Category: Thailand

Headed Home

On By MarkIn Pray, Thailand, TravelLeave a comment

 

 

It’s been a great few days in Bangkok.  We were able to worship with Molly on Sunday morning; then spent time with her at the school on Monday.  Molly is doing great with language school and working in the ministry at Word Made Flesh as she’s able. We met her kids and coworkers as we got to tour the Community Center. It was so nice to have lots of time to visit and catch up.  I think we were all mutually encouraged.  One of the highlights was presenting the kids with the supplies that Grace sent over, including ipads for the classroom!  Great job Grace! Your generosity is a huge blessing.Newspring BangkokGreat to be with Molly at her church in Bangkok on Sunday morning.

BangkokWe are getting ready to go to bed. Tomorrow morning we leave early for the airport and the beginning of our long journey home.  Thanks again for your prayers.

 

 

Teaching in Thailand

On By MarkIn Missions, Thailand1 Comment

What a great few days so far. Tonight was a great end to a wonderful day. There was a lot of teaching and worship. My cup is full.  Tomorrow we will conclude our part of the Pastor’s Conference.  Here are just a few pictures of our teachers and the beautiful Hmong people.

This is Ron Miller teaching the first night. Ron leads the Baan Immanuel ministries
This is Ron Miller teaching the first night. Ron leads the Baan Immanuel ministries
Here's Linda Holgate teaching the women
Here’s Linda Holgate teaching the women

 

Here's Dan Holgate teaching with our interpreter
Here’s Dan Holgate teaching with our interpreter

 

Paul teaching
Paul teaching

Ladies SessionHmong ConferenceI think we’re all doing well, but feeling spent. Pray for a good night’s rest and a very effective closing day tomorrow.  This has been great! I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing us a small part of an amazing movement.

 

On By MarkIn Pray, Thailand, Thanks1 Comment

We’ve enjoyed a couple of days getting acclimated to the time zone and visiting some of the local ministries. I was so blessed to hear things went well back home with our Men’s Advance and at Grace on Sunday morning. I sure love our team.

Today, we’ll travel north to the city where we will meet up with the Hmong pastor’s and their wives where conference starts this evening.  Pray for all the guys to get there safely. I know some were held up yesterday at the Laos border.  Many of these guys travel for days.  I’m really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces from last year as well as meet many new guys.

Thanks for your prayers.

This is our team. Great people!
This is our team. Great people!
Enjoying beautiful gardens
Enjoying beautiful gardens

Arrived and Welcomed!

On By MarkIn ThailandLeave a comment

Now, THAT was a long trip!  Laurie and I left Flagstaff about 3:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, and arrived here in Chiang Rai 2:30pm Friday local time, which was 12:30 am Friday in Flagstaff. Yep, crazy.

Our friend and host, Ron from Baan Immanuel welcomed us at the airport and after a time to clean up at the hotel, they welcomed us with a traditional feast. That day they slaughtered the pig, and invited us to sit on the floor in small groups gathered around a charcoal lit grill to cook our pork and veggies, with rice and noodles.  Gotta tell you, it was awesome.

Well rested and out today for some adventure and meeting some of the ministries here in Chaing Rai.  Thanks for your prayers.

photo

Thailand!

On By MarkIn Missions, Pray, ThailandLeave a comment

This will be brief. I’ve been meaning for the past couple of days to let you know we’re headed to Thailand once again. Well, now it’s just an hour or so away.  I was blessed to go in March last year with two pastors from Calvary Community in Phoenix, Dan Holgate and Paul Hayes. This year, they invited me back as well as Laurie!  I am so glad the wives are coming along to round out the team. Last year we noticed how many of the Hmong pastors from the neighboring countries came and brought their wives, so this became a priority for us too.  A bonus is that we will get to see Molly Evans, a young lady from Grace who is serving in Bangkok.

As you think of us, please pray for the ministry. Safety and health are bonuses, but the effective work of ministering to these men and women is of utmost priority!

 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ . . .  Colossians 4:2-3

Teaching at the Bible College

On By MarkIn Bible, Teaching, ThailandLeave a comment

We’re here in Sriracha teaching a few classes each day at the Bible College.  I really do love teaching the Bible and that is only highlighted when you’re teaching students at a Bible College.  Pray for these students as they are preparing for ministry and just like the rest of us are learning to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”

Final day with Hmong Pastors

On By MarkIn ThailandLeave a comment

The three of us each spoke Thursday morning to conclude the teaching for the week. Later that afternoon we were privileged to visit one of the churches in a nearby village and pray with the pastor and his family. Thursday evening in our closing service we gave and received gifts as a cultural expression of saying thanks.

 

Praying for Hmong Pastors

On By MarkIn GRACE, Pray, Thailand1 Comment

After a full day of ministry, we ended our time by praying for pastors and leaders. At the close of my teaching, I asked for any pastors that wanted prayer to stand and we’d come and pray for God’s peace and power to encourage them.

We’ve been teaching at a high level the past couple of days and we have more for tomorrow.  It was my turn to speak tonight, and my fellow pastors agreed that the men may need some encouragement.  You see, persecution is not a foreign thing to them. I’ve not lived through the same kind of persecution as they have experienced. Truth is, we know life is hard and the enemy is still working full time to hinder the gospel no matter where you serve Him.  But these guys really are facing tough issues.  So, we prayed.  We prayed individually over many tonight.  It was humbling to think of who I prayed for, the cost of ministry for them, the people they lead and teach. I was blessed to come before Jesus on their behalf and ask God to continue to strengthen them and keep them focused on Him and the amazing mission of grace we’re all called to be a part of!

Tomorrow we each lead one more session, then close out this part of the trip tomorrow evening and Friday morning.  It’s been good.  And we’re all tired. But it’s a good tired.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power 2Thes 1:11