A Vision for the World

The first thing you notice when you arrive at the project where we served this week in Museekee is a large mural on the first building you come to.

We learned that the "flame" is the light of the gospel that Karen Belivers take with them wherever they go. The "birds" represent the children who call this place home. Some of the "birds" will bring the light to their own community and people while others will fly away, taking the light to the ends of the earth. 

The Lord gave this vision to Tete, the founder and leader of this ministry that began some 30+ years ago. We are thankful to have been a small part of helping encourage and strengthen the faith of these young people in these days.

Final Night in Museekee

While it always hard to say "so long," the Lord gave us a sweet time Sunday night sharing with the children and youth in Museekee. 

The children sang several songs in their native Karen dialect and we were able to share our "Emotions" skit based on 2 Corinthians 2:14 for the first time.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." (2 Cor 2:14). The kids loved this skit and we trust the Lord will use it in their lives. 

Lusa shared her testimony and invited these young people to accept Christ's free gift of salvation to which several responded. Paul Jenks made sure they understood Gods plan of salvation and then led us all in a time of prayer. The Lord knows who came to Him tonight in sincere faith and our prayers will certainly continue for these precious young people in the days ahead!

Following this, we were the recipients of a special program that included a special Karen tribal dance and we were invited to join in!

Before the night was through, the children sang a farewell song followed by lots of hugs and some tears as well. "Until next time" was a common theme. 

Now, Museekee is no longer just a place on the map (if you can even find it there). :)) It has names and faces that we will not soon forget. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this special time in Museekee. Until next time! 

An Amazing Sunday in Museekee

Sunday morning services started at 9:00 AM (OK, more like 9:30) :) Veena shared her testimony and Connie provided a final session for the ladies. The men were also invited so, it was a mixed group who gathered early to spend time in God's Word together. 

After a short break the regular church service started. We were so blessed to worship together with our Karen brothers and sisters! They had two special choirs who sang. There were so many in attendance for this service, we met in the pavilion next to the church!

Eddie shared his testimony and Tony provided the final session of his Life Principles training as the Sunday "sermon." 

While most were very encouraged by the teaching, there were some who were distracted by other things... :))

After the service, our team was blessed by the warm "Thank You's" by the pastor and members of this church. We shared with them that we are "richer" now having been blessed with this opportunity to be in Museekee for these days!

These precious Believers will be in our hearts as we leave here tomorrow. 

Thank you for your prayers as we continue the ministry God has for us here in Thailaind! 

 

We Will Trust in Him!

Our day with the children in Museekee was a HUGE blessing! We are thankful to have had this opportunity to share how we should all have Faith Over Fear based on the story in Mark 4 where Jesus calmed the wind and the waves.

We sang praises to the Lord, played games, made a craft and taught God's Word to 30 children under age 13 today and had a great time! The older teens attended the Life Principles sessions that went on at the same time. 

At the end of the day, we had fallen in love with these precious children and are so thankful to have had this time with them! Please continue praying with us as we have Sunday together before we head back to Chaing Mai on Monday. 

Thank you for your prayers!!

Preparing for our first Activity Day

Faith over Fear is our theme and Mark 4:41b, "Even the wind and the waves obey Him," is our key verse for our Activity Day here in Museekee. We hung the banner and began getting ready for our craft, Bible teaching and game time. 

We are excited to see how the Lord will work through our mini-VBS tomorrow for about 70 children from Museekee. Thank you for praying with and for us!

Life Principles Come to Museekee!

Tony Andrews led the much anticipated Session 1 of his Life Priciples Training on our first night in Museekee. 

14 area Karen churches had been invited to attend. We were excited to see a "full house" who came even in the rain to attend this first meeting.

Please pray for the five remaining sessions that will take place over the next two days here in Museekee! 

Arrived in Museekee!

After six hours over winding mountain roads, we arrived at our first ministry location, Museekee. We were greeted by smiling faces of children and adults from the Kraren tribal group who had been anticipating our visit for many weeks and months. They helped us get settled in our rooms and made us feel very welcome!

We had been forewarned that our accommodations in Museekee would be "basic" and so, came prepared to sleep under mosquito nets and take cold showers for a couple of nights. 

The lady responsible for providing this refuge for many needy children is "Tete." Her joyful spirit and the way the children respond to her is evidence of how God is using her in this place. What a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated servants of the Lord like Tete.

Our First Night in Bangkok

It was a great night for a walk to a restaurant not too far from our hotel...we did get lost momentarily but soon found the place we were looking for!

We had a great meal complete with Panang Curry and a great shrimp dish served in a coconut!

After dinner we met AMG's Thailand National Director, Chowkee Zaw Min and his wife Gaye. We had prayer together and went to bed tired but filled with blessings after our first night in Thailand! Tomorrow, we go to Chaingmai!

Arrived in Thailand!

After 24 hours of travel, we arrived safe and sound in Bangkok! Waiting for us at the airport was Veena Malhotra who traveled from India to meet us and Lois Jenks. Paul and Lois are our host Missionaries we will spend the next two weeks with. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness and thank you for your prayers!

We had our FINAL team meeting this past Sunday! We are thankful and excited to see how the Lord has brought our team together and directed our steps as we have prepared for ministry on the field.

Now, we are doing all the last minute things that have to happen prior to a trip like this...paying bills, taking care of things at work that need to happen before we are gone, getting a haircut, buying ministry supplies and travel size toothpaste, packing, weighting our bags, etc., etc.!

Thank you for praying for our Thailand Team as we prepare to board the plane in the wee hours of Tuesday morning next week!