Larry and Jan Martin
International Ministries
Thailand Feb ‘06
Dear Friends:
All the fun of the fair
What’s good in Ban Luang? Well we are!! We were asked to put a booth in the fair that celebrates the good things of Ban Luang. This may sound like bragging but we really praise God for the acceptance we have found here. Our booth, which included a “mission” statement, static displays, games and activities, proved very popular with young and old. We are also very thankful to God for Hannah and Fran, two talented young women from England who are working with us right now – their help was invaluable.
As an aside, we also provided a major part in the Animal Health display. The day before the fair started, the vet approached Larry and asked if he could neuter our cats as part of his display to encourage people to get their pets “done”, so right now I have a sore cat on my knee.
English Teaching in the schools continues with Hannah and Fran’s help and we have expanded the program to doing a reading program at one of the schools.
Earlier in January Larry went to a conference for people reaching out to Folk Buddhists and came back excited by some of the things he learnt there and is eager to share these with the rest of the team and start practicing some things. He also felt affirmed in the direction we have been taking.
Umphai and Niam, a couple in Payamengrai where we worked last term, are suffering some persecution for their declaration of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their village headman has kicked them out of the village funeral fund and asked their neighbors to shun them.
Prayer & Praise Points
Praise God for the positive way the community sees us. Pray that they can see following Jesus as being a possibility for their lives
Praise God for people in Ban Sra who are making positive steps towards Jesus. (Team members Muana and Villy are working in Ban Sra) Pray for them, as they are vulnerable to attack at this time.
Praise God for the conference that Larry went to and that there are others seeking to bring folk Buddhists to Jesus.
Pray that our desire would become a reality and that there is a real movement of the Spirit amongst these people.
Praise God for Fran and Hannah and their desire to serve Jesus. Pray for them as they help us here for the next 2 months.
Praise God that Umpai and Niam and their 2 children are standing firm in their faith. Pray that God will soften the hearts of their neighbors.
Posted by Valerie at January 30, 2006 05:13 AM