DSMI Thailand

Nan Outreach (cont.)

2009-09-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

His Protection :
We loaded two trucks at 04.00 a.m. on Saturday morning. We prayed together and 19 of us drove of at 05.00 a.m. One of young man said “We have a long way, we should check the engine. He found the dry water pot and moreover, he found a big pair of pliers lay on the engine. Thank you God for keeping us safe for the whole trip!!

Special Time :
We arrived school in time for lunch. After lunch we spent time with about 300 school kids. We played games, we painted and danced. My Buddhist friends from Bangkok gave the
children a lot of sweets and snacks. All the kids joined in and had fun with us all afternoon.
At dinner time we sang a special song for the Bangkok team- a Christian song about God’s home. One in our team thanked them for their support and shared with them our feeling and the meaning of the song. Come home to God’s love and his family. My Buddhist friends had soft eyes and were quiet. More important thing is when we thanked God for our food, no one from Bangkok started to eat until we said “Amen”. We needed to leave the school after dinner. Our Bangkok friends said a long good bye with our young team. One even said “God bless you” it’s not the word for general Buddhist should say and this is the first time. Truly, they enjoyed being with us and want to spend more time together. I’m confident they are hungry for God’s love but they don’t know it yet.

Impress :
We stayed over night at a Christian brother’s home in small village called Baan Nam Meat. On Sunday at 06.00 a.m., we went to worship at a local church. They are worship early
in this farming village. There are Lawa hill tribe and have about 20 members. We sang special songs and shared encouraging testimonies. I met an American missionary, his name is David. He had lived in this area more than 30 years. He has studied the local culture. He learned to listen, speak, read and write the local language. Now he teaches Bible and he translates Bible into their local language. He told me he wants to make a complete local language Bible before he leaves this world.
I was very impressed for with the Holy Communion ceremony. They use sticky rice and clean water instead of bread and grape juice. I feel they remember Jesus on the cross with their heart. Thank you God for a very wonderful experience.

Prayer Point :
1. Mr. David. He is over 60 years old and needs good health.
2. Bangkok team. They are Buddhist friends, the same team as before. Let them be more hungry for the truth and God’s love.
3. People at Baan Nam Meat. Many village people believe false gods and worship idols.
4. For next mission outreach. Maybe we will arrange a Christmas outreach.
5. Youth team. They are students. Sometime they have problems. They are a great
Team. They love God and they love each other. Pray that little things do not interfere.

A Testimony (cont.)

2009-09-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

If you will turn the clock back five years into the past, a woman named Noina prayed to the Lord, asking him to increase in her the value and meaning of life, to fill within her his love- to make up for what she thought was ‘missing’.

And increase the meaning of life, God, indeed, do.

For the first two years, he gave her care over a ‘youth’ group. The group consisted of four University Students in Chiang Rai, all of them from the Hill Tribes and even one of them was living at her house. As she went into her third and forth year of ministry, eight more students joined her. Praise the Lord that, now, five years into her ministry, she has more than twenty youths, (young adults, really) in her group. All but three of these young people came to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. They were all from poor, farming families- and none of them have ever had what most would consider a ‘normal’ past.

She spent much of her time with them to build relationships, and she did it by:

1. Holding fellowship time after work and having dinner with them at least once a week in the first two years, then it was three times a month in third and forth year. Currently, due to the size of the group and economic reasons, they would carry this activity for once or twice a month. However if there was a plan to do outreach there would be additional get together.

2. Take time to listen, share, advise and pray with them, for they are young adults…and young adults problems, they are keen to have!

3. Raise support for those who are in need. Praise Lord, however, that seventeen of our students received sponsorship for lunch, dormitory and, more importantly, a sponsorship for their tuition.

4. Leading the group to work with non-believers and to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ and through this activity, the Lord used this opportunity to teach both the group and the group leader all at the same time.

For the first two years, God filled what was missing in these youths, as they learn to “receive,” while at the same time, Noina learnt how to “give”. Give warmth, love, care, and advices. She would hold fellowship time, lead activities, go shop hunting for Christmas presents. Many times, she would seek advice from those in the pastoral positions- she thought if some of the people truly deserve sponsorship, but as one missionary states ‘we pass on the blessing not judgment .

We should thank God as, into the third and forth year, the youths eventually learn the true meaning of what it is to ‘give’. This change came about as they go into outreach, the young men and women were more willing to put in ideas and the labours. They started giving more support instead of receive , and as such, their quality of live seemingly improved. This is when they start sending presents to the supporters. And this year, Noina received a surprise from her ‘youth’ team, for on her birthday, they held a secret party, had cakes, singing “Happy Birth-day”, and telling her that it is for “our second mum”.

Through these years in her ministry, she saw growth in her youths: physically, spiritually, and mentally.

To the Lord be all gratitude and glory for His answer in Noina’s life. Now she feels complete.

Jo's Testimony

2008-08-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Until I studied in high school. I’ve a lot of friends. One of them are Christian. She lives in a Christian children home. She always tell me about Jesus story and Christian’s activity. I’m not forget about Jesus story and still in my heart. I believe that God seeks me when I seek him. After that I’m interested. My friend invited me to go to her church. But I can’t go. When I graduated in high school. I came to Chiang Rai for study in University. During that time , My mom has a problem about her debt from her business. She hasn’t got enough money to send me to study and stay in dormitory. I don’t know how I can do for situation. I think about Jesus story that my friend told me. He can help me when I call to him. I decided call to him. Although I don’t know how to pray and don’t know Him well. I believe that He can help me and He really helps me. My father can help me to study and stay in dormitory. God still show His great is he through another friend that I can see His great. My friend ,her name is Daw ( meaning star ) Before she became a Christian. Her life is so perfect. Her family is rich. But she hasn’t got friend. She always drink when she has a problem. I met her and know her because we are in the same dorm. During that time , I studied hard .I didn’t see her about 3 months. When I see her again , she looks so happy and I can touch that something changed in her life. She said everything changed when she meet Jesus. I asked her many questions. Some question she can’t answer me but she bring me to “ Sing and Share group ” She said that someone can answer my question better than her. When I arrived, I meet the Campus Crusade Staff .They answer my question and tell a lot of things that I don’t know befor about Jesus. Jesus loves me. He died for my sin and He wants to make a good relationship with me. After that they asked me that I would like to accept Jesus is my savior. I said yes ! I believe that God has a plan for my life. He has a right time to call me to be His child by my faith. He chooses and know me . Since I accept Jesus is my savior . The bad things in my life gone and replce by new things from God. I want to know more Jesus. I came to a small group for learn about how to growth with God , spiritual life and how to pray etc. Then I went to church. At my first time , I can touch His love through all welcome from the other people that I never meet them before. It feels like I’ve known them for years.

During school holiday , I want to get home and tell my family when I become a Christian.I’m really worried about that. Because I’ve heard about some family opposed their children when they become a Christian and believe in God . Some family drive their children out from their home. My friend and I prayed together. When I pray , I heard whisper “ I’ll take care of you. Don’t be worried ” When I get home , I tell my family about I’m a Christian ,why I become a Christian ? I think they would be angry or blame me but they’re so glad when I said that and they also interested in my faith. I believe that God also has a good plan to call my family .

Meet Jack

I met Jack at the church when I went to church at my first time. He’s a Youth pastor and just came back from Australia for visit church ministries in Australia. I’ve just smiled him. After that we both work with the youth group together inside and outside the church that the reason I know him more .One day , he wants my telephone number and he wants it for church’s work.( He said ) A few week later , he call me .He always call me and ask me “ How are you ?” “ How about your class today ? ” and “ What are you doing ? ” I don’t know how does he feel with me . I started to pray. Two months later , he call me and tell me about his feeling and want me to be his girlfriend. I don’t forget to pray and ask God to protect us. A few week later , he didn’t call me. He call me again and said that he had to break off our relationship because his pastor disagree with the new believer will be a girlfriend of Youth pastor and the pastor said my parents are divorce. If we’ve got married , we’ll divorce like my parents He said. He should obey his pastor. I’m so sad . After that I never talk to him. My friend always encourage me and let me prove myself to the other. That time , God always encourage me to meet face to face with situations. He gives me His words in Psalm 119 :50 “ My comfort in my suffering is this ; your promise preserves my life ” and Isaiah 43 : 2-4 “ When you pass through the waters , I will be with you ; and when you pass through the rivers , they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire ,you will not be burned ; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I’m the Lord , your God , The holy one of Israel , your Savior ……. Since you’re precious and honored in my sight and because I love you. ” I still worship at the church about 2 months. One day , Jack call me and said that He wants to say sorry. He never happy when that things happened and he wants to start our relationship again until we’ve got married in 2006.

Serve God together

Before I work at our Church. I used to be a teacher .I worked 6 day a week – 10 hours a day and have just 1 day off that day is Sunday .I always think I can get much money when I work hard. But not I’m so tired and haven’t got a good relationship with the church’s member. I prayed for a while. I’m worried about our income. Because Jack works at church ,some month he can get his salary , some month not enough money.(That my first think before I left my job ) But when I decided to left the job. God always take care of us and I can see his blessing through member church , member church grow up with God , church’s work and outreach project through the Deeper still Ministry by Miss Julie that the Deeper still ministry help our youth to get lunch fee and help people to know Jesus

School of Worship Team Feb/March 2008

2008-05-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

The School of Worship team reached out to Thai churches in our area as well as teaching out at Eden House, a home for girls rescued from at risk situations. God used these young women to teach, to build relationship, to build bridges - all bringing honor to God!

Every Monday evening, Tuesday evening and Saturday morning, the team would go out to Eden House to teach and to lead worship/devotions. The relationships built with the girls is long-lasting and the teaching brought life and new understanding of worship.

Every Saturday afternoon, the team went to Chiang Rai City Church and conducted workshops & teachings on guitar, keyboard, voice & worship. Both technical expertise and the heart of worship were woven into the teachings as these women of Christ shared from their hearts the Truth they too have learned.

Every Saturday evening, the team taught at Thai Wiang Church in downtown Chiang Rai City. This is one of the largest Thai Churches in our area and the reception was nothing short of miraculous! The sheer numbers of students blew everyone away and the hunger and yearning for worship was a joy and honor to God.

The impact this team left in Chiang Rai over the 9 weeks they were here will be felt for years to come. Chiang Rai City Church is already utilizing the teachings and making them available to even more youth in the area! To God be the Glory!

Thank you YWAM Montana School of Worship!! God bless you all!

Women's Conference March 2008

2008-05-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

Over 300 women gathered together in Northern Thailand for the first women's conference to be held up here. Women from the North came to minister to women of the North. Jeanette Johnson, Connie Moland, Kathy Johnston, and Linda Moran all came from Minnesota along with Sandra Beach from North Dakota. These women comprise the Board of "Daughters of the King", an organization birthed to bless women and help them achieve their destiny in Christ.

After almost one year of planning, re-planning and organizing, the days finally arrived for the anticipated conference. God's Presence was thick as we worshipped together - many tongues - many tribes - many nations under the leadership of two Thai worship teams and one American worship team. The speakers were anointed and directed by the Holy Spirit with many responses from the audience for ministry time after each session. Souls were touched! There were healings, people received Christ, and many others were set free from lies of the enemy.

Because of the generosity of people in the States, we were blessed to bring women in from 14 different churches along the Burmese/Laos/Thai borders for this conference. For many of these women, it was the first conference they had ever had the opportunity to attend and word is still getting back to Chiang Rai regarding the amazing responses to hearing God's Word shared by fellow sisters in Christ. God was truly in this and His Power and might came through to the tearing down of strongholds!

Following the conference, there were three days of one-on-one ministry given to women in ministry here in Chiang Rai. This was definitely a powerful move of God.

Thank you, women of the north! Blessings upon you!

The Prayer Room

2008-01-21T02:24:00.000-08:00

It's difficult to put into words what we experienced those first days in the prayer room. We were swept off our feet by God's tangible Presence as people signed up to pray 24/7 for 2 1/2 days. There were personal revelations given, Visions,a spontaneous healing took place, people were given a burning desire to pray for the lost, for the Church, themselves and Chiang Rai. Many of us had never gone to a place "set aside" for prayer/worship and were humbled & amazed at how powerfully God moved. A young, newly-married couple (Pinky from Ireland and Bek from England) sat in the once-empty building/room and spent time praying and seeking God for His heart for the prayer room. The design, the "theme" (God's Heart for the lost, you, the Church, and Chiang Rai), the artwork - everything was given to them by the Lord in less than a day! Thanks to all who helped! Come on over!

To see pictures of the prayer room, visit our Web Album!

Outreach to Mae Hong Son

2007-12-03T23:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you know you've heard God's voice - you know you are walking in obedience - yet there's something inside that says "and just what do you think you are doing"? Well, I had one of those moments as we took the last hair-pin turn up the sharp incline to the remote Karen village in the Northeast Province of Mae Hong Son. I definitely felt an air of expectancy as we drove the last few kilometers and yet I also felt the fear of the Lord as I realized that without Him, this would be nothing but an empty act of good works.

I knew we were going to be taught a great deal about faith on this trip because we didn't have nearly enough gifts to hand out to every child (over 350) - nor did we have nearly enough blankets for all the elderly people. It's very cold (freezing) up in the hills of Northern Thailand right now and warmth is a valuable commodity. ENTER THE GOD FACTOR!!! After presenting the Gospel message through dance, songs, message, and skits, we proceeded to hand out the gifts. You guessed it - WE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH! MORE THAN ENOUGH! Praise God!

One of the challenges of handing over ministry to local people (there were Karen pastors present to do the ministry needed) is that we can't always see "the end of the story". I do know though that as I looked over the crowd the evening we presented the Christmas Story, their heads were leaning forward, their eyes were pivoted on the team members - and their spirits were being fed the food from the Master's Table! The presentation began with the lighting of the Christmas candles and a prophetic dance by two Karen Christian girls from our team. They were dressed in their traditional Karen outfits (see web album) and they were carrying tamborines as they danced to "Days of Elijah" ushering in the Presence of the Lord.

At the end of the presentation that night, the sound ringing throughout the village was "Angels we have heard on High, sweetly singing o'er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains". Just as we were singing "Glo...ria" the fireworks were set off and an amazing array of lights lit up the sky. You could have heard the softest of whispers as the chorus was finished and it was at that time that the Christmas story was presented to spirits that were alert to the coming of their King!

Please pray for wisdom for the Karen pastors and for the seeds that were sewn to produce good fruit that multiplies. Please also pray for workers for the harvest.

Thank you's go especially to our friends in Arizona who completely financed this trip. Without your generosity, this may not have happened. God bless you mightily!

Do you know what I know?

2007-12-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, the poverty was overwhelming, the despair almost suffocating; however, the Lord gently reminded me that to speak out one simple prayer to the One Who was born in a manger changes forever the spiritual atmosphere surrounding that prayer. Do you know - REALLY know the power behind your prayers? Quantum mechanics teaches us that all matter - everything - is made of pure light. The energy behind the formation of our world came from that Pure Light! The power to sustain life as we know it from moment to moment derives its origin from that Light. And, when Jesus said "I am the Light of the world", He wasn't simply speaking of illumination. He was speaking to us of His power. Let us then, this Christmas Season, truly celebrate the coming of that Light to this dark world. Let us celebrate the Power behind our prayers. And during those moments when we find ourselves questioning the necessity of our own existence, let us remember - The Light of the World has come! The Power far greater than any power that has been known - that is known - and that will be discovered in the future - that power came to earth in a manger! That Power goes forth throughout the land when we simply bow our knees in prayer.

"Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king... 'do you know what I know'?

May this Christmas Season be filled with the Hope eternal that comes in knowing the Power of our prayers! Look at the Light - He'll show you the Hope no matter what your circumstances may be.

The Visa Run!

2007-07-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

Because of all the terrorist activities throughout the world, the U.S. Embassy in Chiang Mai has increased it's security which in turn creates some new policies and procedures! Noina and I arrived at the Embassy gate at 8:00 a.m. for our appointment but found out that even though I'm a U.S. Citizen, I could not enter the Embassy except on Tuesday's and Thursday's in the morning! So, Noina had to go in through the double sealed and locked doors by herself! To make a long story short, we had received some misinformation on how to actually secure our appointment, our newly required "Pin" number, and the proper location for payment of visa's! It took from 8:00 a.m. until almost 2:00 p.m. for us to correct the errors and after all was said and done, we were told we had to return next Monday to be able to have our appointment! It appeared as though once Noina left the line to go to the post office to pay a fee and submit our Pin # (which turned out to be the wrong one).... she automatically lost her appointment and had to go to the end of the line! When she finally got up to the desk again, she was then told "Oh, you have the wrong KIND of pin # and you'll have to go online and purchase one in order to set up a new appointment". BUT GOD!!!!! We determined to remain thankful, we relaxed for two hours before heading back to Chiang Rai, and decided to spend some time in worship. Then, on our way home, we experienced something neither of us had ever experienced before! We saw TWELVE RAINBOWS on the way back. TWELVE! Two doubles! We claimed that as a reminder to us of God's promises - and His faithfulness to us no matter what the situation may look like! It is God who is in control!

Thanks for continuing to pray!

Noina's Story

2007-07-03T01:54:00.001-07:00

I first heard the name of Jesus when I was in school during Christmas but I did not have full understanding of who He is. Years later, I had faced many losses. My husband passed away when my child was 6 months old. Six years later, my parents died and I had to take care of their business which I really did not understand the business world. Finally, I could not keep my parent’s large wood business, so I lost the company and ended up with a 10 million baht debt. I cried to sleep every night and sometimes I had to take sleeping pills. I tried hard to solve my problems in order to have enough money to raise my child and pay off my debt. Fortunately, I own a small guest house where I can earn some money to support my family for living. Before I was a Christian, I went to many places to do meditation, to give merit and to worship idols. I thought all of theses would make my life fulfilled.

One day I met a widow who stayed at my guest house. I could see that she has peace in her life though she lives by herself. I thought she also saw how desperate I was. She challenged me to pray and receive Jesus into my life and give all burdens to Him. She also confirmed that I would be able to sleep, so I did not hesitate to follow her suggestion. I prayed and invited Jesus to come into my life and was very sorry for all the Buddhist things I had done. Surprisingly, that night I was able to sleep without taking the pills!

Since then I have been experiencing how God helps me through my sufferings; career, debt, and raising my child. He would always provide the way out in His time. I continue to pay on this debt to honor my parents and every month Jesus provides a way for me to meet our nees and to give to others. When I met Jesus, I was dirty, starving and hurt. He gradually cleans me from head to toes. He changes me day by day.

Even though I am stubborn sometimes, He shows mercy to me, heals me and forgives me every time. I do not want to be a stubborn child to Him anymore. Thus, I pray for changes in my life and love that I would have for others. I ask Him to teach me how to serve Him.

God provides things more than we can imagine. As I had experience working with tribal people at the border between Thailand and Burma before, I began to have a heart for these people. I want to be able to help them in areas that they need; for instance, education and social welfare.

God also gives me opportunity to know people who have a burden to assist children in remote areas. We support their education, sport equipments, Solar cell device, clothes, food, toys and etc. We spend 1-2 nights with the children when we visit them. We play games, sports and sing some songs with the kids to tell them that we are here with God’s love.

Moreover, we have a burden for evangelism in villages and schools in the countryside so that the kids will receive what they need in lives including salvation. I’d like to ask you to keep me in your prayers. May God bless you. Noi Na

Working out in the faith gym!

2007-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

The university students we work with are going to be stepping up to the plate as well (even though they live on about $12.50 per month) and this Sunday I'm going to be taking a 'sacrificial giving' offering at our church as well. The poverty stronghold must be broken and giving is the best way to defeat it! Amen? Amen! Noina and I will be taking a trip to Chiang Mai (3 1/2 hours by car) to apply for a tourist visa to the U.S. God needs to show up and go before us as a consuming fire. U.S. visas are very difficult to obtain normally, but this one is going to be like a hot knife through butter! Believe with us, okay? Thanks!!!

Amazing Laos Trip

2007-02-18T01:38:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful trip to Laos! The Lahu people are wonderful and we met many new friends. The bridges made of bamboo posts and rocks were a bit on the wild side for this Minnesota girl, but life was never meant to be dull! I will post pictures in a short while to give you a little taste of how incredible the experience was. Hopefully, we will return again to meet more new friends!