Dear Family, Friends, Partners in Ministry,
As I begin writing this update, I am sitting at my desk in Northern Thailand, drinking a cup of coffee, sitting in our new building, in my new office, and thinking about the goodness of God and what God might want me to share with you today.
Since you have not heard about our children’s English Outreach in quite a while, let me take just take a few moments and walk you through certain things that are going on that will help you know how to pray for us.
Jesus loves children. And children loved Jesus. It is amazing how children seem to have this “6th sense” about people and they respond well to people that they sense are “safe” people.
One of the ways we serve God here in Northern Thailand and reach out into our community is through a partnership with Grace Language School and Baan Athitaan Church. It has been my honor a privilege to lead both of these organizations from the time we founded them over 20 years ago.
*GOD HAS GIVEN US AN AWESOME ESL OUTREACH FOR CHILDREN ON SATURDAYS
Several years ago, we saw the need to open up an ELS outreach to children grades 1-6 in our community. This has been a great way for our church – Baan Athitaan Church – and our school – Grace Language School – to work together in reaching the precious Thai children. This is also a time where we get to train and equip some of our university students in teaching as well. Please pray for us as we continue to grow. Before Covid we were running about 70 children every Saturday. However, since covid those numbers have dropped to somewhere around 50. Please pray for all of those involved in the Children’s ESL Outreach program on Saturdays. As I write this update, there are 6 different groups of Children studying English in our new – multi-purpose facility called the Lighthouse Learning Center. Our Thai Staff, under Ball’s leadership, along with several of our church’s awesome university students, lead this ESL Children’s outreach. Please pray for Ball, Ja, Jay, Pat, Nat, Mon, Mali, Yim, Thip, Jeerawan, and Nana as they help with our ESL Outreach to Children.
Here are some pictures from today and a link to all of the pictures on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=BaanathitaanChurch&set=a.7287424944631588
Many of the people we see come to Christ are the first person in their entire family to become an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. Please keep us in your prayers as we sense a great move of God during this time and as we begin this new year where Thai people seem to be very open to hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
* OTHER AREAS OF PRAYER WE WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU
You have heard me say on many occasions, one of the most significant things that I do while serving as God has shaped and gifted me is to faithfully, boldly, gently, and clearly teach God’s truth almost every Sunday morning to our church family that is made up of over 23 different people groups from all over the 10-40 Window and is also a mix of several international groups. Our desire has always been to plant a community purpose driven church that welcomes every ethnic group of people that comes through our doors and not segregate their ability to serve based on ethnicity or nationality but based upon gifting, calling, and heart. We are truly becoming a vibrant and active community church and I believe we have the blessing of God upon us at this time …… in this place ….. and for His purposes and His glory.
Please pray for what God is doing right here in the heart of Southeast Asia. As Henry Blackaby has said many times, God it truly at work all around us and He invites us to join Him in what He is doing.
We love you and miss you, but at the same time, are very happy to serve our Lord Jesus in this place, among these people, at this season in life, and for God’s redemptive purposes.
May God richly bless you. Thank you for your kindness and generosity and for sending us to Thailand. Any gift you would like to make toward our normal, everyday ministry, no matter how small or how large, helps us reach people who are the first persons in their entire families to know Jesus.
Until the People in and around Northern Thailand know Him,
Michael for the team
“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
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Financial support can be given through NTIM….
Northern Thailand Impact Ministry (NTIM), P.O. Box 26115, Birmingham, AL 35260 USA Main Website: www.gontim.org
NTIM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in the USA. We are committed to connecting people in need with people who care and are focused in the heart of Southeast Asia where poverty is high, education is low, needs are great, unreached people groups (UPGs) are all around us, and the love and message of Jesus is needed to transform lives.
You can send donations to support God’s work to NTIM. All donations made are tax deductible and can be made either online at www.gontim.org or mailed to NTIM, P.O. Box 26115, Birmingham, AL 35260
If you would like to get on our email update listing, please send me an email at pray4ntim@gmail.com