Boondeekhun's Bulletin

We've been busy overseeing the three churches: Wang Daeng, Ban Dara and Maesan as well as doing our incarnational ministry here in Tao Hai village. The work goes forward slowly but surely and we are excited to see God transforming lives in all three locations.

The work in Ban Dara has been very encouraging as we have seen several new believers at church on a Sunday, and two seekers attending one of the care groups regularly (pictured below). These care groups act as a half-way stage for folk who are not brave enough to attend the Sunday worship service. They are also a place where new believers can study the Bible and pray for one another.

One lady from Ban Dara church who especially needs your prayers is Thongpon, who suffers from Thalassemia. She is also the sole carer for her mother Jaew, who is blind, deaf and has dementia. Thongpon has been very ill recently and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Pray for healing, strength and encouragement.

The Ban Dara congregation is growing and the house we use for worship is becoming very cramped - it's also being eaten by termites! So for the past year we have been searching for another local property for rent but have found nothing suitable. Recently, a plot of land became available in the ideal location, so after much prayer we decided to buy it. Please pray for wisdom in how to proceed with raising funds and building a church hall.

Our son DJ, with Hannah and Juliette, will be coming to visit next month in order to meet up with SIL teams working in three countries in South East Asia. Pray for wisdom in making the decision of where they should go for their two-year internship. We are delighted to be able to spend a week with them whilst they are here. Our daughter Josie and Niall are staying put - in fact they are in the process of house hunting - please pray for them in choosing which house to buy. We will catch up with them on our Home Assignment in the summer.

With Moses and Mary gone, we are spending more time in Wang Daeng, which includes visiting folk in the community. It has been lovely to become reacquainted with old friends and making new ones. Recently we had the joy of meeting a two-month old baby and having a cuddle!

Pastor Newton has been doing a wonderful job with the Maesan Church and they have taken him to their hearts. He is even learning the local Mien language. Recently, we were able to get some audio-Bibles in Mien, which will really help those who are unable to read, to get into God's word.

Last month Newton and Pop, the current Sunday-school teacher, took two ladies to a Sunday-school training course and they had a wonderful time learning new skills. Please pray that they would have the confidence to put these into practice in the Sunday-school class.

On Sunday 6th April the three congregations gathered together in Wang Daeng to bid a fond farewell to Moses, Mary and their two girls. Various people shared of how they have been blessed and their lives changed through their ministry, and the Wang Daeng congregation performed a song expressing their thankfulness. Moses told of their plans to begin a new church planting project after a short sabbatical period. Now the Wang Daeng Church is looking for a new pastor as well as a youth leader, who can take the church on into it's next phase.

We have already found two people who may fit these roles: Pastor Neng is a single lady in her early 50s who comes from the Isaan region. She has had several year's experience co-pastoring a church in Bangkok; and Pastor Sky is a young Bible college graduate - 22yrs old - with some experience in youth and children's work. They will both start a probationary period from the beginning of May so please pray for this time of transition.

Please also pray for the churches in Ban Dara and Maesan, as well as the evangelistic work in the village of Tao Hai.

Pray for several folk who are seriously ill in hospital: Thongpon - Thalassemia; Mr Thip - heart condition; Uncle Daeng - liver condition; and Mr Petch - inoperable liver cancer.

Pray for us as we prepare for our Home Assignment for this summer.

Blessings in Christ

Wit & Helen