Thailand Update | January 27

As January, the first month of the year is on its last legs; we thank and praise God that he has blessed us so much again this month. Even though I can’t remember where most of the month has gone, many things have happened that God has blessed us.

We have had an increase of about 6 in attendance – children are starting to bring their friends and they are enjoying it on Saturday and Sunday. Please pray that parents will continue to let their children come when they get more serious about Jesus.

Miss Bpun, one of our long, long time children, who disappeared about a year ago, is back again. She has accepted Christ, but cannot proclaim it at home because of problems that would come up; however, three of her younger sisters are now coming to church also. Bpun is in grade 8, which is an especially difficult time for our young people. My guess is that she is the only Christian in her class. Her grandmother and mother are involved in spirit worship too, so it makes things more difficult. Grandmother comes regularly to special occasions – especially when something is being given away, but she has given no indication at all that she has heard what is taught. Please continue to pray for our parents and grandparents who have hardened their hearts to God and anything that comes from him.

Amporn is still wandering around lost in her village because mom refuses to allow us to see her or talk to her; refuses to release Amporn from the spirit spell she has put on her. Amporn is still hanging in there, but she is suffering greatly and is not allowed to go to school.

January 8 was Children’s Day in Thailand and we were able to distribute gifts from Samaritan’s Purse, which arrived the day before. 🙂  God’s timing???? Praise God we received 95 boxes. That combined with our donations from Deer Isle Church; Christian mission was able to provide gifts to almost 300 children this year.

January 22 was English Camp. Another event we thank God for because he blessed it beyond anything we expected. Kids were expecting and receptive; teachers had done a great job in preparation, and our children did well as usual.

Jan 29 will be Youth day – we have 18 people going this month. If this keeps up, next time we will have to take two vehicles.  Praise God.

Special Prayer items:

Pray for our 7 students living here. It will be final exam time in a little over a month and many decisions have to be made:

First, who will continue for next year?

Second, do we add new 7^th grade students?

Third, what happens during summer break? We have a mountain camp, our own DVBS; at least one special trip for our live-in kids; special tutoring for next year – last year the kids spent their summer living here and going to school 6-8 hours a day for most of the break. 🙂 Personally, I am praying they decide to do the same thing this year; but it is very hard on them emotionally.

Special prayer for Amporn to continue until mother releases her and she is back with us or God provides another method of release for her so she can have peace and happiness and be a servant of God as she wants to be.

Special prayers for OhAe and Nun as they go out to visit our teens who are lost and wandering around in the dark. Bpun is the first result – Nun has been talking to her for a few weeks already. There are at least 8-10 other teens of ours out there wandering lost.

Special prayers for OhAe, Nun, Bpun and Bee. OhAe and Nun are going to a 3-day seminar on Storying Feb 7-9 and Bpun and Bee have indicated an interest in going also. When they return it means we will have 2-4 additional people to teach in our programs here.

Special prayers for John and Maeo for health, strength and wisdom as they try to guide Christian Mission and help it to grow according to God’s plan.

Thank you for your patience for reading this long, rambling piece; but we covet your prayers in all that is happening here; it is only God who can do it and without your prayers we are lost before we start.

God Bless, John, Maeo and the rest of the folks here at Christian Mission.

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