Focused on building self-sufficient congregations, Tom and Christine Poovong provide pastoral leadership to emerging Christian communities in northeastern Thailand. 

In 2025 they moved to Ubon Ratchathani area working in two villages together with local church leaders who want to develop sustainable communities of faith through income generation and discipleship training.  Presently they are working on organic agriculture projects as part of the Friends of Grace church network, FGC Food.  Sweet potatoes and rice are rotated through the seasons for full year production.  

Phimchanouk and Joseph Poovong are being home-schooled and connect with several families in the area for English classes.

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 Mennonite Church Alberta continues to sponsor two South Sudanese students who began a 4-year theological degree program at the Meserete Kristos Seminary, after the Edmonton South Sudanese Mennonite church requested help for their brothers and sisters in Christ in the refugee camps and surrounding areas in the Gambella region in West Ethiopia.

Gatjiak Tongyik (Simon) and Khan Gatkuoth Issac (Isaac), are doing well in their studies. Isaac has one year remaining while Simon has two. They return to South Sudan twice yearly  and preach in their respective churches. MKS extends its sincere gratitude to Mennonite Church Alberta (MCA) for its continued support of these two South Sudanese students.

Photos: Isaac on the left, Simon on the right. 

(Full update provided by Gishu Jebecha Ebissa, Meserete Kristos Seminary, via MC Canada International Witness)