SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS: Siripong & Jessie Yaebeang • Thailand

We are going through the hottest time of the year. All day, every day, it is anywhere from 32-40+ Celsius (90-104+ Fahrenheit). Today was one of those hot days. Google said it was 107, but it feels like 118! But despite the heat, God is doing several exciting things in and through our church/ministry here. Below are some highlights:

• Anne’s Baptism — We are rejoicing to let you know that Anne made a profession of faith, and our church baptized her! Many of you prayed for her. She first came to our church for the Christmas service last year and has been coming regularly since then (even more often than some members). She heard the Word preached every Sunday, and I was able to sit down to explain the gospel many times. For the whole month of March, I intentionally met with her once a week to talk about the gospel. God opened her eyes and heart to believe in Jesus! It’s encouraging to hear her share, in front of our church body, that she’s ready to forsake her old beliefs/life and follow Christ! She’s in her early 50s and the first one in her family history to become a Christian. Her journey as a believer, along with other believers here, will not be easy, so please pray for the new road ahead.

• Studying/Reading “Humility” — A while back, when we studied Eph. 4:2 on humility, I had a great discussion with many people from the church. We happen to have the Thai translation Humility by Andrew Murray. So, our church just started reading/studying through this book together during the Sunday school hour. What we did differently this time was that we split into two groups: men and women. Each group will have someone lead the lesson/discussion each Sunday. It not only gives us more time to discuss but also an opportunity to raise/train our members to serve. This is especially true for the women in our church since this is the first time we have specifically organized a women’s group like this. Please pray that God will sanctify us through this book.

• Blessed Resurrection Sunday — We had a blessed time celebrating Resurrection Sunday! I took a break from Ephesians one Sunday and meditated with our people on the proofs and significance of our Savior’s resurrection. After the service, we enjoyed an extended church-wide fellowship. The fact that He is risen and alive today gives us confidence to share the gospel with Thai people here! May many come to know the power of His resurrection!

• Visitors — God has brought us several visitors this past month or so, and we are honored to welcome them. Among them are a Thai Christian couple who has just moved to our area. Another couple is from the Philippines. The husband is in the Air Force and is doing some training in Bangkok for a year (including learning Thai), so they’ve been worshiping with us. We also welcomed a Chinese lady who used to live in Thailand (and knows Thai), but she’s now serving the Lord in Japan. We are happy to serve them however long they are with us! Please pray that God will lead and guide every one of them.

• Update on the Book on the Gift of Tongues — Some time ago, I mentioned working on a small book about the gift of tongues. I wanted to let you know that I finished the book’s final draft! My part is over now (other than a final review at the end), and the rest of the process is in the publisher’s hands. The title in Thai that I suggested for now is “Understanding the Gift Tongues: What the Bible Says and What People Misunderstand.” Lord willing, it should come out sometime in the second half of this year. Meanwhile, I’m continuing to work on the parables of Jesus that I mentioned previously. All your prayers are appreciated.

• Church Building Search — We mentioned to you before about us looking for a facility we can use for our church (For those not aware, we’ve been meeting in a hotel meeting for some time now). We tried to look a few times but couldn’t find anything reasonable. However, the hotel’s owner recently told us they have some land if we want to rent it. Several of us looked at a few options for the land, and we discussed this in our recent member meeting. After we did some quick math, we realized that renting the land and building something simple and small is way cheaper in the long run, even lower than what we are paying right now. We are praying about this and seeking guidance from the Lord. Please pray as we are looking at different options.

• ICU Visits — I can’t remember the last time I visited someone in the ICU, but in the course of a month or so, I visited two men who spent about five days in the ICU, and their chances of survival were low. One man survived miraculously, and the other one did not. The man who passed away was related to our church member, and he was only 25 (a nonbeliever as well). That was the first and last time I met him while he was lying in the ICU unconscious. Moments like this remind me powerfully about the reality of death and the urgency of the gospel. Please pray for this man’s family that he left behind and pray as we continue to proclaim the gospel.

• New Church Plant Endeavour — We have shared our plan to start a new church plant in Northeastern Thailand. Brandon and another Thai brother (Jay) will lead the new work there. The end of March was their last Sunday with us. We had a special service where we prayed for them before they relocated to the new location. It’s bittersweet for all of us, but we are excited about expanding His kingdom and seeing what God has in store in that part of the country. Please pray for them!

• Continuing to Train Men — One of my joys each week is to spend time discipling and equipping men from our church (Eph. 4:12). It’s an encouragement to see them grow in faith and serve in the church. A member named “Ouan,” whom we introduced to you before, preached his second sermon this past Sunday. He labored hard preparing the lesson and did well. Another brother led the Sunday school lesson for the very first time recently! Please remember the men from our church in your prayers. As I spend time with them, I also pray that in God’s timing, some will become deacons (they are already serving every week) and lay elders to serve the body.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Update (5/19): I’m writing this with tears and a sad heart to let you know that my beloved father passed away from colon cancer in the early morning of May 17. He was 68 years old. We all knew his days were running out, but we didn’t know it would be this fast. I’ve been preparing mentally for his departure, but the reality has hit me harder than I expected. Even though I didn’t get to see him as much as I wanted to, just knowing that he was still around meant a lot to me as his son. Now that he’s gone, it will never be the same. My life will never be the same.

The first picture above was taken not long ago when he was admitted to the hospital. That was the last moment I saw him and the final touch I got from him. In the Thai culture, the highest respect you could give to someone is to completely bow down at someone’s feet and kiss them. That’s what I am doing in this picture. It’s not the first time, but I never knew that it was going to be my last time.

The night before he departed, I was on a video call with him for about 30 minutes. He could hear everything I was saying, but could not talk, due to the breathing machine. I expressed my gratitude to him for raising me. I told him I love him and apologized to him that I lived so far away the past 20 years and didn’t get to live nearby. I also told him we all planned to come see him in a few days. We had hoped to see him and spend some time together; but if not, I told him to rest peacefully without worrying about anything.

(thailand.forhisglory@hotmail.com)