Larry and Jan Martin, Thailand, International Ministries
August 2006
Greetings
From the Martins in warm and muggy (and muddy) Ban Luang. Jan has just returned from a conference where the topic of discussion was planting the seed of the gospel in the context of our various fields and Larry was planting rice in the muddy paddys of our neighbors fields. It is indeed our prayer that as we work shoulder to shoulder with our friends that they will indeed understand the Father’s love for them.
Schools
Continue to be a big part of our lives. We go to a number of schools as part of our regular week. We have both started to put more emphasis on reading as opposed to our former emphasis on pronunciation as the kids need to be able to read to pass exams. This is proving to give us new challenges as we develop new teaching strategies and aids. Through our teaching in schools we have been able to build relationships into the wider community.
Accidents - opportunities
Our Neighbour Tor came off his motor bike a couple of weeks ago giving us opportunities to observe the community in action and minister to the family in practical ways. Tor was not seriously hurt but be was sent to the regional hospital for a week and had to be accompanied by his wife Lon. Leaving their boys (14 and 9) at home but not alone. The neighbors were around providing meals, company and direction. We were able to help out a little with food and looking out for them. It reinforced for us the importance of remaining in community for these people. Tor is at home now but unable to farm this season leaving the bulk of the work to Lon.
Actually the husband of another neighbor got hurt about the same time while he was working in the fields and had to take a few days off to heal. Both the wives came asking if we had any work for them or their husbands to do to redeem the time while they were convalescing. We were happy to provide work for both through a handicraft project we have making ribbon flowers and ornaments. Some of the money they earn may be used to pay people to work for them to make up for the time they lost during this busy time of planting.
Discipleship
Preparing lessons for the new believers at Ban Sra continues to be an exciting challenge for us. Preconceived understanding is being challenged in both directions as our new brothers and sisters are understanding the gospel in the light of their understanding and background and we are too. It is fun to hear them re phrase and re illustrate the stories from the Bible with parallels from their own context.
Team work
We work as part of a team here and for the past few years Jan has been the team leader, both fun and challenging and now it is time to hand over the reins to Paul Gravitis. Paul and his family are ministering in Chiang Mai and will take over the role of team leader in October. Paul and Cathy will bring a new dimension to the team leadership, which will be positive and help us to have more focus.
We will continue to work hand in hand with the others in the rural cluster to see Jesus proclaimed here. We are hoping with the extra freedom to be able to capitalize on some of the relationships we have made over the past few years.
Getting ready to print
Larry has been working on some tracts and is hopeful of getting them to the printers soon. The tracts present the gospel using local festivals as the back ground.
Finally
Thank you for the ways that you have journeyed with us, we are very conscious of your working alongside us in the ministry of the Gospel and we continue to pray you know God’s presence in your lives.
With love in Christ
Larry and Jan
Prayer points.
• Praise God for the new believers and the way they are growing in Christ
• Praise God that Tor’s accident was not serious and pray for a full recovery.
• Praise God for Paul’s willingness to take on the role of team leader and pray for this period of working together towards hand-over of responsibilities.
• Pray for the last phases of getting the tracts ready for press and that they will help people understand how they can relate to the God who both created and cares.
• Pray for a time of refreshment this week as we go to our annual mission conference. (Aug 1-5) Pray for Larry as he has a lot of responsibilities.