The Harvest is Here …

I have always loved December. Not only do I like the colder weather – yes, it does get cooler in December in Thailand, at least in Northern Thailand where we live. But the most important reason I like December is because it gives us a chance to truly reflect on the true meaning of “Emmanuel”- “God with us” and give us an opportunity to help other reflect on that meaning. 

Since we have lived in Thailand (it will be 13 years on Jan 13, 2012), we have come to realize that in Thailand, December is also harvest time. It is a time when millions of rice fields all over Thailand are bringing in the harvest of rice. Harvesting is much more fun than tilling the ground and preparing the soil for planting. But if we don’t prepare the soil properly and put the hard work into the soil, we will not reap the kind of harvest we desire. 

 

The same is true in the spiritual realm. Harvesting is much more fun than tilling the ground and preparing the soil for planting. But we must do the hard work of breaking up the soil and getting the fields ready for planting.

 

About 4 weeks ago we had our first Christmas evangelistic outreach on a university campus here in Northern Thailand and 36 university students gave their hearts to Jesus. The harvest was here but many people plowed the ground and worked the soil long before that harvest time came. You can read about this harvest in my  update on Dec 5, 2011 at the following link:    http://myemail.constantcontact.com/36-University-Students-Give-Their-Heart-To-Jesus.html?soid=1103335986076&aid=_PR0q5Svhtg

As we reflect on 2011, I am filled with humility that the God of the universe would allow a sinner like me to be a small part of reaching many nations for Jesus. God has allowed us to be involved in many different things over the last 12 years we have served in Thailand and one of the greatest blessings I continue to receive is the privilege of leading this awesome church God has planted in Northern Thailand called Baan Athitaan Church. What a great joy it was for us to baptize 8 new brothers and sisters in Christ this past Christmas morning. At least 3 of these 8 are the first persons in their entire families to become Christians and one of them is the first person in her entire village to be a believer.  Our church is full of 1^st generation Christians from dozens of different people groups here in Asia. God has truly blessed us. 

For all of you who have prayed, who have come and served with us, who have given financially so our family and our other team members could serve, and who continue to support God’s work in Northern Thailand, we want you to know that God has used your resources to change the lives of many nations for Jesu
s sake in 2011. Thank you for giving to the Lord. We could not be here without your generous prayers and financial support.

Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples. Jesus told us to be the salt of the earth. Jesus told us to be the light of the world. Jesus told us to love those who persecute us and to pray for those who reject us. Jesus told us to share the gospel with the poor, the orphaned, the sick, the widows, and those who have never heard. That is what we have been all about in 2011 and commit to being about in 2012. May God use us together to make an even greater difference in 2012 all for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.

Much Love & Prayers,

Pii Michael

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NTIM is a non-profit charitable organization with 501(C)(3) in the USA. All of your donations to NTIM are tax deductible and help us connect people in need with people who care and send them to places where millions have never heard about Jesus. Checks can be made out to NTIM, P.O. Box 26115, Birmingham, AL 35260 or online at www.gontim.org