NEW MISSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR 2012

Shalom All,

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

Let me start the New Year 2012 with an illustration.

Here is an open book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words into it. The book is now called Opportunity. Its first page, first chapter is entitled New Year's Day. First words. ": I will live for God, today, tomorrow and every day hereafter ... Last page, last word : "Amen".

In 2007, I responded to the call of the Lord to serve in the mission field. I started by first going to Thailand then India and later Thailand's neighboring countries, Vietnam and Cambodia. Still later, China.

In Thailand I met and then married my wife, Jenny in mid 2008. Jenny then accompanied me to serve in India, for my second mission trip.

Throughout my mission trips these past years, the Lord has made it possible for me to meet various local people, sharing with them the Good News, evangelizing, equipping, preaching and helping in whatever way I could in meeting their spiritual needs.

Looking back, when I took up this calling in 2007, my home church (the Assemblies of God, Pentecostal denomination) did not recognize or empathize my mission zeal. But I took the bold step forward nevertheless, walking by faith without the blessing and support of my church. It seems as if I and later with my wife, was simply too bold and foolish to go to places unfamiliar and foreign to me and her, to share with so many strangers and new people we have met along the way, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and without any connecting links whatsoever - Seems like quite a crazy thing to do!

But we drew strength from Matthew 10 verse 16 : “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves”.

The Lord also provided and protected us in the way of Genesis 28, verse 20, “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing”

It is so good to be reminded of the command and promise given in Deuteronomy 30, verse 16, “For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy”.

So my wife and I live in obedience to this command and promise and will give all Glory to our Almighty God!

Since early May 2010, we have been back to Thailand, serving the people here until our next calling.

There is now an open door for us ... Northern Iraq! A challenging opportunity.... who shall I send, the Lord seems to say ... but we will go boldly forth, Lord, if you direct us there!

So once again, we will be taking another bold step forward to walk by faith without much financial resources, heading to the nation of Iraqi Kurdistan Region (northern Iraq).

I am not sure why I need to go there, but I can sense the Lord speaking and calling me to go and serve the people there for past few years ago.

My wife Jenny will accompany me. I know that the situation in Iraq is not very stable, there has been reported are violence since the US - Iraq war and local churches have been targeted and bombed.

This challenge is testing our faith and we believe and trust that the Lord will protect us in our mission journey and work.

Early December 2011, we went to the Turkish Embassy in Bangkok and tried to apply for one year multiple entry for Jenny but the consular staff say that they need to submit her application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey for approval and that will take at least 1 - 2 months. I have feared that the application for Jenny would be rejected and that would make me go alone to Turkey as I don’t need a visa to enter Turkey, leaving Jenny in Bangkok.

When we were in Kuala Lumpur for 6 days recently, I gave another try in the Turkish Embassy there, I have had a long discussion with the consular staff there, they saying my wife is Thai and she should apply in Bangkok, also the same procedures. I told them I have tried there, but their Bangkok embassy is not accommodating at all but I need my wife to accompany me. The consular officer then went in to speak to the Ambassador. Then he returned to report, “Ok, I will now issue you one year multiple entry visa for your wife with 90 days per entry." Praise the Lord!

So we plan to leave from Bangkok to Istanbul on January 29th, 2012 with the cheapest one way flight ticket we can get. We are not sure whether we have enough funds for the return journey. It is easier to go into Iraq from Turkey, rather than any of the borders like Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Jordan.

While in Turkey, I will try to get as much information as I can about the situation about their border entry into Iraq. We hope to reach Iraqi Kurdistan in March 2012.

Northern Iraq has a rich history of early civilization. In Genesis 10 verses 11 - 12, we find: “From there he expanded his territory to Assyria, building the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen (the great city located between Nineveh and Calah)”.

It is interesting to note that the Garden of Eden is near there, see Genesis 2 verses 10 – 14; “A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush. The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates”.

Further on ion Daniel 10 verses 4 - 6, “Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.”

Interesting place and fascinating account, to say the least!

Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, it might take awhile longer for the mission agency I am contacting for a confirmation reply from them on the opportunity of serving in Iraqi Kurdistan Region and also in Cairo, Egypt.

Below is our financial report for your review;

Nothing is impossible if we have Jesus Christ in us.

May God continue to put a new hope for you and a fresh New Year to serve Him.

God bless!

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

** If anyone have any contact with any Turkish, it will be helpful for us as this is the first time we are going there and not easy to find a cheap accommodation. Thank you **

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