Jon and Phoebe's thetomyumkongs journey.

our reflections in the field.

  • Updates from the Kongs – Aug to Oct ’23

    Updates from the Kongs – Aug to Oct ’23

    It has been a whirlwind 3 months since we have arrived in Thailand and settled at Lopburi! Day by day, we are getting used to the quieter and slower pace of life. One thing that we have been getting used to living in Lopburi is the lack of public transport options compared to Singapore, with…

  • Ask for the ancient paths

    Ask for the ancient paths

    by Phoebe “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16 After living in Thailand for about three months, there have been several times where Thais have tried to give us…

  • A kitten’s death

    A kitten’s death

    by Phoebe My favourite kitten in our neighbourhood died. She belonged to our landlord, who is also living directly opposite our house. I named her Planin, a Thai name for “black tilapia”, because we fed her fish and she was grey with white socks. Planin was sweet and affectionate. Almost everyday, she would come over…

  • End of the Journey?

    End of the Journey?

    by Jon “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you…’” Genesis 12:1 As we are writing this, we have been in Lopburi for about two weeks and we thank God for His protection and strength. It…

  • Sweep your lawn daily

    Sweep your lawn daily

    By Jon “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”James 1:14 – 15 In front of our house at Lopburi there is a big frangipani tree.…

  • The Inconvenient Sacrifice

    The Inconvenient Sacrifice

    by Jon “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” Mark 15:21 Recently, I have been contemplating this passage in the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. After being mocked, beaten and led out of…

  • Quick updates from the Kongs from the OMF International Center (Singapore)!

    Quick updates from the Kongs from the OMF International Center (Singapore)!

    We took a two-month break from ministry to prepare for our departure – it was a meaningful time going on holidays with family and friends. We also had a supporters’ gathering on 21 June evening (see photos below) – We are thankful for our home church leadership, agency representative, family and friends who attended and…

  • A day called ‘Today’

    A day called ‘Today’

    by Jon “God again set a certain day, calling it ‘Today.’ ” – Hebrews 4:7 As I am writing this, we have started packing our home in preparation for our move back to Thailand this year. This week was spent putting beloved books that we have chosen to keep into boxes, sealing them up and…

  • Updates from the Kongs – Jan to Apr ’23

    Updates from the Kongs – Jan to Apr ’23

    Dear friends, We hope you had a good start to 2023 and a blessed Easter! As 2023 began, both Jon and Phoebe sensed that this is a year which we are called to step out in faith. We submitted our letters of resignation to leave our local church as full-time workers by end-April. We also…

  • Last gift for Popo

    Last gift for Popo

    by Jon “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 Phoebe’s grandmother, affectionately known as Popo, passed away today. We received news on the afternoon of Chinese New Year eve that Popo collapsed…

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