Good News Team Christmas Newsletter 

Recent Events

2019

Noinon (Team Leader, Outreach and Media Coordinator): Praise the Lord for this past year! Last December we set a higher goal than before for our outreaches, but He has done so much more! We visited 49 schools (our goal was 40) and met 9,500 children (while our goal was 5,000). Warm thanks for your support and prayers, we cannot do this ministry without you. At our last outreach in November in Chainat I was especially touched by the feedback we received at one school far away in the countryside. The teacher thanked us and said there hadn’t been this kind of quality special program in their school for the past 10 years and asked us to go back again. (Photo from left to right: Nut, Bai, Miew, Aye, Kanchana, and Noinon)

Kanchana (Financial Manager, Bible teacher): I rejoice when I see children hearing the Gospel and I marvel how wholeheartedly they concentrate on the message. In those moments it is clear how the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts. I know that the Gospel is the power of God, and my hope is that one day these children receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and give their lives to the purpose of spreading His kingdom.

Aye (Bible Course Coordinator, Administrative Officer): I’ve now been in the Team a full year. As well as writing new lessons, this year we have developed our social media channels further as a way to connect with our students. We have also made changes to how children and teens sign up for our Bible Course and receive their lessons.

I’m happy to see the good results from this: we have now even more new students than what our goal was. It’s wonderful how the Good News Team’s Bible Lessons continue to be a fruitful discipleship tool for new Christians and how they help them grow in Christ!

Jeen (Bible Course Team): I’ve gotten so many letters this year where children and teens share about their family problems — divorce, lack of loving parents, living separated from their parents in dormitories or with relatives…It’s a blessing to be the one they trust but I also often feel the pain and heaviness. My prayer is that God would widen my heart further so that I can walk alongside these young people and help bear their burdens.

Miew (Bible Course Team): I’m blessed when I see how children study the lessons so diligently, and also open up about their thoughts as if I was their family. It’s a huge responsibility. And it’s the most wonderful thing when someone decides to follow Jesus!

Nut (video production, mailing): I want to share a personal testimony from our Team retreat with pastor Matthew: The Holy Spirit really touched me and gave me new confidence and courage to follow the calling I have from God. I don’t have to be afraid of other people’s opinions. Praise God for showing his good plans for my life.

Bai (media production, mailing): I’m so thankful that I can work in the Team. I have grown a lot spiritually, and now I can more boldly share the Good News! At our retreat last week God made me see my future calling to become a pastor, and he showed me that I’m walking in the steps that He has prepared for me. 

Personal Stories

Letters from our Bible students in November. Please pray for these children and teens!: 

Benyapon (girl, 12): I’m glad to know that Jesus was born on earth, to show people his love and forgive our sins.

Namphet (girl, 9): I’m so happy to learn about God in the Bible lessons.

Ratana (girl, 10): Please pray for my older siblings who fight so often. I don’t know how I could make them stop and talk with each other. I want them to love each other. I feel like there’s so many problems in my family all the time. For myself, I hope that I could be a good student, especially in English language and Science.

Kanyarat (girl, 12): I feel like my life has no value. Please help me and give me some advice, what should I do?

Nuchawara (girl, 16): I feel happy when I receive lessons from Good News Team, and it’s exciting to see what you send me each time! One day when I was in a very bad mood I saw your letter and my mood totally changed. Thank you for teaching me to know God more, and encouraging me.

Prayer and Praise Points

Pray for our next outreaches:
13 Dec - Outreach in Ladkrabang, Bangkok. One school, 300 students
16 Dec - Outreach in Samyan, Bangkok
18-20 Dec - Outreach in Kalasin, 2-3 schools
24 Dec - Outreach in Bangkadi, Bangkok
25 Dec -  Outreach in Chonburi
7 Jan 2020 -  Outreach, location not confirmed yet
11 Jan 2020 - Outreach in Saraburi

Comments

Hi from Valerie, and may God’s blessings be with you as you celebrate this Christmas time. When I was in Bangkok in June/July I met several Thai Christians who, as children, had received one of our booklets. They weren’t allowed to do our lessons but said the desire to know Jesus stayed over the years until they found a Christian. I know your prayers helped them during that time.

It’s been a year of transitions and adjustment but God has been faithful. Christmas greetings from our family to yours, and warm thanks for your continuous prayers and support to the ministry of Good News Team Thailand!

Saara, Markus, Bea, Alisa and Elis