Sawatdii (Hello in Thai)
What an exiting month this has been. We finished the academic part of our studies at ASM and are heading out to Bangkok, Thailand for our missions trip.
We have been extremely fortunate to receive such diverse teaching over the past 12 weeks and have learned a lot. Our last month started with a study of Islam and was presented by Dr. Richard Hammond a seasoned church planter who have worked all over the world, specifically Southern Sudan. More info on his ministry at http://www.frontline.org.za/.
Then we spent time with a ministry called Hands@work who focusses on the needs of the poorest of the poor children and orphans in our townships. This was a humbling and eye opening experience. They are doing great work and the purpose of this course was to ensure we kept in mind the social aspect of missionary work. More info on them at http://www.handsatwork.org/.
We finished with an intense church planting course, looking at the most effective models and strategies to consider whilst making disciples and planting churches.
NOW for our outreach.
Part of our studies at ASM includes a practical aspect which is a 6 week missions trip that we had to plan and arrange. As we envision going to South East Asia we applied to Bangkok for our outreach. We will be leaving South Africa on the 4/10/2013 and we will be arriving back on the 16/11/2013.
MORE on Thailand.
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand with a population of approximately 14 500 000 in the metro area. The percentage of Christians in Bangkok is roughly 1.3%.
According to YWAM's religious history of Thailand "Thailand has always been a Buddhist country. Often described as more a way of life than religion, Buddhism pervades Thai life and influences their conduct in countless subtle ways. Over 95% of the Thai people are members of the Theravada Buddhist sect. Thailand has long been tolerant of other religions, but the numbers involved are quite small; one million Muslims predominate in 4 provinces bordering Malaysia; 250,000 Christians and small groups of Hindus, Sikhs and believers of Confucius Ethics. There is a complete freedom of worship, exemplified by the role of the King as protector of all religions...........although to be born Thai means to be born Buddhist, the average Thai person is not much more a Buddhist than many people in the Western world consider themselves to be Christian. Some rituals are followed by most people, but only a few follow all the rules of Buddhism. It seems that Buddhism has lost a lot of its attraction to the Thai people. The economic turmoil of the recent years has caused a new openness in the Thai people as many are looking for meaning in life besides materialism".
What will we be DOING?
We will be joining a ministry called "Reach Bangkok" (http://reachbangkok.com/), who is in the process of planting a church under students from Chandrakasem University.
At this stage our weekly plan is:
Monday - off
Tuesday - working with Good News Team
What an exiting month this has been. We finished the academic part of our studies at ASM and are heading out to Bangkok, Thailand for our missions trip.
We have been extremely fortunate to receive such diverse teaching over the past 12 weeks and have learned a lot. Our last month started with a study of Islam and was presented by Dr. Richard Hammond a seasoned church planter who have worked all over the world, specifically Southern Sudan. More info on his ministry at http://www.frontline.org.za/.
Then we spent time with a ministry called Hands@work who focusses on the needs of the poorest of the poor children and orphans in our townships. This was a humbling and eye opening experience. They are doing great work and the purpose of this course was to ensure we kept in mind the social aspect of missionary work. More info on them at http://www.handsatwork.org/.
We finished with an intense church planting course, looking at the most effective models and strategies to consider whilst making disciples and planting churches.
NOW for our outreach.
Part of our studies at ASM includes a practical aspect which is a 6 week missions trip that we had to plan and arrange. As we envision going to South East Asia we applied to Bangkok for our outreach. We will be leaving South Africa on the 4/10/2013 and we will be arriving back on the 16/11/2013.
MORE on Thailand.
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand with a population of approximately 14 500 000 in the metro area. The percentage of Christians in Bangkok is roughly 1.3%.
According to YWAM's religious history of Thailand "Thailand has always been a Buddhist country. Often described as more a way of life than religion, Buddhism pervades Thai life and influences their conduct in countless subtle ways. Over 95% of the Thai people are members of the Theravada Buddhist sect. Thailand has long been tolerant of other religions, but the numbers involved are quite small; one million Muslims predominate in 4 provinces bordering Malaysia; 250,000 Christians and small groups of Hindus, Sikhs and believers of Confucius Ethics. There is a complete freedom of worship, exemplified by the role of the King as protector of all religions...........although to be born Thai means to be born Buddhist, the average Thai person is not much more a Buddhist than many people in the Western world consider themselves to be Christian. Some rituals are followed by most people, but only a few follow all the rules of Buddhism. It seems that Buddhism has lost a lot of its attraction to the Thai people. The economic turmoil of the recent years has caused a new openness in the Thai people as many are looking for meaning in life besides materialism".
What will we be DOING?
We will be joining a ministry called "Reach Bangkok" (http://reachbangkok.com/), who is in the process of planting a church under students from Chandrakasem University.
At this stage our weekly plan is:
Monday - off
Tuesday - working with Good News Team
Wednesday - university + social interaction with students
Thursday - university + social interaction with students
Friday - university + Friday bible study
Saturday - working at Tungsonghong Church
Sunday - visit a few different Churches
We are looking forward for the opportunity to spread the gospel cross culturally. Thank you very much for your continued support, prayer and love for us. We will be posting more photo's as the time progress and will need your prayer more than ever. Please see our prayer requests above for specific prayer needs.
Blessings
Johan
We are looking forward for the opportunity to spread the gospel cross culturally. Thank you very much for your continued support, prayer and love for us. We will be posting more photo's as the time progress and will need your prayer more than ever. Please see our prayer requests above for specific prayer needs.
Blessings
Johan
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