Less Than Two Months To Go.

Less than two months to go and my wife and I will be walking on Canadian soil again. It’s an exciting thought for us to be coming home but we are happy be serving God’s purpose here in Thailand.

My wife has been working very hard over the past year running the English school. On top of her afterschool English classes with her kids she also attends 2 government schools throughout the week teaching students. A few months ago a door opened for her to teach English at our local city hall to city workers. My wife immediately saw this as another opportunity to develop relationships and share the love of Christ to these people. As my wife remains faithful to her responsibility here God is faithful to her by giving her more doors to share the gospel. My wife and her English department has been a big factor in making our name known in the community. As our reputation grows in the community the more opportunities we have to evangelize our faith.

Bekah has also been pouring a large portion of her time into preparing for a month long English camp for kids. This is an all day camp where kids take part in games, crafts, art, sing & dance that are oriented to teaching kids English. There is all time where the basics of English is taught. This camp started on March 30th and continues up until April 24th.

As for me, I have been keeping pretty busy with the Bible school. We have just one more class to go and my first year of school is finished. We just completed a very good course on leadership that imparted a lot of practical wisdom in me about being a leader. I have aslobeen occupied with filming and editing for Continuum, which is the TV show that this ministry produces to show on the miracle channel. Continuum’s purpose is to mobilize believers into the Great Commission by showing a lot of what this ministry does as far as outreach and the impacts it has made. If you are interested in watching the show it airs on the miracle channel on Tuesday nights around 6 or 6:30 pm. You can also watch them on you tube. Just search for ‘continuum media’ in the youtube search bar. My wife and I are shown in some of the episodes in relation to what we have been doing.

Back in February, I traveled down south with the students on our annual jungle trip. This is the first time I have ever got to experience what it’s like to be camping in the Thai wilderness, where you are surrounded by hoards of bamboo trees, exotic birds making sounds you never heard before, scorpions, spiders as big as your hand, funny looking frogs and 3rd world villages without a foundation of the gospel. 3 years ago I would have never imagined myself making a tent out of bamboo or hiking through several kilometers of jungle and rivers to find a village.

Over the course of our trip we visited 3 villages spending a few days in each village. Believe it or not but all of these villages had a church but after spending some time to get to know the area we realized there were hardly any believers. The pastors were very welcoming to our unexpected arrival. These villages had a church and a pastor but there was no body because of the lack of outreaching and discipleship. And one pastor can’t do it by themselves. It just revealed to me that these villages may have been witnessed to a generation or 2 ago but there has been no solid follow up in teaching of the word. Don’t be quick to believe statements you hear like ‘most of the world has been evangelized to’ or ‘the world is already reached’ because those are based on false statistics that many people have come to Christ. Even saying the sinners prayer doesn’t necessicarily mean a person is saved. Billy Graham has even shared that 1 out of 10 people that come up at an alter call during one of his conferences will actually stay committed to serving God. That’s why we need to preach the true convicting gospel and as well following through with teaching of the word and building a foundation in new believers.

The villagers lived very simple lives. Just walking through it made me think I was back in time 200 years because all of the houses were made out of bamboo. There was hardly any electricity (just a few solar powered lights) and everybody bathes, drinks, and washes their clothes in the nearby river.

We (the students) took advantage of their time by playing with the kids and organizing services involving puppet shows, singing, preaching and praying and laying hands on the children and adults. We came home knowing that we were able to plant seeds of love and truth into those people. But we all knew in our hearts that these people needed more than just a few days of our time. The world needs more equipped believers that are willing to leave their comfortable lives at home and go into these villages and build a strong foundation of believers that will stand fast and grow in the generations to come. We need more John Wesley’s in our generation.

So that is what has been going on in our lives over the past few months. Please keep us in your prayers for our safety here and that lives would be changed here as we minister. May God Bless and keep you :)


-Josh & Bekah

Saved to Serve

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Ephesians 2:10 makes it very clear that we were Made and Saved to Serve God. We were put on earth to make a contribution. You and I were not created to take up space, to just eat and breathe. We were made to contribute not consume, not to get the most out of life but to give the most with our lives; not to take from life but to add value to life.

Ephesians 2:10 sheds light on the fact that we were created to do good deeds; verse 9 explains that we were not saved by good works, but for good works. The Bible’s main word for "doing good works" is service, serving; and we serve out of thankfulness.

I hope this post comes as an encouragement to you :)

God Bless,
Bekah

Is Your Marriage Fireproof?

It takes just a little time to give your hand...

Hey Ya’ll! I suppose it’s about that time for Josh and I to be updating our blog once again EH!

Josh and I had a wonderful Christmas- Outreach week! December 23rd we went into the local prison here and painted one large cell (there are 4 in total). First we had to scrub all the grunge off the cell walls, clean the prison bars, and last clean the screens, that of which were very filthy, that were attached to windows.

Scrubbing down the walls before painting.

While we all took turns cleaning the cell and painting it, those of us that weren’t occupied with a task, took the time to minister to the inmates, we sang songs and brought in food and water. Harley, a young man enrolled here in VBCI, is a qualified electrician, so we had Harley rewiring in new fans and lights in the hall way between the cells. Ministering in the prison here was a good awakening for me. My eyes were significantly opened to God’s heart breaking for His people. My heart ached to see those that were confined behind those prison bars. Men, women and even children were held captive. The majority of the people that were imprisoned there were not Thailand citizens; they were illegal immigrants working in Thailand from neighbouring countries. Out of desperation, these illegal immigrants will work dishonestly to earn so little to feed their families just so they can survive. The problem with this illegal situation is that when it comes to “pay day” instead of their superior paying them their wages earned, they will, instead, get turned in to the authorities. The fact is that in Thailand’s eyes, these illegal immigrants are taking work away from their native people; so as a result, they are held captive and then later released back to their own country. It’s crushing to see children behind bars because of their parents’ poverty-stricken choice to work illegitimately.

I can recall witnessing one event in the jail when tears were streaming down the faces of the women in the cell waiting for their names to be called off a list by the officer so that they could be released and sent back to their country, and sadly not one name was called. Of course I had no idea what all the commotion was about because I can’t speak the language or understand it all that well yet and neither can some of the others in our group so we had someone translate for us to find out what was going on and so this was one woman’s response: “The officer in charge had told us that if we paid 100baht by Friday that we could go home and so when they came to read off the list of names that were going to be released our names never got called.” I later found out as well that the last day for release is on Friday and so therefore they would remain in the prison until Monday, this helped me better understand the dilemma the woman were in and not forgetting to mention that they have already been in there for 3 weeks now. My heart broke for those women; I wanted so desperately to take them all home with me! The ministry that Josh and I work with here has developed an outreach that reaches out to this prison, they will go in and minister the gospel, feed the inmates and give them water, and encourage and uplift them weekly; this outreach gained us the open door to go into the prison Christmas break and bless. Since most of the inmates are from neighbouring countries, meals become an issue.

Not enough room for everyone to sleep all at once.

The authorities in charge don’t feed the prisoners, so if the inmates don’t have local friends or family in the area, sometimes they will go days without eating. There’s a scripture in Matthew 25 about Jesus telling us a story and nearer to the end of the chapter He comes to say “Whatever you do unto the least of these you do unto me.” I want to be the one that answers unto God on the day of judgement saying “For when you were hungry I gave you something to eat, when you were thirsty I gave you something to drink, when you were a stranger I invited you in, when you needed clothes I clothed you, when you were sick I looked after you, and when you were in prison I came to visit you!”

Our outreach team.

On December 25th our outreach team went to a local government school to feed the children. We ended up having a lot leftover so we brought the remaining food to the prison. December 26th was our Hospital outreach for the sick children. We preformed a puppet show in Thai, had some clowns clowning around while handing out balloons to the children. We made a snowman craft with the kids and to finish sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and blew out His birthday candles on the yummy cupcakes I made. To end our outreach week we lastly went to a Youth Detention Center on December 27th. Our ‘ONE WAY’ youth group has a band that preformed at the Detention Center. We also brought food in to feed the youth.

There are needs everywhere and all it takes is just a little time to give your hand.

Josh and I shared a beautiful Christmas this year giving the greatest gift of all! I hope this blog blesses you all this month. Josh and I really enjoy bringing you updates on what God is doing with us here in Thailand. We have some busy months ahead of us so more will be to come. Thank you so much for all your love, support and prayers!

God Bless,
Bekah

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS GOD’S WAY!

Josh and I at our Thai friend’s Wedding Dec. 15th, 2008.

Josh & I at our Thai friends' wedding.

With Christmas just around the corner it’s easy to get caught up in all the hustle and the bustle that this season “tends to bring”. I admit, even when I was back in Canada, I would even get caught up in trying to find the perfect gift for family and friends, sometimes that meant going a little bit overboard with spending just to get it. Please don’t get me wrong, giving is a wonderful thing, I certainly enjoy seeing the happy expressions on the faces of your loved ones when the gift exchange is taking place. However for me, I’ve noticed since I’ve been here serving God in Thailand, there has been a significant shifting in my outlook on things. This year I took on the task of sprucing up the ministries front bulletin board for this joyous holiday season. I asked people within and outside the ministry here ‘What does Christmas mean to you?’ I received excellent responses to the question, but this really challenged my thinking of what Christmas really means. Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. I love the crunching of the snow beneath your feet, the glowing of the lights that shine off the beautifully decorated houses, watching the snowflakes fall to the ground from inside a cozy home heated by a fireplace, and my most favourite of all, hugging a warm cup of hot chocolate heaped with marshmellows while watching the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

Our Thailand Christmas Tree.

Christmas is a wee bit different here in Thailand. To state the obvious, there’s no snow, people in general don’t celebrate Christmas because Buddhism is the main religion here, and Thai’s here think you’re a little bit off your rocker when they see you erect a tree in your house, let alone decorate it. Not forgetting to mention I’m quite the distance from immediate family and have been for the past three Christmas’, though last year Josh did come and visit me here which made Christmas a little bit like what I’m used to, and two years ago my parents came for almost the full month of December, my dad came to teach in the bible college, so Christmas again was nice but yet not really what I am used to. I find myself missing my traditional Canadian Family Christmas, the table decked out with candies, nuts, cakes, and all those yummy things that put the pounds on those hips, having the works for breakfast made by the famous D A D, being with the entire family, exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and acknowledging the birth of our Savior. While being here over the holiday season, I have learnt to appreciate those times but to embrace the change that God has so willingly allowed me to experience, to change my ‘idea’ of Christmas and to allow Him to use me for the benefit of others. In Matthew 10:8 it says “ .. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give.*Amplified Version” I want this to be the anthem for this holiday season and to carry on into the years to come. Josh and I are just everyday people that are determined to live life God’s way! This Christmas Josh and I will be giving out the greatest gift of all, the gift of HOPE! The week of Christmas is packed full of various outreaches that we will be heavily involved in. December 23rd is the Prison Outreach, the missionary staff, bible college students and a missionary team from Canada will be in the prison painting and cleaning cells, wiring in new lights and fans as well as presenting them with a new TV. December 24th is our Candle Light Service. December 25th is the Robinsons Outreach (our local mall), our ONE WAY worship band will be performing along with myself and my mentor girls will be putting on a puppet show for the children. December 26th is the Hospital Outreach, we will be going into the children’s ward to minister to them, they will be engaged in crafts, puppet shows, colouring Christmas colouring books, and having a happy birthday Jesus party etc. Lastly, December 27th we will be at the Detention Center, playing music, preaching, and feeding the inmates. I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than to tell the story of ONE MAN... whose life brought salvation... whose birth was of a woman... whose conception was of God... whose arrival was well-planned... whose coming was foretold...AND... whose birth would change this world forever! This is by far the greatest gift one could receive for Christmas =).

Josh and I appreciate each and every one of you that have given into our lives and that support us prayerfully and financially. Be blessed this joyful holiday season and keep warm, it’s a little “burr” outside :P.

Blessings, Bekah.

Another way to spend your time and money this season..

This movie is something that all of North America needs to see because our culture is at an age, if not then pretty darn close, where money is controlling the people when it should be the other way around. It's sad to see really. Watch this movie...

-Josh

My Missions Trip in The South Of Thailand

Sriracha Train Station just before we left.

Just recently, I have returned from a Southern Thailand mission’s trip with the rest of the VBCI students.

We left our home base (Sriracha, Chon Buri, Thailand) on the 27th of October by means of train. After 22hrs of a hot and humid train ride we found our destination in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. A local pastor there provided us with a place to stay at his church. The same pastor also led us in our missions during our time there.

Students praying over a woman mourning over the loss of a close relative.

The further South you go in Thailand the more Muslims you will find and the more radical they are too. There is much tension between some Buddhist and Muslim radicals. Over the past several years there has been reported bombings and attacks against each other. The area where we ministered in was safe from any such attacks for the dangerous areas were a few hours south of us. But we still had to exercise caution when we shared the gospel.
We had so many opportunities to minister to the sick, poor, demon possessed, as well as the Buddhist and Muslim people in the area. We also saw a couple of beautiful waterfalls and beaches on our trip. Our first day there we went to visit several sick people in their homes. We prayed as a group over them for healing.

Our first day some of us students played with some kids after a funeral service.

Khao Nan Waterfall. This picture only shows 1 of the 5 levels this water fall has.

Throughout the rest of the trip we had more opportunities to minister to other people. Several times I shared my testimony and spoke to different groups. One day the students were given the responsibility to lead a church service, where we led in worship, shared testimonies, and preached to local churches.

I was sharing my testimony at a local church in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Som on the right was our Thai translator throughout the trip.

As we ministered to others during this trip God was ministering to me. God has been teaching me to be bolder in my walk with Him: to step out of my comfort zone and into His realm spreading His truth to the lost. God will use you if you put your faith into action. I’ve seen this truth through the healings and the many conversions to Christ I have witnessed on this trip. I thank God for opportunities like this, where I can see the true power of God work miracles into reality in everyday life.

He has opened my eyes to the many lost souls of this Asian nation. These people are held captive by lies of false religion and there is such a strong need for more prayer and outreaching in this nation.

One of the most exciting things for me is to see someone become a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. We saw an entire family come to Christ one afternoon after eating at their restaurant. In this pic we are praying for the family.

I have gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be serving God and believe that the great commission in Matthew 28: 19-20 applies to all of us believers in Christ.

-Josh