Thailand: mission in bloom
The transformational power of knowing Jesus
Your support of the Thailand Spring appeal has brought incredible change to new believers in the northern district of Uttaradit, Thailand.
The nights are drawing in, harvest season is coming to an end and the inevitable buzz of Christmas is creeping ever closer. It’s a time of year that naturally makes us think of conclusions and winding down, but God’s plan for mission rarely follows the seasons on earth. In Thailand, there’s exciting work that is in full bloom – thanks to your support. Back during our spring appeal, we shared about the incredible work that Helen and Wit Boondeekhun are making possible in Thailand and introduced you to some of the amazing people they’re bringing to faith. Let’s revisit this blossoming mission bearing fruit in Thailand, and see first-hand the change that you’ve made possible.
Your generous donations are:
- Supporting Ajarn Arreat, a local Thai evangelist, to share the good news of Jesus and disciple new believers.
- Equipping church members like Thew with skills to increase their income and better support their families.
- Raising up new local leaders, bringing hope of sustainable church growth long into the future.
Dreams fulfilled
In the appeal, you met Som and Thew, a young couple who had recently come to faith in the village of Wang Daeng. This joy-filled couple are now helping lead at a new church planted in the nearby village of Ban Dara, where their son recently got baptised! When we first met Thew, he shared his desire to one day make and sell his own food, a very different trajectory from his exhausting daily work as a manual labourer. Along with Suree, Wang Daeng’s first believer, this dream has been made possible. Located in front of Wang Daeng’s church building, their recently launched food stall selling fried chicken, sticky rice and fried dumplings has been immensely popular in the community, especially with the children walking past it daily on their way to school! Sadly, a combination of monsoon season and Thew breaking his leg has caused the food stall to take a brief sabbatical, but there is every intention for its triumphant return to continue to bless and serve the village. With every dumpling sold, you’re helping Thew to provide for his family, build community and draw newcomers into church with an inviting (and delicious!) welcome.
Churches planted
When Helen and Wit first moved out to Thailand over five years ago, there were no churches or Christians in the region. But now, there are three blossoming churches: one in Wang Daeng, one in nearby Tao Hai and the latest plant in Ban Dara. These churches started off as small house groups but have grown into thriving hubs of community and connection. They’re providing free English classes, local council representation and trying to support and meet the needs of the communities they are based in.
Thanks to your faithful prayers and in God’s kindness, the churches in the area have been growing at such a rate that the church in Wang Daeng has outgrown its rented premises and has started the process of designing its own building. With plans drawn up and the land purchased, the church family is gathering the funds to complete the process – a task you’ve helped with by providing a third of the total necessary. God willing, this thriving congregation is hoping to be in their new building by July 2024.
Believers equipped
Along with the amazing growth the churches have experienced, God has been building up new workers for his harvest field. Ajarn Arreat has recently become a BMS-supported worker, thanks to your generous giving. Ajarn was a maid in Hong Kong and a committed Buddhist, until she was invited to a Christian group. She gave her life to Jesus soon after and started saving up to return to Thailand and study at Bible college there. Since her studies, she’s been working as an English teacher and helping plant the church at Ban Dara in her free time, where there are nearly 20 people in regular attendance. Your support for Ajarn means she can focus her attention more fully on supporting the church, instead of juggling teaching jobs alongside.
If you supported the Spring appeal, you’ll likely remember the incredible story of Ba Nuan, a resident of Wang Daeng. At Ba Nuan’s lowest moment, God stepped in and transformed her life, bringing an abundance of hope, peace and joy in his wake. Ba Nuan is still a new believer, but it’s an absolute joy to share that her partner Muat has also found faith, being baptised this summer! Since then, Ba Nuan and Muat have been actively engaging with the small groups in Wang Daeng and helping others encounter the transformational power that a relationship with the Father can bring.
As you reflect on the incredible work you’ve made possible, a verse that Helen and Wit shared in the appeal may come to mind: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” The stories of lives transformed, hope restored and God’s Kingdom coming in Thailand are plentiful, much like a tree heavy under the weight of its own fruit.
Helen and Wit are keen for BMS supporters to know how much they value your support. Echoing their words — thank you. Thank Jesus for the work that he’s doing and thank each and every one of you who has made this work possible. The harvest is plentiful, and this is only the beginning for Thailand.
Words by Ed Axtell
Content Creator Apprentice, BMS World Mission
