Jiap

Jiap had prayed to a higher power for 10 years. The higher power was probably Buddha or a Chinese goddess that she often relied on. The prayer was that one day she would find someone to love her and care for her. Then one day God placed us in her path as we were passing out tracts in the business district on the main street in Khao Phanom. Out of curiosity, Jiap came over to see what two foreigners were doing in her town. Then she invited us to her house where we told her about Jesus, and gave her booklets to read. In a later visit, she was given a New Testament. She read everything, including most of the New Testament. We also took church members from Krabi Baptist to witness to her. In addition, the pastor went to answer some of her many questions about God. One night while looking through some things that her husband had left in the house before going off to be a Buddhist monk for 3 months, she found another Christian book. This book gave testimonies from prominent Thai people before they became Christians and then told how Jesus changed their lives. While reading one woman’s story, Jiap thought, “Wow, her life is a mess like mine, but Jesus made a difference." Reading further into the book, she began to understand things that Christians had been saying to her. Finally, she realized that Jesus was the person she had prayed for those many years, the one who would love, care and never leave her.

When we came to see her recently, she had the broadest smile. Jiap said that she had accepted Jesus into her life! From a Christian book, she showed us the illustration of self or Jesus on the throne. For many years, she had been on the throne and now she wanted Jesus to take control. Buddha or the Chinese goddess she had relied on could never give her peace or fill the emptiness she felt inside. She wanted Jesus!

Radio Program

Richard & the pastor of the Krabi Baptist Church, A. Dusit, went to the three radio stations in Khao Phanom town. One of the stations welcomed them and asked A. Dusit to provide 3 one-hour programs each week for the station to play. It's a great opportunity for Thais to hear more about the Gospel. He recorded the programs on a CD. When we went to deliver the CDs to the radio station, there was a problem. Some of the management of the station thought that the program would try to force the Thais to become Christians. They were very concerned. After 2 hours of talking and one of the station employees listening to part of the program, the station management decided to go forward with the program.

Three Volunteers

On short notice we were offfered 3 volunteers for 2 days. We were able to get them into the Benja High School in Khao Phanom city. At the school they taught some English teachers games to make their English teaching in the classroom more fun. We went to the fresh market and made balloon animals for kids and passed out tracts because it was raining. The second day we were disappointed that some of our plans did not work out as we had planned. However, the team did get to visit and encourage Jiap. In the afternoon it was very hot but we prayer walked and passed out tracts anyway.

Prayer and Praise

1. Pray that as Jiap is taught Bible lessons that she will understand what is taught, others will see the change in her life and want to have Jesus as their friend too.

2. Even though Linda has not been able to clear up her email problems, we were able to get a gmail (email) and she can send & receive email on that. Praise God!!

3. Even before A. Dusit’s radio program airs in October, there is some opposition with the management of the station fearing the program would try to force Christianity on the Thai people. Pray that listeners will like his program, that some will request further information about Christianity, and management fears about the program will disappear.

4. Pray for men and women of peace to surface, who will facilitate our work in Khao Phanom.

5. Pray for doubts about the truth of the Gospel to disappear and the hearts of people in Khao Phanom to be open to the God’s message of salvation for their lives.

6. Pray for a full time Thai Christian to minister and work with us in Khao Phanom to begin churches and help disciple new Christians.

7. Pray for us to boldly, clearly and effectively present the Gospel in culturally accepted ways so Thais will have a personal relationship with Jesus.