We're getting down to our last few weeks in Thailand, which is an incredibly bittersweet feeling. Jeremy and I are super excited to see our friends and family back home, to attend my grad at SBC, and to be back in our home churches (what a privilege it will be to hear sermons and worship in our heart language again!). Yet, the B*rmese people here have become our family. We feel incredibly at home here and have formed amazing friendships as we serve the Lord together. Words can't even describe how hard it will be to leave.
So, this last week, we've really been reflecting on all that we've seen God do since we've been here. And let me tell you, we have seen so much growth and transformation!! Yes, there have been struggles and hardships, and we have spent much time on our knees for the churches and people around us; but God has truly done an amazing work here, and continues to!
2 Cor. 5:17 has really been on my mind lately. In just 5 short months we have seen people come to know Christ for the first time, surrender their lives to His Lordship, and begin sharing the hope that they have with others. We have seen people radically change as God begins working in their hearts and their lives. And that inner transformation also affects the outer - their faces radiate with the joy of the Lord, their eyes are filled with a new-found hope, and as our dear friend Mary would say, "because of Jesus always smile"! It has been such a blessing to grow alongside these passionate new believers and hear testimonies week after week of how they are experiencing God at work! Praise God!
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| Nong May sharing the love of Christ |
Captivating - Nong May's Story
The young children sat rapt in attention as the story-teller wove her tale. Bursts of laughter, poignant sighs, anger, flashed across the faces of her young listeners. Nong May was at it again. May is a story-teller. Trapped in her wheel chair she takes people on adventures, using only her imagination. May’s voice and eyes captivate her listeners as she brings them along with her.
May is handicapped and in Thai society most people see her as a person who is worthless: A burden to her family and the people around her. May feels the sting of rejection and many days she just wants to stay at home, alone.
But these days, May comes to the Hope Center (the Thai ministry center in Chachoengsao) full of joy and laughter. She knows God’s love and wants to share His love with her friends. Her face sparkles with laughter as she tells the story of Jesus choosing her and healing her soul. May has friends, loads of friends and they are all attracted to the love and hope that her life radiates. May is captivated by God’s love and this love is captivating the hearts of her friends.
- written by Dave Sinclair-Peters (MB Mission missionary in Thailand)
I have been blessed to get to know May over the last 5 months. Every Tuesday we head to her village to teach some of the youth and kids music. And wow, is this girl ever talented. While many people never thought she would ever be able to play any instrument, she is now an incredibly talented piano player (thanks to Louise SP and Naomi from the Thai Trek team), and really good bass player! And the blessings and gifts of music that she has received, she freely gives to others. As Naomi and I have taught her piano and bass, May is now teaching other kids how to play! She truly is a joy to be around and a blessing to everyone around her!
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| worshiping on the beach - with all 3 churches! |
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| the 5 new believers being baptized (plus Jeremy and I, and Pastor Isaiah) |
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| food and fellowship! |
Peace that Surpasses All Understanding - Nyein Aye Than's Story
We first met Nyein Aye Than in January. She had returned to live with her husband, and he had just become a believer that December. So here she was, sitting in the Bang Sai church, having never ever heard the name of Jesus before. Immediately I felt God place this young woman on my heart and I began praying for her eyes and heart to be opened to the grace and love of God. She faithfully began to attend church, and bible studies, and Mary and Moe lovingly took her under their wing and shared Christ with her. However, she still was hard-hearted and full of anger and confusion. Slowly, God began to soften her heart, and she began to realize her need for Jesus. In the last couple months she finally gave her life to Christ, and we've seen her come alive. She was baptized this last Sunday, and I was moved to tears as she shared her testimony - declaring that Jesus is her Lord and she wants to live for Him alone. Wow! 4 months ago she hadn't even heard about Christ... what a miracle and answer to prayer! Since being baptized, she shared about how God has taken away her anger and bitterness and replaced it with just an incredible peace. Every time we see her now, she has a huge smile, and it is so clear that the love of Christ is in her. The change is this woman truly is unreal! I really believe that God is going to use her to bring many others into His kingdom!
We continue to praise God for all he is doing - for the lives He makes new, and the way He relentlessly pursues the hearts of His children!
Please continue to join us in prayer!
- Pray for the new believers that were just baptized, that they would continue to grow in their knowledge of the Lord, continue to seek after Him with all their heart, and share all that Christ has done in their lives with those around them
- Pray for the churches in Chachoengsao, Bang Sai, and Bo Thong - that they would continue to be a light in their communities, and that they would continue to seek out the lost and offer hope
- Pray for the B*rmese interns - for wisdom and humility as they share the gospel and build God's Kingdom
- Pray for Jeremy and I, as we begin to transition and prepare to come back to North America - it will be a huge cultural adjustment, and we really need your prayers
God bless!
