For the past four years, our team here has been hosting a Youth Conference in Thailand. It’s only a two or three-hour drive from where we live and serve. For security reasons, we have yet to hold one here in this country but are praying about doing so next year. As always, this year’s conference was a real blessing. Our theme for the conference was “Is There Not A Cause?”  

We arrived in Udon Thani, Thailand on Friday afternoon. On Saturday evening, I had the privilege to preach for a special service for the Udon church family, as well as some of our folks who arrived a few days early for the conference. I preached a message from Galatians chapter one, “God’s Two-Fold Purpose for Paul’s Life and Our’s.”

I had the opportunity to, once again, preach on Sunday morning for the Udon church family and our folks. I preached a message and challenged the folks, with five lessons from Jeremiah’s letter to those in Babylonian captivity [Jeremiah 29:1-14]. We had a great crowd; a great time of worship; a great response to the message; and a great time of food and fellowship after the service.

The Youth Conference was fantastic! I believe we had 13 or 14 churches represented from three different countries. The preaching, the teaching, the congregational worship, the dozens of specials, the skit (oh, yes, the skit), the food, the fun, and the fellowship made for a truly God-blessed three days. Fellow Team Members, Koumaly, Darath, Kong, Lilee, Jui, and Lamphan did a tremendous job planning this conference. Grateful for Koumaly’s vision for this a few year’s ago. It was a tremendous privilege to have Bounna and Thy Has, along with two of the Bible college students, from Cambodia with us during Youth Conference. They were all an awesome blessing!

I had the privilege to preach the closing message. I preached from Exodus 3, on “Moses and the Burning Bush.” Dozens of folks came to the platform for prayer that had surrendered to serve God full-time either in the past or during that service. It was a heart-warming moment for sure!

Unfortunately, many of our church family and extended church family were unable to cross the border for this year’s Youth Conference. So very grateful for fellow Team members, TJ and his wife Kham, along with others, for hosting a mini-Youth Conference on this side of the border. From what I understand, they had a wonderful time. They even had something we didn’t have – a dunk tank! 🙂

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING GREAT INCREASE FROM THE SEEDS THAT WERE SOWN DURING BOTH OF THESE YOUTH CONFERENCES!

Every once in a while, I have the privilege to go to one of our village ministries about an hour-and-a-half away from where we live and serve. For security purposes, I can’t go  there often, it could cause serious problems for the folks in the village. It’s always a joy and a blessing to be with Kong, Lilee, and their folks. On my most recent trip, I had the privilege to preach twice and we partook of the Lord’s Supper. This was a first time experience for their church family!

Kong started this work about three years ago, after surrendering to serve God “full-time” when hearing me preach in Nong Khai, Thailand at a Bible Camp. Every week they hold services and different Bible studies for the young people of the village. They also have recently started a new work in another village about 30 minutes away. Nearly every month, he and his wife Lilee, along with one of our “adopted daughters” has the privilege of seeing someone trust Christ!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR KONG, LILEE, AND MAI AS THEY SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THIS VILLAGE!

A couple weeks ago, on a Friday, our ministry conducted two separate Teen Activities in two different locations. What a blessing! Between the two locations we had nearly 70 teenagers in attendance. Praise the Lord! Jui and a few others organized the Teen Activity in the Capital city, while Kong, Lilee, and Mai organized the one in their village. Of course, there was plenty of good fun, good clean fun, and teaching from God’s word!  PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR TEENAGERS!

Three weeks ago, Darath Thongdy, my wife, and a few other ladies hosted a Ladies’ Fellowship. We had quite a few teen girls and adult ladies. They too had plenty of food, fun, and fellowship,  and my wife had the privilege to speak for the ladies!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR LADIES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN LADIES HERE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD TO BE A LIGHT IN THEIR HOMES, VILLAGES, AND WHEREVER GOD MAY HAVE THEM!

Again, my wife and I, would like to thank each and every one of you for your faithful and consistent prayers and financial support as we continue to labor here in Asia!

 

Johnny and Denise