BLESSED CHRISTMAS 2008

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. What a day of Joy for all of us! So Jenny and I would like to wish you all of you "Khag Molad Samekh and Shana Tova" in Hebrew...meaning "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year". Here also is a simple poem for all of you....

Two thousand years ago the King of Kings was born.
'The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn,
If his words are accepted and not scorned,
They will make us all reborn.
Though God's grace, Joseph and Mary presented
A gift to the world that day, which we can all repay,
by living the ten commandments each and every day.
Try to remember and keep in your heart and mind
Jesus's gospel while here on Earth,
Redemption not a life lived in constant mirth.
Peace on Earth, good will toward man
Everyone should try it, whenever they can.
The Lord gave us the option and choice of 'free will,'
Now it's up to us to fit the bill.
So when you’re Christmas shopping for family and friends,
and money is tight at both ends,
Remember that the greatest gift of all,
Is your love of Jesus in the manger stall.

My reflections for this Christmas for all of us....First and foremost, we must continue to thank with joy our God for sending His Son, just like the shepherds of old were recorded to have been filled with joy in Luke 2 v 20: "The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them". And now, may I pray for each one of you, as I pray for myself, four very important gifts of Christmas from our Lord:

The first gift is “The Gift of a Renewed Life”, in 2 Corinthians 5 v 17 “this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun”.

The second gift is “The Gift of Service”. From Isaiah 6 v 8 - ''Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

The third gift is “The Gift of Worship”. May our heart be filled with joy always as we seek to worship our Lord! just as in Mathew 2 v 11 "They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him”.

The fourth and the last gift are... “Thanksgiving Gifts and Offerings” from our heart, for the abundant life we have received from Him...may we imitate what the wise men have brought to Jesus’ appropriate gifts” as in in Matthew 2 v11: “Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.

On the November 16th, 2008, Jenny and I went to a Tha Yang church in the Province of Petchaburi (two hours away from Bangkok towards the south of Thailand) together with Pastor Prasit, who was preaching that Sunday service....Jenny and I spent time with the children there and helped them watch a Thai Christian Cartoon movie.

On the November 22nd, 2008, I attended a Filippino speaking church service, this service was held on Saturday as on Sunday, the pastor would have to conduct services in Thai. The Fillipino church workers are doing missionary work in Thailand. I was invited to share a short message to the congregation. Praise the Lord for opening doors!

Three days later, I was invited to go to the Lumpini Primary School, together with the Lumpini Evangelism Group. We gave Christmas gifts and The Book of John to the children.

On November 29th, 2008, Jenny and I went to Bang-Pa In and we had a meaningful time fellowshipping with the Full Gospel church leaders. In the evening, we went to a market to distribute Christian leaflets to the local people. The following day, that is Sunday, I preached for almost 2 hours on the topic “The Return of Israel”. Two Myanmar brothers came to me after the service to tell me they believe that they are from the Tribes of Benjamin. God loves His people and has said "Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel”. So God renamed him Israel. Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai - “God Almighty”. Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you” - Genesis 35 v 10 - 12.

May the Lord bring you joy and peace throughout this Season and the coming Year 2009 and may His light wash away all the shadows of your life.

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

OBEY HIS CALLING

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ....

Shalom! And Greetings in the name of our Lord.

This is the first part (Part 1) of my November 2008 Report.

During the past one month, I was unexpectedly afflicted with fever, diarrhea,mouth ulcers and sore throat for two days in a week, and this pattern continued for the duration of 4 weeks during the month!.... Now why this attack on my health that sent me to a private clinic, as well the hospital, for a check-up??...And all the doctors could say was : food poisoning, or viral infection!.....

Now I recall that some two years ago, God has spoken to me clearly to resign from my job as a computer professional to take up His call to serve him in the mission field...... but I kept on saying “No!” or delayed to do so for another 6 months to a year. ....Then God was quite emphatic and said: “No, you must go do mission work.".

During this period of my vacillation , my car broken down inexplicably many times in a month......then also, the power supply to my room was cut off even though I have paid my electricity bill, and many, many unexpected mishaps came to upset my mundane life!.... These shook me quite a bit and soon, I was made to realise that perhaps I have failed to heed God's promptings to me... and I began to nudge myself, "Should I not take Him more seriously His beckoning and obey His call ?"..... O yes, being human, like everybody else, it is all so natural for us to want to stick to our own seeking and ways, to stay in our comfort zones and do little for God,and to ignore or delay God's call or will for us....but, as often is the case, we too often will find that by our disobedience, we will pay a price for this disobedience, as I certainly have learnt from this since! .......

What a frightening flashback this is for me!

Now coming back to Novenber 2008 now... in early November, the Lord also prompted me to go out from Thailand to serve Him elsewhere.....but I said I would delay this till end of February 2009 ....and what happened to this dillydallying? ...... Answer : this train of sickness and ill health coming upon me!!....

So it is all too clear to me now that I cannot, and should not, delay any further!....I must make a decision to go one month earlier!.....for when God calls us , he means business with us, and we must obey and follow Him without delay and excuses!.Amen to that, yeah?

On the November 10th, 2008, God led me to the vision and the following website: http://faithwithyou.blog.com/4125908/. Tab this, and you will find God's message loud and clear for all of us!

You will recall that I have previously shared with you briefly about the transformed life of Bro. Francis Elijah Kok....you may read his testimony in this link: http://faithwithyou.blog.com/4294325. I hope you will be touched by his story.

On the November 1st, 2008, a pastor invited Jenny and me to a presentation of songs and dance by some northern hill tribes in Pathum Thani, about an hour's drive from Don Mueang Airport. This event was organized by the leader of some Hill Tribes from northern Chiangmai who are now Christians. Before the function ended, I was invited to close with a prayer .... it was such a joy for Jenny and me to witness the working of the Lord on the lives of these Thai Christians. Praise the Lord. Truly our God is Great!

The next day, I was invited to preach in the Jaisamarn Full Gospel in Bang-Pa In.. Jenny was my interpretor as I shared God's word about “ End Time prophesies”. In the afternoon, we went to visit the King’s Palace near the church..... In the evening, we went to a village church planted there recently - it is called “Bethlehem House, so appropriately named after our Lord Jesus' birthplace!.

The following Sunday, I was invited to preach at the Navanakorn Church, which is about 1 hour's drive from Don Mueang Airport. My message was based on the Book of Jonah - the importance of fasting and praying for the city of Nineveh. And its relevance today of doing the same for God's Kingdom work for Thailand..

I will be sending the next report for November 2008 (Part 2) next week.

May God Bless all of you.

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

TESTIMONY FROM BRO. FRANCIS ELIJAH KOK

Home – A Dream or a Dream to far?

Hi – To all, as Pastor Steve Kok have mentioned in his blog, my name is Francis Elijah Kok, and I will share my testimony when I am ready. Please read my testimony with an open mind and heart, because this is a testimony from a real life prodigal son. And I chose my birthday today – 30th November to share this and since I am already 41, I intend to something meaningful.

I guess it is time and I titled my sharing as above : Home – or a dream too far?

Where do I start or how to begin? I will use the story of the Prodigal Son to launch my sharing. All should be familiar with the story of the Prodigal son written in the Bible, it is written that the son returned to open arms of his father and mother…….but to me, it have been remained yet still a dream or a wish.

To start, I came from a simple family of four, I am the youngest with an elder sister. Though we were baptized as Christian at the age of 15 in a Methodist Church, I confessed our faith have never been strong – or is it the fear of insecurity that we are poor and not well-to-do as other church members? I really don’t can answer, but as far as I can remember, I find it difficult to fit in during youth meetings or groups meetings.

Guess time passed quickly and I passed my STPM but not able to get into a university and because of financial reason I did not get into any private college at all. At that time, I am still an innocent kid to life, to the streets. I found some work in a paging firm, work10 hours from 10pm -8am everyday and attend a private college in the day-time for my NCC Diploma in Computer Studies. My dream? If can’t be a lawyer, I hope to be a good programmer.

Where did my down fall started? I guess it started when I pushed myself to reach the heart of success. It started when I started resenting my mother when she forbids from this and that, even to the extend of trying out as a junior programmer because the starting pay is low and I have to temporary support the family because my sister resigned from her job to study full-time.

To cut the story short, I change jobs very fast, each time hoping to get a higher and better salary and of course with higher salary I am able to get a credit card and getting to know the wrong parties. I started to fall from grace and I cant blame anyone but myself. I sarted to get big-headed, wanting to start a business and earning big money. I started to get involve in the 3 big WWS : Wine,Women and Song. In time, I get into big debts and started borrowing from loan-sharks……… and this is my biggest down fall. At that time I am married with a nice and beautiful daughter. My parents bailed me out by selling our house.

Here is the beginning of my end….I pray that those who read my testimony, please when or if anyone of your members fall from grace, please pray and try to support them, and also churches, please not to condemn them, pray for them and give them a platform to stand again.

I was never really given the chance, after the sale of the house, everyday it will be non-stop nagging, scolding, condemning, I feel so lost, and I turn to alcohol to release myself. Again, I went deeper into sin…. I can’t find a job, everything I tried failed, even when I want to temporary drive a taxi,, my parents are against it, how to get cash or money? Again I turn to loan-sharks……… but this time I am not able to pay them back. What did I do? My brothers – I ran, I ran as far as I can. I left Malaysia to work in Singapore and it is so difficult to make ends meet.

I ran away for more than more than 10 years. The first few years it was so lonely out there, my mother refuses to let my wife to bring my daughter to see me, saying it is to punish me for my sins and wrongdoings. My daughter is about 4 then. During the years in Singapore I was lonely, so lonely that alcohol is my only friend. I tried going to a church, a famous church in Singapore, but when I confessed my sins, when I give my testimonial, there is no hands to assists me, I was out-chaste, I was chastise, but never a word of encouragement from members of the church. Because of my hard-drinking, I was never able to send money home. Somewhere along the line, I lost and found a new job. And this job is with the gambling or betting job, soccer betting. Deeper into sin, I invested into this venture also, I travelled to China, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong and this world of sin is something that makes me fall deeper. All the women, all the drugs and all the sin you can buy with money.

Yet this venture failed. I lost my investment badly, my wife divorced me, and what breaks me is when I return to Malaysia, my daughter refuses to see me, can’t blame her then, for I have not done my part as father. I came back and work as a part-timer selling games for pc. Again I was offered a job work in a Soccer Betting environment. This time I met Pastor Steve Kok in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

We met via Skype many months ago. I still harbour some hope to return and walk again in His path, so as to have the warmth and love of a family again…we chat for quite some time during breakfast, and somehow God work mysteriously. I am on the verge of losing this job of mine again and I will be flying home back to KL, Malaysia soon. God punishing me for time and time falling deeper into sin or God not wanting me to work in this environment anymore. I pray it is the latter.

I have started reading the Bible again, and praying to God again…..it is a struggle everyday to try and walk the right path. Every turn seems to be a wrong turn. At the time of writing this testimonial I am still unwanted back home. This prodigal son returns home to loneliness.

I hope and I pray that when I return home, I am able to find a stable job and use my experience as a programmer yet I feel so at lost now. I pray that to those who have read this testimony, do not give up hope. Continue praying, I am sure the light at the end of the tunnel will appear one day and do keep a small prayer for me. It is so difficult to walk right, and I am coming home to loneliness and emptiness. And I pray that also one day I might be able to see my daughter, she is 12 next year.

Pastor Steve have been an encouragement to me, until today, he never gives up on me, still wanting me to join him on his missions.

I pray that those who read his blogs and his visions, his writings, blogs and visions are not easily accepted by people, including myself, for his heart is true and he have the love of God in him.

Blessing,
Bro. Francis Elijah Kok

MISSION IN CAMBODIA AND HOME CHURCH

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Lord’s Name!

It is always good when we received the Lord’s presence into us as the joy and peace in our heart. Hallelujah to our Great Lord! Jenny has designed tambourines with a cross and we will use these to dance while giving Praise the Lord! The picture below is what the small bell tambourines look like and includes a description of the materials used to make them. In Biblical context, tambourines are one of the musical instruments that are used to celebrate the joy with the Lord as referred to in Genesis 31 v 27, Exodus 15 v 20 - 21, Judges 11 v 34, 1 Samuel 10 v 5 - 7, 1 Samuel 18 v 6 - 7, 1 Chronicles 13 v 8, Job 21 v 12, Psalm 68 v 25 - 26, Psalm 81 v 1 - 3, Psalm 149 v 3 - 4, Psalm 150, Isaiah 5 v 12 - 13 and Jeremiah 31 v 4.

In my past report, I had mentioned about the End Times as what has happened, is happening now and what is going to happen in future. Firstly I want to Praise the Lord, as the Lord pronounced that the prophesy is real and happening now. Secondly, the global economic challenge is increasing each day, global politics are in a mess as well as strange disasters are happening now. Thirdly, some of you are worried about your wealth diminishing and are not ready to face this crisis but Jesus said “don’t panic over all this as everything must take place” (Matthew 24 v 6 - 7 and Mark 13 v 6 - 7). We should remain warm with love otherwise we may go the opposite way (Matthew 24 v 12) as Jesus wants us to keep the Greatest Commandments in our hearts forever, then your Great Reward is with Jesus Christ (Revelation 22 v 12) and He shall pay your reward according to your deeds in faith and love. Hallelujah!

The recent news from Bangkok about the protestors (we called it the ‘yellow group’), after several protests at various government offices, now carry out huge demonstrations in the two airports, namely Don Mueang (domestic) and Suvarnabhumi (International) Airport. We are staying just a few kilometres away from Don Mueang Airport. We hear a lot of news about whatever is happening but never see the situation wherever we go within the Bangkok area! Many of you might not know “how and why” this protest started but that is another story! Anyway, what we can do, is to pray and fast for Thailand!

During past two weeks, I have been sharing to Christians (including pastors) about Jonah (Book of Jonah) who travelled to Nineveh to ask the people to repent and fast for 40 days. They did exactly that including the King, just as Jonah instructed. The Kingdom of Nineveh was to be destroyed, but God saw their heart and sincerity and protected them. Today, many people don’t see God in their first sight anymore, but rather say the event is normal. For example tsunami, hurricane, earthquake or floods happened recently, did they really repent like what Nineveh people did? Fasting and praying to God for mercy? When one disaster happens, the churches, organisations or the people will firstly do to the end plan, which is to raise funds rather than do fasting and praying. We need to ask God for mercy for all things that happen in the world.

On October 11th, 2008, I brought Bro. Mathaikutty (the brother I mentioned in my last email who worked in Sisaket as an English teacher) to the Lumpini Park in Bangkok as we evangelize, preach and pray for the people every Saturday. When he saw what we were doing, he was really touched and amazed at the work being done. He said that in India, they can’t do it at the public park otherwise they will be prosecuted and arrested. He was pleased and by God’s will, he plans to come frequently to join us even though the distance is not near (8 hours train journey from Sisaket to Bangkok).

I left from Bangkok around 5am and arrived at Phnom Penh, Cambodia around 7.30pm on October 13th, 2008. It is a long journey although India was even longer (3 days 2 nights journey). I was staying in the guest house near the French Embassy which cost about USD 5 per night, so the following day, I downgraded the room to one without a bathroom which cost me USD 3 per night. I had breakfast with Bro. Francis Elijah Kok who is a born again Christian. When I met him last September 2007, he was referred by a couple from New Zealand. We communicated through Skype (internet messenger) and we only met each other during this breakfast meal together. It is amazing how God has used me to bring him the encouragement, love and faith. Praise His Glorious Name! He will share his testimony through website/blog when he is ready and you will touch you by his testimony! As well, I met two Cambodian pastors and spent some quality time together sharing my thoughts on fellowship, as the Lord asked me to contact them even without knowing them first.

We met Sister Esther Ding from Cambodia Mission Services and visited her shop known as Khmer Life where they sell all kinds of handicrafts made by the villagers. It is amazing on how God is using her expertise in this mission for 14 years in Cambodia as she works in a different manner as compared to other missionaries. She believes in creating work opportunities for poor villagers such as doing handicrafts and providing services of homestay to the foreigners (in Khmer language, foreigner is Barang). The next day, Sister Esther and I went directly to Baray (near Kampong Thom) to visit the mission centre and the journey took us around 4 hours. When we reached there, we met a missionary couple from London who are doing a 6 months mission here and teach English for the primary and secondary school children while teaching them on what the Bible teaches on human relationships such as boy/girl relations. We also met a volunteer Christian doctor who provides a no-fee service for the villagers and we shared the same room in the Medical House.

During our mission visit, we had fellowship with a few pastors and shared the Word of God with them to encourage them and help them to move forward with God. God has really worked some amazing things here and I’ve even heard that some churches in Malaysia have given Praise Reports over my work done abroad. Though it may appear that I am fishing for credit, it is not myself alone who has done the work, but rather it is God who has done this work through me and we give all Praise and Glory to the Lord for touching lives.

For the readers who are involved in school, church or company camp, I would like to invite you to this Khmer Homestay to experience the village lifestyle as it will also benefit the mission work in Cambodia. It helps to provide employment to the poor villages and also to buy the general items such as foods, medicines and etc. The link to their website is “http://www.khmerhomestay.com” . Praise the Lord!

On the October 23 rd, 2008, we were invited to launch a new Home Church at Minburi and be the guest speaker, as such I shared about “What is Home Church and Evangelism with people around the area?” When it came time for prayer, I felt the Holy Spirit working in me and started to pray for everyone. Without touching them, they began to fall down and feel the presence of the Lord moving in them. Hallelujah and our God is always Great, Amen!

I am praying for Jenny to join me as a full time mission worker starting in the month of January 2009 as the Lord has called me to go to Cambodia for one month, Vietnam for a few months and China for 6 months or more. Currently, my mission funds are only able to support 1 person and we are seek the Lord to provide us with additional funds. Please continue to uphold us in your prayers.

Looking forward to writing the next report as there is more exciting news to share! Our God is a living God and Jesus is the Truth to our Life!

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

A VISION FROM GOD

The vision and voice came to me at approximately 3pm (GMT+7) on 10th November, 2008 while walking back to my home.

“A lion will come from heaven to the earth and it will roar with anger and bring fire with it. The fire will destroy all the churches”.

Today most churches are not following the Greatest Commandment or obeying God’s Higher Law, but instead they obey only the lower law made by man.

The Greatest Commandment as Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind”. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. - Matthew 22 v 37 - 40.

The churches have become self-righteous as they strive to gain honour, respect and love from the people. In so doing, they neglect to return what belongs to God and His people. For example, a political candidate seeks people to vote for him and to love him, but in the end, after he has won the election, what does he return to the people? Nothing, and in addition he takes more through corruption. A similar scenario applies to today’s churches. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God”. - Mark 12 v 17. The churches neglect to return back to God, but rather rob and deny any reward as God’s Glory and Wealth.

Luke 10 v 2, as Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Thus, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into His fields”. The True workers are rare and few, since so many churches are unable to abide in the two great commandments as the law. This too has been instrumental in the past to create divisions among churches into various denominations and continues to segregate churches until today.

During this time, many churches are looking toward prophetic teaching and guidance for direction. Nevertheless, they believe they will know Jesus, even they do not know Him now. If and/or when Jesus stands in front of them, what will happen? Churches will prosecute Jesus again and they will deny Him as what the religious leaders did in the past! Jesus said, “I entered this world to render judgment - to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see, that they are blind” - John 9 v 39, as many don’t see the Truth Messiah. The people who see the Truth are the people who carry the Greatest Commandment in their hearts and doing it in action for their life, they will know who is Jesus without Jesus saying anything and will follow Him.

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you”. - John 15 v 18 – 19. As stated in the 3rd paragraph, the churches neglect to follow the commandments but instead follow the government’s law and council decision so that they may maintain the church longer and gain more benefits from it. The government and religious council prosecuted Jesus.

Today, we see many big churches spending millions of dollars to build great churches. God will destroy them. Jesus said, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” - Matthew 24 v 2, nothing can destroy the churches or temples such as tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, etc. The only thing, which can destroy the churches or temples, is the fire of God.

Recall, Jesus mentioned this, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. Jesus wants us to build up one another’s spiritual building and not only great churches and temples. He is implying that we should use our time and wealth to build up and edify people who need our help to build their faith, as they are our sheep, God’s children.

Likewise, Jesus said, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbours saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ - Luke 15 v 4 - 6.

We must encourage one another no matter how busy our schedules as the Lord wants us to be there for the people who are in need when the Great Commandment applies in our life.

As Christians, we must gather together and pray for all churches and pastors, as they are the greatest sinners of all! Pray and seek God to forgive their sins and their wrongdoing and the event will take place. Luke 6 v 27: Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you”. Jesus forgave Judas for what he had done! May God Bless always!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT AND PLANNING MISSION

Wrote this report on the October 5th, 2008 and I had to backdate this report due to the email I sent out. I apologies for inconvenience.

Shalom All,

Greetings in the name of our Lord.

When I sought the Lord for His Word on the night, the Lord led me to this verse - “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all ” (Ephesians 4 v 3 - 6).

The key word in this passage is UNITY and the opposite meaning of this word is DIVISION.

Christ wants all His believers or followers to always remain united in His service and to live in peace with one another. Now, just as the body of Christ is one with the Father, has one Spirit, and the trinity becomes ONE triune God, so it is the same with the body of Christians all over the globe.

Therefore, look to the UNITY DEMONSTRATED IN THE LORD'S CORE TEACHINGS HERE; one Lord, one faith and one baptism, Now, consider your own body and the spirit within you- can the different parts of your body be sparated to live healthily as separate parts, when this body is alive and lives on earth? And can its spirit depart from its living body to live on its own while THIS BODY is still alive on earth? Certainly not! So, the important teaching for us here is: the Body of Christ in our earthly world should always remain UNITED as one body and strive NOT to break up and be divided.

To strengthen our resolve to remain united, we must continually seek the Lord, have faith and focus on the Light of Jesus Christ. We also must talk with our God daily, not only during public worship, but also in our private prayers....anywhere and everywhere we are, or go BECAUSE the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit WE WORSHIP listens to us, and He remains and lives within us, every single second, as we seek HIM!

Jenny and I went to Sisaket (northeastern Thailand near Phear Vihear and close to the Cambodia border) for the weekend to have fellowship with a dear brother, Mathaikutty (a former professor), his wife and his son. We played basket ball with the school children and spent time watching video movies about Moses and Solomon from my notebook. It is not easy for this recently uprooted family from India to settle in. Please remember them in your prayers.

This coming Sunday, I will preach in a church in Navanakorn which is an industrial town. It is a small church. As before, Jenny will help in conveying my message into Thai.

On October 13th, 2008, I will be going to Cambodia for a week of mission work, on a very tight budget. A brief outline of the mission trip is given below:

1. Share the Gospel with people while traveling
2. Evangelize to local village folks wherever possible
3. Fellowship with other fellow missionary workers at their centers
4. Preaching in churches or church gatherings when invited.
5. Fellowship with a Malaysian Christian brother in Phnom Penh

In early December 2008, two Thai pastors and I plan to go to northeastern of Thailand for about a week, to evangelize to and share the Good News with the local people there.

I heard the words of Jesus calling us from Luke 9, verses 1-5..... to go forth in faith to do the necessary work laid before us, in particular Jesus' stirring commands found in verse 3 and 4 :-

“Take nothing for your journey; no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake your dust off your feet when you leave their town as a testimony against them".

Below is the Financial Report from September 2007 to September 2008 for your reference.

Part Two of my Report on end of September 2008

We would like to thank all who have graciously supported us up to now in our mission work and we pray that you will continue to support us in our mission work. May God bless you and yours always.

In closing, let me quote from the Book of Philippians 4, v 10 - 19:

“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me….Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty…so you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this…I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness…I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus…And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus”.

I have an announcement : my two mobile phones were stolen, all address book is gone and currently I without any mobile phones as it will be difficult for me to move around and to reach me. By God’s grace, I pray that the Lord will provide me new mobile phones as my funds are limited. Moreover, can you kindly send your details such as your name, address, telephone and mobile number so that I can be updated your contact.

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

GOD PROTECTION OVER US

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus.

Let me quote from Book of Psalm 47 v 1 - 2 : “Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.”

Now, before I update you about my work in recent weeks, may I invite you to pray with me, as we invite Him into our lives....

Together, let us pray;:-

"Dear Heavenly Father, Glory be your Name most High!

We praise and thank you for being our God, and the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

We want to thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins on the cross, to liberate us from the Evil One, and to give us eternal life.

As confused and sinful people of this world, we confess we have failed you even as we continue to sin and break your heart. Lord,.forgive us our sins, and all the wrongs in our life. We are deeply sorry for these and seek your forgiveness.

Lord, we also ask for your compassion and mercy on your people throughout this world, who have faced and are still facing many disasters, difficulties and turmoil; especially for those recently affected by earthquakes in China, Japan and Indonesia, as well as for victims of floods and hurricane in Americas, China, Burma, Thailand, India, and many other countries .

We also pray for victims caught in wars and conflicts, in religious, racial and political unrests, resulting in chaos, hunger, famine, destruction of homes and properties, and many deaths ... in Africa, the Middle East, India and many, many parts of the world. Lord, have mercy on them and us....we earnestly pray for peace and order to return to this troubled and sinful world.

We also pray for wise stewardship of every government and country on earth... may you guide and bless each nation as it seeks to improve the lot of its people.

On the economic front, there are signs that the world economy is facing a host of problems and difficulties, threatening the economic livelihood of thousands and millions of workers Lord, may you grant wisdom to the planners and builders of the economy, so that stability and growth will emerge, and be sustained.

Lastly, we earnestly pray for all mankind to repent of their wickedness and greed, and to return to your ways, upholding honesty, truth, justice, honor, generosity, gratitude, love and faithfulness, as you have taught us..

Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers.. All Glory to Your Name!

In the name of our Lord Jesus,we pray.

Amen.""

Now, for my report..

On September 14th, 2008, I was invited by the Presbyterian Church in Pattaya to share the Word of God on Sunday service. My wife, Jenny interpreted for me into Thai and I shared about prophesies from the Old Testament, which clearly point to Jesus in the New Testament as the fulfillment of prophesies in the Old Testament. I also shared Jesus' prophesies on the End Time. The senior pastor and elders then invited me to come to Pattaya again the following week to share the Word of God. Two days before this, there was a very heavy storm on the coastline of Pattaya with waves reaching about 30 feet high. We feared for the people living in Pattaya and so we and our prayer partners in the Church, prayed for God's intervention. Praised the Lord, the weather returned to normal and I was able to return to preach that Sunday.

I have set aside every Saturday morning to share the Word of God with, as well as pray for, the people gathering during weekend in Lumpini Park, Bangkok. Joining me there are several other pastors from different Churches. Here we preach the Gospel of Jesus to people who gather there, so that their life may be touched by the love of Jesus. Many people have been encouraged to receive the Word of God into their heart and many have given testimonies of how Jesus has changed their life. There has been healing too. Halleluyah!

The pastors has also invited me to help the Church in organising the coming Christmas evangelize meeting in the park on December 20th, 2008.

This coming weekend, we are going to Sisaket (northeastern Thailand) to meet up with a former theology professor from India whom I chanced to meet in Bangalore Airport as spend a week with his family last year. The professor and his wife are now working in Sisaket as English teachers.

This report has been edited with the help of a brother in Christ.My special thanks to him for his help.

When my financial resource is low, I will continue to go further for the Lord as His Kingdom is near. Book of Roman 15 v 24 : "I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey". (http://faithwithyou.blog.com/2007/8/)

May God's blessings be upon you and your loved ones.

Shalom to you all!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

BEGINNING MISSION IN BANGKOK

Shalom All,

Greeting as our Lord is Great and Mighty!

Thank you for your email and SMS to me for those who quite concern about us as we are in Bangkok and also your prayer supporting us.

We are still in Bangkok and very safe here as nothing happen in the metropolis city. Praise the Lord as His shield protects us forever (Book of Deuteronomy 33 v 12 - “The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside him. He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm.”). For the past few days ago, I believe that all of you heard about the situation in Bangkok city as well Southern Thailand. The news said that there were street riots, dangerous to go to Thailand and even State of Emergency was declared. This make me worry about the Bangkok situation whether to go back to Malaysia or go somewhere else. We didn’t go out from home since last Sunday after church service, as reading the Star’s Newspaper online 2 days ago, I was shocked to see a long sword, it is like the Chinese movie, fighting sword and this made me more worry. Jenny was so calm over the situation in Thailand. As Wednesday, I have a meeting with the Australian missionary in the city so that I took the opportunity to visit the current events location. It was nothing happening there, the street is so clean, power/water supply is still on, the tourists (thai called them “farang”) walking around the area, trade union workers is still working and etc…as everything is normal, busy city. I sent an email to the Star’s Newspaper and they published out at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/3/nation/20080903172610&sec=nation, do visit the article.

I still remember that my friend who came from Malaysia, he dropped his passport in the Guest House and 6 hours later, we came back to Guest House, the owner personally return his passport to us. Secondly, I dropped my wallet a few times and the local people return back to me and the money is still inside. I never see any newspapers show any murder case or robbery case and I know that Thailand is a very safe country. The southern part of Thailand, we need to alert because majority people are Thai Muslim.

The Lord want me to emphasize about the beginning of the End Time as Jenny also wrote in Thai language about her personal thought about End Time in the Mission Blog. In the Book of Matthew 24 (NLT) as Jesus share about the future as what will take place in the simple way.

Verse 1 - 2 : As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” There will be great, big, beautiful and amazing church or temple and spend a lots of money on building funds as everyone can see today and at the end of the day, all this church or temple will be demolish by the Lord. The Book of 2 Corinthians 5 v 1 said that we should built our spiritual life building (it is God’s building) but not on the concrete building. Therefore we should encourage people by love and joy that will lead to salvation then the faith will build into their spiritual life.

Verse 4 - 5 : Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. During this end time, there are many people whom claimed to be prophet from God or Jesus that will lead to false prophesy and teaching as many of us didn’t notice it, because the one who can see is already blind (Book of John 12 v 40). Jesus is the last prophet and His Word live till the End. Jesus had also warned us “not to believe it in the early stage (verse 23 - 25) about great signs and wonders from the chosen one from God. On events on earth, it is according to God’s Time and not the people create the event.

Verse 6 - 7 : And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. Today we are facing foods, oils and economy wars (famines) as making everyone struggle during this tough time. The real battle war is also happening now. Not only that, the nation is also going against the nation either in politics or economy way such as Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Myanmar and many more. Moreover, there are great disasters going on now such as the iceberg in North Pole (Artic) is melting heavy, earthquake in China, floods in India, hurricane in US and climate is getting hotter. This is really happen. Last decade, we don’t face famines issues but now we are facing it. Many of us praying to the Lord to save the people or avoid all this issue but it is not up to us to decide as all this things must take place and we got to face it as Jesus said “don’t panic”. There have preachers I attended that claim this nation will be save and will not be against the nation and there will be peace…it is not from the Bible as Jesus said “things must take place”.

Verse 9 : “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers”. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. I hope that you received my previous email about the events happening in India, they were many Christians include the ministers of God got beaten, buried and been killed. Hindu is a very strong religion that goes against anyone whom tried to convert his people to Christian and not only that many of them push the gospel through to gain quick results. With this email, I believe that some people will go against me…as Jesus said “if the people hate you (Book of John 15 v 19) then you are my followers and truth disciple”. I never give up telling the Truth that God, the Father had called me to do as you can see the Lord is really with me as the Lord move miraculous during the mission journey.

Verse 12 - 13: Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When Jesus gave us the Greatest Commandment (Book of Mark 12 v 30 - 31) that is Love Commandment. How many of us still keeping the second commandment which is to love one another as yourself? I interviewed a few pastors include Christians (difference denomination and non-denomination), how many of them know how to love their neighbours and I get a results of 0% unable to obey this Commandment. It is easy to understand or define it but come to reality on implementation, it is always difficult and Jesus said “many will grow cold”. Whoever know how to love one another will be saved as Jesus said that mean keep warm in all relationship include with your enemies. Anything out of the love content, will lead to hate (opposite meaning) then they will start judging one another (Matthew 7 v 1 - 2).

The Book of Matthew 24 is link to Book of Mark 13 as well Book of Luke 21 that cleared that Jesus had mentioned it and it is truth as His Word live forever. Amen!

Come back to my report. At last I completed my one year mission video clip while I distributed to everyone and others download from the internet. I had spent quite a lots of money on this and my funds is low as I want to touch everyone heart so that they will be encouragement and look forward for the Lord’s direction. Praise the Lord for giving me the strength to complete this CD on time. Jenny is still doing my mission blog translation from English to Thai language and we want to Bless the people in Thailand.

Late July 2008, we went to Petchaburi (the first southern province from the north) and visited a very old church. We met the first Thai woman pastor as she is around 92 years old and we spent time there to have fellowship together and then we attended the Sunday service.

In the mid August 2008, we went to Pattaya and we have the opportunity to share our India mission trip to the congregations after sermons had finished. They were so excited about our mission trip and asked lots of questions about in regard to the culture and people there. We also sing while dance with the children and play with them. Amazing and Halleluyah!

The Lord has opens the door for me to evangelize and share the gospel of love + joy to everyone as the list is below;

1. The Prison Department had approved my application to visit the prisoners in Thailand but I waiting for the green to visit them.
2. A few Thai pastors had also invited me to start a training centre for rural area pastors.
3. Two churches from Pattaya and Chiangrai have invited me to preach on Sunday service.
4. Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International also invited me to become the co - ordinator for the English session.

We need your prayer support as we looking for opening to join a reputable missionary organization, protection and provision.

Thank you and all Glory to our Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

SECOND FINAL MISSION IN INDIA

Shalom All,

“He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence” (Book of Psalm 18 v 19 - 20).

We give thanks to the Lord as the Lord had sent us back to Bangkok, Thailand last month and protected us during our mission. After we are back, we saw the TV news showing many people got injured as being killed during the bombs attack in Ahmedabad City and we were there during early last month. Moreover, a train name Gautami Express was broke into the fire that killed and injured many people as we also took this train before. There is many violence incidents happen in India now and it is not safe to travel there now as you can read the daily news. Not only that, it is good to back to Bangkok too, as my father-in-law will be going for his eye surgery end of this month and we need to spend more time with him. Below are the pictures that I took from the internet.

My last email in June 2008, I was in Mumbai and continue from there. On Friday, we went to the Ben Yahoo Synagogue that is the Jewish Synagogue and we met the caretaker. We spent the quality time together on sharing my calling on bringing back the Tribes of Israel. When I mentioned about the Ben Menashe (Benjamin’s son of Israel) in Manipur, Northern Eastern of India, he said that most of them had converted from Christian to Jewish and they had followed their practice while brought 200 Benjamin children back to Israel. Lately, I found out that there is another small group of Tribes of Israel at the small town in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. The caretaker invited me to attend the Shabbat service on the Saturday evening and we were so glad to attend the service. We met the Rabbi in-charge the service and spent a short time discussion while we had a communion together. (Genesis 48 v 9 : Yes, “Joseph told him. “these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt.” And Jacob said, “Bring them close to me so I can bless them”)

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On Sunday, we attended the Sunday service at the Methodist church that is 110 years old church. Right after the service, they invited us to the reception to have a coffee and one of the sisters, asked me to share about my mission to congregations. The Senior Pastor came to me and he said that if I know that you are coming, I should invite you to preach the church on the day itself. He asked me when are me coming back to Mumbai and he want me to preach in the church. Praise the Lord! Roman 12 v 7 - 8 : If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

On the following day, we took a train to Ahmedabad and we reached next morning. A few hours later, we took an express bus to Morbi and we arrived there around noon as the road to there, it is a desert area. We were invited to stay as a special guest at the Bro. Mirani’s house and we had great time together sharing joy and happiness. I also brought a New Testament Bible in Gujarati language and I gave it to him as a souvenir as the Lord wanted me to give it to him.

When we were there in Morbi, we went to visit the Mother Theresa Mission of Charity that they are take cares all the orphanage babies. We brought quite lots of gifts to the babies as well milk powders. Jenny and I were so joyful playing with the babies while dancing with them. Few days later, Jenny spent time with the babies and I spent time with the head sister. Then the Lord asked me to sharing the Jesus Commandments to her, she had admitted that she had fallen and recognized that churches is judging other another as well churches also judging other religions. As Jesus said “So now I giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” - John 14 v 34 - 35. Not many churches or Christians know on how to act upon the subject of “LOVE” as it is one word only and if you know how to love then you are Jesus disciples or follower because the people in the world need your encouragement, the truth heart and spirit restart. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit come from LOVE and not hatred, whoever go opposite side of love, it is hate as well judging that will lead us to Matthew 7 v 1 - 2 (Don’t judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged”). What’s happen to all the pastors, evangelists and missionary got beaten in India lately (as I don’t know other countries) and you can visit the website “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGcJIhpJpIU” and many more news. This is because that they don’t know how to share love with non-Christian believers and putting the judgment on these people such like the “if you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, you will never be save or receive salvation, using John 3 v 16 or etc. As we look back the verse that I gave early John 14 v 35, if you know how to love them and not pushing the gospel through and to touch their heart using your sincerity heart then, the Holy Spirit will do the balance. People will be saves and you are true disciple of Christ. Halleluyah as our Father is Love and Jesus is Mighty Word!

Mother Theresa Mission of Charity started a junior primary school for the poverty family who can’t afford to pay for the school fees and it is free education. We went to the school together with the sisters there and I met some volunteer teachers. On that day, it was the last day of school before breaking for school semester break and we were the special guest as we were foreigner. Their parents are strong Hindu believers and the sisters never really share the Good News to them. While we were placed to sit, the children dance and sing songs to entertain us. Amazing dance and songs but we never understand the meaning behind. The head sister allowed me to share a short message and I share about “God’s love to you”. After the message, I was honoured to give out presents to the children and also give out biscuits to them. I took the biscuits and asked them to open their mouth as I feed them like what Jesus did in John 6. We brought some stationery and we gave it to the school.

During our stay in Morbi, I was invited to visit the school then teacher college to share the Good News. The principal asked me whether I am going to stay back longer, he could bring us for a trip in Goa (the most beautiful beach in India). Many students was impressed my passion on coming to India twice. The students also brought us round the Morbi for sight-scenery. Many of them don’t know where is Thailand but they know Petronas Twin Towers not Malaysia, therefore I brought a World Map and show it to them, where is the Malaysia and other countries. Bro Mirani offered me to stay longer and he asked me why not you start a church here, people need to know God’s love and how to convert to Christian as he saw the truth heart from us. There is no foreigner or missionary except Mother Theresa and a Roman Catholic church and overall is 99.99% is Hindu believers (they believe in the ancestors and Haj). Majority of them is vegetarian and never see fish as the culture don’t allow them to look or eat at any meat. We had problems with foods and water. Even the mineral water was expired without choice we have to drink it and the house water is not safe. One 1 litre water cost us RM 1.50 and we got diarrhea. Jenny had diarrhea for three days and I had a serious diarrhea for three weeks. The biggest death toll rate in India is diarrhea and not cancer.

This is the sight-scenery I took. You can see a camel pulling a cart and the horse is following behind and lots of camels around. When we left Morbi and going toward to Ahmedabad, the bus broken down in the half way desert. I start to be worry but the Lord sent another bus over to take us up within 10 mins and we reached safety.

We spent a week plus in Ahmedabad, we went to St. Xavier College to meet up Bro. Hedwig Lewis (also a Catholic priest cum famous writer). We spent time sharing about my mission and he shared about his written books while his books touched many life in the world. We had great time together and currently we facing his stroke problem, do pray for him on speed recovery. We also went to met my best buddy, Premal’s sister in her house and spent quality time together.

Then we left to New Delhi, one of my friend from Bangkok, Sister Kate and her husband, Brother Graham invited us to stay with them for a week. They had brought us to India Gate (show in the picture), outside India President House and international church. Jenny was so happy, at last there is somebody from Thailand, therefore she have the chance to talk Thai language in India. We really give Thanks to the Lord for their hospitality to us and the Lord continue to pour blessing to both of them. We went to Royal Thai Embassy and I applied for one year visa to stay in Thailand. Usually the officer will never give one year visa as they will give three months visa only and it will takes two days to process the application. On the spot, I got the one year visa, it took me less than 20 mins to process my application, without any documentation and best of all, it is free of charge (FOC). Amazing the Lord is the provider and the guidance to us, Praise the Lord!

We met a brother and his wife in the church whom work as a top-level foreign government officer and he invited us to his official residence house to stay. He was impressed with the mission we did in India but also very worry about us as India is not safe. He kept on communicate us through phone till we left India. We again Thanks God for the Glory Time with us and the hospitality we get from him as the Lord will lead his family. Amen to everything. Below is the email he sent to his friends and cc to me as it is a great encouragement to us.

We left from New Delhi to Kolkata (formerly known as Calcultta) by express train. During our train journey, I found out that my digital camera got lost and unable to take further pictures to show you more. We went to visit and spent time with the pastors in Headquarter of Indian Assemblies of God (AG) while sharing the common interests together. Not only that, we open their arm to work together to evangelise in India the next round I come. Afterthat, we went to visit the Mother Theresa World Headquarter and I had a chance to talk to the sisters about the “Truth Walk with Jesus”. We also visited her tomb, museum and her bed room.

We left India and now back to Bangkok, Thailand. We had fulfilled 70% mission in India as the Lord want us to come here and the Lord know what will happen in India otherwise we will face many problems as my first paragraph stated. Now I will continue to work in hand with the Thailand Prison Ministry together with Professor Rev. Chalit to evangelise and share the Good News to the prisoners. I doing the initial planning to start a church for the community in Laksi District if God have the plan.

It is getting close to a year as I am in the mission, also can consider my first year mission. I will be preparing the simple CD Video Clip for my one year mission include the photos and short clips with the explaination on my Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and India trip. If you want a copy of the CD, please send me your name and address to me so that I can send you a copy of the CD.

As the Lord will continue to pour Blessing to you all. God lead the way and Jesus is our guide. Halleluyah! God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok