continuing the gospel story in Thailand

Thew grew up longing for stability and peace, having never experienced them in his own family. Now, through his new-found faith in Christ, Thew is part of not just one but two life-changing families.

dreamed of having a normal life,” says Thew, whose parents split up when

Uttaradit province of Thailand. And it was here that Thew’s journey to the peace he had always wanted began.

Family ties

But, to tell Thew’s story, we need to go back to Wang Daeng’s first believer, Suree. Suree found Christ thanks to the faithful witness and support of BMS World Mission church planters, Helen and Wit Boondeekhun. When Helen and Wit moved to Wang Daeng, they were the only Christians in the village of around 2,000 people. “Our aim is to bless and benefit the community, and to build bridges so we can share the gospel with these people when the time is right,” said Helen when she and Wit arrived in the area in 2016.

Two years on, through her involvement in an incomegenerating project run by Wit, and through Helen and Wit’s faithful and sensitive sharing of the gospel, Suree became the first resident of Wang Daeng to find Christ. For a time, Suree remained a secret believer: too nervous to tell her Buddhist friends and family about her new-found faith. Fast-forward to today and the church in the village has around 20 regular attendees – and nine of those people, including Suree’s now son-in-law, Thew, have recently been baptised.

Five prayer requests for Wang Daeng from Engage magazine, 2018

For ten people to come to know Jesus Christ

Branching out

Helen and Wit are now continuing their ministry in the nearby village of Tao Hai, conscious of God’s call to new areas still waiting to hear the gospel. They see this move as an extension of their mission and stay in regular contact with Moses and Mary, the new leaders of Wang Daeng’s church. Along with youth worker, Fluk, Moses and Mary are continuing to build relationships in the community through Bible studies and income-generating projects. “I want to say thank you so much for the people in the UK supporting us,” says Thew.

It is thanks to your support – through regular prayers and giving – that all five of the prayer requests from Wit and Helen when they arrived in Wang Daeng have been answered (see box opposite). But as the fellowship in Wang Daeng continues to grow, the next harvest field depends on your continued prayers and giving to help more Surees, Thews and Soms find the peace and purpose that comes from knowing Christ. •

30-year-old Susan is very many things. She’s the caregiver for her 97-year-old grandma. She’s a talented farmer. She’s the lifeblood of her family. The cheerleader for her four kids. She’s a dreamer. And, with your support, she hopes her children will grow up to be even more.