Jan and Larry Martin,
International Ministries, American Baptist Churches,USA
Ban Luang, Thailand, April, 2005
Dear Partners in Ministry
Reality strikes: After being away on vacation we returned relaxed, tanned and ready for anything. Everything was waiting for us and we are now having fun going through a large backlog of stuff. Yesterday the thermometer hit 99 and we’re starting to look forward to the water throwing which will happen soon to celebrate Thai New Year.
Happy New year: This will be celebrated by lots of water being distributed upon people as they travel the streets. Fun if you’re hot and not going anywhere special, scary if you are on a motor bike. It will also be a serious time when families and friends get together and gently pour water over hands and on shoulders in an act of blessing. We will join in with our neighbors and will be looking for opportunities to ask the Most High God to bless them. We pray that this will be a time when people will be drawn to Him.
He actually read it: Thank-you for your prayers for Gold. Before we went a way he asked for a copy of Luke that is written in the Lanna Script (ancient Northern Thai). In the 2 days since we have been back he has been asking questions about it. Some of those questions have some spiritual depth. Please pray for Larry as he answers them and that Gold will be open to the Holy Spirit’s working in his life.
Kids are wandering the streets: It is school vacation time and the local kids are looking for something to do. Later this month we will run a couple of week-long programmes for them. For the primary age group we are having some of the teenagers from the church in Payameng Rai come over to help. This will be a double whammy for them as they will help in the programme in the morning, leading games and singing. And in the afternoons we’ll be doing some English and some Bible studies.
Thank you again for your prayers and support, we are very much aware that it is an “all of us “ thing as we work together to proclaim God’s kingdom.
May you know the blessing of His presence.
Jan and Larry.
Prayer Points.
Ø Give thanks for a great vacation.
Ø Please continue to pray for Gold and our other neighbours as we witness to them
Ø Please pray for wisdom as we join in the New Year celebrations.
Ø Please pray for our annual Missions conference ( April 4-8)
Ø Join with us in thanksgiving as 3 people will be baptized at Payameng Rai on April 10
Ø Pray for the young people from Payameng rai as they join us for a week of ministry and learning ( April 24-30)
Ø Pray for “The English Weeks” in our community (April 19-23 and April 26-30)