Words cannot express the joy my family and I have experienced upon our return to Thailand! Thank you for allowing us to send our May update in email form. We have been in Thailand for one month and two weeks. Just a week and a half ago, we moved into our house, and two days ago the internet was connected. We are feeling more settled, and that is a blessing!
Bro. Bosje and I have spent countless hours the past few weeks working together through this transitional period. On June 15, the church had a special service and time of prayer for me as their new pastor; and Sunday, June 22, was my first church service as the pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Hua Hin. The spirit of the church folks has been sweet, and God has begun to knit our hearts to theirs in a very unique way.
The second week of June, Bro. Bosje and I took a trip to Laos and Cambodia. We visited two missionaries whom our church supports. We had the opportunity to be with them in their church services and see the works and ministries they have started. God is doing great things in Southeast Asia.
Since our arrival on May 20, Missy and I have seen over 20 people saved during our personal soul-winning efforts. One night while out soul winning, my friend Adjan Sakrapee and I talked with a man, Kuhn Gree, who listened and was ready to receive Christ. While sharing the Gospel with Gree, Bro. Sakrapee asked him if he had ever prayed before. The man told us that in his 43 years of life he had never prayed one time. The first time he prayed was the day he accepted Jesus as his Saviour. What a miracle! It is exciting to see God grow the church and bring new people every week, with souls saved and baptized. We must do the work we have been called to do, in His power and strength, and He will bring the increase. This verse comes to mind, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it . . . .” (Psalm 127:1)
This Sunday will be the Bosjes’ last Sunday in Thailand, and it will be a very special and emotional time for many. Please pray for them as they travel back next Friday, July 11, to work at First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. Please pray that they will get settled into their house quickly and that they will feel right at home in their new surroundings.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support! We could not do God’s calling without you.
For His glory,
Tim Shook
