


I saw the first image below as my friend's phone backdrop. I was intrigued and asked. Then I started exploring... and just found it all so interesting.So, now I'll ask you all, how are they all related?
"These are not monuments, but footprints. A monument only says, 'At least I made it this far,' while a footprint says, 'This is where I was when I moved again.'" -William Faulkner
"The inspiring account of one man's campaign to build schools in the most dangerous, remote, and anti-American reaches of Asia."
Match Day is a quick and informative read about 3 women going through the process of getting into residency. Most people outside medicine might not realize it but applying for residency is not as straight forward as just applying for a job. Matching involves submitting an application and then getting interviews (pretty straight forward)... but after that the 4th year student makes a list of their favorite programs, places they want to go. At the same time the programs make a list of which people they want to work with them. Both parties submit their lists to the NRMP and then on the 3rd Thursday in March everyone finds out where they'll be for the next 3-7 years.
Grace International School in Chiang Mai, Thailand, offers affordable, high quality education to the children of Christian workers in Southeast Asia. One-third of the world’s population, more than two billion people, live within a three hour plane flight from Chiang Mai, making it a strategic location. Grace has been in existence for 10 years and has served more than 1,500 students from more than 20 countries. The ministry of GIS enables hundreds of missionaries to minister in SE Asia.A recent lawsuit brought against Grace International School has jeopardized the future use of the current school facilities. This suit was filed by the Nittibukon, a neighborhood association legally recognized by the government, charging that GIS had purchased the current property and facilities illegally.
When Grace purchased the property, all papers were properly filed in government offices and the title deeds were legally transferred to the school. All proper due diligence was taken to ensure the legality of the purchase. Due to the enactment of a recent law regarding consumer protection, the Nittibukon claimed what they believe is their right to have the property given to them.
In August, 2009, the court ruled against Grace International School, requiring the school to:
- Abandon the facility and turn the land deeds over to them
- Restore the facilities to their original condition
- Pay a fine in excess of $140,000
Grace will appeal this decision and is working to pursue a just resolution in this case. Should the appeals courts not rule in our favor, GIS will be forced to vacate the facilities in the next year. It is therefore vitally urgent that the school acquire/obtain a new facility. However, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, it is clear that GIS needs to relocate in order to continue to grow in the coming years. The current facility is bursting at the seams and admittance of new students has been limited/restricted.
We ask for your prayers! Please pray for God’s provision for GIS, as well as wisdom for school administrators as they guide the school during this challenging time. GIS must raise $10 million dollars to purchase property and build a new campus. But we serve a GREAT GOD who goes before us! We are thankful for God’s provision these last ten years, and we look forward to seeing how God will provide for the coming years.
And here's a little video for you all to check out:
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