Above: Taxi in Thailand. In the cab various religious relics hanging from the mirror and just in front of me a small Buda plastic figure stuck to the dashboard. Reaching to buckle my seat belt, the taxi driver quickly said, “No, no, it’s o.k.” In other words it would be culturally insensitive and offensive if I buckled my seat belt which would communicate that I did not trust his driving.





Above: Some of God’s beautiful creation in Thailand.





Above: Some of the various temples I saw as I strolled through Chaing Mai.

This was my second residential for leadership training in Thailand. Spending a week with fellow missionaries serving in unreached areas around the globe is such an encouraging time. The stories shared over meal times, the testimonies and the times of worship were powerful. Worship is just different when you sing with people you know are returning to unreached lands to proclaim the Gospel and together you sing, “Let your name be lifted higher!” to Jesus Christ.

God’s word tells us that, “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” will stand before Jesus praising Him. This is the prophecy that God is at work fulfilling through His children, a work that is not void of great trials. There are missionaries in isolated places persevering by God’s grace. Some have been threatened multiple times by local authorities, some abruptly kicked out of areas they so loved, some struggling through the pain of being the suspicious outsider for years. They join a long line of witnesses that seek to obey Christ’s call to make disciples of all nations and “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” (Heb 12:1-2)



Above: The group I was privileged to spend time with this week in Thailand who serve all over the globe. Praise God for a refreshing week of prayer, learning together, fellowship and encouragement.

OPEN DOOR

Above: Public schools recently purchased by the Baptist Church of Hungary.

Just before leaving for Thailand, core members of our church planting team met with the leaders of the Baptist church of Hungary to discuss their recent purchase of over 50 public schools throughout Hungary. As I’ve mentioned previously, one of those public schools happens to be in the town we have planted a church!



I was very encouraged to hear one of the leaders talk about his excitement of how this could transform the nation. He talked about the opportunity to reach out to the teachers at each school, and the opportunity to invest in the next generation throughout the country.

Sunday Worship

Above: Marcsi wishing Gyula (baseball cap) happy birthday after worship service on Sunday. Teenager Fanni (pictured left of Gyula) is one of six people who will baptized next week! We would appreciate your prayer for Fanni, Jennifer, Timi, Anna, Betti and Lilli as they publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at this Sunday’s baptism.

Random Shots