Vegetarian Festival

For 9 noisy days in October, many people dressed in white and ate only vegetables. The 9 Chinese Emperor gods were called to earth to protect, give prosperity and chase demons away. Streets were blocked as parades were held in different venues. The air was filled with the sound, smoke and smell of firecrackers. Devotees became mediums for the gods, wearing appropriate dress befitting gods, walking over burning coals, walking up dagger ladders, giving blessings, and piercing different parts of their bodies to show the might of their gods. The ceramic gods from the Chinese temples were also taken for a ride in palanquins. On the night of the ninth day the gods were sent back to heaven with resounding drums and gongs. During one parade event in Krabi city, as part of a group from Krabi Baptist Church, we passed out Christian tracts to bystanders.

Jiap

Jiap, the brand new Christian we’ve been telling you about, has really come alive. It is so amazing to see God working in her life. She is telling those she knows about God every chance she gets – family, friends, and casual acquaintances. She leads us to new people each week that she has been witnessing to. So far we’ve seen Dal, Si, Kal, Nong, and Yu. After coming to church Sunday with Jiap and Linda, Kal was excited and has been telling her friends about God and the caring people in the church. Saturday we teach another friend of hers, Pattana, Bible Storying lessons.

Prayer/Marriage Retreats

We attended a 3 day prayer retreat for the Southern Thai Team of missionaries at Railay Beach. This peninsula, not far from our house can be reached only by boat. It was great to be away, have fellowship, and pray for one another.
A week later, counselors, a doctor, a chiropractor, and several pastors came to Phuket from the U. S. to put on a 3 day marriage retreat. The retreat was refreshing and a real blessing. We talked with people we had not seen in 4 years and got to know new persons serving in Asia from different mission organizations.

New Church

Richard & I represented our team and Krabi Baptist at a new church opening in HatYai. The five hour drive necessitated our spending the night and gave us a chance to buy new literature from the local Christian bookstore. We reacquainted ourselves with people we had not seen in several years, and together celebrated the opening of this new church. Glory of God church makes the 7Th Baptist church which serves among the 6 million Southern Thai Buddhist.

Prayer Requests

1. That Richard & I will soon start a Bible Study group in Khao Phanom.
2. That God will give us good health to serve him in south Thailand.
3. Jiap is making changes in her life and now needs more income to take care of herself. Pray for God to meet her financial needs.

4. That Jiap will tell the Bible stories we tell her to others and that she will begin to memorize Bible verses.
5. Pray that the Thais we've had deep conversations with on Sunday visitation/tract passing in the Khao Din and Na Khao parts of Khao Phanom will become Christians and grow in their new faith.
6. Jiap introduced us to some new women in Krabi town. Pray that Kal and Yu will accept Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives and be faithful in going to Krabi Baptist Church.
7. For wisdom in starting activities in the Na Khao part of Khao Phanom.