One Month In
Last Week
This has been an exciting first month of the church! From the beginning, we have been completely unsure of what to expect going into this whole endeavor. How many should we expect? Would anyone come at all? What will be their response? How will the community receive us? No matter where you are, that is an unknown, but especially in a place like Thailand, where there is so little history of church planting. So, every step of the way has been a step of faith, not able to see very far ahead, trusting that the Lord would use our efforts to build His church.
Kids room, before the kids
This first month, we have seen 53 people visit the church for the first time. Most of those people are not Christians and have no Gospel exposure whatsoever, so we are starting in Genesis and will be preaching through the Bible, each time showing how it connects to Jesus.
We did an 8 week term of teaching English in the community and had 210 people register. Most of the church visitors are ones that we made initial contact with through the English classes, though there are several that we knew before.
Eating and Playing games
With new people, there is a lot of new follow up and discipleship to be done, so this month we have been working hard at that. We are also grateful that many are already getting involved in serving in many different ways that I haven’t even prompted, and it is good to see people’s hearts overflowing already!
Preparing Room
In the next few weeks we will welcome our first intern of the summer! In preparation for him, others to follow in the coming months, and Thai staff and students, we are setting up a couple of rooms to be living quarters in the upstairs of the church.
The Lord provided an opportunity to buy just about all of the furniture and miscellaneous that we need at a great price from someone leaving the country, but it is still several thousand dollars. Pray the Lord would provide the funds needed for this project and that it would be a blessing for years to come!
Prayer requests
- Our previous Thai pastor has passed away. Pray for his family and church.
- The Hernandez’ have gone out to start a church across town!
- Our friends the Wayes have been a big help to us for the last year, but are back on a furlough and afterwards will be returning to London.
- Visa renewals coming up!
- Funds to set up housing for interns, staff, and students
Yours for the Gospel in Thailand,
Philip and Lori Bassham
(and Claire, Grace, and Emma)
Claire, Grace, and friends
Zoo exciting to see and hear what God is doing and how he is using you there! Love you! Aunt Diane E.