Perseverance, Patience, and Growth: Lessons From the Bamboo Tree

There is a wonderful lesson we can learn from the humble bamboo. We have been fascinated by bamboo's remarkable underground root system. It takes three to five years (and up to seven years for certain species) to establish its roots before anything significant appears above ground. Colossians 2:7 (NLT) perfectly captures this: “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

In both life and ministry, we often experience seasons of hidden growth. A bamboo seed is planted in fertile soil, watered, and sunlit daily—yet for years, nothing but a tiny shoot is visible. To the untrained eye, it looks like a failure, as if nothing is happening. We have all experienced similar seasons in our spiritual journeys or ministries. We pray, read the Bible, and serve faithfully, yet see no immediate fruit. We feel stagnant.

However, Colossians 2:7 reminds us that our first calling is to simply be “rooted in Him.” Before the bamboo can grow upwards, it must grow downwards. In those quiet, hidden years, it develops a strong, interconnected root system. This serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively working beneath the surface. He is not ignoring us; He is steadily grounding us, strengthening our faith, and building the endurance and foundation required to sustain us for what lies ahead. Then, miraculously, around years five to seven, the bamboo shoots upward, growing up to three feet per day!

Above the surface at the Siloam Bible Institute (SBI) and in our personal journey with the Lord, we are finally starting to see these breakthroughs. In a beautiful answer to prayer, SBI students are becoming more proactive and confident in asking us for help outside of scheduled lessons. Since 2023, only one student had ever reached out, despite our open-door policy. In August, this changed. The first shoots from the bamboo stem are bursting through: Htoo Lee (Level 2), along with Gawin and Eh Saw (Level 1) from the B.Th. Theology programme, have all asked for help. Paul is now providing extra English lessons for their academic assignments and essays outside of scheduled class time. God's timing is truly perfect—because we taught trainee teachers Amu and Da (Waraporn) from 2025 to 2026, Paul has completed lesson plans ready to go, which is an absolute blessing.

Paul is also providing extra English lessons to Dashy (his former student from 2022–2023), who is now a qualified teacher holding a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) qualification.

Meanwhile, Amu is progressing beautifully with her studies in the Philippines, and we are in regular contact with her. Waraporn is also thriving, having recently completed an intensive Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) course.

Sarah recently facilitated another successful bakery workshop for the Thailand Karen Baptist Women's Union (TKBWU). The attending team did a fantastic job, completing about 14 to 16 hours of training over several days. Thanks to funding, the TKBWU department has purchased an oven, baking equipment, and supplies, meaning Sarah now only needs to bring a small handful of her own tools. Sarah also received wonderful news in August regarding Fon, a bakery student she trained two years ago. Fon is now successfully making and selling baked goods and beautifully decorated cream cakes right in her home village!

God has been preparing Sarah for years. She frequently crosses paths with individuals carrying deep emotional and mental pain, and she has long desired to be more effective and ethical in helping to bind up the brokenhearted. God recently opened a surprising door of opportunity - Sarah has begun studying part-time for a four-year Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Counselling integrated with theology at the Asia Biblical Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Chiang Mai.

Our modern culture often glorifies overnight success.However, God cultivates our character and resilience for long-lasting impact through unseen seasons of preparation. Perseverance in Christ is vital, and He never disappoints. Our hearts are truly “overflowing with thankfulness” for His faithfulness.

Thank God For:

- The SBI students proactively seeking academic support outside of scheduled lessons.

- Waraporn's successful completion of the intensive TESOL training.

- The opportunity for Sarah to return to formal education as a mature student.

Please Pray For:

- Spiritual growth, wisdom, and good health for all students and teachers at SBI.

- SBI Director Ajarn Glad, as he continues to elevate educational standards to secure official accreditation.

- Amu, as she continues studying in the Philippines. Sarah, as she balances the demands of ministry, teaching, studying, and personal life.

In Colossians 2:7, the Apostle Paul provides the details for authentic Christian growth: depth before distance, foundation before fruitfulness, and rootedness before reach. Do not be discouraged if you cannot see the growth right now. Plant yourself deeply in Christ. Let His Word be your soil, His Spirit be your strength, and His people be your orchard.

“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:13–14 (NKJV)

God Bless

Paul & Sarah