Paul and I flew out to Bangkok last week for team development with MTW Thailand. It was a really great time for all the missionaries/staff of MTW Thailand. We still have a lot to think through and work through and figure out how we are going to operate within Thailand, but it was so beneficial to all be in the same place to pray and talk and plan. One of the greatest joys of being in Bangkok this time was the time spent with our Thai family. We had time to just sit and talk and listen to what the Lord is doing and has done over the past 4 years we've been gone. Last summer when we traveled out to Thailand, we had one day with our Thai family...and it just wasn't enough. In fact, I've regretted that we didn't have more time. I didn't have time to sit with Tang and hear her stories of being pregnant or hear her excitement of a new baby. And the reality is, I will never again have that time with Tang, on this earth. So, this year, it was truly a blessing to stop in at Napada and visit with the women there and hear how they are doing. It was a blessing to worship with our brothers and sisters in Thai again. It was a blessing to hear of all the challenges and hardships the past two years or so have brought and how the Lord, alone, has been faithful to His people. This is the testimony of our Lord...He is faithful. He is calling people to Himself in Ram 2. He is growing His people in His likeness...and that is just exciting and wonderful to see. Please continue to pray for our Thai brothers and sisters as well as for the missionaries serving alongside them. The forces of darkness are very real but Christ's light is shining. I have been reflecting on our time...and the stories I've heard from people I love dearly. I have been overwhelmed with the fractured, broken lives of so many all because of sin. I have felt as though we're just one small drip of fresh water...there are so many needs and mostly the need for a Savior...for Jesus...and how can a handful of missionaries and Christians be agents of change? But, what the Lord has been showing me, is that He is faithful. People, through their hardships are coming to Christ. He is humbling hearts and bringing repentance and full dependence on Himself. His Spirit is the agent of change...and He is changing lives and transforming hearts. I am realizing that this work is messy. It's rarely going to be a nice clean break. It's all for our good, for our holiness and for Christ's glory alone. MTW Thailand has been in the Ram 2 community almost a decade...and we're starting to see more and more fruit. For all those who have come and invested in lives, the Lord has been faithful to use you, in some small way. Has it been perfect? Nope. Have we all made mistakes? Yep. Are we weak? Yep. But, the wonderful thing is that Jesus has taken all our failures, weakness and mistakes and is making something beautiful and new...and that is just exciting to see!
P'Lek and her daughter, Som-O. P'Lek is a new believer from the Maahaadthai community.
P'Chai faithfully serving Christ over these past years at New City Fellowship Church.
Another joy we had was to hear NaamFon's testimony of her time in the mountains among the Karen people after Sunday worship. Her missionary heart was evident to all. We thank God for her obedience in following Him into a very hard place to serve and her heart for these people who are so marginalized in Thai society.
NaamFon sharing about her time among the Karen people after worship on Sunday.
Another joy we had was to attend the new Grace City Church Bangkok worship service Sunday afternoon. Our prayer for Thailand has always been to see multiple churches planted, and to see this group of worshipers was so encouraging. I was especially struck by the sheer volume of praise these people exuded. There was joy and it was abundant! We had to bolt fairly quickly after the service to catch our flight, but we were sure glad we got to worship with this group as well.
waiting for worship to begin...
musicians practicing.
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