January 2010

Happy New Year!  Since Camp in October the Lord has been working.  Let me share some of the highlights:

5^th Anniversary Camp: We were down numbers wise, but there was a good spirit, and the speaker (missionary Dan Gardner from Japan) had timely messages; it was an encouraging time.  The Lord convicted many hearts, and Lord willing, this will prove to be a spring board for the future.

Chimes Group: Our home church, Grace Baptist, Panama City, Florida, sent a 13 member chimes group to play and help with the opening of doors for further evangelistic activity.  They played in five different schools, one university, five churches (two of which are our ministries), and an outdoor market - all in one week.  They were a great encouragement and as a result, many doors were opened.  I am now teaching English at North Chiang Mai University as a result of their presence, and several other schools have invited me to come.  Unfortunately, we are still short of workers to go through all of the open doors.

Christmas: Our Chiang Mai Christmas party was a great success this year.  We celebrated at a local resort instead of the church.  We had a large number of lost from the community come (65 was the total).  Lord willing, we will see some of them at church in the coming weeks.

Answered Prayer: We have been praying for some time that the Lord would provide more laborers to help us in the ministry in Chiang Mai.  The Lord has answered in a twofold way.  First, He has sent 2 (maybe 3 or 4) missionary families to us that are studying the language.  Lord willing, they will be active in evangelism while with us for a short period of time.  One family has a desire to help us with a college ministry in the newly opened opportunity at North Chiang Mai University.  Secondly, a young lady, Atalie Habal, who was with us last summer, has surrendered to return to Thailand as a full time missionary to help us in the work.  A second young couple who will be graduating are coming for a missions trip this summer with the possibility of returning full time as well.  This has been our desire -  that the Lord would send people to complement the ministry in Chiang Mai so we can all work together to effectively reach Thailand with the Gospel.

MP-3 Sermons:  Since placing our church sermons (and those of other Independent Baptist Churches) on the internet, I have had two responses from Thai people in different parts of the country who have been listening but do not have access to a church home.  This is very encouraging, and we pray that God will use this simple tool to encourage and lead others to the Lord Jesus. 

Bible Institute: Sakhorn is finishing his studies and will begin a short internship with a Thai pastor in another province.  He will then begin a period of internship/practice while finishing his formal schooling (High School) and gaining experience in various aspects of the ministry.  He is a very dedicated young man, and we are looking forward to what the Lord will do for him.  As Sakhorn winds down, we have two more students enrolling: Tom and our son Matthew.   Tom feels the Lord calling him to Britain, and Matthew feels the Lord’s leading to Turkey. One Thai man (saved in January 2009) is considering enrolling in the institute for night classes.

Prayer Requests: Please continue to pray for our family and the members of New Life Baptist Church (Chiang Mai and Wang Mai).  Spiritual growth for: Bhun, Dtom, Kwanchai (enrolling in Bible Institute), Kham, Aye (serious personal issues), Mai, and Phorn.  Pray for Tom and Matthew as they start Bible Institute and Sakhorn as he finishes.  For salvation, please remember the following:  Torm (made a profession, but unstable right now), Eek, Mee (now in a combat zone in Southern Thailand), Kankaew’s family, Luu, Ingon, Pranii, Supot, and Nalongchai, Tui, Gung, and the children in the village.  Please pray for our building fund (we are still at only about $5000).  I know these are difficult times financially and spiritually.  We know that the Lord is still on the throne, and it is a privilege to be serving Him in Thailand.  May the Lord bless you abundantly in the coming year!

For Christ in Thailand,

Mike & Francis Frederick

BWMOM, Thailand