren are our spiritual
raise Jon
jon &micneiie
With Beth & Praise,
& Michelle in
in U.S.
U.S.

'"'/'/id//,/,,//,,,,// ,,, , ,

children in the faith. We watched the church there grow

from 7weak Christians to a congregation of over 100. Now

they have asked me to come and preach for them. So Janet, Sarah, & Rachel will await our return
to have our family Christmas on the morning of the 29th. During this holiday season we are looking
forward to having one of Nathan's high school teachers visit us.

I have a very important announcement to tell you. Yes, we are expecting two more grandchildren, but
that isn't it. We are planning on being hack in the States for a 6 month furlough July to December
of 1992. This is the best time to be away from Laos work-wise. If you have a special event you would

like us to attend during that time please let us know as soon as possible so we can schedule it. We
are going to try to see as many of you as possible during this time. It will be a time of getting our
son Nathan into Bible college.

Our expectations in the Lord are high in this new year and we know yours are too. Let's work as though
He will be returning any day...perhaps He will. God bless you in 1992, dear brothers and sisters in
the Lord.

Your Co-workers

Alan & Janet Bemo

Central Christian Church

1501 N. Leonard Road

NON-PROFIT

U.S. Postage
PAID

St. Joseph, MO 64506

St. Joseph, MO

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Permit Na 2223

Mission Services Assn

P.

Q.

Box 427

Knoxvi 1 le TN

37901-ii427

liiHiiitiililiilliiitnltiilililiilitliliiiililiiil