God’s Timing
After much prayer and waiting on God’s timing, we are returning to the ministry fulltime in January. Our plan each year will be to live in Thailand six months working with the staff of Under the Son Ministries and in the U.S. six months visiting churches and raising funds to operate the ministry.
Since returning to the U.S. in 2013, we have been doing our best to operate the ministry stateside. We have seen tremendous growth in the ministry in the past five years and see the need to commit more time being in Thailand. God is now opening that door for us, and we are ready to take that step. We’re seeking God’s provision as we enter this next chapter in our lives. We ask for your prayers and support as we move forward. God has truly blessed this ministry as the gospel continues to be shared in Northern Thailand.
Ringing in the New Year
The congregation of Antioch got together at the church on December 31st to celebrate Christmas. The evening began with a mookata, a domed pan barbeque. Gifts were exchanged and games were played. With a video call from Titus, we were able to be a part of their celebration.
A Weekend in Huai Pong Village
The government schools in Thailand close for two weeks for October break. This can cause a problem for children whose parents have to work. Some of the Under the Son Ministries staff used this as an opportunity for outreach in the village of Huai Pong. Moses and Yuri decided to hold a two day children’s camp on October 19-20 where they taught Bible stories, Christian songs, and how to read and write the Lahu language. The memory verse for the first day was Genesis 1:1, and Romans 3:23 was the memory verse on the second day. The staff provided lunch for almost 60 children each day. A day of giving thanks to God for the harvest was celebrated on Sunday. Some of the children sang a song of thanksgiving that they had learned during camp.
Celebrating God’s Blessings
In 1985, fifty people from ten different families, started a church for the Lahu Shehleh people in Nong Hkio village. Today that number has grown to around 220 people from 40 families. On December 24th through 27th, a celebration was held at the church to thank God for all His blessings over the past 33 years. Several of our staff members grew up in this village and took part in helping cook food, setting up tents for the venue, making flower arrangements, leading worship, and even emceeing the event. An estimated 600-800 people attended the celebration. People from the Lahu Shehleh tribe were not the only tribal group in attendance. Other tribal groups that attended included Lisu, Lahu, and Akha.
Christmas Homes Tour
On Sunday, December 2nd, we held our Second Annual Christmas Homes Tour. Five homes were on the tour which showcased different decorating styles. Over 150 tickets were sold, and all proceeds from this event goes to the Under the Son Educational Fund. Plans for next year’s event are already underway. We hope you can join us in 2019 on Sunday, December 8th.
Building Projects Update
In our last newsletter we shared with you the beginning stages of our campaign to complete several needed building projects. The number one priority was a new multi-purpose building on the property of Antioch Christian Church, and that project is well under way. The bulk of the labor has been supplied by the Under the Son Ministries staff. Our staff has also been blessed by the support of several other village churches who either sent workers to help or sent money so workers could be hired to help when needed. The roof has been completed, concrete floors poured, and walls are being built. At this time we have raised $26,000 of the $52,150 needed to complete all the building projects. If you would like to give to this project, your donation can be sent to Under the Son Ministries, P.O. Box 403, Maryville, MO 64468.
