New cell groups and believers

Dear Friends,

It has been a great blessing knowing you are with us in this venture to plant churches in Thailand. Thank you for your years of support and prayer.

Here are some praises and prayer requests to share with you.

Praise

New believers: Our team has started new small groups in new neighborhoods. Already, some people have come to believe in Christ. They have expressed the desire to be baptized as well. Their names are Cheem, Lamyai and Lamyai’s adult daughter Nue. Lots of new children are also attending the small groups and the church services. As we have been teaching the Bible chronologically I have noticed Cheem’s younger kids are very sharp and understand the teaching better than the adults!

Prayer Request

Not to long ago we led a family to Christ and they were baptized. For a while it seemed they were growing and excited about their faith. But one day they cut us off and never came around again. They avoid us when we go to visit and don’t really want anything to do with God or us. It is because of why they came to believe and the fact that we did not deliver the things or money that they thought they should get. It had to do with politics of the neighborhood as well. If the husband claims Christ he will not win in local elections. Please pray for them. Their names are Ung and Saw. This is a very typical scenario here and it is very discouraging for everyone. God can change the heart, however. We want to be faithful to the truth and to love people. Pray we keep at it without discouragement.

More Praises

Office and computer room: It is finished! At least the computer room is. We have 2 computers up and running for people to learn on. The computer room is done. Bang Sak is a very small community and I have noticed young people show interest, but the interest wanes fast when they see it is actually going to take a bit of work! Pray that we can use this as a tool to make relationships and be a bridge for the Gospel.

Praise

Bi-Vocational ministry: Recently our Thai partner Chan, who is self-supporting and in ministry, met a man who has a tract of land that he plants rubber trees on. This man does not like Christians, but he invited Chan to come and plant pepper plants under his rubber trees. Chan took this from the Lord. Pray that Chan will have the chance to make friends with this man and produce a good crop of peppers to sell. He needs the income badly to support his family.

Please Pray
Chan’s Burning Bush Electric Repair is not making much money. Pray for Chan (our ministry partner) to be successful at finding more customers. Also, that when he meets people he would be brave enough to be a witness for Christ, too.


Praise

Our team: We are unified and working well together. We have opportunities to spend time with many people and share Christ. We have a plan of ministry that we all like.

Pray

Our team: Tanom and Krua are facing some very difficult trials with their rebellious 19 year old son. Pray for them as the work suffers because of his foolish decisions. Our Thai co-workers are always hurting for money. We give, others give, but are we helping the work in the long run? Who will do the work once we leave? Pray for local lay leadership to be raised up someday to take our place. We are praying for churches to multiply, based on Gods working.

Praise

Church planting: We are very blessed to be here in this work. We see God working despite all the barriers and drawbacks to cross-cultural ministry. We believe Thailand is more open to God than in any other era, and many are coming to Christ in all 4 regions.

Please Pray

Church planting: Some days are very discouraging and we feel the heaviness of spirit worship cloaked in Buddhism in this land most everyday. Pray that God would change this land. Pray no matter what “method” we use, we long to see the Holy Spirit open and change hearts to turn to Jesus. In the end we would love to see churches started naturally by Southern Thai people. Might not happen in our lifetime, but we believe it will happen in the plan and process of God. We are thankful to be a part of the whole process.

Personal Walk: We have to remind ourselves daily that we get our joy from God, not from the work. The ministry in Thailand is slow. It feels oppressive spiritually everyday as we look and see most people bowing down to idols. Thai people are satisfied with their cross between Hinduism and Buddhism, otherwise known as Theravada Buddhism. They like their idols. Many of them see Jesus as just another lucky charm religion.

Time in the USA: We will be home 3 1/2 months from Dec 4, 2008 to March 20, 2009. We have the goal of raising up a prayer network of at least 500 people who pray for us consistently and precisely. Pray we will have the discipline to maintain it and that people would join us in prayer for Southern Thailand. We have plans to visit many of you. We will soon be in contact arranging time and making travel plans. Pray that we will use our time well when at home. I hope to get some painting in while home and I'm looking forward to participating in an art show with my father-in-law. I have a dream to sell paintings some day and use the money for special ministry projects here in Thailand. Please pray I might see this come true as I produce art.

Thank you for all your love toward us all these years,

Kennedy and Wendy Paizs

For pictures concerning this update check out http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/
Kennedy & Wendy Paizs TEAM MissionCheck out our blogs!http://southernthailandprayernetwork.blogspot.com/http://oceanicthai.blogspot.com/http://artscapesofthailand.blogspot.com/