Thailand — A New Generation

Thailand — A New Generation

We believe that by reaching one generation for Christ and teaching them to do the same, we can change the entire history of a nation that has long worshiped ancestral spirits. God’s work is visible worldwide, and we are honored to witness His power among people who have yet to know Him. Many of those who have come to Christ are the first generation in their families to follow Him. They are at different stages in life — some in their golden years, but many are very young.

As they grow in faith, they face immense challenges, often from family members who remain devoted to ancestral worship. But amid these challenges, we see God’s hand guiding them, teaching them to look beyond their personal struggles and serve others. Through serving, they experience God’s faithfulness and love firsthand.

Our focus goes beyond spreading the Gospel; it is about living a Christ-centered life and supporting those who have responded to His call. This is a journey of both spiritual and practical learning. Our youth find their footing in Christ and learn to walk with Him daily.

Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San and Anita

Thailand — New Plates!

Thailand — New Plates!

I feel powerless as I witness many of the surviving refugees, children growing up without parents, and orphans in our village. Recently, when the director of the orphanage we visit monthly asked for help to buy plates for the children, I found myself asking, “God, do You really want us to do this?” We prayed about it with our children and covered the cost of the plates. Now, 120 children have new plates! God once again showed His power and reminded us that He provides and sometimes chooses to do so through us. We should be grateful for the opportunity to witness His miracles.

Can God bless others through me? Help comes from the Lord, and He decides how, when, and through whom it will come. We witnessed a miracle through a prayer that was answered. Visiting the orphanage with our family and seeing the joy on the children’s faces served as a powerful reminder that we should bring all our needs to God. Whether it’s refugees needing food, children needing a camp program, or people suffering from dengue fever, we must trust God to perform miracles.

Please join us in prayer for all these needs! May God bless each of you and provide for all your needs.

Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San and Anita

God is at Work!

God is at Work!

We have witnessed an amazing transformation. A woman who was once strongly opposed to Christians, even demanding back everything she had ever given to those who became Christians, has started attending our Bible study. Remarkably, she and her husband have decided to follow Jesus and have stopped worshiping spirits.

We now hold Bible study sessions at their home, where they are eagerly learning how to pray and study the Word of God together. This is a significant change and a serious decision for them, especially since many of their family members are not yet followers of Christ.

Please join us in praying for this couple and for a few other families who are open to learning more about Jesus—some have even started coming to church! We are also thankful to God for the elderly couple who have joined us in serving. They have been a tremendous blessing, especially in reaching out to the elderly in our community.

1,000 Reasons to Be Thankful

As I wrote before, there has been a war in our neighboring country for many years. Last week, we had the opportunity to visit refugee children in schools and camps. Most of these children have lost their parents and the places they once called “home.” Now, they live in huts, tents, or even under the open sky, holding onto hope for a better future.

One of the places we visited shelters 500 children who are clinging to God for their daily food. Most of these children are aged three and up, with only a few adults to care for them. Despite the extreme heat, lack of fans, and visible hunger and fatigue, the children were singing:

“Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son!…”

In moments like these, it’s hard to find any words to say, except to join them in prayer to our Heavenly Father, asking Him to provide for their needs, and reminding myself of 1,000, and even more, reasons I can be thankful to God!

With God’s help and the support of Christians like you, Avoda was able to send food aid to these children. Ladies from our church baked 600 cookies to bring some joy to them. God is good!

We are deeply grateful for your financial support, which helped us send cookies to these children. We invite you to be part of this important work in Thailand:

1. Pray: Ask God to send more partners to provide food aid for children in desperate need.

2. Participate: Join a team to run children’s programs in the refugee camps, share the Gospel, and bring joy and hope.

3. Donate: Contribute to providing nutritious cookies for the children, and witness the joy it brings them.

4. Spread the Word: Tell others about this ministry and how they can be part of it.

We are preparing, by God’s grace, to visit again in August. Please pray for the right people to join our team!

We are very grateful for you. May God richly bless each of you, provide for all your needs, and remind you of the 1,000 reasons you can be thankful!

Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San and Anita

Reaching Thailand for Christ: From North to South!  

Reaching Thailand for Christ: From North to South!  

Peace and blessings to you, our Church family!

Our mission to reach Thailand for Christ continues, step by step, from the North to the South. One of the ways we work toward this goal is “Camp on Wheels,” through which we conduct evangelism and discipleship training to reach children and young adults across Thailand during school breaks. Over the last two months, we held four camps for children and two for youth, covering 2500 km (1553 miles) to reach our station in the South. We witnessed God’s work throughout Thailand!

North: In the North, we served at a children’s home for refugees and children from the Akka tribe in the mountains. “You are the first Christians that came to help us!” they told us. Partnering with a friend from the YMCA, we aim to ensure weekly visits. Our youth, many from broken families who have experienced God’s love and care, now share that love with others. Seeing how God heals broken hearts and uses them to heal others is a joy.

West: Our camp was for refugees from Myanmar, people who came to our country looking for safety and hope for their future. Many children from Muslim and Buddhist families could once again experience God’s love. Their testimonies were very encouraging. Some children from Muslim families are believers and haven’t announced it to their families yet but show their changed lives. Some can’t stay with their families because they believe in Jesus as the Son of God. It was a hot season and the temperature sometimes went up to 42°C-50°C (108°F-122°F). Our team witnessed how God provides strength and makes it possible to be energetic while doing His work! We also thank God for the way He provided finances through His children, allowing us to hold the camp, provide snacks for the children, and take them to the waterfall one day, for which they were so grateful!

South: It was a 3-day trip until we reached our place in the South. Heat, humidity, and mosquitos were the biggest challenges. But it was nothing compared to what God prepared for us there. Muslim families are open to the Gospel! We didn’t face any resistance but even received support when parents let their children join our 5-day camp. Sixty children attended every day, and many of them were from Muslim families. Forty of them came that week on Sunday for Church service. The team from Germany was a big blessing and support. We experienced true teamwork, serving together for God, Thai and German youth learning from each other and hearing how God works in each life. We thank God for the open hearts and pray for the right people to continue the work there.

Moving Forward: As we conclude this season of “Camp on Wheels,” we express our gratitude to God and everyone who prayed, donated, and encouraged us. Please continue to pray for open hearts to grow in their faith and experience God in their lives! Pray for God to send the right people to Thailand so that the Word of God can spread and more people can come to Christ! We are preparing for the next season of camps in October-November. Would you like to join us? Please pray for our “Camp on Wheels” ministry to bring Thailand to Christ, step by step, and while doing this, disciple young people to grow in their faith and reach their generation for Christ!

Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San and Anita

Experiencing God in the Midst of Hardship!

Experiencing God in the Midst of Hardship!

Grace to you, our dear church, greetings from Thailand!

War is a tough ordeal for people of all ages, from adults to the elderly and even the youngest children. In Myanmar, a neighboring country of Thailand, war has raged for years, displacing countless families. Over 90,000 refugees from Myanmar now seek shelter in Thailand, many confined to refugee camps or limited areas.

Among them are the children of a home we visit monthly. These children are from Myanmar. Some attempted to seek safety in Thailand but were separated from their parents, who were compelled to remain in Myanmar as soldiers. Others fled with their families and now reside along the border. Most of these children see their parents once a year during a school break; some don’t know whether it will happen again. Amidst this tumult, 48 children find refuge in the care of a dedicated couple. They crave love and attention. When we first visited, we felt God’s guidance leading us there. We learned we were the first Christians to visit them. During our visits, together with our youth, we share the gospel, play games, and make crafts, all while showing the love of Jesus. By God’s grace, more than 10 young people have decided to follow Jesus, eager to learn more about Him. We committed to monthly visits, despite the distance, and God’s providence has been evident. Initially, our budget was tight, but a timely donation from a family whose children had been collecting money for missions sustained us for three more months! Praise God! God is great, and if He calls, He provides!

Currently, we face a need for school uniforms and supplies. These items are not just practical; they symbolize hope and dignity for these children.

Our local church is experiencing the special blessing of being a part of God’s work!

Thank you for your prayers and every financial participation! Each contribution is a part of this story, a story of God’s grace and provision in the midst of hardship.

Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San and Anita

Thailand – To whom do you direct your prayers?

Thailand – To whom do you direct your prayers?

It’s essential to pray to the True God, who hears and answers prayers.” This was our Bible lesson for over 100 students and their teachers in a public school. Yes, you heard it correctly – in a public school! The doors are still open to teach English and share Bible stories with students and teachers. We have a few schools that are asking us to come and teach! Last week, we were talking about Elijah, whose prayer for fire on his offering was answered, unlike the prayers of the false prophets. Teachers and students have shown their interest in these teachings. After class, some boys asked when they could come to church. The following Sunday, seven more boys from this school attended the Sunday service! Please pray for God to send someone long-term to teach English and the Bible in public schools.

We are very grateful for the bakery ministry, which helps us reach adults and provides treats for the outreach ministry, refugee families, orphanages, schools, and children in need. Thank you for your financial support because part of it goes towards providing treats for our outreach ministry! You would see the joy in children’s eyes! Please pray for us as we go to share the Gospel in one of the tribal orphanages this week and organize a children and youth camp at the refugee camp on the border with Myanmar. May God bless you and strengthen you to shine His light on the people around you!

Greetings from our church in Thailand! We pray to the True God because we believe He answers!

Ministry Thailand (Avoda) – San & Anita