Pictures from the Past Few Weeks

This post is mostly pictures. Enjoy!

We travelled through St. Louis on our way to a missions conference in Peoria, IL and got to see and get on top of The Gateway Arch.

Our hostess in Illionois is from Mexico. She and her family prepared us a very delicious authentic traditionally prepared Mexican meal. Now, that was a mouthful. No pun intended. Hahaha!

We were able to attend the NAMC (North American Missions Congress) in Indianapolis for one evening. Darlene sang a song on the opening night.

We got to see Ed's late youth pastor's wife for a couple hours in Hartford, MI. We thank the Lord for even just a short time to spend with Ms Cindy.

What a fun time we had at Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, MI. It was great to get reconnected with the church folks and our friends there. On Wednesday, they had a Thai missions banquet. Darlene cooked three dishes. Thai food was a hit! We actually ran out of food. We also did a 50-minute presentation for the kids - showing the kids at CBC how we teach the kids in Kabinburi. The adults enjoyed the kids' lesson as well.

From NC, to VA, to MO, to IL, to IN, to MI, back to VA, and to NC again. But we were thankful for a few hours on Topsail Beach in NC which was 30 minutes from two of our supporting churches. The boys were able to enjoy playing in the sand and getting wet and cold.

We are back in Virginia for more missions conference. It's been very busy and tiring the last several weeks but we are so thankful for opportunities to see friends, visit supporting churches, and share about what God has done in Kabinburi this past term. 

Our family went on a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Mabry's Mill, Virginia. We are enjoying the fall season.

We have a couple more missions conference left in the fall. Eight missions conference total from September-November. Thank you for praying for us.

Reporting Opportunities

Less than two weeks after we were finished with the training seminars at the ABWE home office in July we were at Sheets Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, NC for their missions conference. What a great a blessing the church was to us. It was also great to fellowship with our missionary friends whom we haven't seen in several years.

The church showered us with so much while we were with them for a whole week. They took us bowling with the teens, shopping at Concord Mills mall, golfing, ladies luncheon, a trip to Lazy 5 Ranch, a picnic at a park, and INCREDIBLY delicious spread of food every evening for dinner. It was an encouragement to see a huge turn out every night for missionary presentations and preaching.  Thank you, SMBC for spoiling us!

We got to teach at the Children's Missions Conference one night.

Picnic at the park after the trip to Lazy 5 Ranch

Sheets Memorial Baptist Church bus that took us everywhere

We also were able to report to Daniels Memorial Baptist Church on August 17th and met up with their missions committee to talk about our mission board change and the Vision for Kabinburi for future ministry expansions. We are so thankful to DMBC and Pastor Jack Thomas for their continued support and prayers for us.

July Update

We had 10 days to get over jet lag before we had to travel to Pennsylvania for candidate seminar and trainings. We were able to fellowship with some of our friends in our home church. The boys got their wish - they were able to celebrate 4th of July in America for the very first time.

We spent all of July with ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) for Candidate Seminar, the annual Missionary Enrichment conference, and a couple other intensive trainings. Talking about information overload! But it was all good! Our spirits are refreshed and our hearts are encouraged and more excited about what God has for the future in Kabinburi.

ABWE Class of 2011 - 56 candidates!

Five-day EMC, Essential Missions Components (Church Planting Course)

Greater things have yet to come that God is going to accomplish in Kabinburi. Please watch this video below to see what God has laid in our hearts as ministry expansions of our church planting efforts in our town so you can be praying for us, our church pastoral staff, and ABWE as we draw up the ministry plans.

June 2011 Update and Big Announcement

Major Change
But Same Ministry Focus

How can we express in such short detail how God renewed our passion for the Thai people after last year’s discouragement that almost got us packing our belongings? Our ministry team, Ed, Darlene, and Jenni Starkey, experienced God do a miracle in each of our hearts separately to bring us to unity and burden us to do the following future ministries. These will consist of a four-part expansion, being: Church Planting, Community Youth Center, Christian School, and Children’s Home. Church planting will continue to be our main focus. These ministries will assist in that endeavor. Baptist Mid-Missions along with the leadership of our sending church in agreement together both recognize this to be God’s leading for us. Since these expansion ministries function outside the normal ambit of BMM missionaries, we are required to seek assistance from another agency. Through the guidance and leadership of our home church, we feel led to partner with ABWE in order to bring this to pass. We are confident that ABWE will be a great assistance to us and be able to help provide the human resources necessary to start and maintain those ministries. To see and hear details from Ed, please watch the video presentation of our ministry proposal (below). Furlough will be a time for us to share with many of you our renewed passion for the Thai people, raise funds for the projects, and recruit future workers who will work hand-in-hand with us in this endeavor God put in our hearts .




Furlough
We arrived in our home church in Roanoke, VA on Friday, the 24th. The first three weeks of July will be spent in Pennsylvania for the ABWE Candidate Seminar, trainings, and Missionary Enrichment conference. We will be back in Thailand sometime in March 2012. If you would like to have us in your church for reporting or encouragement towards missions, please email us.

Please pray for:
1. Pray for Tooktik, our disciple, who is attending the PABWE Bible Institute full time this year.
2. Pray for our furlough - safe travels and productive time of sharing our passion with brothers and sisters in Christ.
3. Pray for our co-worker, Jenni Starkey, and our ministry helps while we're on furlough.
4. Pray for continued growth of Christians in Kabinburi.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and giving. You have been a blessing to us. Please join us on Facebook or visit our blog for updates.

Darlene's last English class in Kabinburi before we left for furlough. This past Saturday and Sunday, Jenni Starkey and Tooktik has 67 and 45 students! Praise the Lord that the students continue to come.

Our two oldest boys, Josiah and Boaz, are at camp this week. All three boys are having a great time getting reconnected with their American friends.

May 2011 Update

Family Camp 2011 Update On May 3rd-6th we were able to attend the annual Romphrakhun Fellowship of Baptist Churches family camp in Pattaya city. We had leftover funds from the English Camp in April so we were able to take five of our teens and one young lady from our church. All of them but one are believers. The theme was "The Living Word." The camp was a great blessing to these young people as they were challenged to daily walk in God's word and had opportunities to fellowship with other Thai Christians. One special blessing for us and a praise is that, all of the five believers from Kabinburi very eagerly desired to follow Christ in water baptism. The morning of May 6th, we gathered on Jomtien Beach on the Gulf of Thailand and watched these young Thai believers publicly proclaim Christ. Each of them has a story behind how God has brought them to our Student Center. One started coming when she was only 7 years old. Two are a result of our co-worker, Jenni Starkey's van rides to Bangkok from language studies. Two had heard the gospel when they were very young but have only received Christ as their Savior this past year. Our God is great and He continues to work in the hearts of the people we minister to. We are so thankful to be able to watch God's love and power unfold in people's lives here in Kabinburi. We know many of you are praying. Thank you very much. This is a time of rejoicing! Visit our Facebook page to see more Family Camp 2011 pictures. Prayer Items: 1. Praise the Lord for 5 salvations in April and 5 baptisms in May. 2. Pray for continued growth of the young believers in our church plant. 3. Pray for our furlough preparation. 4. Pray for those who committed to help on the weekends while we're gone on furlough. 5. Pray for Tooktik, the young lady in white shirt (top most picture), who have given her life to God to go to Bible Institute full-time to prepare for ministry.

Preschool and kindergarten class. 4th-6th grade class presentation. The biggest group was the teen group.

Ptr Mark Zahn from NM preached in the evening sessions with Dr. Somchai translating. Campers came from different churches all over Thailand.

April 2011 Update

Evangelistic English Camp On April 4th-8th, we took twenty kids and teens from our Student Center up northeast Thailand for a summer evangelistic English camp hosted twice a year by ABWE veteran missionaries, Don and Gail Craft. There were about sixty kids from four churches. The week was packed with fun activities including preaching, games, singing, and sports. What a blessing the week was not only to us but especially to the Christian teens from Kabinburi. They were able to build friendships with other Christian teens from the other churches. Passion for God and for His Word was ignited. Praise the Lord, five girls from Kabinburi asked Jesus to be their Savior. All of these girls have been coming to our Center for several months except for one who has been coming for a couple years. The Lord also provided funds to purchase Bibles for eleven of our students who didn't have Bibles yet. Ed taught a lesson in one of the evening sessions about the importance of quiet time. That night and the days after, they kids spent time in the Word and in prayer. Please pray for the next camp which is a Christian Family Camp by Romphrakhun Fellowship of Baptist Churches on May 2nd-5th. We have several teens and one adult who expressed desire to go. We thank God for His provision through giving by His people for these kids to be able to attend camp. It is really a blessing to see them grow in the Lord. Thank you for your prayers. To see more photos of this camp, please visit our Facebook ministry page.

English game time after the morning session. Meal time was a great time of fellowship. Parlor games and sports in the afternoon.

Ed preaching and sharing his testimony at the last evening session. The five Kabinburi girls who got saved at camp. L-R: Joy, Nic, Joy, Taengmo, New

March 2011 Newsletter

Here is our newly sent out newsletter. Just click on the photo to enlarge it. It will take you to a page that has nothing but this photo. Click on the photo one more time to enlarge it to a legible size. If you would like to print the newsletter, just "right-click" on the enlarged/legible photo and then select "save as..." to save to your computer. You can then print it off your computer. Please don't hesitate to share this with your prayer group, Sunday School class, or cell group in the church. Thank you!

If you missed our November-December 2010 Newsletter, here's the link to it:

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

"Everlasting Light Medley" by the Student Center Kids & Teens

"Everlasting Light Medley" sung by Kids and Teens of Kabinburi Baptist Church in Kabinburi, Prachinburi, Thailand on December 19, 2010 during a Christmas Music Service.

Soloists at our Christmas Candlelight Service

Here are videos of the three soloists at our Christmas service yesterday, December 19th.

Quick October and November Updates

Is it really December already? Where did the time go? November has come and gone and we had not posted anything. Sorry about that, friends.

Here were October and November highlights:

1. We had our very first Overnight Youth Camp on October 15th-16th. Twenty one kids signed up but only sixteen were able to go. Some had to go away for a sports event. For some others, something came up. We did have a great time. It takes only 20 minutes to get to the camp site but it took us about two hours! We had non-stop heavy rain for two days by that time and the rivers were rising, flooding Kabinburi and Nadii towns. We couldn't find our way into the camping resort. Finally, someone had to meet us and lead the way through a different route. It rained through the night still. Ed and the guys heard loud knocking on their door at about 5 o'clock in the morning. They had to move to another room as the water was starting to get into their room. Our camp program was scheduled to end at 12 noon on the second day but at 10 o'clock in the morning, we were told to immediately pack and leave for fear that the only way out of the camp site left will be flooded as well. We did have a great time in spite. Please check out the pictures to see what fun we've had.
Overnight Youth Camp Pictures

2. The flooding this year was the worst in 20+ years in Kabinburi history, we were told. Fifteen provinces in Thailand were affected. It included the Cambodian side of the border this time. We are thankful that we are on higher ground, by a major road. Only about 100 meters behind our building, the flood waters began.

3. Someone gave us a piece of land for future ministry use in Kabinburi. The land size is close to three acres (7 rai in Thailand measurement). For now, it looks like a jungle but we are in awe of what God is going to do here!


4. Numbers on Saturdays and Sundays are fewer in November than the previous months but we are still going between 30-45. Still a high number considering it's just the three of us here (Ed, Darlene, and Jenni). We thank God for strength and joy in serving. We are blessed to have these young people in our lives.

5. We have been preparing and practicing songs for our Christmas Service on December 19th. Please pray that many family members and friends of kids in our Student Center will come for that. We will also have a piano recital by Darlene's four students and lots of singing of praise songs and Christmas carols.

November-December 2010 Newsletter

Here is our November-December newsletter. Just click on the photo to enlarge it. It will take you to a page that has nothing but this photo. Click on the photo one more time to enlarge it to a legible size. If you would like to print the newsletter, just "right-click" on the enlarged/legible photo and then select "save as..." to save to your computer. You can then print it off your computer. Please don't hesitate to share this with your prayer group, Sunday School class, or cell group in the church. Thank you!

More Harvest!

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers. God gave us another harvest. Five teens asked Jesus into their hearts on the first Sunday of August. That day, we had Pastor Soonthon, his wife Nut, and daughter Lydia come share about their salvation testimony and God's calling to be missionaries in Cambodia. It was a blessing to hear from this sweet family and to see their heart and passion for people.

This is the second time that Pastor Soonthon had been a part of the "harvest" for Kabinburi. The first time was our middle son's birth father. Click on these two links to read about Kreuk's spiritual birth and his physical death.

Mrs. Nut taught Sunday School to the elementary aged kids.

Pastor Soonthon and family rendered a special song. They also have a son, Daniel, who was not able to be with them that day.

Pastor Soonthon spoke and shared their burden and plan on leaving for Cambodia soon as the very first missionaries through TABWE (Thailand Association of Baptists for World Evangelism).

These are the four teen girls that got saved. The one on the far left has been coming with her sister for about two years now.

Palm started coming in March. He was brought by Top (another teen boy) who was brought by Teh five years ago. "♪♫♪♫♪Each one can reach one. ♪♫♪♫♪"

Teen group that Sunday

Tooktik

In the midst of our sadness with Papé's passing, we saw God’s sovereignty and mighty hand in the minute details as we were processing the paper work for Papé to get out of Thailand and back to Senegal.

God, in His mercy and grace, chose to uplift our spirits with good news. One evening, a lady named Tooktik, came and told us that she recently had asked Jesus to come into her life and turned from Buddhism. "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11).

O, the very first one who got saved in our church plant in Kabinburi (she got saved back in 2004), brought Tooktik to our Student Center. Tooktik had been coming off and on since November 2009 for English classes. Many times she would stop by just to chat and ask questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. This past Easter Sunday, Ed had another very good witnessing opportunity and really challenged Tooktik regarding salvation. She wasn’t ready then, she told us. She needed to think about it more and wanted to talk to her grandma about it. You see, it was her grandma who raised her.

For about a month now, she has been doing discipleship Bible classes with Ed in the evenings, three to four times a week, in our kitchen while Darlene looks on and helps some. She is really hungry for the Word. It is such a joy to watch her face become serious as she listens intently and writes down notes during the studies. Please pray for her growth and that God will continue to become first place in her heart now. Please pray for boldness to share her faith with her family and friends at work.

Many months ago we were so discouraged because no adults were getting saved. The adults that we have had here that got saved and were discipled before we took our first furlough were not walking with the Lord. One of them has decided to turn her life around. Another one is still resisting the Holy Spirit’s prompting in her heart and continues to reject God’s Word. We keep learning that our duty to God is not how much these people are walking in the Spirit, but how faithful we are to what God has called us to do in this town.

The Least Expected Ministry Opportunity

We keep learning everyday that everything is a ministry opportunity especially when you are in a place where there are only a handful Christians.

Little did we know that through Papé's death, God would give us ministry opportunities (literally) beyond our borders.

The Kabinburi Football team owner is a Muslim so Papé's family's wish of having the body prayed over within 24 hours of death was granted. He was also gracious enough to invite Ed to pray also seeing that Papé was a dear friend and he lived with us. Ed took that opportunity to share the gospel through his prayer.

The Senegal Muslim Association in Thailand came in behalf of the Senegal Ambassador's office met with us, came to see the body at the hospital morgue, and processed the paper work to get Papé home to Dakar.
One of the hardest things we ever had to do on the mission field was to pack the things of a friend who passed away. It was an awful feeling.
Ed faithfully took videos of several people that we posted on youtube for Papé's family in Senegal to watch and understand the circumstances around his death. They barely spoke English. The people we took videos of spoke in French and in Wolof, their native language. We thank God for internet and technology that allowed us to get reconnected with the family and showed them how much we cared.
We had a simple memorial service at our Church/Student Center. All of the Kabinburi Football team, including the coach and the team owner came. Several people in Kabinburi who knew Papé also came. What an opportunity for us to share the gospel to these people that otherwise we may not have a chance to.
Darlene sang a song in Thai.
Jenni sang a song in English.
Our friends and fellow missionaries in Thailand, Rick and Tammy Salmon, came to support us.
Some of our church young people also came and helped serve food.
The Lord's ways are perfect and beyond our human comprehension. We thank God for Papé's friendship and the fun memories we have of his short time with us.

Papé

Monday, July 5th
10:20 AM
"We'll have some more of that barbeque chicken this week or next week, Papé," I said as we were driving away.

"OK! I love that chicken! That was the best chicken I've had. I'll come by and see you, guys, tonight after training," he replied. Then he turned to Jayjay and held his palm side up, "Give me five, man!"

5:30 PM
We got a call from someone that Papé was at Kabinburi Hospital. He passed out during soccer training and so his buddies took him to the hospital. He was unconscious. They were going to call us when they know more.

6:00 PM
Jenni Starkey called us. Papé is gone. He was only 27.

Papé with Ed and our friend, Ron Powell
Picture taken a few hours before he died

Papé is our African friend from Senegal. It's a long story but his friend/cousin, Chris, was staying with us at that time. He came to stay with us from the latter part of February until about a couple months ago. Papé and Chris are professional football (soccer) players and were wanting to try out for a Thai team. Chris is a Christian. Papé believed in Allah. He was one of the nicest non-Christian guys we've ever met - very polite, helpful around the house, and great with our boys. Our youngest one was very fond of him.

Ed had a chance one night to witness to him about Christ and the love of God for a good hour. It wasn't hard for us to be good friends with him right away. He and Jenni became very good friends as well. We tried our best to show the love of Christ through our friendship. We hope he saw the difference in us.Papé is missed around here already. Jayjay is too young to understand. Someday when he grows up, I will show him pictures and will tell him about his "uncle" Papé. We all really wish he knew the Lord. That's what makes us really, really sad.
(UPDATE) Tuesday, July 6th 11PM. We learned this afternoon that when Papé's father heard of the news that he went into shock, passed out, and is now in comma. Please pray for the family! They need the Lord! An uncle is supposed to be flying to Bangkok either today or tomorrow. Not sure.

(UPDATE) Tuesday, July 6th 9:30AM Chris and missionary friends were able to talk to a family member in Senegal this morning. He is trying to get the earliest flight he could get to come. Two missionary friends, Ed, Chris, and Jenni are finding out what they can do with the body while we wait for the father or uncle's arrival.

Creepy Crawlers in Our Neigborhood

Big cities are nice, especially Bangkok. You can find pretty much anything - from food to furniture, to appliances - if you have the money. Ha! But... the experiences to get living out in the country is priceless. You get: dust instead of smog; red mud instead of black muck during rainy season; motorbike jam instead of car jam; loud karaoke shops instead of horns; trees to climb instead of buildings. Well, you get the picture. Even though we long for occasional trips to the big city, we love it here in Kabinburi. We get to have creepy crawling visitors occasionally. Not counting the usual humongus geckos/lizards and house spiders. Recently, we found a snake hanging on a tree just a few feet from our back door. See if you can spot the snake.That was out back. Just a few days later, Ed and our neighbors found a snake out front, crawling inside the water drainage pipe between their end and our end. Ed and our friend, Pape, worked so hard to capture and kill that snake - using a pvc pipe and a hoe.
Now... if you have a weak stomach, please don't look at the next photo. Ed found a couple of our neighbor guys one day using a blow torch to "grill" their dinner - field rats that they caught in the rice fields. Many Thais like to eat them. We haven't had them and don't plan to try them. Our son, Jojo is telling us just now that the smaller ones that they didn't "grill" were released back into the field to grow a little bigger. I have no other words except for "GROSS!"