April  2009

Prayer Letter Update

PRAYED FOR 10 YEARS AND NOWWE ARE REJOICING!
When the Bangjak Church was just five years old a young man in high school started attending our English classes. His name is Benz, as in Mercedes Benz. He excelled in English and later studied Japanese with Japanese missionaries. Over the years he has helped with various teams from American churches, leading tours and always willing to help in anyway he can. He has taught many Japanese language classes, translated sermons, from the platform, and volunteered to help with children’s soccer teams.
This sounds pretty normal for a committed Christian in an active growing church, the only problem was despite the witnessing from all directions, Benz could never bring himself to accept Christ as his personal Savior. Many of us in the church had said all we could with out offending him and resorted to praying consistently for him. Others were still witnessing. Praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit was still working in his life and two weeks ago he decided he was finally ready!! Our church rejoiced with the angels in heaven!!

MORE BLESSINGS……
Our Easter service this year was very special with a man coming to accept Christ even before the service!! He had found a cell phone, which had a picture of Jesus in it and it so convicted his heart. He had heard of salvation in the past and was sure that was what he needed in his life. What a way to start! It was great to see so many members bringing their friends and relatives to the church. The choir did a wonderful job and the deaf choir did too. Towards the end of the service a couple who had accepted Christ while we were in the States were baptized and then we took part in the Lord’s Supper together. Then in the evening meeting a young man who has been coming for the last 5 months also accepted Christ as his Savior. What a blessing!!

BACK TO BANGKOK
Coming home…sounds easy but reality hits when you leave 55 degree weather and land in nearly 100 degrees of weather with intense humidity. It’s not always that easy compounded by12 hour time change, and a house that needs major repairs. We have had to take time to repair all the electrical switches in the kitchen, dining room and laundry room due to ants eating up the wiring. Then there were lots of leaks, in fact a waterfall that was happening in the kitchen every time it rained which is often at this time of year. We are thankful that these things are minor compared to the reason we are here. Please pray for us as the repairs are finished but there is not much to do about the heat which is still very intense.

SONKRAN “THAI NEW YEAR” CELEBRATED WITH A WATER FESTIVAL
April 10th-15h is the biggest holiday of the year in Thailand. Everybody goes back to their homes to visit their relatives and wherever you happen to be there will always be a big water fight going on. For the last 5 years our church has supplied the water for those who want to come and join in the fun out in front of the church. This year was no exception and many believers and non believers manned the hoses and took part in sharing as much water as possible with every person passing by. It’s nice to cool off in the midst of the very hot weather and lots of fun too!

Sincerely in Christ,
Ricky Salmon

Sending church:
Temple Baptist Church
Pastor LeRoy Eldridge
1400 N. Washington Ave
Titusville, FL 32796

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Email: salmonth@truemail.co.th