Celebrating Ethnic Thai Leaders
26/09/2016 11:24:50 AM | Global Interaction
Following years of ministry among the Ethnic Thai we celebrate the news that three emerging faith communities are now being led by local believers! Intercultural Worker Petina explains how this has come about and introduces us to some of the leaders.
The Global Interaction team is a mixed lot here in rural Northern Thailand. We have Luke and Belle and their son Salem (2), ‘Mum and Dad’ of the team Maxine and Richard and myself. We are looking forward to Glenn and Liz and their boys Sebastian (6), Levi (4) and Oliver (1) joining us next year. We come from a range of backgrounds and have different skills and giftings, but what we have in common is our love for Jesus and a desire to see God’s Kingdom expand in Northern Thailand. We love seeing God move in the lives of the people here.
We work in a province called Nan, which, in Thai, means ‘very far’. For a while it seemed like the Kingdom of God was very far from this part of the world. It has been 13 years since the first Global Interaction workers Jan and Larry, Muana and Villi and John and Vicki came to the area. It was 10 years before Larry and Jan, Anna and Dema and Carolyn gathered with the first faith community in Ban Luang.
It has been a slow, and at times, difficult process. We all have needed to learn the culture and language, build relationships, share our faith, journey with those who don’t yet know Jesus, encourage new believers to share their faith with their family and friends and empower them to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus.
Over the years local leaders have emerged within the three communities and we have been supporting and training them:
Mae Raan is a passionate and committed leader who has a good knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures.
Mae Phun is faithful to God and the group, her teaching style is simple and honest.
Prakij is the oldest and is therefore well respected.
Nan Tong used to be a monk and has a deep thirst for the Bible. He is the main leader to perform rituals and ceremonies.
Oh is a young guy who originally came along to the gathering to replace his mum, who couldn’t attend for one week. He continued coming and is now a leader!
Tong is a gifted organiser.
Mae Kwee and her husband Pour Neuk host one of the groups in their home each week.
Long enjoys teaching the Bible.
Mae An is an enthusiastic host and is very willing to share her story.
The leaders now manage the weekly faith community gatherings and teach the Bible. It is a big commitment for people to prioritise meeting regularly, as this can sometimes interrupt the time-consuming work of subsistence farming.
Life and ministry has not always been easy here and despite mission activity in the country for over one hundred years, very few Ethnic Thai people have had an opportunity to hear the message of Jesus in a way that they can understand.
The Global Interaction team is rejoicing that after 13 years in this place, we are seeing fruit from all the seeds that have been planted. The harvest is well and truly ripe and it is so wonderful to see how God is extending His Kingdom in this place. We are privileged to be able to be a small part of His work here.
IN THEIR EYES
Larry and Jan Martin
Intercultural Workers 1986 – 2014
“When we moved into the area we didn’t know anyone. We looked for ways to be involved in the community and it wasn’t long before we were teaching English in a school and from our home and farming in the fields. We invested in making good friends and we were gentle and tactful with our faith, studying the Bible with individuals. We were thrilled and thankful to God that we were able to see the start of local leadership before we returned to Australia.”
Keith Jobberns
General Director 2004 – 2012
“Some may say 13 years is a long time but I’m not surprised it has taken us that long. Look at the Mission’s history with other least-reached peoples groups – it is a reality that it takes time to build genuine engagement for incarnational ministry. I am so proud of the workers that over many years were authentic friends and faithful witnesses. It has been worth all the investment – let’s keep doing it!”
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