In a recent letter we asked you to pray for our upcoming missions trip to the northeast region of Thailand, called Isaan. As you may know, many of our church members are from that region and we wanted to give them the opportunity to go home and "tell what great things the Lord has done".
So...we loaded almost 30 people into 3 pickups and headed off:
Bob and Chris's truck soon became "party central" as the teens claimed it as their own, as well as the bongos and assorted other instruments (including a plastic bucket and roll of duct tape). The singing was non-stop!
The first place we visited was Aunt Kham's family. She hadn't been home in years and wasn't even sure how many of her relatives were still alive. They were thrilled to see her and hosted us with grace and kindness. When the gospel was presented to her family and neighbors that evening, several responded by praying to believe in Jesus!
Before we left the next day we gathered them together for one last "prayer meeting".
Our next stop was for lunch at the home village of her husband, Uncle Man. He hadn't been home in over 40 years, but he remembered the way with only a few stops to confirm we were on the right track. Here we presented the gospel again, through drama, songs, and testimonies. Again, several indicated their desire to follow Jesus.We managed to round up a few kids for a teaching time as well. Some of them took one look at the white folks and ran away, but the braver ones stayed.
Below: That's Uncle Man in the blue shirt. When he got up to share, he had a song sheet with him, and we wondered if he was going to sing. Then we noticed that he held it up in front of his face as he spoke and we realised that he was crying as he shared his love for Jesus with his family! Well, we all joined in...
Everywhere we went we were warmly received and "fed and watered" really well. The next stop was our co-worker Naat's home village. She had only been back once in many years, and there had been many problems in her relationships with her father and siblings.
In the evening we held a sort of street party in front on Naat's sisters house, and many people from her street came over to check out the singing and dancing. Quite a few took gospels of John in Thai and other literature.
Below: That's Uncle Man in the blue shirt. When he got up to share, he had a song sheet with him, and we wondered if he was going to sing. Then we noticed that he held it up in front of his face as he spoke and we realised that he was crying as he shared his love for Jesus with his family! Well, we all joined in...
Everywhere we went we were warmly received and "fed and watered" really well. The next stop was our co-worker Naat's home village. She had only been back once in many years, and there had been many problems in her relationships with her father and siblings.
In the evening we held a sort of street party in front on Naat's sisters house, and many people from her street came over to check out the singing and dancing. Quite a few took gospels of John in Thai and other literature.On our way out of town the next day we went to seen Naat's 78 year old father. Louise very gently explained the gospel to him, and when asked, he said he would like to believe in Jesus too! It was a very emotional time for Naat, and for the rest of us as well.
On our way to our next destination we took a detour to visit a young couple who used to live in Chachoengsao, and who had come to faith in our church. They went "back home" to have their second child. It was an opportunity to see them and the new baby, as well as to share a little with their family and neighbors.
The next stop was the home village of Gaow. We stayed at the home of her sister and family and the next morning presented the gospel again. Here several ladies prayed to recieve Jesus also.
Our final destination was to the home of May. May had not been home in many years also, but again God blessed her with almost perfect recall as she directed us right to a small market where her aunt and sister were selling. It was a very emotional reunion as May was reunited with the aunt who raised her when she was rejected by her mother at a very young age.
May has carried anger and bitterness toward her mother for rejecting her all of her life. A miracle happened on our last day as May and her mother sat together and Naat and others spoke to them both about the need to forgive and let go of all the pain they have felt and caused each other. It was a battle, but God won the victory as their hearts melted and they were able to embrace and be prayed for together.
All in all, we covered almost 2000 kilometers in 5 days. We saw around 17 people pray to ask Jesus to be their Lord. We gave out dozens of gospels and other literature. We prayed for many other people. We were kept safe after witnessing many accidents on the roads. We asked God for divine appointments, and there were many. We asked for open hearts, and we met them everywhere we went. God blessed us and blessed others through us. Glory to His Name!
On our way to our next destination we took a detour to visit a young couple who used to live in Chachoengsao, and who had come to faith in our church. They went "back home" to have their second child. It was an opportunity to see them and the new baby, as well as to share a little with their family and neighbors.
The next stop was the home village of Gaow. We stayed at the home of her sister and family and the next morning presented the gospel again. Here several ladies prayed to recieve Jesus also.
Our final destination was to the home of May. May had not been home in many years also, but again God blessed her with almost perfect recall as she directed us right to a small market where her aunt and sister were selling. It was a very emotional reunion as May was reunited with the aunt who raised her when she was rejected by her mother at a very young age.
May has carried anger and bitterness toward her mother for rejecting her all of her life. A miracle happened on our last day as May and her mother sat together and Naat and others spoke to them both about the need to forgive and let go of all the pain they have felt and caused each other. It was a battle, but God won the victory as their hearts melted and they were able to embrace and be prayed for together.
All in all, we covered almost 2000 kilometers in 5 days. We saw around 17 people pray to ask Jesus to be their Lord. We gave out dozens of gospels and other literature. We prayed for many other people. We were kept safe after witnessing many accidents on the roads. We asked God for divine appointments, and there were many. We asked for open hearts, and we met them everywhere we went. God blessed us and blessed others through us. Glory to His Name!
Please pray; much seed was sown. Pray for fruit that remains!
