It has been more than 10 years since God led us to Thailand. Reflecting on this journey, I have learned several profound lessons. Missionary work is a long-term ministry, where short-term contributions from each one of us wield significant influence in bringing people closer to Christ. Whether engaged in construction, playing with children, offering haircuts, teaching financial principles, sharing Bible stories, or simply visiting homes – each of these small acts can be used by God for His great purposes. The little girl you played with and sang songs to, the boys who seemed disinterested during your English lessons – today, they stand as leaders in children’s and worship ministries within the Church and among their peers!
Last month, alongside our brothers, we had the privilege of visiting our Avoda projects in other locations. Among them were our children from Myanmar, where we conducted children’s programs and taught English many years ago. Familiar faces abounded! A teenage girl approached me with joy and said, “I am so happy today that I can come to church. Yesterday I was sick and very sad that I couldn’t help in the ministry. I prayed, and I feel much better! I am glad to be here and teach children about God!” This girl comes from a strong Muslim family, sharing, “My brother and I are ‘secret believers’; our parents still don’t know that we come to church and do ministry for God.” Over a decade ago, this beautiful girl, like many others, learned on the floor, coloring, drawing, and writing, enjoying being in a safe place without hearing the sounds of war. Today, we witness her and a few others as leaders, sharing the Word of God with little children and teaching them to worship wholeheartedly. A few young believers like her are staying at the pastor’s place and can’t go home.
Praise the Lord for everyone who served these people through being here, through prayers, and through financial support for those who came. We are grateful to all who collected glasses and sent them here; through the ministry with glasses and giving haircuts, we reached people from eight different villages, including tribes residing in the mountains and refugee families from Myanmar. God provided miraculously just in time a donation, and we were able to purchase warm clothes and prepare some gifts for the people we visited! Thank God for His amazing work!
Please continue to pray for our children’s ministry, ministry with ladies through the “5 Loaves” bakery, and ministry with the elderly! Also, please keep us in your prayers as the leaders here, for God’s wisdom and continued guidance!
May our God bless every one of you.
Ministry in Thailand (Avoda) – San & Anita