Week one brought 24 brothers, some from Thailand, many from Laos, and a couple from Vietnam.

These brothers were new to the conference and didn’t appear to know one another very well. Yet they were engaged with the sessions, with good notes and questions. Many of these men pastor small house-type churches and some have larger congregations.

We specifically interviewed the two from Vietnam as they travel extensively in the mountainous regions of small villages encouraging and preaching in 16 churches. I recall they have hundreds of attendees throughout the various villages. The men were seeking help with motorbikes to help as they travel up to two weeks each month, leaving their wives and children with no transportation.

The second conference welcomed another 24 men, mostly from Laos. This group was well established with one another and seemed to have a vibrant interaction both in the sessions and in time together outside of the classes. They sang beautifully in worship before the messages and interacted well with question and answer sessions following some of the teachings.

I was able to spend a couple of my teaching sessions encouraging them with a Biblical teaching on marriage. This was both for them and thier marriages and also for them to help teach their churches. Many Hmong believers still hold on to tribal customs that are neither helpful nor biblical.

One of my favorite sessions in both conferences was helping the men understand the 3-fold process of discipleship that I’ve taught with some of the leaders at Grace. I think many were encouraged and helped.

As we travel back to the US this weekend, I’m sure more thoughts will come as we continue to thank the Lord for the opportunity to be with these men. As I’ve already mentioned, this takes a team.

We are so grateful for Ron Miller and his work with Baan Immanuel and heart for the Hmong pastors. We appreciate Som Saat and his leadership as a fellow Hmong pastor who grew up in the faith under Ron’s ministry and is now an influential leader among his peers.

And I’m certainly grateful for my co-laborers, Paul Hayes and Dan Holgate. This is the third time I’ve been blessed to teach alongside these two brothers.

On this trip, I have been so grateful to have my wife Laurie by my side. She is such a great contribution with anyone the Lord brings her way and she is a constant source of encouragement for me as we navigate travels and opportunities together.

Not going to lie, we’re both ready to get home. But humbled that the Lord allowed us this opportunity together.