In the Hands of God

We got word today that Na Nui passed away. He had been in the hospital in Phang-nga for several weeks. The hospital sent him home a few days ago. We (and they) knew that he couldn't survive much longer. We trust that he is now in the hands of our Savior and is now disease and pain free.

His family (mostly Buddhist with a few Christians) is planning the funeral. Pray that Christ will be honored in the outcome. We ask that our Lord give glory to the name of Jesus in all of this and draw many others from this family to himself.

Please pray for Nui's mother, his brother Gao, and the rest of their family during this time. Pray that we will also have wisdom with how best to give glory to God.

Also pray for our family as we leave Libby behind in Chiang Mai to attend school and travel back to Phang-nga on Thursday and Friday.

And the Lord gives the increase!

It was exciting today for Daniel and I to go and worship with our house church in Bang Butae village. Fourteen people were present! What a blessing to see this house group growing strong. One husband has finally started coming to the group. He says that he believes and wants to be baptized the next time we have a big meeting. In addition, 3-4 teenage girls came. All were excited to share the good things that God has been doing. Many of these grow watermelons for a living. They were sharing how God answers their prayers for rain and is blessing their crops.
I am reminded that it is God who is working in these believers lives. He is the one who helps them to grow in Christ and to share the gospel with those around them.

Pray for these believers that God will use them to boldly share with those around them and that His light will shine brightly through them.

Fishing

Today, Daniel and I went to our meeting in Bangkan village. Only Narong and his wife Jaan were present, but they were eager to receive us. They seemed to be doing much better and said so. Last time, Narong had asked if was okay to fish (Buddhism teaches that it is a sin to kill animals.) Today, Daniel shared a passage in Mark where Jesus calls his disciples ... who were fishermen. Narong really liked that! Now, he wants to take us fishing. He even pulled out all his gear!

Today, I would ask you to pray for Narong and Jaan that they, like Jesus' disciples, will become fishers of men.