New School Year Begins

A new school year is well under way for the School of Nursing students here on the Bangkok campus of Mission College. With 95% of the student body being non-Christian, we face many challenges and opportunities for presenting the Gospel of Christ, as well as nourishing and uplifting the 5% who are members of the church. Many of those who are members, usually meet Jesus for the first time at the Muak Lek campus of the college, so it falls into our hands to help disciple these young people into a closer walk with Jesus, and what that walk means for being witnesses for the kingdom during their next three years of busy study in Bangkok. Along with intense studies and busy schedules, the lights of the big city can also allure like the moth to a flame. Currently the chaplains, several of the church members, and our family are spending time in evening worship and the church's Friday evening AY program with the students. We are looking towards getting more of the Christian students involved in ministry, especially small groups. Please pray that God will use us to share Christ and strenghten faith in living God for each student that comes to the Bangkok campus.

A Visit to Ramkhamheng Church

Last Sabbath we visited the Ramkhamheng International Seventh-day Adventist Church. As part of my responsibilities as zone coordinator I need to visit the churches in my zone at least once a year. Although we have had the opportunity to visit the church location several times over the last year and a half, this was first time we have had the opportunity to worship with this group.

The church is located in the auditorium of Ramkhamheng Advent International School, a lay owned and operated school located on the east edge of Bangkok by Ramkhamheng University. Many of the members are school staff and their family members.

We were blessed to be a part of a baby dedication and the dedication of the Golden Chordz anklong ensemble. An anklong is a unique Indonesian instrument made from bamboo.

At the baby dedication, I had prayer for little David and his parents, and we joined David's father in the release of a white dove as a fellowship offering.

Please pray for the members and attenders of the Ramkhamheng church as they reach out through Christian education to the surrounding community.

We're Still Here

It has been a while since I last posted to the blog, and many things are happening here in Bangkok. Although some of it seems to be a part of the mundane, the challenges facing us are real, and certainly far from mundane. Over the next several weeks I look forward to getting you all up to date on what is happening with our ministry, the work here in Thailand, and life in general.

The Empty Nest

As another school year is coming to a close for Mission College, the senior class has already left the nest of the Bangkok campus, and is working at new jobs using the skills they learned as nursing students in hospitals throughout Thailand. This year was the first full year that we had the opportunity to spend with the students, so their departure was even more bittersweet. We were very excited for them as they celebrated their pinning and conscercation services, but the silence that has been left in their place as the year wraps up is more profound than what we would have thought. It made me realize what a profound sense of emptiness there will be when my own two daughters leave from home in the not too distant future. One the other hand, in several more weeks we know that the new sophomore class will arrive, and we will look forward to the joys and challenges of walking with the students in leading them closer to Christ.

Joy at Muangthong Thani

As zone coordinator, I have the joy of not only visiting the various worship groups throughout the central valley of Thailand, but participating in the life of the groups as well. One of the newer groups is the Muangthong Thani Company. At a special Sabbath afternoon communion service, there was the added joy of adding to the family of this growing group. Through the faithful leadership of Pastor Donald and the church leaders, a young Filipino lady, Rea, was baptized. While there, we also talked with some of the Thais who are learning more about Jesus. Although it was far from perfect, I explained the elements of the communion service and the baptism that were taking place. It is exciting to see first hand the Gospel commission finding its completion as we keep our view heavenward.

There is Joy in Heaven

The baptismal waters at Hospital church have been busy this last month. At the beginning of April I had the joy of baptising Martin, one of our Filipino youth, whose parents are working here in Thailand. This last Sabbath we also had the joy of adding three new sisters to the family of God, Newrat, Intira, and Rattakra. It was such joy as Pastor Surachet, the youth director for Thailand Adventist Mission, helped welcome the new members into the church. What joy in heaven there is when even one person makes a committment for Christ, but how much more joy there has been over the four. Let each one of us so work for the Lord as to make the courts of heaven ring with the joy of rejoicing. Please pray for these new members as they grow in their daily walk with Christ.

English Competition at NALC

The First Annual Valetine's Day English Competition was heald at the Nonthaburi Adventist Language Center on February 21st. Two of the area schools, Kusol Suksa and Chimplee participated with 6 students from each school. The students have been working hard in their English studies, with some of the students learning with Acharn Myo and Pastor Ben. It was exciting to see that their hard work has seen some fruit in the form of trust from the community. To have these two schools attend this event is proof of that. Through the bridges that are being built, the center has been asked to conduct an English camp for the Chimplee school. We are praying that the seeds being planted will thrive as the work continues forward in Nonthaburi.

Mobile Clinic Visits NALC

On February 23rd, the Mobile Clinic from Bangkok Adventist Hospital paid a visit to the language center in Nonthaburi. It was good to see doctors, nurses, and other staff serving the community surrounding the center. Around 30 people were seen, not the largest number ever for the mobile clinic, but certainly a further supporting pillar for us to share the gospel. An example of how these bridge building opportunities are working was a comment made by the English teacher from Chimplee school, who was given a special invitation to come and have a basic health screening. She commented to Pastor Ben, "My religion doesn't do anything like this, maybe I should change religions." Although there is a need to continue to introduce Jesus to the people, the beginnings that there is something positively different about true Christianity is being seen. Please continue to pray for the Holy Spirit's impact on the hearts and minds of the people.

Life Outside Our Window

What is life like in the City of Angels, and no, we haven't moved to Los Angeles since you last read our blog. Bangkok, the name by which you the world knows our town is actualy a district of Krung Thep, the real name for Bangkok.

Although census data puts the official poplutaion at around 7 million inhabitants, the reality is that the population of Bangkok is actually around 15 million. This give Bangkok one of the highest population densities in the world.

Our family is very aware of that fact on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis. Our home sits only 20 feet away from Lan Luang Road, a busy 6 lane road that always has traffic. From the constant sound of tuk-tuks, a local three-wheeled taxi whose two-stroke engines make it feel more like a NASCAR race, to the low rumble and diesel exhaust clouds of the city buses, life is never quiet.

Even when we go to the mall or store, there are constant crowds and music. It never seems as if we can avoid the bombardment upon our senses by the urban world around us.

Because of this it is always a joy to be able to escape the noise and crowds of the city and really enjoy whatever times of refreshing that we can obtain, then it's back to the city, and ministry for those 15 million who are still waiting to hear about Jesus.

Sabbath at Pathumthani Church

As part of my responsibilities as zone coordinator, I have the blessing of being able to visit churches here in the greater metropolitan area of Bangkok.

This last Sabbath our family was blessed with a visit to the Hope for Bangkok church plant in Pathumthani. The group is located at Mission Health Food Factory and is comprised of both Thai and Karen people groups. With about 30 people worshipping, it was a joy to be able to ordain and consecrate the church elder, deacon, deaconess, and congregation to making disciples for Christ. Please pray for Pastor Jimmy Shwe and his family as they minister to this growing group.

The Plain of Dura

Thailand is a very diverse country. Some of its diverseness is in the number of religions that its citizens practice.

Over the last week and a half all five major Thai religions, Buddhist, Islam, Sikh, Hindu, and Christian, gathered at Sanaam Luang for a special ceremony in honor of this year's celebrations of His Majesty the King's 80th birthday and for the prosperity and peace of the country.

Each religious group presented a part of the program from their respective areas. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont even attended the ceremony presenting each group with a special plaque commemorating the event.

For the Buddhists, part of the this special ceremony was the casting of Buddha images. With a smelter melting down various metal foils and objects that people were donating, my mind turned to the great golden statue that was cast by King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel and the worship service dedicating the statue. Although we weren't compelled by death in the furance, my mind couldn't help but wander back the time when Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with a test of their loyalty to God or to Nebuchadnezzar.

Would each on of stand faithful to such a test if we were faced with it today?

More pictures from Sanaam Luang may be found under the Photo Links section.

Who Did You Worship?

“Silver bells, Silver bells, it’s Christmas-time in the city…” The strains of this familiar Christmas tune played softly over the speakers of the mall as I shopped, but it wasn’t America that I was finding Christmas-time in the city. In this predominately Buddhist country Christmas is a big celebration, especially in the Bangkok.
Like the United States, much of the Christmas season is wrapped up in the commercial aspects of the holiday. At Central World Mall, Southeast Asia’s largest Christmas tree was on display. Every single shopping complex had Christmas decorations and signs featuring snowmen, Santa Claus, reindeer, sleighs, and Christmas trees.
As I prepared my annual Christmas sermon, I wanted to capture the big banner of a Norman Rockwell painting of Santa Claus. I had seen it every time passing through the central shopping district, and it just highlighted the loss of Christ in Christmas.
It was not until I actually was crossing the pedestrian overpass that the irony of our Christmas celebrations really began to sink into my mind. Located at Central World are two large shrines where many people come to worship. These shrines, dedicated to prosperity, are situated right in front of the big Santa Claus banner.
As I snapped photos of Santa and the shrine the thought was impressed upon my mind of who am I worshipping each year at Christmas time? Is it Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, or has the world replaced Christ as my center of worship? Although the Christmas season is past, we have a whole year before us to stop and consider who did you worship?

It Must Be Yellow Monday

As I write this, it is once again yellow Monday. In leaving the house and heading for three days of the Southeast Asian Union Mission’s annual leadership conference, I stand in a crowd of yellow shirts waiting for a bus. On the bus I am once again surrounded by people clad in yellow shirts. Everywhere one turns you see yellow, yellow, and more yellow.
Now you may be asking yourself why is Monday such a yellow day? It all relates to the Thais’ dedication and love for their king and a cultural heritage that each day of the week has a certain color associated with that day. Because King Bhumiphol’s birthday was on a Monday, yellow is the color of the monarchy.
In honor of the king, almost every Thai citizen can be seen wearing a yellow shirt
with the seal of the royal family emblazoned on it and the slogan “raew rak nay luang” or “We love the King” embroidered on the right shirt sleeve.
Although these are certainly interesting facts, there are several lessons that we as Christians should learn from.
▪ Thais wear yellow every Monday as a symbol of their love to the king, do you put on Christ daily as a symbol of your love for Him?
▪ Thais are very devoted to their king because of what he has done for Thailand, how devoted are you to King Jesus for what He has done for you?
▪ A Thai’s greatest desire is to be able to just see the king, is your greatest desire as a Christian to not just see Christ, but cling only to Him?
Although most of us have never lived in a monarchy, it becomes obvious, if an earthly king can be respected and honored this way, how are we, as children of the King of the Universe respecting, honor, worshipping Him?

Catching Up With Technology

Well, it has been over a year since we arrived in Thailand. During that time we have wanted to get something on the web. After getting some pointers from a fellow missionary, we have caught up with technology. Although we will still be looking at producing a formal newsletter, we are choosing to use this as our main form of communication with friends and family. Hope you will enjoy.