Good Stewards

Whilst the extreme heat smouldered on; in April, after a 5–6-hour drive, we arrived at the Thailand Karen Baptist Convention's (TKBC) 69th Annual Assembly in the remote mountain location of Omkoi. In our April Newsletter, we noted, that it was expected that around 400 – 500 people across TKBC were due to attend – the actual number of people went beyond that figure with over 2,000 people in attendance. Gathered with 2,000+ people in the heat to worship the Lord, made for a wonderful sound in the mountains with our singing and praying, but it was also a beautiful feast for the eyes, with everyone wearing their brightly coloured traditional Karen outfits. We are thankful we had the opportunity to fellowship with old friends and make new friends from the Karen Baptist of Korea, USA and Sweden. Among the vast crowd Sarah and Paul met with former students they used to teach from the New Life Centre Foundation (NLCF) and Sarah also unexpectedly bumped into a Karen English student called Min, whom she has been teaching online since 2022. Sarah was able to spend an amazing afternoon with Min, her mother and meet the rest of Min's family. On the last day of the assembly, 12 ministers were ordained including Ajarn Glad Head of Siloam Bible Institute (SBI). Ajarn Glad also had the pleasure of baptising his eldest daughter, who had waited until her father was ordained so he could baptise her.

At the beginning of May Sarah ran the first bakery training sessions within TKBC's women's ministry, some youth also attended. She taught bakery skills that can be used in remote locations where many do not own an oven, have limited electricity and resources – with the aim that small businesses can be started in Karen communities, with the hope of selling them for income generation. Sarah began each lesson with prayer; she was inspired by God and with extensive planning she was able to teach non-baked goods, rice cooker desserts, steamed cakes and bread using a large steam pot found in most Karen homes and a gas stove, and baked cakes and breads. Sarah learnt a lot along the way as well. On the final day – Bread Making - Sarah led a devotional 'Jesus Is the Bread of Life' before starting the lesson.

One student started TikTok Live for the lesson, little did Sarah or the group realise how many people would be interested – over 900 people watched live to see various breads being made. Each student did an excellent job and completed around 35 hours of training and made 17 different kinds of desserts, cakes, and breads. A mini ceremony was held on the last day, and each student received a certificate of completion. It is hoped that Sarah will be able to teach another bakery workshop later this year.

The Lord reminded Sarah – “That we are to be good stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us. And he has entrusted them to us primarily for the benefit of others.” – 1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:4-6

Thank God, heavy rains finally arrived during the first week of May, bringing the temperature down to the daily average of 30 °C - 36°C. The rains came right in time for the start of the new school year after the long summer holidays. SBI reopened the second week of May, with an intake of new nervous and excited students, many of them living away from home for the first time. The seasoned SBI students made them feel very welcome and calmed their nerves with fun activities including the final-year students washing the new students' feet, blessing them with words of encouragement and praying for them. We look forward to getting to know and teaching some of these new students when we return to SBI in August 2024.

Thank God:

*For the blessed time everyone had at the TKBC Annual Assembly. Included many that were ministered to from within the village of Omkoi.

*The first baking training at TKBC went well.

Please Pray For:

*Global Climate Change. Pray that we as Christians will all do our part to care for the creation that God has entrusted to us.

*The SBI students returning to study. For the new students at SBI - that they will settle well as they adjust to being away from home.

*Safe travel as we visit churches – that the time will be a blessing for everyone and for good quality time with our family and friends whilst we are in the UK.

We look forward to seeing many of you in the UK, until then… “God we acknowledge that you are Creator and owner of all things, help us as the church to live as faithful stewards of all that you Lord have entrusted to us. Remembering, we are called to care for the earth and everything that lives on it; to be good stewards of money and possessions, upholding economic justice and giving generously and cheerfully. Lord, help us to use your gifts wisely and teach us to share them well. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Christ in our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen”.

God Bless

Love

Paul & Sarah