Teaching Professionals
In September we offered a free 20-week professionals’ English class to local businesses, including the police, hospitals, banks, and others. Over 50 people submitted applications, and the top 14 were chosen. It has been a great experience and has broadened our influence in the community. In October I was asked to teach the professionals’ class at a week-long English camp about an hour south of where I live. Over 140 campers and teachers met for the 25th year of this English camp run by fellow missionaries. There were over 40 people who trusted Christ as their Saviour.
Training Teens and Singles
In September I began having the teen girls who participate in the Sunday afternoon youth program over to my house the first Sunday of each month for some practical teaching, a devotional, food, and games. The girls are enjoying learning about Psalm 139, and what a blessing it was to be able to teach my first lesson in Thai without a translator! The girls were excited to learn how to use a sewing machine as well. Mrs. Kristi Mercer, our youth pastor’s wife, helps me with these meetings.
In November I had an activity at my house for the single ladies from our Karen Sunday school class. Most of these ladies work heavy-labor jobs to send money back to their families in Myanmar. Some travel over an hour one way just to come to church on their only day off. What a joy it has been to get to know them and minister to them in my home.
Touching Lives
NamFon, pictured to the left, is a young teen girl who joined our youth group at the beginning of the year. She came to stay with me for a week in November after she ran away from her “aunt.” We came to discover that her father had kidnapped her as a young child and eventually ended up in Hua Hin, where he abandoned her with a neighbor, the “aunt,” a few years ago. We were able to locate her mother in Bangkok and return her to her family. It was hard to see her go, but I loved having that week to teach her and love on her as I felt the Lord would have done if He were here.
Our church continues to grow, and we are now at maximum capacity. This year we have had many souls saved, and 128 have followed the Lord in believer’s baptism. We are praying that this will be the year the Lord will give us our own land. We had over 230 for our Christmas service. There was food, singing, preaching, and gift giving. It was a joy to teach our people about the true meaning of Christmas.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support. May the Lord truly bless you in this upcoming year!
Shari House
