***vlog***
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dear Friend
a letter to friends and supporters
During the week, I get up and strap on my running shoes at 6:30 am Bangkok time. I head over to a nearby park where they have a circular track that’s at least 800 meters long. I find running there helps get out the stress and pain I feel from missing home.
Whenever I am there I aim to finish 10 laps.
The first and second laps are pretty easy, but by the third I start to feel it. When I hit the fifth my body is telling me it has had enough and its time to give up and go eat a Big Mac from Mcdonalds.
But somehow, from somewhere I find energy to keep going. Then I find myself on the sixth. On the eighth I don’t think I can go on. I’m gasping for air, just focusing in and pushing forward. Finally on the tenth I have no idea how I’m making it. I’m just going one step at a time and focusing on the finish line. At the end I always stand where I started, my legs feel dead but I’m satisfied that I had met my goal.
Why am I writing to you about my running escapades? Because I’m on what should be the last lap here in Asia, and I’m finding it’s the hardest. Please remember to pray for me as my mind, body and trying circumstances have been telling me to quit; Thankfully, I have been recently reminded that this is one last round I need to finish (we should all thank Jesus for godly mothers ☺).
O how I wish life was as easy as running! ☺ Christians are called to trust God and rely on him for our daily needs. May God give me the grace and his spirit to finish well! I hope to be in Bangladesh (the third highest Muslim pop in the world) next month and then finish my time with ****** at the end of March. I hope you are well back home. Please keep your friend in Asia in your prayers, also please remember the many people here in Asia who still need to hear the gospel.
Sincerely,
EJ
During the week, I get up and strap on my running shoes at 6:30 am Bangkok time. I head over to a nearby park where they have a circular track that’s at least 800 meters long. I find running there helps get out the stress and pain I feel from missing home.
Whenever I am there I aim to finish 10 laps.
The first and second laps are pretty easy, but by the third I start to feel it. When I hit the fifth my body is telling me it has had enough and its time to give up and go eat a Big Mac from Mcdonalds.
But somehow, from somewhere I find energy to keep going. Then I find myself on the sixth. On the eighth I don’t think I can go on. I’m gasping for air, just focusing in and pushing forward. Finally on the tenth I have no idea how I’m making it. I’m just going one step at a time and focusing on the finish line. At the end I always stand where I started, my legs feel dead but I’m satisfied that I had met my goal.
Why am I writing to you about my running escapades? Because I’m on what should be the last lap here in Asia, and I’m finding it’s the hardest. Please remember to pray for me as my mind, body and trying circumstances have been telling me to quit; Thankfully, I have been recently reminded that this is one last round I need to finish (we should all thank Jesus for godly mothers ☺).
O how I wish life was as easy as running! ☺ Christians are called to trust God and rely on him for our daily needs. May God give me the grace and his spirit to finish well! I hope to be in Bangladesh (the third highest Muslim pop in the world) next month and then finish my time with ****** at the end of March. I hope you are well back home. Please keep your friend in Asia in your prayers, also please remember the many people here in Asia who still need to hear the gospel.
Sincerely,
EJ
Empowered
***feature***
Thomas gripped his hands to the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o clock. As a man entered his taxicab, he flipped out a small gospel track, turned to the backseat and with a smile, handed it to the passenger. He was a simple man trying to earn a living in a country struggling economically. In the late 80’s Myanmar was ranked as one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world. It was 1988 and for a taxi driver, work was scarce.
He was a Sunday school teacher, taxicab evangelist, and a part time Bible courier to China. He was happy. But with a wife, two children, and another child on the way he needed a better way to provide for his family. With a contact in Singapore, he planned to move his family south where he could find better opportunities.
It seems that God had a plan of his own.
With 15 dollars in his pocket he left his children and pregnant wife and boarded a plane to Bangkok, Thailand. From Bangkok he planned to find his way to Singapore. He was given temporary residence at ***’s mission’s house and office. The rule had been guests could only stay for a maximum of two weeks. He stayed at the house, afraid to open a refrigerator that belonged to strangers. He survived eating peanuts and rice and drinking water from the pipe. He had a talent for fixing things and he made himself useful repairing whatever he could and running errands to the post office. Eventually, the office workers took a liking to the humble Burmese man.
“You can stay here until you find a job,” they told him.
One day he was helping packaging Bibles to be sent to Vietnam. He prayed, “Lord I have never been to Vietnam, but if people become Christians because of these Bibles maybe I can receive part of the reward in heaven.”
It wasn’t long afterward that his contact in Singapore called. The opportunity had opened up for him to go and find work. He went to Sonny, who would later become ***’s International Director, and took him aside. His eyes glimmered with sincerity.
“If I can make two dollars in a secular job or one dollar serving the Lord, I will choose serving the Lord,” he told Sonny.
“Ok,” Sonny said. “Work with me.” He served at the *** offices fixing appliances and managing the facility.
He survived with a salary of 100 US dollars a month, keeping 50 dollars and sending the rest home to his wife
and three children. Until finally, he could no longer go on.
“I can’t go any further,” he told Sonny. “I need to bring my family.”
“Good. You can bring your family,” he answered.
After years working in the *** office, he was trained in the SOW-H program, an all-encompassing discipleship course that covered the essential aspects of Christianity. At the time his English was poor and his confidence had yet to evolved. After finishing the program he found himself empowered by the Holy Spirit and was emboldened to share his faith. He became a teacher for new students and a leader in the local Burmese church. The more he discipled others the more his confidence grew. In 1994, he replaced the senior pastor of the church.
Today, the church has flourished and includes five sister churches with altogether over 1000 regular attendees. Through the years his family struggled financially and experienced barely surviving on a month-to-month basis. Many times he and his wife cried on their knees, praying and entrusting themselves to God. He testifies today that despite financial hardships, since choosing to serve the Lord, all his needs have been met.
“When you take care of God’s business, he takes care of yours,” Thomas said.
Thomas sharing with a church in Myanmar
In January 2009, Thomas received an honorary doctorate degree for his work that has brought so many to faith. He is the respected head pastor of a growing church in Bangkok, a missionary to Asia, and also a loving husband and father.
Twenty years removed from his days driving a taxicab in Myanmar, Thomas has one thing he wants to tell the world:
"I will never regret serving the Lord."
Thomas gripped his hands to the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o clock. As a man entered his taxicab, he flipped out a small gospel track, turned to the backseat and with a smile, handed it to the passenger. He was a simple man trying to earn a living in a country struggling economically. In the late 80’s Myanmar was ranked as one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world. It was 1988 and for a taxi driver, work was scarce.
He was a Sunday school teacher, taxicab evangelist, and a part time Bible courier to China. He was happy. But with a wife, two children, and another child on the way he needed a better way to provide for his family. With a contact in Singapore, he planned to move his family south where he could find better opportunities.
It seems that God had a plan of his own.
With 15 dollars in his pocket he left his children and pregnant wife and boarded a plane to Bangkok, Thailand. From Bangkok he planned to find his way to Singapore. He was given temporary residence at ***’s mission’s house and office. The rule had been guests could only stay for a maximum of two weeks. He stayed at the house, afraid to open a refrigerator that belonged to strangers. He survived eating peanuts and rice and drinking water from the pipe. He had a talent for fixing things and he made himself useful repairing whatever he could and running errands to the post office. Eventually, the office workers took a liking to the humble Burmese man.
“You can stay here until you find a job,” they told him.
One day he was helping packaging Bibles to be sent to Vietnam. He prayed, “Lord I have never been to Vietnam, but if people become Christians because of these Bibles maybe I can receive part of the reward in heaven.”
It wasn’t long afterward that his contact in Singapore called. The opportunity had opened up for him to go and find work. He went to Sonny, who would later become ***’s International Director, and took him aside. His eyes glimmered with sincerity.“If I can make two dollars in a secular job or one dollar serving the Lord, I will choose serving the Lord,” he told Sonny.
“Ok,” Sonny said. “Work with me.” He served at the *** offices fixing appliances and managing the facility.
He survived with a salary of 100 US dollars a month, keeping 50 dollars and sending the rest home to his wife
and three children. Until finally, he could no longer go on.
“I can’t go any further,” he told Sonny. “I need to bring my family.”
“Good. You can bring your family,” he answered.
After years working in the *** office, he was trained in the SOW-H program, an all-encompassing discipleship course that covered the essential aspects of Christianity. At the time his English was poor and his confidence had yet to evolved. After finishing the program he found himself empowered by the Holy Spirit and was emboldened to share his faith. He became a teacher for new students and a leader in the local Burmese church. The more he discipled others the more his confidence grew. In 1994, he replaced the senior pastor of the church.
Today, the church has flourished and includes five sister churches with altogether over 1000 regular attendees. Through the years his family struggled financially and experienced barely surviving on a month-to-month basis. Many times he and his wife cried on their knees, praying and entrusting themselves to God. He testifies today that despite financial hardships, since choosing to serve the Lord, all his needs have been met.
“When you take care of God’s business, he takes care of yours,” Thomas said.
Thomas sharing with a church in MyanmarIn January 2009, Thomas received an honorary doctorate degree for his work that has brought so many to faith. He is the respected head pastor of a growing church in Bangkok, a missionary to Asia, and also a loving husband and father.
Twenty years removed from his days driving a taxicab in Myanmar, Thomas has one thing he wants to tell the world:
"I will never regret serving the Lord."
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Storehouses
***report***
Nestled deep within the mountains of Laos lays a village in the Luangpraban district. If you can tread the six kilometers of unpaved road to this serene village you will find nearly 100 families living in bamboo houses.
Here in this village the wind carries a fresh scent untainted by the smog and pollution of the city. A gentle stream flowing from the mountain provides sustenance for the people. You watch as village children shoulder gallons of water tied to wooden poles on either ends. Make your way less than one kilometer to the end of the village and you will find a structure, standing over 10 feet tall and filled six feet high with corn stalks. This storehouse is what local Christian workers have come to call a Harvest Center.
Beside the Harvest Center is the home of the local pastor. Inside his house, behind closed doors, key Christian leaders sit cross-legged on the floor, encircling a respected pastor. Their eyes remain fixed on their leader as they take in every word of instruction and exhortation.
According to a Laotian missionary named Pastor Paul, Harvest Centers like the one in this village play a crucial role in reaching the Lao nation with the gospel. Harvest Centers provide not only sustenance for the church but also a central location where Christian leaders can meet for training without government harassment.
“We purposely initiated the Harvest Centers to be mission stations where church leaders can be prepared, equipped, trained, coached and mentored,” says Paul.
In Laos’ socialist republic, the constitution allows for freedom of religion. Despite this, government officials incite local authorities to persecute Christians. Because Christian activity is seen as “disruptive”, the government has declared the Christian religion as an enemy of the state. Oftentimes, pastors and leaders traveling on local roads are reported as missing and at later times are never found. Facing the constant threat of imprisonment and even death, pastors and leaders are forced to continue with their work knowing that “there is nothing they can do but trust God.”
“We can not worry about the government. If we worry about the government we cannot work,” says Paul.
Persecution of Christians in Laos occurs in varying degrees, depending mostly on whether or not Christians can maintain good relationships with local authorities. Regional ****** **** missionaries are aiming to equip local pastors with a new mindset.
“[For the] unbeliever their concept is that [everything] belongs to a guardian spirit,” says Paul. “There are guardian spirits in the rice fields, in the plantation, in their house. It is animism or spirit worshiping. That’s why they are in bondage. That is why we want to inform them the reality. We need to give them the right concept. “ According to Paul pastors must be able to show the people a perspective where
“God is the center. Christ is the center and everything belongs to God- even every area of the land.”
In a nation with 49 tribes and 100 languages the task to fulfill the Great Commission is not easy. ****** **** ********** hopes to build two more Harvest Center in the future. Pray that Harvest Centers will continue to empower the Lao people so that the they can find true freedom in Jesus Christ.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. “
Nestled deep within the mountains of Laos lays a village in the Luangpraban district. If you can tread the six kilometers of unpaved road to this serene village you will find nearly 100 families living in bamboo houses.
Here in this village the wind carries a fresh scent untainted by the smog and pollution of the city. A gentle stream flowing from the mountain provides sustenance for the people. You watch as village children shoulder gallons of water tied to wooden poles on either ends. Make your way less than one kilometer to the end of the village and you will find a structure, standing over 10 feet tall and filled six feet high with corn stalks. This storehouse is what local Christian workers have come to call a Harvest Center.
Harvest Center in Laos
Beside the Harvest Center is the home of the local pastor. Inside his house, behind closed doors, key Christian leaders sit cross-legged on the floor, encircling a respected pastor. Their eyes remain fixed on their leader as they take in every word of instruction and exhortation.
According to a Laotian missionary named Pastor Paul, Harvest Centers like the one in this village play a crucial role in reaching the Lao nation with the gospel. Harvest Centers provide not only sustenance for the church but also a central location where Christian leaders can meet for training without government harassment.
“We purposely initiated the Harvest Centers to be mission stations where church leaders can be prepared, equipped, trained, coached and mentored,” says Paul.
In Laos’ socialist republic, the constitution allows for freedom of religion. Despite this, government officials incite local authorities to persecute Christians. Because Christian activity is seen as “disruptive”, the government has declared the Christian religion as an enemy of the state. Oftentimes, pastors and leaders traveling on local roads are reported as missing and at later times are never found. Facing the constant threat of imprisonment and even death, pastors and leaders are forced to continue with their work knowing that “there is nothing they can do but trust God.”
“We can not worry about the government. If we worry about the government we cannot work,” says Paul.
Persecution of Christians in Laos occurs in varying degrees, depending mostly on whether or not Christians can maintain good relationships with local authorities. Regional ****** **** missionaries are aiming to equip local pastors with a new mindset.
“[For the] unbeliever their concept is that [everything] belongs to a guardian spirit,” says Paul. “There are guardian spirits in the rice fields, in the plantation, in their house. It is animism or spirit worshiping. That’s why they are in bondage. That is why we want to inform them the reality. We need to give them the right concept. “ According to Paul pastors must be able to show the people a perspective where
“God is the center. Christ is the center and everything belongs to God- even every area of the land.”
In a nation with 49 tribes and 100 languages the task to fulfill the Great Commission is not easy. ****** **** ********** hopes to build two more Harvest Center in the future. Pray that Harvest Centers will continue to empower the Lao people so that the they can find true freedom in Jesus Christ.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. “
Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)
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