The month of July has been anything but ordinary for us here in Sukhothai, Thailand. We were blessed by a brief but encouraging visit from some of the saints from Calvary Chapel Dumaguete, Philippines. The team of four arrived to experience was pretty close to an ordinary weekend in the life of the Johansens. All four of them led the Saturday kids ministry in a sort of one-day vacation Bible school. They had some fun new games to teach the kids, and most importantly some teachings from scripture for them. For the Sunday services, we had the two churches join together for one service at Sawankhalok. Our original reason was to reduce running around and transporting the team back and forth, but it turned out to be a great time of hearing the word of God together from Pastor Jo, and lunch and fellowship together after service. That afternoon, Ate Asha had several hours to encourage the ladies in their walks with Jesus, while the men fellowshipped.
Left: JB Lim of the Philippine team sharing a skit for the Saturday kids at Sinakhon while Mira interprets.
We were also blessed this month to get a visit from another group of foreigners – my mother and aunt came to see their grandkids/grand-nieces, and to spend a bit of their summer in Thailand. I got to play tour guide for some of their time in country, showing off some of the local historical sites, and even taking some time off to visit Chiang Mai. One of the highlights for me was bringing my aunt to school with me. I was a little nervous that my fifth graders would get crazy and embarrass me, but they were on their best behavior. Must have been the candy she brought.
Discipleship classes continue with Chuadchai. So far we have finished studying an inductive Bible study workshop, taught another workshop together, studied through the book of Genesis, and are mid-way through the book of Romans. Probably the most exciting part of the discipleship class has been putting things into practice. We have taken to door to door sharing with people in the outlying areas. So far no bites, but we are encouraged by John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me.” Our hope is too that the more we are active in sharing our faith, the more the saints at Samruan and Sawankhalok churches will be encouraged to do so as well. Chuadchai is anxious to get out and serve the Lord – either through evangelizing in the mountains of his home province of Chiang Rai, in a small church in Phuket that he has been asked to serve at.
Praise Reports:
- Praise God for the seeds of His gospel being planted in the hearts of many people in the area.
- We thank the Lord for all of the Filipino goodies donated by the saints in Dumaguete. Lami kaayo!
- The great visit we had from dear mom and aunt Gayle. It was great having you two out.
Prayer Requests:
- For more sinners in Sukhothai to come to repentance and faith in Jesus.
- For spiritual growth and revived hearts among the saints in Sawankhalok and Samruan churches.
- For spiritual strength for us; that we could love, serve, and proclaim Jesus as we are called to.
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