Grace International School Loses Bid to Keep Current Campus.  Court Ruling Jeopardizes Kids!

Hundreds of missionary kids and their families are wondering about their future schooling, the result of a recent court decision that awards possession of the Grace International School campus to a local neighborhood association.  Grace International School, located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, serves the children of missionaries from more than 26 different nations.  Purchased eleven years ago, the school occupies facilities that housed a popular athletic club.  While the school has enjoyed the gymnasium, athletic courts, weight and racquetball courts and Olympic-sized swimming pool for more than a decade, the Nittibukon, an association representing the surrounding neighborhood, recently sued to regain control of the property. 

The court case concluded in August with the judge ruling in favor of the association, meaning, in effect, that Grace International School will have to restore the property to its original condition and turn it over to the association.  Grace is appealing this decision, but is making plans for relocation.

Don Williams, GIS superintendent, is hopeful that a just resolution will come from the appeal.  “Right now the courts are saying that we must restore the facilities, hand the deeds over to the Nittibukon, AND pay a fine in excess of $140,000 -- despite the fact that in our original purchase all due diligence was pursued to ensure the legality of the transfer.  We’re praying that won’t be the ultimate judgment!  But it is obvious that we must begin now to plan for new facilities.  And we need them! We simply have no more room for growth.”

Should the courts not rule in favor of Grace, the school will be forced to vacate within the next year.  As a result, Grace is beginning the task of raising $10 million to purchase land and build new facilities. 

PLEASE PRAY for the hundreds of Christian-worker families in Thailand who are now uncertain about the future of their school!  And PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY to help with the relocation plans for Grace International School!

GIEF Launches Saving Grace Project to meet urgent needs at GIS...

While Grace International School is is appealing the court’s decision, plans are underway to deal with the probably need to relocate the secondary classes -- even as soon as this summer.

GIEF CEO Tom Matyas announced the launching of Saving Grace! -- a project to raise the estimated $2.5 million needed to relocate classes to temporary facilities while purchasing and preparing land for development and construction of a new and expanded campus to serve all grade levels.

“Saving Grace is a chance to inform and involve the broad community of Christians across the globe who believe in the value or missionary education,” says Tom.  “We’re using the power of the Internet, social media, public relations, and more to get the word out about Saving Grace!” 

GIEF is asking for people to pray that God will stir thousands to action on behalf of the school -- giving time, praying for His provision, giving financially, telling others. 

“We can work together to mobilize thousands of people to the cause of Grace International School and the preservation of its ministry in Thailand.  Please become a part of Saving Grace!”

The Saving Grace Project is gaining momentum!  Hundreds of friends and fans are joining the effort to “save” Grace!  You can visit the official web site of The Saving Grace Project for regularly updated  information about this effort.  You’ll find resources that can help spread the news to others who can help with The Saving Grace Project!