Well, I suppose it's about time for an update... we've been kept pretty busy prepping for Christmas outreaches, so it's been a while. Here's a bit of what we've been up to!
So December 1st I had the privilege of going to an MCA (M*anmar Christian Assembly) discipleship school graduation, to see 7 of our B*rmese interns graduate. It was an amazing day of worship, prayer, and celebration, as the grads all shared what God had been teaching them and how they were laying down their lives to serve Him! So now, together with the B*rmese leadership team and interns, we have been prepping for Christmas parties and outreaches at all 3 Lighthouse Churches (in Chachoengsao, Bo Thong, and Bang Sai). It's meant lots of decorating, wrapping gifts, practicing music and dramas, and praying for the people that will be attending. Many people have no idea what Christmas is truly about. So, as we throw Christmas parties and celebrate, we also have the incredible chance to share the reason for the season! So be in prayer for our team and the people here - for open hearts as we share the gospel!
setting up the tree in the Bang Sai church! |
putting up lights on the outside of the church - definitely don't want to fall in here! |
Jeremy and I also had the chance to go to a big evangelistic crusade in Bangkok (also put on by MCA). Over 200 people attended and 182 of them became Christians that weekend! Then, Saturday night, in the hotel pool, over 150 of them were baptized! It was truly an amazing evening! I'm sure there was much rejoicing in heaven, as many B*rmese people decided to follow Christ!
In the middle of Crusades and Christmas Parties, we've also been doing weekly music ministry with a bunch of Thai children and youth at the Bethel Church (together with 2 Trekker's from the Thai Trek team). The Bethel Church is in a small village between Chachoengsao and Bangkok, which originally started as a small kids club on a mat under a tree, and has grown into a great ministry with amazing Thai leaders! Some of youth in the area had wandered away from the Lord and were no longer coming to church, but were interested in music lessons. So, a few weeks ago we walked around in the village, with Louise, and invited them to come learn drums, piano, bass, and guitar. Now they've been coming every week, with huge smiles, and are learning worship songs! Jeremy's been teaching two young girls how to play drums, and it's been awesome to see God softening their hearts and giving them joy. Last week we taught the whole group Joy to the World, and they did a fantastic job! What a talented bunch of kids!
Here's a link to the kids playing Joy to the World: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152473770097267&set=vb.535742266&type=2&theater
teaching piano in Bang Sai |
Thai kids club! |
Last night we got to go to a huge Christmas Party for everyone involved with the Thailand Mennonite Brethren Foundation (which includes the 3 B*rmese Churches, and the Thai Churches and orphanage). There were 75 people there, including missionaries, 3 Trek teams, and all the Thai and B*rmese leaders and their families! It was quite the celebration!
Ricky (part of team2000 - the 3 families that came to Thailand 14 years ago, including Dave and Louise) shared about God's goodness and how they've seen His hand at work as their ministries have multiplied in a big way! What started as 3 families has now grown to over 50 national leaders, and multiple church plants! The work has also spread into L*aos, C*mbodia, and B*rma! Isn't God amazing?!
So, we invite you to continue to partner with the work that God is doing here in Southeast Asia! Continue to pray for the missionaries, the national leaders, the 3 Trek teams, and the churches. And pray that God would work through the Christmas outreaches to draw more and more people to Himself.
Also, pray for the 7 B*rmese interns. They are with us only for a few short weeks, to help with Christmas, and then on the 21st, they are headed into B*rma to re-visit some of the villages we were in, as well as some new ones. They will be sharing the gospel, strengthening the existing churches, and planting new ones. And, out of those 7 interns, only 1 is returning after a month. The rest are staying in villages to continue to church plant and serve God! These are amazing and passionate young adults that have given their lives to serve God. They know that it could cost them everything, and that they may undergo persecution; but they also know that it's absolutely worth it all!
Blessings!
Wow! You are being blessed and blessing others as you join God in inviting more brothers and sisters to the family. Carol and I can hardly wait to be with you this January and meet the new family.
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