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News - October 2004
adobe documentHello again to all our friends and supporters.
I hope this letter finds you at peace in Christ. Praise God our trip to Malaysia went quite smoothly and we now have our new visas. Obtaining visas in this country seems to be getting more difficult and expensive every year, and many of us think that the government is becoming less tolerant of Christian missionaries. However, the Lord has made a way for many others and us in often-difficult circumstances to be able to continue serving Him in this spiritually dark nation.
Our local fellowship has just finished hosting a 3-day children’s programme that included around 100 children from 4 surrounding villages. Fun, food and solid Christian teaching impacted these kids, most of whom who would never have an opportunity to leave their village. I really do think we often underestimate the importance of ministering to children, and consequently a harvest field is overlooked.
Kids ministry during 3-day camp
The new believers in Huay Salop are growing in their faith as they fellowship one with another, as well as receiving teaching from more mature believers in the next village (about15km away).
In response to a conversation with an older villager who had been influenced by Catholic doctrine years before in Burma, a believer asked my friend Bobby, So what do you think of the Pope? Bobby graciously responded by warning this brother to be careful of any ‘extra stuff’ added to Gods infallible word. I think we all need to take heed of such advice!
Daniel and Jonathan in Huay Salop
During our trip to renew visas, we took the opportunity for a break at a mission guesthouse on the coast south of Bangkok. During this much-needed break (especially for Sarah and Samuel), we needed to make some important decisions. Without being able to go into too much detail here, we have decided to bring our return trip date forward to December (Lord willing), with the possibility of staying for about 12 months. The main reason for this is to provide the specialized help Samuel needs for his education. This has been a difficult decision to come to terms with in the ‘natural’, as we feel we were only just settling into Mae Hong Son, building good relationships, continuing language learning etc. However, Gods plans, purposes, and timing are perfect, and all of our ways are committed to Him. It is quite normal for overseas missionaries to go on a 1-year furlough after a period of 3 or 4 years (we have been here for 3), and we will make the most of our time back in Australia in promoting Gods work in World Mission, and more specifically amongst the Shan.
As you could imagine, many things need to be organized, both here and in Australia. Please be on the lookout for a house and an 8-seater vehicle, which we hope to have organized for when we arrive (we don’t have the exact date yet). Please pray for the arrangements and contacts needed for Samuel s education and welfare. Again, in the ‘natural’, coming back in the middle of December seems a bit crazy, but please pray that things would fall into place without too many ‘additional challenges’.
During our time home, I hope to continue with some Thai studies, and pick up a bit of work. I am keen to actively continue promoting Gods heart for mission and am available to share wherever possible. Sarah and the children are certainly looking forward to catching up with family and friends. Our heartfelt appreciation continues to those who have faithfully supported us in whatever manner. I hope we can be of some mutual blessing to some of you while in Australia.
Your brother in Christ
David (for the tribe)
Please Pray:
- For breakthrough among the Shan
- For developing leadership among existing Shan churches
- For our family as we prepare to come back to Australia
- For Samuel, that all his needs would be met.
- For revelation of the urgency to reach this lost world for Christ!
www.evanstribe.org checkout some great links on our website.
Di and Jeremy visit us from Aussie
