The field behind our home
is beginning to look fuller and greener as rice begins to grow. Mary along with
several of the neighbors came together a few weeks ago in order to plant the
rice in the field, and now we are waiting for the harvest in a few months. It’s
incredible and amazing to see the simplicity yet at the same time the
complexity of how rice grows. We watch as the rice stalks grow taller and the
grains of rice began to form at the ends of these stalks. Every once in a while,
we would give the rice some fertilizer to nourish the crops in hopes of greater
harvest. However, we know that a crop grows because of God and His wonderful
design. Many rice farmers, in our neighborhood put as much time and effort or
even more into growing rice, yet some fields turn out with very little harvest.
We are extremely blessed by God because our little field grows beautiful and
plentiful crops. Excitement approaches as we wait to harvest the rice.
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| The rice in our backyard growing wonderfully |
Training Leaders:
Now, Stephen is focused on
training up more Christian workers to go into the field! Every week, Stephen
teaches God’s Word to new groups of second generation Christian Lisu in
Thailand. They grew up in Christian families, in churches, but have very
shallow Biblical knowledge. Many do not even understand the concept of Grace.
Many times, they are struggling with the false teachings from cults, for
instance, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, etc. So, they come to our home twice a week
to learn the Word of God. Stephen has taught a lot about how we Christians
focus on the death of Jesus on the Cross (and his resurrection) because
everything hinges on this event: the ultimate love of God for humanity, the
hope of Christians, etc. He is reshaping their worldview, mindsets, values,
norms and conducts in congruence with the Gospel of Jesus on the Cross. Please
pray for these young Christians for their spiritual growth.
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| Stephen teaching to the second generation Christian Lisu of Thailand |
Commentary Ministry:
The commentary on First
Corinthians is finally completed. The next step is to go through the publishing
process, including translating and proofreading, before printing the commentary
for the Christians in Southeast Asia and China. Stephen has been in his office
every day to finish gathering his information from his studies in the States
and from his lecture notes in various occasions and now finally, First
Corinthians is wrapped up and ready to go through the last steps before
printing. Stephen asks one of his friends to help him in translating into Lisu
(but he will finalize all the translating works) so he will be able to work on
his new project. He will either work on Romans first or one of the four
Gospels. Perhaps, it will be a great ideal to give him some of your feedback on
this. Of course, he will be much appreciated if you could introduce or provide
him some excellent works on these books.
Field Ministry:
Our family lives among
non-believer neighbors. About 20 meters away from our house, there is a
Buddhist temple on the left hand side. If you walk another 100 meters away,
there is a Brahmin shrine on the right hand side. In fact, the Brahmin priest
and those Buddhist monks are our best neighbors. As you may have known that
majority of Thai people believes that all religions are good: teaching people
to be good. To them, there is no difference. Stephen often confronts with such
an ideology. He always told them that there IS a major difference—Jesus has
risen from the dead. The world needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus on the Cross.
The people in Southeast Asia and China must be transformed by the Gospel of
Jesus’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Without Jesus’ crucifixion,
burial and resurrection, our message is in vain.
This month, Stephen and
Nick were asked to attend a monthly meeting with the Christian Soldiers and
Police Society of Thailand. These Christian soldiers and police are high
ranking officials among the elites of Thailand; they have authority and
influence in Thailand. This group has asked Stephen to preach and to teach them
on many occasions and are very fond of Stephen. Praise God! They will be coming
to our house to meet, next month. Please pray for this group as they have the
means to change the Thai society because of their positions and please pray for
them as they have to clash with Buddhist culture in their daily governmental
rituals and traditions.
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| A Thai Christian Army General giving a speech at the meeting |
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| Stephen giving a speech at the Christian Police & Soldiers meeting |
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| Group picture with the high ranking Christian Thai Soldiers, Polices, & Government Officials |
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| Stephen greeting with the Lisu people at the roadside market |
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| Praying with Lisu brothers and sisters in Christ |
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| Flood in norther Myanmar |
Family:
August is the month of
birthdays for two members of our family. Stephen was born on August 15 and
Becky on August 23. Started from last year, Stephen has begun to celebrate his
birthday again to thank God for his life at his age. We have been informed that
John is doing well with his new classes, professors, classmates, and roommates
at Boise Bible College. He is working at the college’s cafeteria to help pay
for his tuition fees and expenses. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in
providing all his college needs in the past year. Hopefully, God will provide
all his physical and spiritual needs this year. Thank you for investing in him
and equipping him for the coming generation to carrying out the Great
Commission to the lost people in Southeast Asia and China. While many of your
children have just started their school, Isaac is on his mid-term. His first
semester will end on October. Please keep Mary in your prayers! She has good
and bad days from weaknesses due to her age. Most days are positive for her.
Praise the Lord!
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| Stephen's Birthday party |
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| Becky's Birthday |
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| Mary with Isaac at his school's open house day |
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| Isaac singing at his school's open house day |
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| Isaac writes "I love you Mom" in Chinese |
