I know exactly what you are thinking: that picture above sure looks familiar. You’re right! Every year just about this time, I pull it out and add it to our Prayer update. So, those of you that have been faithfully reading our updates for years now, are probably sick and tired of it. Sorry, some habits die hard!

On March 13, 2013, my wife and I left the United States and headed for Asia. The two pictures above are of us upon our arrival in Asia (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) on the very next day. After spending two weeks with our team in Cambodia, my wife and I headed to the country of Laos. As I have mentioned in the past, many of my preacher friends thought we were making a grave mistake. Many thought we were just plain old “crazy.” One pastor even said that my going to the mission field would be the greatest mistake that I ever made.

As I said last year, after eleven years of living and serving in four different countries (Laos, Cambodia, China, and Thailand), I just thought I would say, loud and clear, “As far as ministry is concerned, these past eleven years have been the most fruitful and fulfilling in my 42 years of serving in full-time ministry, and yes, it has been a whole lot of fun too.”

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND GIVING TO OUR MINISTRY IN ASIA FOR THESE MANY YEARS AND PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR ENDEAVORS HERE!

MARRIAGE SEMINAR IN THAILAND

It was a tremendous blessing for Brother Tom Sutrick and me to be able to do a two-day seminar for a church about an hour and a half from us in March. I had the morning sessions and the one evening session. All my sessions were on Marriage and the Family. God really blessed in a special way. We were told that these believers had never heard ANY teaching on the topic of marriage and the family. It was a blessing to have Brother Jay Chang interpret for me on both days.  Brother Tom took the afternoon sessions and taught on soul winning. Again, another topic that was foreign to most of these dear saints. Another huge blessing was Sue Sutrick leading seven women to Christ and Tzer Chang leading two teen boys to Christ during the two days of the seminar.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS DEAR CHURCH FAMILY AS THEY TRY TO LIVE WHAT THEY LEARNED AT THE SEMINAR AND PRAY THAT THE NINE NEW CONVERTS WILL GROW IN THEIR FAITH!

PREACHING, TEACHING, AND DISCIPLESHIP

As most of you know, a great portion of my time and energy is focused up discipleship and/or Bible teaching. I am presently teaching and/or preaching six days a week. Between three different discipleship groups, two different sets of Bible college students, twice on Sunday morning, once on Wednesday evening, and once on Friday evening I am staying busy and blessed. I absolutely love teaching the word and it is a thrill to teach folks that have a hunger to learn and to live for God.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS, OUR BIBLE COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND OUR CHURCH SERVICES UP ON THE OLD MOUNTAIN TOP!

COLLEGE INTERNS

As I mentioned in our last update, eleven of our Bible students have finished their classroom studies and are spending this term interning at different churches in Laos and Thailand. During the month of January, we had Vee and Tee with us. During the month of February, we had Sor, Fatee, Mai, and Pachoua with us. Mai and Pachoua lived with us in Laos, and we consider them our daughters (or granddaughters). They all were such a blessing in every aspect of the ministry here in Northern Thailand, and they were also able to join with my Tuesday Discipleship Group and with my online teaching of the Bible students while they were with us. We sure hated to see them go!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL ELEVEN OF THE GRADUATES AS THEY CONTINUE TO INTERN IN VARIOUS CHURCHES!

VANGPAO AND VARMEE’S WEDDING

Speaking of our recent graduates, two of them (Vangpao and Varmee) just tied the knot. Both love the Lord, love people, and are faithful servants of Christ. They are assisting Pastor Kong in the newer church. This couple is a wonderful testimony of God’s goodness and grace. We are looking forward to seeing what God does in their lives and through their lives and ministry.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE VANGPAO AND VARMEE AS THEY ENDEAVOR TO REACH AND TEACH MANY IN THE COUNTRY OF LAOS!

As always, my wife and I would like to thank all our family, friends, fellow-laborers, and faithful supporters for praying and giving. We couldn’t be here, stay here, or accomplish what the Lord leads us to do here but by His grace, your generosity, and your prayers.

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

A FEW ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS:

 * Please pray for our upcoming Vacation Bible School (4 different villages).
 * Please pray for our upcoming Team Retreat in Bangkok.
 * Please pray for my upcoming meetings in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia.
 * Please pray for our upcoming Pastors’ and Church Leaders’ Conference.
 * Please pray for our upcoming College Graduation service.

* Please pray that we could raise $8,000 between now and July 1 to help enroll 125  poor children and teens in school for this upcoming school year.