Easter Sunday is around the corner as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to the King of King!
We arrived back in Bangkok last week from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam We had at first contacted the China Embassy in Hanoi and were informed that they could not grant any Chinese Visa if we come under a tourist visa to Vietnam as this is only done for those holding a work permit or resident permit in Vietnam. As such our original plan to go to Hanoi, has been cancelled, so we took a bus back to Bangkok just to apply for the Chinese Visa. The travel time from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok is quite a long journey, about 22 hours, Praise the Lord for a smooth journey and we got our Chinese Visa in Bangkok immediately after we applied the next day!
We have booked our flights and will depart next Thursday for Macau where we will spend the first 2 weeks. We will depart to Guangdong by bus and from there take the train to XiangfanCity, Province of Hubei. The Lord has provided us with free accommodation during our journey and we will be able to stay on there for over one month. During our stay, I will be training the church leaders, evangelism, preaching and praying for the city.
After our mission in Xiangfan, we will be going to Nanjing and Beijing to have fellowship with the Christian communities for 2 - 3 weeks. We believe that God is going to transform China into a city which loves the gospel because the people are hungry to learn more about the Word of God.
Finally, we will go to Tianjin and settle down temporarily. I will seek for a job as an English teacher in Harbin and Jenny will be search for a course to study. Bro. Lee, my friend who offers his parents in-law home for us to stay, will also be providing us with free board as well. Blessed be our Bro, Lee and his family too.
Let’s get back to my report.
On 1st March, 2009, we went to Sa Kaew (eastern Thailand near the Thailand-Cambodia border) and spent quality time with Ajarn Anan and his family members together with Ajarn Pawpon. We visited a non-believer's home and shared the gospel with the husband and wife. She shared with us that she saw a shining white man standing in front of her and she felt curiosity about Him. We believe the white man is Jesus Christ as her husband was very ill. I prayed for the family as everyone laid their hands toward them and I believe that Jesus already touched her heart. The time has come for the Ajarn's to continue sharing the Word of God with them.
We would like to promote the above picture as Ajarn Anan’s wife makes these cloth dolls for decoration. I witnessed their joyful hearts on serving God full time and using their money to help the needs of people. She also taught Jenny how to make these dolls. If anyone is interested to buy large quantities of these dolls, please contact me for the arrangements.
On 5th March 2009, we travelled to Siem Reap, Cambodia. There we were invited to go to the school that is managed by an NGO. Then the school director invited me to teach English to the teenagers and I was given an opportunity to share about Christianity. They were so excited to find out who is Jesus Christ.
On the 7th March 2009, we went to Baray, Cambodia to continue doing my mission, as I had promised the local pastors in October 2008. Thus far, each time we have arrived to a new destination, we have been invited to attend a wedding ceremony! During our stay, we visited the primary and secondary schools as we spent time with the teachers and students there. They are so excited to see foreigners visiting their schools. When the local pastors saw us, they too were so excited to see me and to meet my wife for the first time! Praise the Lord as Pastor Kea shared with me about his padi field which gained a double harvest as he recalled that I had prayed for his field in October 2008 when I was there while his neighbors gained only a one time harvest. Others asked him how he gain a double harvest and he told them to “Trust the Lord”.
We met some obstacle during our mission in Baray. A mission team from DUMC Malaysia came to the centre to do some mission service, so we did not do much mission activity until they left for Phnom Penh. While they were in Phnom Penh, the mission leader gave a direct order to the local pastors through SMS requesting them to stop us from doing any activities there without any grounds or reason. When the local pastors saw the SMS, they were caught up between DUMC and myself. Although we never judge him, yet he would not talk to me directly but rather used a 3rd party to communicate. We would not know if he have his own agenda. All of us are working on one direction, it is to bring the Good News to people while increase their faith and love. They really desire me to train their young pastors, youth leaders as well also attend the church camp while we conduct water baptism for the elders. Due to this situation, we decided to shorten our stay in Baray.
Then we left Baray and continue our journey to Kampung Speu (Southern of Cambodia) whereby the place has no toilet and electricity. We were invited by Evangelist Moses who had stationed there for two months after his marriage. When we were there, we were informed that the villages are 100% follower of Buddhism and we spent some good time with the community people there. Moses able to gather the some people around and I share the Word of God to them by parable terms. Then all of them who attend accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Praise the Lord! Then I met some men who love drinking alcohol and I shared wisdom Word of God to them. They started to wake up and they really want to stop drinking as they cried. We stayed for couple of days and then went to Phnom Penh. On Sunday, we received SMS from Moses and he told us that the people who drank alcohol went to the church. Let's give Glory to the Lord!
On the March 22nd, 2009, we took a bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam that we don’t need to change buses when we reached the border.
This is how Ho Chi Minh City looks like and enjoy the pictures and movie clip.
We were invited by Rev. Dung Nguyen, a Vietnam pastor to attend his mission cell group. I was delighted to share about my mission experiences as well the Word of God to them.
In Vietnam, the Christians are not allowed to share the gospel to the people, if the police find out, they will face many problems and for foreigners will be deported from Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is more relax city compared with HanoiCity. We must always careful with the situation there as well in China too. We must pray for Vietnam to open the door for gospel as well freedom of religion. Praise the Lord.
We do need your prayer support and also your provision support as our journey is getting longer this round. I hope that all reports that I send to you all will encourage you as the Lord lead all of us. Our God is Good, Amen!
Vietnam Mobile : + 84 1219 010364 (Call or SMS) International SMS : + 6016 - 283 2038 Thai Mobile SMS : + 66 8 3254 4960
Anyone want to use Cambodia Sim Card as I have one Sim Card with me and it expired on August 2009. It is always cheaper to call out or received call when you are in Cambodia.
God Bless!
Blessing, Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny Kok
Greetings in the Lord’s Name as Our God is the Great God! Amen to All!
We will depart from Thailand on Sunday, 1st March 2009 and travel to Cambodia for a month mission. We will not be able to access the internet regularly for the next couple of months. After a month in Cambodia, we will continue our mission journey to Vietnam for a 3 - 4 months period. Once the mission is complete, we will move on to China to continue our mission there. We will carry out our ministry in Harbin City, China (Harbin is between North Korea, Mongolia and Russia) for a year plus.
Last Wednesday, I completed the TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) after one month of study. I now have a license to teach English anywhere around the world. Praise the Lord for the Lord is the Refresher of our spirit. Obtaining a TESOL license is essentially one of the few ways to gain a longer visa in China, therefore I plan to teach English in the school and Jenny will be doing an online course on “Child Care Management”. The course will help her to enhance on developing the Christian children and also draw close to God.
I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters who sent me birthday messages on 4th February 2009 (as I am far away from my home, yet you still remember me). I pray that Jesus' light will continue to shine upon your heart everyday. It is Glory to the Lord. Today, I made “Malaysian Bak Kut Teh” for my wife and her ex-colleague, just to share some happy moments together!
To give you a sampling of what lies ahead In Harbin City, the stronghold religion there is Russian Orthodox which claims to be Christian belief, however, when they end their prayers, rather than saying “In the Name of Jesus, God or Lord” they instead end with “In the Name of all Saints. As well, many of their doctrines are very different and not in line with what we now understand as fundamental Christian beliefs. There is still much more to learn about this religion though, before I can really share with you all in detail. Pentecostal Christians are not strong there so we need more prayer to breakthrough the city itself. As you may know, China has restrictions over evangelism, published Christian websites or anything related to it, so as such I may be unable to update my website/blog or send my monthly mission report regularly as the Chinese Government monitors all websites within China.
Below is my Financial Report from October 2008 to January 2009.
We would like to update you with our Report for January and February 2009.
On the December 30th, 2008, the Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In Church invited us to the church camp for 3 days and the pictures is above. It is a real church camp as we were living in the virgin jungle and not like my home based church that we go to the nice resorts. We have to use woods to made fire to cook and to made camp-fire. Moreover, the water in the bathroom is real cold. During the church camp, we have to made into group and prepare the theme action for every game. Therefore, I designed my theme for my group is “We love God, We Love You and We Love Everybody” with the action too. On the next afternoon, we went to the evangelism at another village whereby each team take care one area. One of the families was touched by our prayer and felt so joyful. During the midnight also a New Year Eve, a few people include me went to the jungle to find the wild animals till 3 in the morning. Before we return back to the church in the noon, we had lunched with the local pastor and pray for the district. In the sudden, one brother who also a part time evangelist came out and ask me to lead the pray as he know that he did mistakes during the church camp. Amazing, the Lord had change his heart and Glory to the Lord!
On the January 18th, 2009, we were invited to come to Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In Church by the elder, Bro. Somdech. In a very big surprise, the church decided to support our mission field in Cambodia, Vietnam and China as they feel the Great Joy, Love and Faith from the Lord in me. Praise the Lord for All! Right after the church service, we went to distribute the Christmas Gifts to the children in their home and they had attended the Christmas Day function. When we give the present to them, they are so surprise with the gift with joy. There will be more young people to win for Christ as Jesus Christ won us too. Halleluyah!
On the January 25th, 2009, we went to the nearby church that is LaksiChurch that runs by the Korean missionary. Before the service end, I took the opportunity to come out and share a short sermons about “Being a missionary” to the small congregation. Then the Korean missionary invited me to share the Word of God on the next following Sunday as Jenny became my interpreter in Thai.
On the January 29th, 2009, I went to Nakhon Luang together with Bro. Somdech and attended the cell group there. We visited a few homes and spent some quality time with the local people as we also went to evangelism the people. Four people accepted Christ and became Christian as I lead the prayer. I also visited an old lady and I laid the hand upon her who unable to walk and fill evil spirit. I called upon the name of Jesus Christ and the evil spirit came out from her body. Few days later, I was informed that the sister had recovered and then she able to walk again slowly with the Lord’s strength. Praise the Lord as Our Living God is real and Jesus is the Healer! Give thanks to Jesus Christ!
On my birthday also February 4th, 2009, we met Bro. Kamjorn Chaowrat whom is also the former Senator for Bangkok and founder of the Channel 3 TV. His testimony is amazing how he accepted the Christ 7 years ago. He used to be strong Buddhist person and the only person who donated USD 15 million for the building the temple and hospital before knowing Christ. He is now sharing his testimonies everywhere around Thailand as how God use him. Praise the Lord!
After a day of Valentine Day that is Sunday, we went to Nakhon Luang to attend the “Family Valentine Day”. Many local people turns up for the programme and I was invited to present the Valentine gifts to the lucky draw winner as everyone also get it.
On the February 22nd, 2009, I was invited to preach the Word of God on the topic “Wounded Heart” in our home church. After the church service is over, we went to the river side to do water baptism. Pastor Saksun and I perform the water baptism for the 9 sisters in Christ. As Jesus said “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” in the Matthew 28 v 19. Praise the Lord for the new born Christians.
We do need your prayer support and also your provision support as our journey is getting longer this round. I hope that all reports that I send to you all will encourage you as the Lord lead all of us. Our God is Good, Amen!
First of all, I would like to apologize and tell you the most important story in my life. I have been God’s children for 7 years, experiencing many miraculous events counted as precious moments for me. I would like to tell you about these.
In the past, I was a chief priest of disciple of one Buddhist high priests in the ceremony on national level. I used to offer more than 10 kilogram of gold and more than hundred million Thai Baht for the hospital’s building for monks in the North and the Northeastern of Thailand and help expanding more than 10 hospitals with the strong desire to enter the heaven at that time because I was nearly 70 years old.
Anyway, I will tell you about how I become a Christian. I used to be a banker and one of the founders of the Channel 3 TV station since 39 years ago. Besides, I used to be senator and government counselor. But the only position in my life that makes me proud is God’s child. In previous day, I was so strong in my old belief that I was a Dharma Speaker on TV program every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I was well known among the monks throughout this country. It is amazing that a man like me become God’s children. I know that it is not by my power but by the power of God who called me.
Seven years ago, I started to think of God through one man. If he was alive, I would have fled to kiss his feet and thanks Him with gratefulness. He is Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. Normally, I love to sing, sometimes. I don’t pay attention to the lyric. It is amazing that the songs which I sang for 30 years are in the worship album named “His hand in mine”. At that the song, I sang with no purpose to worship God. Many be God has been watching over me and has His compassion on me.
So, He called me through my daughter-in-law who was a doctor and my son who was lieutenant colonel. They persuaded me to be a Christian but I paid no attention because at that time I was so strong in my old belief. One day, they brought my wife out to Christian camp at Rayong for 2 days. After she came back, she told me that the Christian community was so good. They love and took care of each others. Let’s become a Christian. Before my wife said to me, I just thought that I would like to believe in God but I was concerned that my wife would not agree because she was so strict in old religion’s ritual. So when she convinced me, I said Okay. I was so excited inside, very joyful. God is so Great!
Firstly, before I begin, I would like to wish all Chinese people a “Happy Chinese New Year!”, or “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” in Mandarin! In the Chinese tradition, we gather together for the customary Family Reunion Dinner on the eve of Chinese NewYear! During the festivities, married couples will give the “red packet"containing a small sum of money (also known as “angpow”) to children and unmarried adults. There is a brief story about Chinese New Year culture that you may not have hear, you can browse the internet at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Yearfor more information.
Secondly, I would like to give thanks to the Lord as the Lord has opened the door for my future mission service. Last Sunday, we went to Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In church service where I used to preach regularly once a month for a term. It was a big surprise, the Elders and pastor of the church asked my wife and I to become their mission representative for overseas mission. The church plans to sponsor us for our missions. Praise the Lord for everything! Although the church is only able to contribute a small portion of the support required, more importantly, they are committed to cover us in prayer! During the past 1 year and 5 months in the mission field, I have been mostly supported by individual contributions from Christians and Non-Christians who had been touched by the Holy Spirit and believe in my calling. I would like to give thanks to all supporters and I pray that you will continue to uphold this ministry.
Thirdly, I am currently doing a lot of personal counseling with Christian brothers and sisters from Malaysia, Thailand and elsewhere around the world. Many people have come to me with their problems, seeking advice and prayer. The Lord has used me throughout the discussion and many are being blessed by the Lord as their great testimonies are being shared with others. Praise the Lord once again!
Fourthly, in addition, I am also taking the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course online so that it will allow me to obtain longer visas in Vietnam, China and other countries. There are a few ways to get longer visas while doing Christian mission, either you are a nurse, a doctor or a teacher of English language. Therefore I will fall into the category of teacher. It is not easy to get a teaching job in China however, as they generally prefer Europeans over Asians, thus need to pray forexception to be granted! The probability to secure such a job is slim, however with faith I request your prayer to intercede on this.
Fifthly, God willing, we plan to depart from Thailand by middle of February 2009 once I have completed my TESOL course. We will travel to northern Cambodia to train the pastors there as we were invited to do so by a pastor from Sa Kaew, Thailand. After that we will proceed on to Baray, a place I went to in October 2008. As such, I will have only limited access to internet for the one month period there, thus you will need to check out my blog for updates and new contact numbers. We will be on our mission move to Vietnam for 3 - 4 months and then Chinafor a year plus.
Following the Mission to Cambodia, we will continue our mission in Vietnam for the next 3 to 4 months, followed by at least one year in China.
We would like to update you with our Report for December 2008.
On December 6th, 2008, at the LumpiniPark, I chose to speak on the theme "Jesus washes His Disciples' Feet taken from John 13 v 1 – 16. As the Lord Jesus moved me to do so, I began to wash each co-worker's and each member's feet. By doing so, we were filled with tremendous joy of the Lord. One member also humbled himself to wash my feet in turn. Yes, Jesus asked us to humble ourselves in serving Him, as well as one another before God, whoever will do so, God will bless us in His work - John 13 v 17.
On the December 19th, 2008, I went to LumpiniPark again, as we were having Christmas celebration there. Many people turned up for the Christmas celebration there, as well as to hear the Gospel from two speakers- one by a former senator, Dr. Kamjorn and another by a close brother-in-Christ, Pastor Pawpon. Christmas gifts were distributed to everyone present.
On the December 20th, 2008, Pastor Pawpon, my wife and I went to Sa Kaew that is near the Cambodia border. We also celebrated Christmas at this village. There was a drama performance on the birth of our Jesus Christ as well as a beautiful dance performance by the children, youth to adults. The next day, we attended a church service where there were exchanges of Christmas gifts. We also gave chocolate to the children.
Dear readers and friends, if you happen to live in India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom or United States, and would like to support us in our ministry work, may we request you to send us your contribution by following the instruction explained at the below or you can browse at the website : http://faithwithyou.blog.com/2822017.
A sowing today will bring us a plentiful harvest for the Lord in the years to come...... and such is the beauty and wonder of the HARVEST!
Someone asked me this question just two hours ago and I decide to reply back as the Holy Spirit is leading. Praise the Lord!
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit had been described about 98 times from The Old Testament to The New Testament that is starting at the Book of Psalm 51 v 11 and ending at Jude 1 v 20.
There is nothing to argue and don’t make enemy out of it instead to be unity. If the Word is from Holy Spirit, therefore we rather keep silent and if the Word is from Man, therefore we need to correct them by using the verse of the Bible. In every theology school or seminaries, students have full ideas about God’s Word as well making up a story include today ministers of God too. Let us put example, who know how Jesus look like? African students will said that Jesus look like African (short hair, curly hair), Chinese students will said that Jesus look like Chinese (short and intelligence), Western students will said that it look like White Man (Christian being there), etc. Even Time Magazine always put difference outlook of Jesus during Christmas edition in every year…for example: this is year Jesus look like CEO, last year Jesus look like General and etc. In facts, we know that the Bible is come from Israel except Paul’s mission, therefore Jesus should be look like a Jewish and moreover He is from the throne of King David also Israel.
Whatever, it is not important how Jesus look like, it is important to refer back to the Word of God as Living tool of our Daily Life then wrongly interpret the Word of God otherwise they will be a break of division mean coming their own doctrine that led to separate from unity of Christ.
Who is the One who send the Holy Spirit? It is better to refer to the Word of God.
1. Psalm 51 v 11: Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
2. Isaiah 63 v 11: Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?
(This is one of the verses I chosen to let you understand…the Holy Spirit was sent by “The Lord” also called we called it “The Father” in The Old Testament.)
If Jesus send the Holy Spirit to us “why” does Jesus need to baptism by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3 v 11 : “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire) because God is with Holy Spirit and God will decide who will get the Fire of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus warns the people who speak against the Holy Spirit but you can speak against Jesus (Matthew 12 v 32 : Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come). Who is the Son of Man? Jesus Christ is the Son of Man. Who is the Holy Spirit? You need to ask yourself on that.
Read at Luke 10 v 21 : At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. Who is giving joy to Jesus…it is the Holy Spirit.
The final part, it is at John 14 v 15 - 17 : “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you”. Who ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit or Advocate? It is Jesus Christ who ask his Father and it is stated very clear in this part. Jesus Christ also said “I will” mean if you follow the Commandments as well Trust + Faith with the Jesus Christ, you will get it.
In the conclusion, it is the Father who give the Holy Spirit to us and not Jesus Christ as Jesus Christ request from His Father.
