MERRY CHRISTMAS

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father,

who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a

shifting shadow - James 1 verse 17.

MORE CHALLENGE WILL COME

Shalom All,

Greetings in the name of Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

The Lord God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” - Hebrews 13 verse 5 (b).

This wonderful assurance from God gives us hope to move in life each day.

When Jenny and I left for Chiang Mai, we brought along a minimum-our passports, a computer notebook, ukulele, camera and some clothes ... all other non essential, we left them behind in our home since October 17^th, 2011.

We plan to go back to our home in Bangkok to retrieve a few more things this week, as we are not certain how long the flood will continue unabated.

We are still awaiting for confirmation from our mission agency when we should depart for Cairo to begin mission work there … it could be end of November, or early December 2011.

Between October 19^th to 22^nd, 2011, we were in the hometown of a church elder from Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In, in Phrae City, Phrae Province. This place was also affected by the flood.

The following day, Sunday, I was invited to preach the Word of God in Manebnoprat AG Church, Chiang Mai. One of the church elders offered us a room for temporary stay as they understand the flood situation in Bangkok. The church elder also provided us with an old motorbike for our use. Praise the Lord!.

During our stay in Chiang Mai, we also went to help out in a farm warehouse and also helping people to move house.

We took 3 days to complete the above drawing and gave this as a gift to the Manebnoprat AG Church, Chiang Mai the following Sunday.

Jesus' message in the Picture is sharing the Kingdom of God is, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near". Matthew 4 verse 17.

The church pastor also invited us to share our testimonies, to encourage and challenge church members to be strong in the faith.

I have made this video clip about Bangkok underwater. The situation in Bangkok the next few days or weeks is still uncertain.

I am told water has even reached areas near my home. Crocodiles and snakes have been sighted there.

The nation of Thailand is currently undergoing great strain and stress. Let us pray together for Thailand, and to lift up the Thai people to God for mercy from their hour of sorrow and despair.

The Lord has guided me to read the following passage.

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” - Psalm 9 verse 9.

May God continue to give strength, faith, hope and love to the people of Thailand.

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok & Sister Jenny P Kok

FLOOD SITUATION IN BANGKOK WORSENING BY THE DAY

Shalom All,

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed”, Psalm 57 verse 1.

The flood situation in Bangkok is getting critical by the day, with relentless pressure of floods from the northern and northeastern provinces of Thailand above Bangkok.

Below are two pictures showing how floods in central, northern and northeastern of Thailand look like.

Last Friday, my wife Jenny had a vision from God about floods in Bangkok. She told me that we need to get out of Bangkok immediately on Monday, that is yesterday. But I felt that there was no urgency to leave Bangkok after listening to the news from government sources that Bangkok would remain safe, with little likelihood of floods.

Therefore I just ignored her urging.

Yesterday evening, Jenny spoke to her friend who works as a university lecturer. Her friend shared her flood experience in the Nonthaburi (the province to the west of Bangkok). She narrated that flood water came into her house within 3 hours from ground level to the chest level just a few days ago.

We also contacted a church elder of the Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang Pa-In Church who lives on a higher ground of the Bang Pa-In area that has never before experienced floods. But late on last Saturday evening just before they were about to retire for the night, suddenly flood water came rushing into their house and within 2 hours, the water reached the level of their neck. They rushed out just in time to get back to the safety of their hometown, some distance away.

This afternoon, we also contacted another Christian brother. He told us that the flood water has already got into their home. This happened on Sunday late evening and the flood water level reached the chest level within an hour. They did not have enough time to save their car in time and so it is now submerged under the floods.

Radio and TV news from Bangkok are now getting more pessimistic. They broadcast news that the water barricade in Navanakorn District has been breached. Thus the situation is getting more serious and flood water may soon endanger the people in Bangkok and its surrounding.

With all this happening, I believe there is good evidence in Jenny’s vision. So we decided to pack our bags and rush to the Don Mueang Airport to catch a flight to Chiang Mai ... if we are able to get 2 tickets, by God's grace. While we were on the plane, Jenny took a few pictures from the air flying over Bangkok ... clearly, large tracts of land and many, many places near Bangkok are already being flooded. There is nothing much we can do now but wait for the floods to be over and then we will return to help the people to re-build their place.

On October 12, 2011, we went to the Relief Center in Thammasat Convention Hall to help flood victims there.

On October 12, 2011, a tornado hit Ayutthaya for two hours. Last week, there was an earthquake of 3.2 magnitude in Tak (below ChiangMai) and this quake shook the biggest dam of Thailand. Dozens of crocodiles have escaped from a farm in Ayutthaya's Bang Ban district after it was inundated by months of severe flooding and heavy rain.

Believe it or not, this is what we are told:

- Rojana Industrial Estate (Ayutthaya) has maintained that it has built the strongest embankment wall of 6m high ... yet this place is now under water.

- High-Tech Industrial Estate (Ayutthaya) also claims that its walls/embankments are made of solid soil capable of stopping rushing floods ... now this place sinks under water.

- Bang Pa-In Industrial Estate (Ayutthaya) also claims that it has protected itself with the strongest double layer sand bags ... now it is submerged by flood water.

- Navanakorn Industrial Estate also claims to be secure against any impending flood, because it has built a 5 m high wall, yet now it, too, is under water.

- Bangkok confidently says it has prepared for a worse scenario by making an embankment wall 50cm higher than all previous recorded flood water levels ... but could Bangkok save itself?

- Properties near Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok are also at risk, although the airport itself is said to be well protected. Let us wait and see.

What will turn up next for Thailand in the following days is entirely in God's hands.

We earnestly pray for His mercy upon this country, and that peace and serenity will return quickly to this land and its people by the grace of God.

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

WORSENING FLOOD SITUATION IN THAILAND

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

When we read at 2 Peter 3 verses 5 - 6 says “They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood”.

The flood situation currently in Thailand is getting from bad to worse and has hit almost every part of northern and central Thailand with unpredictable ferocity. About 33 provinces have been badly affected by the floods. The worst hit province is Ayutthaya province (former capital of Thailand). Certain areas of it have been under flood waters for about a month. With rising sea tide between 14 - 18 October 2011, the flood situation win Thailand can be expected to become worse The Thai Government is trying its best to pump the water out into the sea but to no avail as the water keeps on coming back.

The flood has also breached the embankment wall intended to prevent a back flow into Nakhon Sawan, the northern province.

Part of Bangkok is expected to be hit by the ongoing floods soon. Our home in Laksi, northern Bangkok, despite standing on a higher ground than the rest of the area nearby might also be affected, if torrential rains continue to pour. So there is a high chance that the floods from the north will push through even to Laksi. Therefore, residents in and around Bangkok should be prepared to face a worsening flood situation that would or might affect them.

The underground train, the Bangkok MRT has already started to build embankment walls to prevent water getting into tunnel entrances.

At the supermarkets and hypermarkets in Bangkok, food items are being snapped up and getting out of stock with price increasing because of panic buying.

Ayutthaya City, Ayutthaya Province, is experiencing the worst with the flood water reach the top floor of two-storey houses.

Yesterday, Jenny and I went to the Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang Pa-In Church at Bang Pa-In City and the water increase 4 - 5cm. We are trying to find way how to help the people around and it is an opportunity to share the gospel to them. We are still looking at the floods situation in Bangkok first before taking another move to Ayutthaya City to help the floods victims otherwise we will help out in the Floods Relief Centre.

Even buying a small boat is very expensive that cost THB 7,500 (USD 244) and it is a long queue and early September 2011, the boat sold around THB 4,000 (USD 129) when the floods was not so serious.

Please do pray for the Christian brothers and sisters. Anyway, what do support financially, we will use the funds to help the floods victims.

Blessings and Shalom,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

ANSWERING GOD'S CALL FOR MISSION WORK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Dear Family and Friends,

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you” - 1 Samuel 12 verse 24.

Whenever I reflect on the great things God has done for me, I often think about the mission trips I have made to some six countries over the past 4 years. And I am often amazed at God's faithfulness and willingness to use me for His purposes.

To be involved with Mission work has been my desire for many years now, particularly since an unforgettable incident happening in Genting Highlands, Malaysia in 2005. In that incident, I was robbed and stabbed on my chest and then taken to the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. One of my friends, a former Member of Parliament, has said to me then, “God has indeed been good to you, protected you and He has saved you from a terrible tragedy!”

From then on, I have felt I must surrender myself to serving God, not myself! Then God called me and I resigned from my previous employ to serve him fully from June 2007. It was very difficult for me in the beginning, as my meager savings was soon drying up.

But I kept my faith, trusting God for His Provision. These were the beginnings of a call on my life to be a part of God's Great Commission.

The first opportunity for me to go on a mission trip came in September 2007 and I was thrilled! God then used me beyond what I thought possible and He gave me spiritual strength that has continued on to the present.

After that first trip, God provided me with 6 more opportunities to share the Gospel to countries in East Asia. That calling has built me up spiritually over the years and has emboldened me to work more relentlessly for His kingdom.

For the last 4 years, I am blessed to be involved in mission work in Thailand, India, Cambodia and China.

I met my wife, Jenny, during my mission work in Thailand and we got married in April 2008. Then we served on God’s mission together as a missionary couple. The connection we have made with local churches everywhere has been truly amazing. Even with language barrier in some cases, it did not become a problem with us!

Let me now share with you a heartfelt desire and hope of mine to serve in another challenging ministry that God has presented to me since January 2007. It is to serve the spiritual needs of three countries: Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

I believe God has opened my heart to serve His people in these three countries. The suffering of the people there has been tremendous.

You, too, can help share in the work of compassion for these people in several ways.

Firstly, you can pray for us. We will need prayers that God will indeed prepare us for this mission work and bless our efforts as we begin to prepare ourselves to minister to these people.

We also need prayers that our financial needs will be met. We require fund support to assist us in planning for a sustaining and longer mission stay and work amongst these people, as it will be difficult for us to return home once a year because the air ticket cost itself will be quite expensive.

Would you consider supporting us in this mission work? Luke 6 verse 38 says, ”Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full - pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back”.

For your gifts and donations, the details are as link to http://faithwithyou.blogspot.com/2009/02/mission-contribution.html.

Below is a videos capturing highlights of our mission work/ involvement in Thailand, China, India and Cambodia

Thank you for your prayers and support.

May God bless you, wherever you are In His Glory!

Our future work in Egypt, Jordan and Iraq will be similarly recorded and posted to you as has been done in the past 4 years.

Blessings and Shalom,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok /Jenny P Kok

CRUCIAL TIME

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

Jenny and I have been very busy recently traveling to Southern Thailand to share the Good News, as well as returning to Malaysia for a short visit. I will update of my reports from April 2011 to July 2011 on the next email.

Towards the early of July 2011, we sought the Lord to determine our next mission destination, as the tempo of our mission work in Bangkok moderates and our missionary zeal seems to propel us to seek another direction, possibly Northeastern Thailand or Southern Thailand, as a missionary pastor. This possibility has come about when we were recently told that Betong in Yala Province (Southern of Thailand) is looking for a pastor to start a new church there. So we traveled all the way from Bangkok to meet up with the elder of the church in Betong, a distance of about 1,300 km.

The three southern provinces (Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat) have been under military rule for the past 6 years, under an Emergence Decree, due to civil unrest and drug related problems. Bomb explosions in the city and the outskirts are frequently reported in the local media. During our trip south, we encountered many Thai Army checkpoints. Getting there from Bangkok can be stressful. It might be safer and quicker to travel there from the Malaysian side, from Grik or Baling and then to Betong City, Thailand.

Betong was well known as a former hide out for members of the Malayan Communists in the 50s ,before peace finally returned to this once troubled era. In Betong recently, we have had a great fellowship with the elder of the church. He told us that the city is presently without a Christian church but on the outskirts there are 3 Christian churches. He has advertised in the Thailand Christian News need for a servant of God (pastor) for about a year now, but without success. It is probably because of the unrest or uncertain situation in the three southern provinces. The majority townspeople living in Betong City are Thai Chinese, speaking Cantonese, Mandarin or Hakka. The elder spoke encouragingly to us to seriously consider coming to Betong as a pastor couple and to help serve the needs of its church.

As we drove back to Bangkok, we felt a strong desire to take up this challenge to serve the Lord in Betong and to build up the church there. We then phoned the elder about our decision and he was very happy for us and gave thanks to the Lord. I have also mentioned this decision to some close Christian brothers and friends. Some have expressed concern about the bombing situation there.

A couple of days later, we appeared to encounter many unexplained problems and these appear to continue even up to the time of writing this report!

The car we have had for about a year now, recently broke down many times after return from Betong. I have sent the car to three different workshops but none of them could find the cause or source of the problem! Also the electric generator in our apartment has been down quite often since our return, sleepless night and there are many more other little incidents.

When I look back to early 2007, I remember facing similar problems. Just prior to that period, I had worked in an IT company, earning the salary of an average salary man of my age. During early March 2007, God spoke to me almost every day, asking me to resign from my job. I told God that I couldn't resign because I needed a paying job to provide me a living. One day, my salary was cut 50%. My electricity was cut off even though I have paid my bills and my car broke down every month! I had to spend about RM 500 to RM 800 (USD 170 - USD 266) repairing the car but thank God my boss paid for my repair then.

One day, I made a bargain with God. You do the first part, telling my boss about my resignation and I will do the second part. Then the following day, I received a call from my boss, He asked me ,"Do you want to resign?" I said "no". Then tons of work were piled on top of me.

In early June 2007, driving my car up a hill slope (near MidValley, Kuala Lumpur) and facing a horrible traffic jam, my first and second manual gear was unable to move and a loud noise came out from the gearbox. I stepped out from my car to check out. In desperation and resignation, I then told God, "I surrender, You win!". Then I phoned my boss, I have decided to resign from my job to serve God instead. He was very surprised to hear this and seemed worried for me. Finally, he agreed to let me go.

It seems that the situation I now face is similar to the events in 2007 for me. It is also not unlike the Prophet Jonah, trying to run away from God's calling. I seem to face a dilemma. Is it possible that God does not want us to go to Betong to serve Him there? If so, then where? Does God want me to stick to original plan 2007, to go to the Middle East with Jenny before end of September 2011? But it is not easy at all for us to go to the Middle East because everything there is so expensive and we can't afford it at all, even the flight ticket alone would cost a hefty RM 3,500 per person/return (USD 1,165). Not an easy option at all this! Please pray with us as we seek His direction.

At the same time, a mission agency from Australia that focuses on the Middle East has sent me some email last month to say it might have an opening for me to help out in a Christian work there. I have replied to this 2 days ago when so many of these happenings were taking place. I am still awaiting for their email for the details of their offer.

It is never an easy decision to surrender every earthly consideration to submit to God's Will and to walk by faith. Not for the past 4 years for me and now even for the next walking by faith, not entirely alone by me, but now together with Jenny, my wife.

Please continue to uphold us in your prayers. God be with you, too, as always!

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

MISSION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FROM MAY 2010 TO APRIL 2011

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Name of Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

The favor which we had received, and for which we felt so much gratitude, had been received from you as Our Lord is the source of it, and we rejoiced of His kindness. Our heart lead with cheerfulness and joy up to God.

The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. He does not grants us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to His interest. As we contend for the faith we will face troubles, pressures and trials. At every step of life, Christ is able to strengthen us and can bring us triumphantly through.

Money measures our energy, it represents our day-to-day security. Giving money away put our work and our futures at risk. Not every charity deserves your attention and you are wise to scrutinize missionary appeals as well. But once you have determined that a project honors the Lord, do not hold back as you give generously and joyfully. You will be establishing an eternal partnership.

We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for Him.

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

Shalom All,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

It gives me great pleasure to share my faith-work with different Christian denominations, from east to west, and north to south.

It is never easy to do mission work. Each step of the way, we walk by faith, trusting and depending completely on our Lord to carry us through, to bring the message of hope, as He has commanded us to do the Good News that “Jesus Christ of Nazareth is coming soon”.

With each passing day, time is getting shorter and nearer for all of us waiting for the return of our Lord .

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” - Revelation 22 verse 12.

For the past 2 years, so many disasters have taken place in our earthly abode and they still continue to appear before us to this day!

In recent weeks, I have followed and read the Thai News about unusual foreboding signs, such as abnormal hysterical cries from panicked animals and wildlife in the forests or torrential heavy rainfall, or river water levels rapidly rising and even water in streams changing its color to match mountain soil. I believe the animals are much more alert and sensitive when disasters are about to happen or strike, because God's signals and voice seem to resonate with them and they seem to obey and respond more willingly and naturally!.

When God's voice or commands reach us, the humans, admonishing us, " Hey, time to abandon things here and now!", we tend to close our ears and our heart, not hearing His voice and still thinking and telling ourselves, that we have yet to achieve our earthly objectives and goals, of self and greed, and of our many needs that are yet to be satisfied!

“We want to strive for more and more each day, and there is, and never seems, enough!”.

At the end of the day, we truly become the “Lost Sheep” as narrated in the Bible!

But, in truth and as believers, we know it from our hearts, that is not God's plan for us at all.

Indeed, God’s love for each one of us is so great that He seeks each one one of us out and rejoices when each sheep is found. The Lord Jesus associates with sinners because he wants to bring back the misdirected sheep, people about to be totally lost, so that hope for them is within their grasp and they will turn around and accept the Gospel of God’s Kingdom.

So everyone must work towards the salvation, plan of God and strive to work in unity to become one with Christ. This means the entire church must work together to rid themselves of divisions and discord and to faithfully obey the command of Christ, our Lord and Savior. We must know what we believe and how we should live, in obedience to Him, especially when we are on our own. Be more like Christ, so that we won’t sidetrack..

Now the mission reports;

Let come to mission reports;

On February 1^st, 2011, we went to the House of Mercy and Khao Kao Church in Phetchabun (about 440km northeast of Bangkok ) and spent a prayerful quiet time with the Lord on my birthday. We also have had a good fellowship time with the Rev. Robert Dunk and his team at the House of Mercy, which is serving a great need and doing a great job. This planting provides free education for the disadvantaged children, from kindergarten to middle secondary school. It was established in 1985 and now has about 1,000 students.

We also brought some Christmas gifts from Bangkok to give away to the children of Hmong Hill Tribes in Khao Kao Church.

On Valentine Day (February 14^th, 2011), we visited the first Bangkok Christian International Library, also known as BCIL that was launched in February 2011. We donated our 5 books “A Journey of Life” to support this library. It is heartening to hear from the testimony of the managers of the library, Brother Sang and his wife, that they are only 14 months' old Christians ! Yet they are so willing to surrender themselves to serving God through this library.

“But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you” - 1 Samuel 12 verse 24. Praise the Lord!

We took a week's trip, from March 3^rd - 9^th, 2011 to Southern Thailand to share the Word of God, without any pre-arrangement to meet any church group or organization. On the first day, we went to Prachuap Khiri Khan province (about 180km from Bangkok) and distributed Christian leaflets, also shared the gospel with the local people.

There are many churches planted by Korean missions in South Thailand. We visited Bethel Thai Church on March 5^th, 2011 in South Krabi (about 590km from Bangkok) that concentrates on the Muslim community. During our trip south, we along with some church leaders and two young Korean missionaries, were invited to attend a Thai Muslim wedding. The following day, with my background knowledge as a Malaysian, I shared with the church leaders about Muslim culture and beliefs and the way to reach out to the community.

On March 8^th, 2011, we visited the Hatyai Baptist Church in Hat Yai (about 970km from Bangkok ) and had fellowship with the church pastor. The pastor told us about the flood last December 2010 that hit the city, reaching a height of 6 - 7 feet, fully submerging and damaging his car. By God's grace, he has now been able to replace this loss with a new pick-up truck. We gave this church our book 'A Journey of Life', plus a few copies of Christian News and evangelism leaflets.

The following day, we were invited to visit the site for a new 'Teen Challenge' centre in Phatthalung (about 100km nort of Hai Yat ) which will be led by Rev. Preecha who now uses his home as a temporary centre. Teen Challenge is an evangelical Christian drug recovery rehabilitation program and is also a Christian social and evangelizing work center. There is a 12-18 months program that serves drug addicts, alcoholics, gang members, prostitutes and people with relationships problems. We are in prayer how we might be able to assist in this outreach.

On the March 19^th, 2011, we were invited to attend a launching ceremony for a new church in Suan Phung, Province of Ratchaburi (Western Thailand, about 180km from Bangkok). This center will cater to the needs of the Burmese community.

The following day, we went to Nakhon Ratchasima (northeastern, about 300km from Bangkok) and attended the Miracle Night Conference. It is amazing to see God's hand in using the speaker, Pastor Henry Madava who pastors a church in Ukraine, to reach out to people in Thailand! In the morning, we have fellowship with Hope Church, Korat and then lunch with Pastor Henry and other church leaders. Early evening, we joined the conference in the outdoor stadium. The turnout was about 3,000 people.

Now back in Bangkok.

On March 29^th, 2011, we decided to take a walk-evangelism in Chinatown, Bangkok. Not many people there are ready or willing to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ or are interested in receiving and reading through the Christian leaflets. We notice that there are 2 or 3 churches around The Chinatown area. We don't know how active they are in sharing or evangelizing the Good News, with the local people there.

The biggest problems about the Thai Christian community is perhaps its zero growth rate, still standing at 0.5% -1%, for the last 180 years (less than 200,000 out of 67 million people). There are many reasons for this sad state of affairs; such as the sabai culture (easy-going), the church leaders do not want to change to be better, many cell groups never grew, or chose to close down, few were willing to serve; and lack of discipleship or leadership training. I believe that all Thai Christians need to come together, to pray for a wakening, a serious call to spread the gospel of salvation, good works, repentance, etc. As Jonah was called to go to Nineveh, so must the people of God heed God's call to serve Thailand in this century and age! Let us pray together for this to take place.

On March 31^st, 2011, we visited Sister Jeab, a sister-in-Christ, whose mother was admitted to a hospital for treatment of a tumor in her brain in Aytthuya City (about 100km from Bangkok). The doctor said that the survival chance was very slim and she passed away on May 8^th, 2011. Our condolences to Sister Jeab and her family.

In closing, it is my prayer that we will all continue to serve our Lord according to His will and plan for each one of us.

We walk with faith in our Lord. We believe that God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to give us the Light and the Truth. As we walk in faith, our earthly problems will become small, dim and inconsequential. And as we surrender our troubles and ourselves to Him, He will lead us and give us peace and joy serving Him.

All Glory to our God.

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny P Kok

PICTURE DURING MY MISSION

Get set go...
----------------making friends
------------------making disciples
--------------------making great journey
----------------------sharing Good News
------------------------sharing Love + Joy
--------------------------sharing End Time News

UPDATE MISSION VIDEO CLIP

Dear All,

Greeting in the Lord's Name!

For almost everyday in recent weeks, I have been getting sleep for about 4 hours or less, as most of my time has been used for God’s work. I feel very tired each day, and so I hope to take a short break soon to re-charge. As with any overwork and stress, one could easily succumb to illness, but I want to praise God that he has so far enabled me to remain physically strong and spiritually uplifted Praise God indeed for that! Each morning and evening, I have helped out in counseling work, as well as prayer ministry, along with other team members from US, UK and Europe.

You can watch our mission video clip done up by Jenny (Before you start the video clip, do stop the Christian Music at the right side below as you can see Media Player).

If you desire to support our mission for our encourage report, this is the link "Mission Contribution" and you will blessed.

Take care and God Bless!

Regards,
Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny P Kok

70 metal books found in Jordan cave could change our view of Biblical history

Could this be the biggest find since the Dead Sea Scrolls? Seventy metal books found in cave in Jordan could change our view of Biblical history

By Fiona Macrae

Last updated at 8:36 PM on 30th March 2011

For scholars of faith and history, it is a treasure trove too precious for price.

This ancient collection of 70 tiny books, their lead pages bound with wire, could unlock some of the secrets of the earliest days of Christianity.

Academics are divided as to their authenticity but say that if verified, they could prove as pivotal as the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947.

Lines of inquiry: The metal tablets could change our understanding of the Bible

On pages not much bigger than a credit card, are images, symbols and words that appear to refer to the Messiah and, possibly even, to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Adding to the intrigue, many of the books are sealed, prompting academics to speculate they are actually the lost collection of codices mentioned in the Bible’s Book Of Revelation.

The books were discovered five years ago in a cave in a remote part of Jordan to which Christian refugees are known to have fled after the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. Important documents from the same period have previously been found there.

Initial metallurgical tests indicate that some of the books could date from the first century AD.

Revelation: Experts speculate that the tablets could be the lost collection of codices referred to in the Bible's Book Of Revelation

Hidden meaning: Scrolls, tablets and other artifacts, including an incense bowl, were also found at the same site as the tablets

SHEPHERD'S DISCOVERY THAT UNEARTHED A TREASURE TROVE

The Dead Sea Scrolls, counted among the most important archaeological finds of the modern era, were discovered in a cave (pictured) by a Bedouin shepherd in the West Bank.

The scrolls consist of 30,000 separate fragments making up 900 manuscripts of biblical texts and religious writings from the time of Jesus.

The fragile parchment and papyrus fragments have been the subject of intense study for more than half a century by an international team of scholars who are still trying to understand the significance of some 30 per cent of the texts which are not included in the Bible or any other previously known religious writings.

The scrolls include the earliest known copy of the Ten Commandments, an almost complete Book of Isaiah and many of the Psalms.

Some of the texts were damaged by well-intentioned restoration attempts since the 1950s that included the use of Sellotape, rice paper and perspex glue.

This estimate is based on the form of corrosion which has taken place, which experts believe would be impossible to achieve artificially.

If the dating is verified, the books would be among the earliest Christian documents, predating the writings of St Paul.

The prospect that they could contain contemporary accounts of the final years of Jesus’s life has excited scholars – although their enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that experts have previously been fooled by sophisticated fakes.

David Elkington, a British scholar of ancient religious history and archeology, and one of the few to have examined the books, says they could be ‘the major discovery of Christian history’.

‘It is a breathtaking thought that we have held these objects that might have been held by the early saints of the Church,’ he said.

But the mysteries between their ancient pages are not the books’ only riddle. Today, their whereabouts are also something of a mystery. After their discovery by a Jordanian Bedouin, the hoard was subsequently acquired by an Israeli Bedouin, who is said to have illegally smuggled them across the border into Israel, where they remain.

However, the Jordanian Government is now working at the highest levels to repatriate and safeguard the collection. Philip Davies, emeritus professor of biblical studies at Sheffield University, said there was powerful evidence that the books have a Christian origin in plates cast into a picture map of the holy city of Jerusalem.

A 16th century painting depicting Jesus's death. The metal books contain pages with images, symbols and words that appear to refer to the Messiah and, possibly even, to the Crucifixion

X marks the spot: The cave in Jordan where the artifacts were discovered

Dr Margaret Barker, a former president of the Society for Old Testament Study, confirmed that a sealed book is mentioned in the Bible

‘As soon as I saw that, I was dumbstruck,’ he said. ‘That struck me as so obviously a Christian image. There is a cross in the foreground, and behind it is what has to be the tomb [of Jesus], a small building with an opening, and behind that the walls of the city.

‘There are walls depicted on other pages of these books too and they almost certainly refer to Jerusalem. It is a Christian crucifixion taking place outside the city walls.’

The British team leading the work on the discovery fears that the present Israeli ‘keeper’ may be looking to sell some of the books on to the black market, or worse – destroy them.

But the man who holds the books denies the charge and claims they have been in his family for 100 years.

Dr Margaret Barker, a former president of the Society for Old Testament Study, said: ‘The Book of Revelation tells of a sealed book that was opened only by the Messiah.

‘Other texts from the period tell of sealed books of wisdom and of a secret tradition passed on by Jesus to his closest disciples. That is the context for this discovery.’

Groundbreaking find: A section of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were unearthed in 1947

Professor Davies said: ‘The possibility of a Hebrew-Christian origin is certainly suggested by the imagery and, if so, these codices are likely to bring dramatic new light to our understanding of a very significant but so far little understood period of history.’

Mr Elkington, who is leading British efforts to have the books returned to Jordan, said: ‘It is vital that the collection can be recovered intact and secured in the best possible circumstances, both for the benefit of its owners and for a potentially fascinated international audience.’

*British scientists have uncovered up to eight million mummified dogs, thought to have been sacrificed to Anubis, the god of the dead, 2500 years ago after excavating tunnels in the ancient Eygptian city of Saqqara.