Dear Family and Friends,
Time is racing toward the end of the year, and Christmas is right around the corner. Christmas is such a special time and this year we are staying home and celebrating with Seth and family, and Catia and José. I am so looking forward to this family time before I am off again; this time to Nigeria (30th of December to the 14th of January). I am still recovering from jet lag from my last trip and since I cannot sleep at regular hours, I thought I would give you a report on my time in Cambodia and Thailand.
I left for the far East on the 15th of November, stopping for a day in Dubai before landing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I met a dear friend of ours, Chris Chatlin, who is CEO for Cambodia Action, an NGO that has been investing in Cambodia for over 50 years. This was more of a discovery trip to see all that Chris and his organization is doing in this country. I was able to minister to some adolescents in one of the schools they sponsor as well as visit communities living in garbage piles and cemeteries. Poverty is such a heavy weight on the people, but does provide opportunities for the Gospel. Seeing the suffering of the people and their openness to the Gospel, reminds me that our preaching must be more than the words we say, but also the love-action we demonstrate.
My stay in Cambodia was only for five days, before I flew to Bangkok, Thailand. I just stayed one night, had breakfast with a friend of a friend, and then flew to Khon Kaen, in the Northeast of the country. Bob Taylor, a friend of mine from high school days in Fairbanks, Alaska, has been working and living in Thailand for over 40 years and has a special heart for the Bru tribe that spreads across the mountains of Laos and Vietnam. During the Vietnam war, they were considered unreached and their main belief system was animism and witchcraft. Bob was with the U.S. special opts force fighting in the area and after the war decided to bring the Gospel to this tribe. Now there are churches, (mainly in homes), in many of the mountain villages.
I was with Bob in Fairbanks last January and he asked me to go with him to Thailand to help train many of the Bru pastors and leaders. We brought 18 leaders to a Christian center in Khon Kaen and for 10 full days, taught them principles of discipleship and basic Bible studies. Many had been in prison for their faith, as well as having suffered the burning of their homes and church buildings. Yet, with all that they had gone through all they wanted was to learn more of the Bible and know how to multiply their churches to reach all the mountain villages. Words cannot express the joy and fulfilment in being able to serve these dear people. We were also able to bless them with a dinner out at a very modern Mall. What a culture shock for them, ha. We ate pizza…not all liked it, but it all disappeared.
After the 10 days with the Bru, I ministered to Thai, Lao and pastors from Myanmar at a conference. The Holy Spirit visited us in such a special way. There were such hunger and brokenness among the 90+ leaders that were present. There were times in which all were on their knees and faces before the Lord…crying…laughing…seeking God. We were all blessed beyond all our expectations. These countries are all restricted access countries, yet the Gospel is spreading like a wildfire. Upon leaving, the people poured on their love with gifts and request to return next year. Pray for confirmation as more and more opportunities have come to us.
Many of you have been our intercessors and partners in our ministry to the nations. Without you it would be impossible to go where we go and minister in such diverse situations. What we did in Thailand with the Bru tribe we want to do in South Africa. Chris and Suzanna Catlin have a guest house in Nelspruit, South Africa, and we are planning to host a number of pastors from Mozambique and Eswatini for a week of refreshing and training. We want to bless them with this time “apart”, which many have never had. Also, we are desiring to help purchase a 4-wheel drive vehicle for one of the pastors so that he can reach into the difficult to access rural areas North of Maputo.
After I get back from Nigeria, I’ll write you another update. I will be two weeks in the Imo state, (Western Nigeria), ministering at several conferences and seminars for pastors and leaders. This is my first time to this nation, and I am looking forward to it. I am traveling alone, so pray for Helen’s peace of mind in handling all the home-front affairs. Have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Jim and Helen