Christmas in Thailand

At the CCT every year all the departments in Northern Thailand join together in celebration, with a wonderful time of worship and teaching, and also a whole lot of unrivalled fun too. This year was no exception. All the departments have very busy periods leading up to Christmas with extra events laid on through church ministries, schools and in social awareness ministries. All taking the open opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to our non christian community members. The SDSU, in combination with other CCT units has helped thousands of families in practical ways since the floods and storm damages of October and November. The provision of survival packages, and assistance with house building and repairs has been very hands-on practical ways to share God's love with the communities through the input of CCT and more importantly through the impact of the local church members. Relationships are strengthened and open opportunities to share life experiences, to pray with people and to let them know of the peace and security that is found in accepting Christ as their Saviour. Although the problems of poverty, crisis, and illness do not go away, with Christ in their lives there is peace, and He sustains in ways beyond our understanding or expectation. Pray that many community members will seek to learn more about Christ in this coming year, and believe at a heart level, rather than just seeing what practical help some Christians offer.

The lady in the photo below is one of the families visited by SDSU recently, with flood relief aid. She and her family are not yet Christian, but since the local church community reached out to her at the time of the flooding, they are open to hear the Gospel. The local pastor helped with temporary accommodation post flood damage until their house could be restored to be lived in again, and the pastor and his family have continued to build relationship with her. Pray that her heart will be open to receiving Jesus for herself and that her family too will be able to change their thinking. For people of other faiths, it is a hard decision to make sometimes and culturally can be challenging, yet God is supreme. Pray for the local church members as they seek to come alongside people and lead them to Christ.

At Hope Home we have throuroughly enjoyed teaching about Christmas through December - with songs, activities, worship and general day to day conversations. The staff and children are eagerly awaiting Christmas Day. This Sunday we are all heading to Thai church, and normally we would also go to International churh on Christmas Day. Unfortunately there is not a service this year so we will celebrate enthusiastically at home, share food and fellowship and also open our family home to those we know who are alone at Christmas. Pray for the real meaning of Christmas, Emmanuel God with us, to be evident in the staff who are not yet Christian and for our relationships to grow and develop with each other.

We are not yet fully open at Hope Home community playground, but the children are enjoying playing on the swings, merry-go-round and slides, as well as lots of freedom and space to run around. The staff are slowly getting braver at taking the wheelchairs up ramps or onto the equipment and it is being recognised slowly as being fully inclusive of all mobility abilities. We need trees and plants next and hope this will now be in January - time ran away with us. We praise God for this opportunity to create a safe play space, not only for Hope Home, but for the wider community and for our families of special needs children and young people. We eagerly await what more will be done in the coming year.

Pray for the opportunities to spread the Good news of Jesus Christ through the social action of SDSU, and through Hope Home too. Pray for people to grow in their faith and understanding.

Praise God for His provision in so many ways, and His protection. Pray for ongoing health and strength for the staff and children of Hope Home, and for the staff of SDSU.

Thank you so much for your amazing support and partnership throughout this year, and for the many ways you support BMS World Mission. We appreciate your partnership in the Gospel, and pray that this can continue.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a belated Happy Christmas and pray for a blessed New Year, where His peace and joy is present in your lives always, whatever the outward circumstances.

With love and prayers

Judy