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April 4, 2007
Dear Friends,
The year 2007 started with a "BANG" here in Bangkok. At
Bangjak, we were having our very first "Watch Night Service" watching
"The Nativity", singing, fellowshipping and of course eating when we
heard a loud bang which we thought could possibly be fireworks starting
early. As the night progressed, we heard sirens and news came to us that
9 bombs had gone off throughout Bangkok. One of the bombs was only ½ a
mile from our church. We are so thankful that we were in the Lord's
house during that time. Many people who had traveled quite a distance to
come to the services slept at the church that night. We felt it was much
safer that way.
Please pray for the political situation here. The government has not
been as stable as in the past since the Prime Minister was asked to
leave. There have been other bombs in shopping centers, in tourist
areas, and public places since that time and many bomb scares.
JANUARY Our 1ST Deaf Camp
The deaf group of our church (23 adults) went on a short retreat to a
near by island to spend time fellowshipping together and also to spend
ime in God's word. It was a good time to grow closer to one another and
also to encourage the new believers in their personal walk with the
Lord. They also talked of their personal goals in spending time with God
daily.
February "Month of Love"
Valentine's Day is a very popular holiday among the Thai young people.
So we try to make it a special time to talk about what true love is and
The Greatest Love of All!! This year was no exception, only we are
running out of room in our church building to have a sit down buffet
dinner. The young people opted for a more natural atmosphere so we hung
lighting outside in back of the church and had a very nice banquet. We
were glad to see many 1st time visitors and also some people we had lost
touch with for quite some time.
BIBLE INSTITUTE
While one of our fellow missionary workers (Tommy Tucker) is
away on furlough this year, I am making monthly trips to Chiang Khong to
help check-in on the church and also to teach Bible Institute Classes.
During February 17-23, I was there teaching a class on the Pentateuch.
Praise the Lord for those who feel God has called them into the
ministry. It is a 13 hour trip through the mountains and we were
thankful for Gods' protection.
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCHES OF THAILAND
Please pray for our national fellowship of churches here. The government
is coming up with different laws all the time. Now missionaries and
national churches have to register differently with the government and
we have had to do some changes on our Independent Baptist Fellowship
constitution. Keeping up with governmental red tape is like fighting a
losing battle. After 12 hrs of discussions and re-organizing we feel we
finally have something in which the government will accept. Pray for us
as we wait to see whether they accept it or not.
BAPTISMS ARE GREAT!!
March we saw proof of the Harvest as 10 people followed the Lord in
Baptism!! What a great testimony as all 10 made professions of faith,
some having accepted Christ at Teen Camp in October and some just
recently. We were thrilled that God has increased our church family.
That same day, a 21 year old teacher also accepted Christ in the evening
service. She is ready to get baptized but she is waiting till she can
get a Sunday morning off from her job. It's the blessings of seeing
people accept Christ and then follow the Lord in Baptism that makes all
the work worth it!!
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
In our own church at Bangjak Baptist, Fontip, a 23 year old member of
our church has a severe health problem. She was born with a spinal birth
defect which has resulted in a very prominent hump on her back. Over the
last 4 years that we have known her this was never a problem but since
December her legs have become very numb and she has continuous pain. We
have spent weeks taking her to the best hospitals in Bangkok and
listened to each Dr. explain there is no way to help her. She will
eventually become paralyzed and her lungs and heart will continue to
grow weaker. Her parents are both dead and her Aunt she now lives with,
feels her condition is due to the sins in her former life. Please pray
for her during this time. She has such a sweet attitude and loves the
Lord. She does pray for His healing and ask that you would too.
Thank you for your prayers and your support!!
Sincerely in Christ,
Ricky Salmon
Sending church:
Temple Baptist Church
Pastor LeRoy Eldridge
1400 N. Washington Ave
Titusville, FL 32796 |
