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.