New Life Sprouting Up!
08/10/2010 9:23 am OMF Thailand <th-itSPAMFILTER@omf.net>
When we started ministry in Singburi province 15 years ago, there was only one church in the whole province. At that point, the Lord encouraged us through Isaiah 55:13:
“Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree
And instead of briers the myrtle will grow…”
Thorns and briers portray barrenness – a picture of what life is like without God. A piece of land that is barren is often overgrown with thorns. When we started church-planting work in the district town of Inburi (meaning “town of the demon-god Phra In”) in Singburi Province, we claimed this promise, asking God to plant the Gospel seed in the spiritually barren hearts in this town so that we might see new life sprouting up. The Lord has been faithful to His promise to us. Today, Inburi Church is a vibrant congregation, actively reaching out to the surrounding villages. Last year, the church started an outreach centre in Thong En, with a view of planting a daughter church in that area.
Inburi Church now has its own church building, built over a period of 10 years! This is significant as Inburi has many, many temples…there is a temple in almost every village. Soon after dawn, Buddhist monks in saffron robes can be seen making their way along the canals and dusty lanes. People wait to fill the monks’ bowls with food, a practice which they believe will reward them with merit. Most Inburi young men become monks for a short time so that they can accumulate merit for their families. Almost every house has its own “spirit house” to accommodate the spirits from the land on which the house stands.
Praise God that many Inburi people have now been set free from spiritual bondage through Jesus Christ. (Engkiat Ng, Singburi church planting)
- Please pray for the thousands of people of Singburi province who don’t know Jesus as Lord.
- Pray for a strong witness in the Christian community which testifies to the risen, living God.