A journey of faith

One of the joys of being involved in long term mission is the privilege of walking alongside some amazing Christians over a number of years - and seeing what God does in and through them.  Back in 2006, I was working closely with a youth leader called Somchai.  He was then the Youth Secretary for the Karen Baptist Convention (KBC). 
 

Somchai with his youngest daughter in July 2006

After his term with the KBC expired in 2007, Somchai faced a difficult choice.  He could have stayed in Chiang Mai and worked for an NGO.  This would have offered him a good wage, opportunities to travel internationally, and the ability to send his two children to an excellent Christian school.

But Somchai felt that God was calling him in a different direction - back home.  Somchai comes from Tha Song Khwae, a remote village in Mae La Noi, 4 hours drive from Chiang Mai.  There was a small church plant in his village, but the neighbourhood was mostly Buddhist and animist, and things were not easy for the Christians there.  There was no pastor – and no money to pay a salary either. 

Tha Song Khwae Christians in 2009

Somchai decided to take a step of faith and return to Tha Song Khwae, taking up the challenge of pastoring the church plant, encouraging the believers and reaching out to the local community.  With his wife, Da, he has been farming rice and raising animals to support his family.


There have been disappointments and setbacks over the years, but people have been coming to faith in Jesus as the little community of Christians has grown in maturity and confidence.  And last Sunday, that church plant was officially dedicated as a full church in the Karen Baptist Convention.  It was an emotional moment, and a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness – and to the commitment and dedication of Pastor Somchai and his family.

Tha Song Khwae Church - the newest church in the KBC

Tha Song Khwae church leaders being commissioned

During the dedication ceremony, the leaders and members of the new church were challenged that, as God’s chosen people, they have a high calling – to model God’s kingdom on earth, and to share Christ’s gospel with their neighbours.  Please pray for them as they set out on a new stage of their journey together.
  

Da, Manna, Gift and Somchai at the service on Sunday

And please continue to pray for Somchai, for his wife Da, and for their two children, Manna and Gift.

Karen Baptist Assembly on Thai TV

This year's KBC (Karen Baptist Convention) Assembly was held in the Musikee district.  Almost 5,000 people attended the four day meeting - and among those 5,000 were some Channel 7 reporters.  In the days following the Assembly, Channel 7 showed two 5 minute reports from the Assembly on prime-time national TV.

While the focus of the Channel 7 reporting was on the presence of the President of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, it was fun to see Karen singing and traditional dances on TV! Here is a link to one of the reports - although the report is all in Thai, the background pictures are interesting.