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Doi, Dang, NoiNon, Jeen and children enjoyed three weeks in New Zealand meeting people who have been partnering with us for many years. For some, over 30 years. They wrote, "Thank you Jesus for the special time with brothers and sisters in New Zealand. Thank you very much everyone for your love and kindness. God bless you."
Saara also visited, and she writes … "My time in NZ was very blessed. I got to know many new people and travel a lot. We talked about the enormous, challenging task of evangelizing and discipling Thai children. It was amazing to meet so many of you who read this letter. You are our 'back-up’ people praying for the children and the Team. We could not even try to approach this task without your prayers and are very grateful for you. Another blessing was to be at the Lifepoint church camp and listen to some great, challenging teaching. Timing was tight and I came back to Bangkok to a very clingy 22 month old, so Valerie offered to prepare this newsletter. Hope to get the next letter to you in time!"
Thanks for praying for this camp which is just finishing as this letter is being written. Kanchana and NoiNon report;
Some FahSai members have been with us a long time and they are growing so strong in their faith. It’s exciting to see. Camp was a time to study God’s word together, worship together and have fun together. A highlight was the baptism for four of our group. They were Nuum, who’s been with us since he was 7. Now he is 20 and is part of our worship team; Miow, who’s been with us since she was 12. Now she is 19 and recently asked to help teach in Sunday school; Bai is 14. He has been bold in witnessing to his family and is also part of our worship team; and Gai who has been with us since she was 7. Now she is 20 and last year made a fresh commitment to Christ.
Being baptised is a big step for them as it shows all in their community that their allegiance is now to Jesus Christ. All had discussed their baptism with their families but some know they will have opposition when they go home. Please pray for them.
Pray also for all others at camp that they will be strengthened and grow in their faith by seeing these baptisms, and from all they experienced at camp. And keep praying for Kanchana and NoiNon in their leadership of FahSai Club, which reaches over 50 children and teens from nearby slum areas.
The number of children doing our lessons keeps growing. In just one weekend 95 new enrolments came in. 20 were children who had been invited by friends. Pray each one will respond to all they learn, and be able to continue and stand strong against any opposition.
It is Thai New Year from April 12th to 15th. Please pray for the children’s safety. Many families travel and there can be up to 500 deaths over this period. Other children may have to take care of themselves with parents away, or be in dangerous situations.
Ammarapon (girl, 15): Every time I read God’s word I feel He is speaking to me. The lessons are so good and bring me closer to God. My Buddhist friends also want to do the lessons. I think there’s nothing that God can’t do.
Apitha (girl, 10): I have problems at school and don’t understand many things. I do homework in the wrong way, and can’t keep up. So I don’t like school. God please help me.
Ariya (girl, 9): Every day I wait for the mail to bring a letter from you. I feel proud when I think that Jesus loves me. And I love Jesus.
Bansitaa (girl, 12): I’ve done the first 4 lessons now and I have come to know how much Jesus loves us. I feel that Jesus is very amazing and want everyone to know about Him.
Pawinee (13): I don’t know why but my family has changed. My parents are not talking, and my big brother is very quiet. It’s not like before. They don’t have joy anymore. I’m asking Jesus to help us have joy in my family.
Sonprathumthong (boy, 15): I thank Jesus for all He’s done in my life. He is so powerful, and also merciful. He’s protected me from sickness and other bad things. I feel happy every time I speak with Jesus even though I can’t see him.
Sunisa (girl, 17): We can never repay Jesus his kindness to us. Since doing the lessons Jesus came to live in my heart. I’m kinder to others and my life is brighter now. Jesus helps all people.. He died for us and loves us like we were his children.
Wanna (girl, 14): Jesus makes me happy. I want to thank Him for helping me always. He makes us kinder towards each other because he is kind. I want to follow God’s will in my life.
The last two weeks in April (after the Thai holiday period) we will need to catch up on the backlog of lessons/letters that have come in this month. Please pray for God’s wisdom and anointing for each of us as we reply to children’s letters and seek to bring God’s love to them.
Also at the end of April we will start work on improving the scripts for our puppet shows. A friend of the Team called Oat will help us with this. When new scripts are written we will then need to make a recording of each script, with sound effects, etc. It’s a big job which we’ve been wanting to do for a long time. And we do need prayer for God’s creative inspiration in all this.
1) Keep praying for each one doing our lessons. For many you are their only prayer support.
2) Work on new scripts for our puppet shows
3) All children who’ve begun our lessons this month – for God’s Spirit to make His truth real to them and give them a hunger to know Him
4) New Team members! We need at least two more to help in follow up through our lessons – with some Bible training – and with a desire to help children follow Christ.
5) Children reached in school outreaches this year – may God keep working in their hearts