Jan and Larry Martin
International Ministries
Thailand November ’07
Dear Partners in ministry
Well, here we are at “home” reconnecting with family and friends, enjoying the good things a little too much and finding that we need to spend more time exercising to make up. So far we have had some vacation time, some conference time and times to share what God has been and is continuing to do in our small part of Thailand. Our times sharing in the churches has taken us to both the East and West coasts of the US and the churches have been encouraging in their enthusiasm for what God is doing in Thailand. Larry turned 50 while we were in Maine and he was treated to 3 birthday parties. The fresh lobsters went down well too
God is in the business of drawing people to himself, bringing them into His kingdom and changing lives. He does it in ways that he shows that his love and care for people is very personal meeting each person where they are at.
Just before we left a woman in her 40s committed her life to Christ. We started to disciple her but only had a few weeks to do so. Our colleagues over the hill have gladly taken on this responsibility and the following is from John and Vicki Rees.
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In’s story
When In reads the Gospels she longs for the healing Jesus is able to bring into her life. She recently had a dream in which Jesus phoned her mobile – she knew it was Him because the name Pra Yesu (JESUS) appeared on the face of the phone! She suddenly felt overwhelmed – too flustered to answer and unsure how to respond to him. A month later (in another dream) a holy man met her, lifted her in his arms, and prayed for her. She came away from that dream with a wonderful sense of wellbeing and peace. Later while we were introducing a picture book (right), In took a hard look at Jesus and said, ‘That’s him – He’s the one who lifted me!’
In has a serious heart condition and, although needing major hospital treatment is not yet well enough to undergo surgery. Last Wednesday when we took her to the hospital in Nan the doctor prescribed medication for her heart. She believes God is helping her – lifting her above the obstacles that only a short time ago seemed unsurpassable. Her family and friends are happy that In has found a reason to rejoice. People in her neighborhood are watching closely – perhaps wondering what is going to happen next!
May the God of surprises do something wonderful – both in her life and in the community!
We are excited about what God is doing and will do and grateful to be part of a team knowing that the work goes on even when we aren’t able to be there.
Prayer Points
Please join us in prayer as God works in In’s life, and the lives of her family and neighbors as they see Jesus meeting her needs.
Pray for John & Vicki, and Muana and Villy as they continue to minister in their areas and look after our area as well.
Pray for the fellowship at Ban Sra, pray that the believers will be effective witnesses to their friends and neighbors.
Pray for us as we travel, tell the story of what God is doing in Thailand and look for churches and individuals who will partner with us.
Thank you for your partnership, as we see God doing amazingly personal things for His children. May you too know that personal touch from Jesus.
Yours in Christ
Larry and Jan
What does that mean to a person in Ban Luang? In Rural Thailand people call them selves Buddhists and have some attachment to the local Temple. Festivals are often celebrated at the temple. Monks may be consulted on occasion but the deep seated spiritual beliefs is found centered in the spirit world.
Rural Thais aren’t actually Buddhists but folk Buddhists. That is the belief in Spirits is much stronger and has a bigger effect on the way they live their lives. Chickens are sacrificed and offered to the spirits. Life is lived in fear not really knowing what to do to make the capricious spirits happy.
When people such as Kwee, Nuk and Long come into a relationship with Christ they discover a real freedom from fear – they become liberated in a way that is hard for us westerners to appreciate, for Kwee that liberation was instantaneous and she started living not only free of the fear of spirits but seeing change in other aspects of her life
Kwee and a close neighbour who had been close friends as children hadn’t spoken to one another for many years. As soon as Kwee came to know Christ she knew it was wrong for her not to love her neighbour and, difficult though it was to be the one to set things straight she made some food and took it to her neighbour. The neighbour accepted the food as a gift of reconciliation and the two women are now on better than good speaking terms, visiting one another regularly again.
Not just content to have her own relationships restored Kwee has set out to heal other broken relationships in her village by bringing people back together. Kwee has been dramatically changed by Christ and is seeking to change her world for Christ.
Long has also been released from the fear of Spirits. His change has been slower but over time they have learnt to trust Jesus in their lives and now seek his power and wisdom in their lives. Long had a broken leg that was refusing to heal, we were told that a bone graft was the only way the bone would heal. Our prayer was that the bone would heal slowly and that Longs faith would also grow and strengthen. That is exactly what happened slowly the bone tissue grew and healed as did his faith. Long has become a strong believer and visits the sick in his community sharing about the healing power of Christ.
Through Long’s ministry to the sick Por Beng has been coming to the fellowship meetings. At first he was unable to attend but Long would take information from the fellowship meetings and share with it with him and they would pray together. After a while Por Beng would come if someone would pick him up, now thanks to Jesus healing power he is able to come under his own steam.
On our return to Thailand we are looking to start a short term Bible school for lay leaders so folk like Nuek and Long can study in short blocks in the off season (farming) this will give them not only knowledge but credibility. The courses will need to be run a little differently to most Bible courses, as the folk we are working with are semi literate and have low comprehension. We have been and will continue to develop materials that will not only help them understand who Christ is for them but, will equip them to share with others.
We are here but the ministry continues there, our colleagues, are continuing and even making the trip over the mountain to visit new believers In and Kiang to encourage them in their new found faith. And when they can make the connection with Sompian, who had shown real interest in the Gospel while we were still in the area.
Posted by Valerie at November 16, 2007 12:09 AM