More from Matt

Hi guys, just a bit of an update on things here in Bangkok. Yes, we've been in the schools and it's been a pretty tough slog. Air pollution and the language barrier have made it somewhat difficult to communicate simple things like shoes and socks to school kids. We banded together and got through today and we feel much better for it. 

I have really been blessed by these past few days. The trip Steve and I took up to the northern outskirts of Bangkok to Peun's (pronounced Pern) church was really amazing. It was great to take a ride through the city and into a small part of what could almost be described as country side to an amazing little church lead by a pastor with a big vision for planting churches in Bangkok. Peun has 2 sister churches planted and would like to plant another 8 in the next 10 years. He has a real love for God and a longing for his fellow Thai people to come to Christ. Peun had an American missionary working for him named Chris. This guy was pretty awesome. He packed up his stuff at the age of 26 and he and his pregnant wife and 1 1/2 year old daughter moved to Thailand to work in the church. It opened my eyes to how obedient some people are to God's calling. It was great to talk to him and get another westerner's opinion on mission work, particularly long term mission work, in Thailand.

I taught English at the English centre tonight and found it a lot easier to deal with than going into the schools. Whilst some of the guys there knew less English, they were a little more eager to learn and a little more responsive than the kids. The fact that I had a class of 4 also made it a tad bit easier. My lessons went well topped off by the fact that I was able to talk very openly and tell these 4 people about the love of God and about salvation through Christ. I was able to talk and give a small part of my testimony and tell them that Jesus loves them and they have no reason to be afraid of him because he loves them. 2 of these people were Buddhist's and one girl was a Muslim. I talked them through the Gospel and invited them to come back tomorrow so we could talk more and then come to the church service on Sunday. All this came about because of a picture with yellow writing on it. The picture was of mountains and the yellow writing was a prayer. When one of the ladies asked me what a prayer was, I figured I had nothing to lose. Please pray for Kan, Poy, O and Tanya. Tanya is a Christian and was really helpful in translating. I know you don't know them, but please pray for them and I know God is in control of the rest. Also please pray for all of us that we get more opportunities to talk openly about Jesus. We have found it a little frustrating not being able to talk more to the kids, but we understand that our job going into the schools is not really to evangelise, but to help strengthen the relationships that the long term missionaries in the area have already built.

This trip has opened my eyes to so many aspects of my life. It has made me assess my place in the world and what I hold important in my life. It has made me think a lot more about mission work and it's importance. It's humbled me and strengthened me at the same time. I am so blessed to be able to do this.

It's a bit sad to think that we only have three more days to go over here. We have a great day in the schools tomorrow and then Saturday we are going to work with Chatchai in the local area again and then maybe go to the King's Palace for a look. Sunday is the 2 church services and we fly home Monday. Whilst it will be sad to go it will be great to get home because I am missing my girls dearly. Talking to them on the phone the other day was amazing. I look forward to blogging again in the next couple of days. Please continue to pray for us in these last few days. Your prayers have been a blessing and we all thank you.

God Bless

Matt