Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection:  John 12:1-8

Prayers for Thailand: 

O God, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. There is trouble and devastation all around this world, O God. We pray for the people of Thailand at a time when industrialization is harming the air. We pray for all leaders who are trying to find the best ways to respond. We ask, too, that all of us can be part of cleansing this earth that you have made, so that all living things may have a future. Give us the power to make sacrifices that honor you, and that honor this earth, our home. In all these things we thank you because of Jesus Christ, who never allowed obstacles to stand in the way of his work of compassion and redemption. Amen.

During Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin girl who lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee.  She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord is with you; you are very special to him.”

Old Testament: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Epistle: Romans 12:1–8
Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20

God of life and of love, may the meditations of my heart, of my mind and of my spirit be acceptable and pleasing to you, and may they faithfully express the wisdom you have given to each one of us. In your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.

God’s Providence. God provides. I am back working in Bangkok after six months of itineration in the USA. I spoke at more than 20 churches in five different states. The only negative experiences I had were with machinery. Thank God! Everywhere I went people were welcoming and giving—even when they had problems of their own. Well, I think we all have problems of our own.

“Every day is another opportunity for humility.”  This is a (very) small joke I share with friends—a lot.  But it’s also true.  My work as a Mission Co-worker in Thailand has involved constant cross-cultural communication—or lack thereof.  I fear that I make mistakes more often than I realize.

Lectionary Selection: Mark 1:14-20

Prayers for Thailand:

We give thanks, O God, for the knowledge that the people all around the world are our sisters and brothers. We thank you for your faithful people in every land who pray for those on the other side of the world. Open our hearts, we pray, to remember the sister or brother we have never met and may never meet. Help us to remember that human struggles are similar everywhere; that we all long for moments of peace and hope, and the people of Thailand long for it just as we do where we are. We ask for your strength and grace for those in Thailand who minister in the name of Christ, and who work to share the Good News of abundant life with those who are weary and tired. In the words of the Psalmist, let us all trust in you, for you are our refuge. We pray through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 25:14-30

Prayers for Thailand:

We give thanks, O God, for the late king of Thailand, who practiced mercy and inspired the love and respect of millions, of every religion. In a day when so many use their power for abuse and corruption, we thank you for a true human example of kindness and compassion. And now, we pray for the gifts of wisdom and stability in a nation thrown into uncertainty in the present moment. Let us turn to you and to your mercy, we pray through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

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Today I went with a team of pastors and elders to visit a remarkable gentleman. Pastor Paul Smith is a retired missionary who used to hold the position I have recently been assigned to. Yes, my duties have just now changed. I am now beginning to work as a bi-lingual pastor in a Thai church. One of this congregation’s ministries is a Sunday morning worship service in English. Such a thing is not so uncommon in Bangkok, but it’s a little unusual when most of those attending, and almost all of those ministering, are actually Thai by birth. Some westerners also attend the English service, as well as people from other Asian countries—last week there were around 20 Korean university students visiting from a Korean-speaking church in the area, and they came with a Korean missionary couple whom I already knew through connections with the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT), which is Global Ministries’ partner organization here. There are well-off people and people who have almost nothing.

I’m having a great time learning and teaching these elementary students in Thailand! They are learning a lot and I am learning a lot about Thai culture. It's been an amazing experience here. Christmas and holidays were such fun!

During the month of March, I’ve been working at the YWCA Summer Day Camp for elementary aged children.  (March and April ARE the summer months here.)