Krabi Baptist

Worship at Krabi Baptist

Last Sunday morning the pastor of the church, Ajohn Dusit, picked us up to take us to church.  At the church we were informed that we would sing a song during the testimony time.  Boy was this a surprise since neither of us are known for our vocal abilities. To be honest, we were scared!  A song was chosen for us to sing and we went over the Thai words together.  One of the young men of the church helped us sing - he also played the guitar for us.  God gave us a calm spirit just before singing and people even clapped when we finished. 

When it came time for Richard to preach, I was told that I would translate for the 2 western people, who came to worship.  Richard did a good job preaching from the Old Testament. He had the congregation laughing by the questions and statements that he made in the sermon.  He talked on the subject of the bold servants in Naaman's life and the prophet Elisha from 2 Kings, Chapter 5.  His single point was that God can use you no matter what your position in life to lead others to God.

 

After the worship service, we were treated like movie stars.  Many Thai friends wanted to have their pictures taken with us.  One girl traveled 2 1/2 hours from another province to hear Richard preach and to see us.  We toured the new studio of the church's radio station too.  Some of you contributed to buying a new tower for the radio station.  Praise God that 1 family has believed and another Christian family are now coming to worship at the church because of the new tower reaching a greater audience.  Thank you for giving!

Country Side Bible Study

After the English Camp, we went to have a cell group meeting with a daughter and mother near the school where we had just taught.  These 2 ladies have been Christians for some time. However, they live about 45 minutes from the nearest church. If they were to go by car, they would have to travel over pothole-laden roads.  Therefore, missionaries Ross and Shirley meet monthly with the group. The Bible study began with enthusiastic singing and a time of praise. Later an 11-year-old girl rode up on her bike and joined the group.  Her nickname was Bang. She wanted to study with us.  Her mother was a Christian, but had to work to help keep the family from being in debt.  The girl worked too, but wanted to come and study the Bible.  We talked about worship and why it was important to meet together regularly.  We were surprised at how thoughtful the young girl’s answers were to questions in the lesson. She even volunteered to expand on the answers given by others in the group. Quite remarkable for an 11 year old! Praise God for Bang and her desire to follow God.  Pray that Bang’s step-father will also be convicted to follow Jesus and they can all worship God together.

English Camp at a Country School

We traveled 3 hours to Korat and stayed in a hotel.  The next morning we drove 1½ hours to a country school which had grades kindergarten through 8^th grade.  Two Thai Christians taught at the school.  The rest of the teachers and students were Buddhist. We taught an all day English Camp with the Mackins. But before we began our program, the teachers and children had prepared a traditional Thai dance for us and the kindergarteners also did a special song and dance.  Then we began in earnest to teach them about America.  Over 100 children attended.  

We tried to make the teaching fun and encouraged the students as they attempted to write the answers in English to questions on hand out sheets.  Prizes were given for the person who finished first in each grade.  After lunch, the students came and asked for our autograph as we gave them Captain America stickers.  We participated in 2 Christian skits, one about sin and the other about how Jesus can change your life. Ross concluded the program with a clear presentation of the gospel. The students and teachers all learned something new about America and were very appreciative of our camp. But most importantly, they learned about Jesus. Pray for these children and teachers in the school to believe the gospel message and follow Jesus. 

Somo Shows Interest in Knowing Jesus

Somo (left) with Linda and Shirley

Last week, we went to visit some people who had shown interest in the gospel.  They lived in a community near the town of Panot Nikom, which is about 40 minutes from the town of Bangkla.  The lady we went to see had gone to the doctor in Bangkok.  She had been sick for some time. She tried to improve her health by making merit, basically doing good deeds in hopes of being cured.  Even thought she was not home, her 20-year-old daughter, Somo was there.  The daughter had heard briefly about Jesus from her mother. She wanted to know more.  She said that she had thought about changing religions. Somo had even been searching the Internet for testimonies from Christians.  Missionary Shirley Mackin and Linda taught her a lesson on the birth of Jesus.  She asked some questions about why Jesus had to come. They answered her questions.  Since she was going to drop out of college in order to help her sick mother, Shirley and Ross Mackin said they would be back in a week to teach her again.  Praise God for this young Thai adult who is interested in knowing more about God.  Pray that Somo and her mother will come to know Christ as their savior.

Renewing Friendships

On Sunday we drove 2 hours to go to church in Rayong Province.  The pastor, A-new-cha, was glad to see us. We knew him as an energetic child in south Thailand many years ago when we lived in Phattalung.  As a youth, he had a hearing problem, which made him speak Thai unclearly.  When he finished high school, no one could image that God would call him to become a pastor (especially since the Thais don’t think that someone with a handicap can do much).  But a missionary worked with A-new-cha teaching him the Bible and modeling what a good pastor should be. In seminary, he got new and better hearing aids. This helped him to begin to speak more clearly.  Since overcoming this handicap, he has become a respected pastor of a church on Thailand’s eastern seaboard. His wife, also from south Thailand, teaches the Bible to the children of the church.  We have been told that he has good administrative skills, has become an effective communicator of the gospel, and is well loved by the members of the congregation.  

Once he was through with the sermon last Sunday, he recognized Richard and asked him to pray for the communion service.  It was really good to see the fruits of some missionaries who have gone on before us.  Pray for more godly Thai men to prepare to preach and proclaim the Gospel message.

Long Distant Christianity

We went to the town of Bangkla to work with our friends, the Mackins.  I’d forgotten what it is like living in the countryside.   Light comes early and then around 7 a.m. the town announcements and news comes through loud speakers positioned around town.  At 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. the national anthem is played over the loud speakers and people everywhere stand still.  Everyone is up and cars and motorcycles are on the roads going to the fresh market or to work.  It has been pleasant to breathe country air, as well.

June - a new believer

While going out with the Mackins we met Tum, a truck driver living in the countryside outside the town of Rayong, Thailand. He is married to June. Tum’s younger sister went to Australia where she got married and became a Christian. Tum’s younger sister was concerned about her relatives back in Thailand who were Buddhist. Possibly at the encouragement of her pastor in Australia, she returned to Rayong Province and organized a 6-day retreat for her extended family. The pastor from Australia flew over to Thailand as well. He preached the gospel through a Thai translator to the 20 relatives at the resort. As the result of the moving of God’s Spirit, Tum and June received Christ and became Christians along with 3 other members of their family. They now host a Christian group in their home. Pray for Tum and June’s family to continue to grow in their faith and that more friends and neighbors would join them in the worship of the one true God.