Many of the members of the Pattaya Akha UMC gave testimonies of Thanksgiving before the whole church. But there was one testimony of Thanksgiving that opened our eyes, and this testimony was given by the man in the picture above.
Here is his word of thanksgiving to God, He thanked the Lord for the Bible being translated in the Akha language for 66 years now. He said his grandparents remember a time when there was no Bible in their language, and how the whole Akha Christian community in Southeast Asia rejoiced when they could finally read the Bible for themselves! Can you imagine? We take it for granted that we can read the Bible in our own language. We are so steeped in incredible blessings from God, that we do not even know how good we have it. Thanks be to God for the Holy Bible. And we give thanks to the Gideons, and the Thai Bible Society, and the Akha Bible Society for making it possible to have Thai and Akha language Bibles to give to people who could never afford to buy their own Bible.
We and the staff have been busy developing curriculum and video resources for the Abundant Life Savings Group Program, where people learn how to manage their money God's way, according to biblical principles. Abundant Life Savings Groups are now active in 6 churches and we see families being blessed by God as they apply the Bible to their finances. Many who were in debt are now debt-free! Many who have lived their lives in deep poverty are now thriving and moving towards financial peace. And the churches that have had Abundant Life Savings Groups for more than one year have all begun to see the church finances improve greatly. Below is a picture of our staff making training videos for the Abundant Life Savings Group Program.
As the families in the churches become financially stronger, the Thai churches become financially stronger. And as the Thai churches become financially stronger, they do what Thai churches do so well. They plant new churches, because it is in their DNA to share the Good News. Of the four churches that have had Abundant Life Savings Groups for more than one year, three of them are involved in planting churches, and they are doing so without our assistance too. At this time, those 3 churches are involved with 7 new church plants! We really believe that one of the best way to plant new churches in Thailand is to help the existing churches to become financially strong. God has been blessing.
Finally, we want to give an update on the progress for fundraising for Phase 1 of the Training Center. Phase 1 is buying land, building a retainer wall, and raising the land by about 4 feet. it will cost $80,000 for this first phase, and we are praying that individuals and churches and church groups will give to the Building Fund during this Christmas season.
So far over $38,000 has been given, and we praise the Lord for this wonderful progress towards the goal. Please keep praying for this goal.
If the Lord leads you to give towards this project, please be sure to designate to the Building Fund.
You can send a check to:
TMM
P.O. Box 56
Mannsville, KY 42758
OR give ONLINE at https://thailandmethodist.org/donate/
Sherri and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. May the Lord fill your hearts with joy.
