Tate's smile and great attitude made him well liked by many of the staff and students.
Also lack of a haircut turned Tate's curly locks into a massive 5 inch Afro which has added to who Tate is. It's a bit of an attraction and has become and awesome tool for him to use in ministry.
Everyone looks at him, everyone asks if it's real. Tate told us that a grandma watched him everyday and waited until the last day telling him that she couldn't stand it anymore she needed to talk to him and ask if it was real. Everyone comes with smiles and some giggles, it is opening doors for him no one expected.
Tate learned a lot doing his DTS. He came back with wisdom and more direction. He is finding his strengths and weaknesses. He sees his purpose in life and is confident that it's in ministry. We as a family are very proud of him.
On our trip North to see his graduation there were so many little connections that were made it's crazy and has me asking why. What is God doing?
For example;
*Zach from Hawaii and short term missionary with us knew one of the girls at the YWAM.
*Cath on the left in the blue we've known for years got to be in Tate's group and helped him a lot.
*Tate's older sister lives a couple blocks away from where Tate stayed and he's been taking her to church.
*We sat for dinner that night and a pastor I had been talking to on facebook was sitting at the next table.
*Ream's aunt lives up there in Battambang as Tate came with us to visit Ream's aunt, Ream's niece
there knew Tate. Turns out she just started going to YWAM English classes. She saw us at the
graduation but didn't know who Ream was yet. It totally made the nieces day and has opened the door to family about being a Christian.
And there's more.
For me it's fascinating to drive hundreds of miles away to find it feels like your at home.
We also took Keo, Sreypov, Tong and Yong to see the school and the graduation. It helped them feel less nervous and rather a bit excited to go. Tate's experience so far has been very positive for the rest of the kids at the house, their extremely proud of him. Even the school is a buzz with pride for him they are so excited he'll be back in January and of course they loved his hair. There was a dozen teachers around him the first day.
Another good thing as Tate will be in the next class and he'll be there when our other 4 kids get there. It's going to make that very easy for them.
Tate and Tong with their older sister. You can help them pray for her as she's been going to church lately.
Just a small note, college funds from Firecracker Golf Tournament makes Tate's education possible.
