December 2024 Newsletter

Dear Brethren,

As I am writing this report it is New Year’s Eve.  I want to wish everyone a Happy Healthy and safe New Year. May God bless us all as we continue to work together for Him. May God be glorified by the work that we do for Him.

I would be remiss if I did not thank you all for the expression of love that was outpoured for my family and myself in the loss of my mom. You have all been a great comfort to me. While it is sad and I miss her so much… I also have much to be thankful for. I am grateful that she was my mother. I am thankful that she was a beautiful Christian woman.  I am thankful for the teaching and example she has given me all my life. I am thankful for the memories I have of her that I can cherish. I truly have much to be grateful for.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thes. 5:18

At the end of December, I decided to attend the 16^th Annual Four Seas Lectureship at the Jurong congregation in Singapore. It was a last-minute decision, but I am thankful that I decided to go for a number of reasons. First, it is always good for a preacher to be able to hear other people preach. It is very refreshing.  Second, the lessons were fantastic and upbuilding. Third, I got to spend some time with brethren that I love so dearly. Fourth, an opportunity arose to help a young man who is about to finish Fours Seas Bible College. He is from Myanmar. His name is NoBel and he is 23 years old. One of the elders at Jurong approached me and asked if there was some way we could help him. It is not safe for him to go back to Myanmar because of the civil war that is going on there. We are planning on helping him come to Thailand when he finishes school there at the end of February. He will become a part of our team here. He was able to come with the brethren from Jurong in December and see our work. Fifth, my Mom and Dad have done a lot of teaching in Singapore over the years. So many of the women came up to me and told me how they loved my Mom and were so thankful for the teaching and encouragement that they received from her. Shortly after my mom passed away, I kept remembering all of what was said about her. Even though these things were said before my mom passed away, they comfort me now. I hope to be able to attend the lectureship there again next year.

16^th Annual Four Seas Lectureship at the Jurong congregation in Singapore.

I flew back to Thailand on Sunday evening after the lectureship. My flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai got delayed so I did not arrive home till 12:30 a.m. I got in bed at 1:00 a.m. My dad called me about my mom passing away at 2:00 a.m.  I got up the next morning and reported to the Thai government that I had returned to Thailand (that has to be done within 24 hours of one’s return). I went to another government office to renew my work permit… which had to be done that week. Then I went to immigration to get a re-entry visa so that I could leave the country again. I got back to the airport that same day at 8:00 p.m. and flew to America for my mom’s funeral. I want to tell you about my mom’s passing… She passed on Sunday. She and Dad got up, got ready, and went to worship. Dad taught Bible class and Preached during worship. My mom worshiped… she got up and went to sit in the car. Dad got in and told her to buckle her seatbelt… and she was gone. I cannot think of a better way to pass from this life… Worship God and go into eternity. Next time you are too “tired” to go to worship, Next time you would like to stay home and watch the ball game, Next time you just don’t feel like going to worship… Remember my mom.

Mom’s funeral.

I got back home to Thailand on December 12 in the early hours of the morning. The brethren from Singapore arrived on December 13^th. We began our work together for the next week. On Saturday when everyone had arrived, we headed for the mountains. We had a one-day Gospel Meeting on Sunday. We went through the Kingdom parables in Matthew 13. The lessons were wonderful. Also, on Sunday they visited with several students that they support. They also brought a lot of new clothes that were given to the students. On Monday we traveled and saw several places where we worship and met with two groups of students at their schools. Many more clothes were given away. On Tuesday, they paved the back sidewalk of the church building at Maelati and planted trees. On Wednesday, we visited another school and gave away more clothes to students. On Thursday, we returned to Chiang Mai. On Friday, we did some sightseeing. On Saturday, they returned home. I am thankful to the brethren from Jurong and all the help they give to our work in Chiang Mai.

We have much planned for the rest of January and February. Please pray that God will give us the rest and strength we need to do all the work that has been planned.

God bless,
Michael