Good News of Great Joy

Normally in this part of Thailand there would be late night visiting carol singers from local churches during all December (Sweet December) but this year there is notably less outward festivity due to the country being in formal mourning following the death of the Queen Mother. The quieter approach to celebrating Christmas I trust means the focus will be on Jesus and His coming, and less on the extras. At Hope Home during our devotional times, and in our teaching periods we have been focusing on the nativity in the last few weeks, and encouraging the staff and children to explore what it all means. Opportunities for deepening conversations with the staff happen over craft making activities with the children, and on our walks, when the children are keen to head out wearing their Christmas hats! We are delighted this year too to be involved in the Thai church for their Christmas services, and also to attend the Christmas Day service at International church. All the children and staff are excited at the prospect of this, and it is the highlight of our day.

One of our boys at Hope Home always looks forwards to his birthday, also in December, and he fully embraces the moment. He loves all things that resemble 'mending things' and all things spiderman - so this year he was almost too excited to enjoy his food and eager to get into his new spiderman suit and use his new play drill, sander and leaf blower! His enthusiasm for life, for embracing the moment is infectious, and also challenging too. It leads me to reflect and challenge myself-do I become complacent about just what Good News we have to share with others ? Do I keep it to myself or seek ways, in the everyday moments, to just be a witness. The other day, when helping a neighbour out with introductions to a potential care giver, I humbly watched as the gentlemen concerned shared the Gospel to two men he had just met- and not in an overpowering way but gently sharing the Good News. The two men left with more than they expected- one with a job that was expected, and both with the beginnings of learning about new faith. Am I so daring? Do I take the opportunities open to me? The honest answer is no, but as a New Year approaches I challenge myself to be more ready, and willing to speak out His Good News.

As the year draws to a close for many it triggers time for individuals and organisations to reflect on what has been achieved during that time, and look ahead to what is planned. At the Social Development Services Unit (SDSU) of the Church of Christ in Thailand today the staff were reflecting on the challenges of working outside of their comfort zone- outside of what has been a familiar way of working. This year two large project opportunities to reach people affected by flooding and other natural disasters have been presented and taken up by SDSU. We are on a steep learning curve in terms of the logistics on Disaster relief compared to, our familiar ground of sustainable development work with known communities.

I am hugely respectful of the staff of SDSU and their courage to step up to the challenges, learn and grow in capacity and above all, their trust in God to guide us through. Next year already looks and feels very challenging for them, but they are keeping their eyes focused on God, and underlying all the very practical work involved, their desire is for the people they serve to see Jesus through the love and care shown to them and to hear the Good News boldly.

Thank you for praying for and supporting ministries like SDSU and Hope Home in Thailand.

Pray for the staff of SDSU as they learn new approaches to delivering care to people in and post crisis points in their lives, and for those families still living with the trauma of recent severe flooding in the South of Thailand.

Pray for the ongoing witness of the Thai churches to reach deep into their communities, changing lives.

Pray for the staff and children of Hope Home to embrace the Good News of Jesus and praise God for the unbridled enthusiasm the children demonstrate in life much of the time.

Thank you for your wonderful and faithful support of BMS through the years, and for the partnership we share in His Gospel. May I take this opportunity to wish you a very special Christmas time -full of peace, hope and joy. May His presence be very real to you, in the good times and in the challenging times too.

I pray we too can hear again what the angels who came to the shepherds said..."Do not be afraid... I bring you good news of great joy for everyone" .