I trust this letter finds you doing well and the Lord blessing you. The Lord has truly been blessing the work here in Thailand. I’m excited to share a few of these things with you.
We were able to reopen our churches in June, with restrictions. We took this opportunity to begin having morning services at our fourth church plant, International Baptist Church of Nong Plap, where we had been having just Sunday evening services for a couple of years for our members from that area. The church members in Hua Hin, Chaam, and Phetchaburi continued to attend our church here in Hua Hin. It has been hard, as we miss having everyone together, but we know the timing was of the Lord. The church in Nong Plap is thriving. After the first month, they had to rent the building adjacent to the existing building in order to accommodate everyone. We have seen new growth at the Hua Hin church as well, and just last month, we began holding Bible studies in Phetchaburi, a town about an hour north of us where we hope to begin our fifth church plant. One of our dear church ladies offered her home as a location for the Bible studies, and that first night, her husband, whom we’ve been praying for for a long time, attended and got saved!
With the COVID situation this year and the lack of work, many of our church parents were struggling to pay for their children’s school fees and uniform fees for the new school year, which was starting in July. Through generous donations given to the Heavenly Treasures Project totaling $3,000, we were able to help 32 needy children in our church. Another $1,000 was donated to Team Thailand for COVID Relief, specifically to reach families in our community. We were able to help 13 more kids from 10 different families. We praise the Lord for the many who were saved through this outreach into the community and for those who have started attending church faithfully because of it. Thank you to those who participate in the Heavenly Treasures Project. You make a great difference in the lives of so many. Click here to watch a short video of all the different children in their school uniforms: https://sharihousethailand.wixsite.com/servingjoyfully/post/heavenly-treasures-2020-school-uniforms-fees-project
We had a wonderful activity with the singles from International Baptist Church Hua Hin and International Baptist Church Nong Plap at Dolphin Bay. We had the beach all to ourselves. We rented four-wheelers, played frisbee golf and other games, and flew kites. Most all of our singles work labor-intensive jobs and rarely get a day off, so it was wonderful to have so many attend. All of the activities were new to them, and they really enjoyed themselves. After the fun and games, we had a lovely meal and a special time of sharing some of our favorite Bible verses together. The Lord held off the rain for us and just before we headed home, blessed us with the most beautiful rainbow. Click here to watch a short video of the activity and see the beautiful Dolphin Bay Beach: https://sharihousethailand.wixsite.com/servingjoyfully/post/singles-ministry-activity-dolphin-bay-august-2020
August 9 was Mother’s Day Sunday for us, and we were blessed to have 28 mothers in attendance. I just love the Thai tradition of the children honoring their mothers and pinning a flower on them. The mothers in turn say a blessing over their children. This year I had many flowers pinned on me—so sweet. “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 113:9)
As always, thank you for your faithful prayers and support. Without them, the work here would be greatly hampered.
Serving the Master joyfully,
Shari House
