Shalom all,
Greetings in the name of our Lord!
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! - Psalms 150 verses 1 - 6.
It is our first anniversary of the Spring Valley Community Church since we started on 2 June 2013 in Saphan Mai, Bangkok. God has worked amazingly in our Church, as it is a blessing Church, equipping Church and community Church. Our Church started with 3 worshippers and now we have more than 60 congregation members.
For the past few months, we were extremely busy with visitors (local and abroad) visiting our Church.
Many of them expressed “thanks to the Lord” for the work we are doing, knowing it is not an easy task. When they saw the Christian refugees, they were moved and even shed tears seeing their impoverished condition and their children obedient and cheerful despite religious prosecution and poverty. The visitors so touched often will share their story with their friends, finding ways to help them.
On 22 May 2014, the Thai military declared martial law and imposed curfew in the whole Thailand, following the political deadlock over the past 7 months. There are many restrictions such as the media, internet and communication access. Since then, the situation in Bangkok looks better and the people feel safer moving around than before. Do continue to pray for peace and stability to return to Thailand and for a peaceful resolution to the political situation.
Next week, Jenny will be going to the Chulabhorn Hospital to do a bone scan (finding cancer cells) after 7 months respite from radiotherapy. The following week, she also needs to go to the Thammasat University Hospital to follow up with doctors after 9 months' thyroid surgery. Do continue to pray for her full recovery.
The report.
Our Church Schedule of Services and activities have been changed starting 1 June 2014.
• Tuesday (5.30pm - 7.30pm) - Teaching Thai Bible for Children
• Wednesday (5.30pm - 6.30pm) - Teaching English Class
• Thursday (7.30pm - 9.30pm) - Teaching Diploma in Theological Studies
• Saturday (7.30pm - 8.30pm) - Prayer Meeting
• Sunday (9.30am - 11.30am) - First Church Service (Thai)
• Sunday (2.30pm - 4.30pm) - Second Church Service (Refugees)
The latest update, The Basketball Mission Church’s activities will cease and will instead be integrated with the general activities of the Spring Valley Community Church, starting 1 June 2014. They will no longer use another house for worship but move to our premises for worship from 9.30am - 11.30am every Sunday. The Basketball Mission’s activity is a sports evangelism outreach but it will now come directly under Spring Valley Community Church.
Originally, we planned to hold a Church Camp from 24 - 25 May 2014 in Pattaya and to conduct water baptism for teenagers and adults, there as well. However, we have decided to postpone the Church Camp date, due to the present political situation. The new date will be 11 - 12 July 2014.
On 18 April 2014 we started a Refugee Fund to help meet some of the needs of Christian refugees, with the help of Sister Kathleen Mak and others. The Fund helps supply food (5 - 10 kg rice, cooking oil, eggs), hygiene needs (toothpaste, body soap, shampoo, powder) to those who attend our Church regularly. We also help with their basic medical needs(less than THB 500) and materials for Children’s Education (books, transportation allowance, uniform, and stationery).
We have earlier proposed to start a mini “handicrafts training project”. However due to poor response from sponsors for the project, we have to delay this project for the time being. Meantime, most of the refugees are able to secure some temporary jobs in car wash, sewing shop and construction site since last April 2014.
We welcome all visitors to our place. There is a lot that can be explored and done together for the Lord.
With love and thanks, for your wonderful partnership in Christ Jesus!
Blessings,
Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok
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