Thailand Ministry

A Christmas of options

2011-12-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

The past 2 Christmas we have been in Thailand. This year we are glad to be back in America with our family and friends to celebrate this special time of the year. However, we feel that the commercialism of Christmas here is getting to us. There are so many choices in the stores and at the malls to buy gifts for your friends and loved ones. In Thailand our choices for gifts were limited.

What is Christmas really about? We say lets bring back the true meaning of Christmas but are we doing anything about it? I believe there is a strong spiritual battle here in America, but it is not so "in your face" because Satan is cleaver and has disguised it so well. The spiritual battles we face in a "non Christian" country are so apparent, so "in your face". We see it; it's the carved idols, spirit houses, temples, monks and incense sticks smell in the air every where we go. This helps us realize that we are in a place that is without God. There are people there who need to know God.

We don't notice the oppressed spiritual battles here in America as much. There are churches, Christian bumper stickers on cars, people wearing shirts with Christian logos and sayings, radio and TV programs about God. So, we naturally assume that God is here with us. We are blessed to live in a nice big house, to have all the toys we want and have the freedom to worship. But are all these so call blessings a disguise set up by Satan to cause us to be blinded to the real truth. All these things that we are privy to here in America can hinder us from truly serving God. The spiritual battles are real here as it is everywhere else in the world. I pray that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to see it.

A doctor once told me that he thinks that Christmas is to commercialize here. I think he is right. Commercials has a way of taking our attention away from what is real and taking your focus off of something important to something that is temporary and superficial. My prayer is for all of us to see the spiritual battle all around us no matter how cleverly Satan has disguised it. May our spiritual eyes be open and that God's Holy Spirit will get our attention back on the real reason for this season and not the commercialism of it.

Matthew 7:1-5

2010-05-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Matthew 7:1-5 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Have you ever been frustrated, irritated, or upset at someone? Some times a situation comes up and we need someone or something to blame our problems on, so that we can feel better or at least have a path to let our emotions out. This is even more prevalent when you have to work with people everyday. How did Jesus do it? How was he able to hold his "cool" when so many could of upset Him? He looked at himself and towards his Father for wisdom and understanding.

Matthew 7 verse 1-5 came alive to me this past week. We are trying so hard to do the right thing here and yet we forget to examine ourselves. Our we doing what we think we ought to do because God told us to do it or are we doing it for selfish reasons of our own? That is the million dollar question. Once we can answer that question with honesty, then we will have the peace and wisdom and understanding that comes from God.

May God's wisdom be with you in all situations.

Why Traditions

2010-02-18T21:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder why we do things the way we do. Don't you? Being in Thailand we ask that question a lot, but this time it's why do they do the things they do. We still have a lot to learn about the Thai culture and customs. One thing we have figured out is that the younger Thai generation do things out of traditions and don't even know why. Not to say that the kids in the US know why they do things the way they do either. But I think in order to reach the youth of Thailand we have to ask them WHY? If they worship Buddha just because their parents and grand parents did I believe it is up to us to ask them WHY? When we ask that question it makes them search for the answer and we are at the same time able to share our beliefs. Hopefully in the end we will be able to pray together for the right answers to be reviled in their lives. Please continue to pray for us as we serve here in Thailand. As always you can send your gift to our ministry at http://www.cten.org/. God bless you and your family.

Victory at Cornerstone

2009-11-06T01:26:00.000-08:00

Victory Bible College students lent a helping hand to help build a children center at Cornerstone Church. We were bless with their hard work and talents. We even took a day off of the construction to minister to four local schools. It was such an honor for us to work side by side with the Victory team to do God's will.

Corner Stone Church Hua-Hin

2009-09-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is a church in Hua-Hin where Flora and I feel God has called us to serve. Corner Stone Church (no relation with the Corner Stone Church in the US) has been here for 10 years. They have about 40 members and 15 children attending each Sunday. The main building was constructed just over 3 years ago and they are in the process of building a children center. We are praying that Venture maybe apart of this building project.

The pastor is a native Thai and went to bible college in Bangkok. He has no staff and has to do everything on his own including the maintenance of the building and grounds. Please pray for God's direction for us and how he would like us to serve his people at Corner Stone Church.

In His service!

Doing laundry on the bus!

2009-09-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

What an adventure we had in Phuket! It was a 9 hour ride from Hua Hin to Phuket in a mini van and an 11 hour bus ride back to Hua Hin the next morning. Before we left we prayed that God would give us confirmation about serving here in Hua Hin. Boy, did he ever! God has shown us that Hua Hin is where he wants us to serve him.

Once we got off our mini van in the north end of the island of Phuket we knew right away that this was not the place for us. There were Tsunami warning signs posted every where. We were all scared and could not even sleep that night. We caught the first "tour" bus back the next morning. That bus ride was an experience we will never forget. There were laundry hanging to dry and the air conditioning unit was leaking water on to the seat. The worst part was the motion sickness of riding in the back of a cramp bus with zigzag roads through the mountains. Eve through up 3 times and we all try to sleep as much as possible so we would not get sick.

If you want to experience how the locals travel then I would recommend this bus ride other wise hire a personal mini van.

Fist week in Thailand

2009-09-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

We made it! Praise God we are now in Thailand. It was a smooth 20 hour travel time from LAX to Bangkok International Airport. We spent the first few days in Bangkok at my aunt's house. We visited ECB (Evangelical Church of Bangkok), it's a mega church here and has hundreds of members. We also went to New Song Church. This is the church were Santosh ministered when he was in Thailand.

Our first week was filled with mixed emotions as we get adjusted to the time change and jet lag. We are now in Hua Hin. Most of my family live here and we will most likely plant and settle here. We meet with a Corner Stone Church (no relation to the US Corner Stone) pastor and we feel that this is where God wants us to serve. I will give more details on this later on.

Tomorrow we are headed down to Phuket (an 8 hour drive from Hua Hin). We are going to see Calvary Chapel at the Bridges. They have a ministry there for the tsunami victims.

Please pray for our sponsorship. We are not fully funded yet, but I know God will provide the right people to come along side us. Pray for us to get adjusted to the Thai culture and custom. And pray for God's direction and protection for us as we travel to visit the many different ministries here in Thailand.

In His service!

Religion or Relationship

2009-08-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

As our time in the US draws near I find myself diving deeper and deeper into God's word. It is all I have to comfort and direct me. I still ask "are we doing the right thing"? Is going to Thailand how God wants me and my family to serve Him?
Our good friend Jill gave my wife and I a study book, Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. This study not only reinforced the things that we know about God but has also kindle our hearts to seek more after God's heart. We don't want to be religious about our daily activities with Him, we want to be all about relationship. Most people get turned off to religion because it's based on customs and traditions of the past. When we share that Christianity is not about religious ceremonies but a relationship with God, people often are more curious. I pray that you are seeking a honest relationship with God and that you are searching for His will to be done in your life.
Luke 9:23-24 "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

Give and you will recieve...

2009-08-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

I think people take Luke 6:38 to literate, it states "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full, press down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap." Yes, it's true that it is better to give then to receive. Giving gives you a since of peace and fills your spirit up with joy. But what is our motive for giving, is it to receive something back? Then is that really "GIVING".
I'm not saying to give and see what you will get back. I think we should all give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7 ...God loves a cheerful giver). And at the same time check our motives.
I've experience this personally with giving and I can tell you every time I give with the right motives (by God's instructions) the return is multiplied many folds.
So, go out and bless someone today but make sure you do it with the right motive!
God bless you.

Treasures in heaven

2009-08-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

We started packing today for our move to Thailand. Flora and I both felt kind of down about all the stuff we are giving away, selling, or just throwing away. Then God remind both of us out of Matthew 6: 19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It was enlightening to be remind of this verse just when we needed it.

I think of all the missionaries who have gone out before us and had to go through what we are going though. I'm sure it was hard for them as well. But, I also know that they heard God's calling for them and so they went. We too have heard God's calling and will GO to join Him in His work in Thailand.

In HIS service!

THE PURCHASE

2009-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 1:7 "...For you shall Go..." We purchased our one way tickets today! It was scary and exciting at the same time. Afterwards we prayed together as a family and felt God's presence in the room. He gave us the peace and joy at the same time. It was tears of joy as we prayed together and held each other. Can't wait to see what God has in stored for us in Thailand. Please continue to pray for us and our ministry in Thailand. WE LEAVE AUGUST 26TH!

Psalm 91 - Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

2009-07-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

Flora and I read this verse together this morning and it really spoke to us, so we wanted to share it with you. No matter what you guys are going through just remember to stay in contact (presence) of our loving Father. He will always guide us just as long as we ask and LISTEN.

Ruamjai International Church

2009-07-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

I was invited to speak to a Thai church yesterday in San Diego. Thank God I did not have to do it in Thai. There were some visitors that did not speak Thai. So, I was able to give my speech in English and Pastor Charles translated into Thai for his congregation.
What a blessing it was for me to be able to share my testimony with my own people. I imagined it would be something like this in Thailand. There were some tears in the house as I shared and even my mom shed a few of her own. Afterwards we enjoyed fellowshiping with the people and a few came up to us and shared with us. What a trully blessed day it was.
Thank you Lord for new friends and your faithfulness.
Have a blessed day.

Ruamjai International Church

2009-07-25T04:33:00.000-07:00

It's 4:30 AM and I just finished up my PowerPoint presentation. I think God speaks to me the loudest in the early morning hours. Please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. We have been invited to share our vision with a Thai church in San Diego.
God Bless and good night/morning :)

Romans 8 28

2009-07-23T18:41:00.000-07:00

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”

We have a tentative departure date! Please pray for August, 27th - this is when we believe God wants us to move to Thailand. It is all in His timing and it can not be wrong.

God loves you!

Chick-fil-A fundraiser results

2009-07-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

YEA FOR CHICK-FIL-A!

Thanks to Chick-fil-A we raised over $400.00 last week for our Thailand ministry. Thank you to all that came out and supported the event. We had a great time and was able to share our vision with you and a few new people.

This takes us a step closer to our goal.

God bless you and have a wonderful day!

Saving Grace

2009-07-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

What an awsome thing to lead someone to Christ! It's even more exciting when it's one of your own children. Last friday morning I got a chance to lead my 7 year old to Christ. I guess you could consider her my first "Thai" convert :) Her name is Grace. Please pray for her and that God will use her in a mighty way for His kingdom.

God bless you and your family.

Temecula Chick-fil-A fundraiser

2009-07-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

We had a good turn out last night for our Chick-fil-A fundraiser in Temecula. I met a lady who used to have two exchange students living with her family from Thailand. She was really excited for us and our ministry. Flora had a chance to share our vision with a lady from OK (needless to say tears were flowing). Thank you to all of our friends who came out last night to support us. Please pray for our next fundraiser on Friday at Chick-fil-A in Murrieta. Blessings to you and your family.

Living out "The Calling"

2009-07-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

The core of Christ's mission was foretold in Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners." We are all called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. Just because we are going to be doing it in Thailand does not mean that you can't share the same message in your own neighborhoods. Let's do this together! Be faithful and He will be faithful to keep His promises to us.

Chick-Fil-A

2009-07-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that we are going to have a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A this Wednesday and Friday from 5:00-8:00 PM. Wednesday fundraiser will be at the Temecula location. Friday's fundraiser will be at the Murrieta location. Come out, invite a friend or two to join you to help raise support for our Thailand ministry. Enjoy great food and night of fellowship with the Mallawong's. This is a great reason not to cook for two nights :). See you all there. God bless.

Mixed emotions

2009-07-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

We sold our plasma TV today to a family that did not have a TV. It was mixed feelings for us because we knew we could of sold it for more money, but this family really needed the TV. Our human nature and flesh tells us to hold out for more money, but the Holy Spirit told us to sell it to this family. And what a blessing it was! We got a chance to share our vision with the husband (who is not a believer) and hopefully we planted a seed with him. On top of that, we got a generous gift towards our set up costs. Thank you Lord for allowing us to be able to listen to you when you are speaking to us. We love you!

Share, care, and prayer tonight

2009-07-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

We are having our Share, care, and prayer fellowship tonight at 7:00 PM. Please pray for hearts to be moved and touched by the Holy Spirit to help fund this ministry. Thank you!

Today's update

2009-07-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

We've been asked if we have a departure date yet. We and CTEN do not feel it would be wise to leave underfunded. We are currently 1/3 of the way to full support. This verse really hit home; Romans 1:10 ..."in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now by God's will the way maybe opened for me to come to you." We want to be in Thailand to minister to the people there, but we can not do it without the support from "home". Please continue to pray for our funding. Thank you for your continuing support. God bless!

Share, Care, and Prayer Fellowship

2009-07-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

We will hold a Share, Care, and Prayer Fellowship this Friday (7/10/09) at our house. Everyone is welcome. It will be a time for us to share our vision with you and a time for any questions you may have for us. Please RSVP at 714-322-8244.

Thailand ministry update

2009-07-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Things are moving forward with our move to Thailand. Supports are coming in, but we are not there yet. Please continue to pray and ask God how you can be apart of the Thailand ministry. God bless you and your family.