Northern Khmer Ceremony to Honor the "gods" of Music

From time to time we would like to include pictures and information about the religious belief system of the Northern Khmer people. This past week Jim had the opportunity to observe a ceremony honoring the "gods" of music. The ceremony was held to call on the "gods" to grant ability to the students who will be learning and using these Thai instruments. The students and their teacher offered a pig head and fruit along with prayers and burning incense.

Ceremony to Honor the "gods" of music

The three idols representing the "gods" of music

Students with their Thai instruments

Praying with burning incense sticks

Family Camp

Our church hosted family camp this year for several independent Baptist churches, and we had 106 campers from 11 churches attend from April 9th-13th. Two campers made professions of faith. Our theme was "Serving Together with Love."

Meal Time

Games

Preaching

Getting Acquainted

Jumping Tower

Easter Sunday

We had a beautiful Easter celebration with tables which were covered with orchids set up in the shape of a cross.

Welcome New Missionaries

Matt & Courtney Jones and their three children--Lindsey, Erica & Trevor along with Amanda Spatz arrived in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday night, March 25th. Matt and Courtney will be attending Thai language school, and Amanda will be teaching their kids. After language study they will move up to Surin province.

House Dedication

On Saturday morning several of our church members went out to Alaw Village to dedicate Aunt Um's house to the Lord. Aunt Um has an outstanding testimony in her village, and she invited her friends and neighbors to join in and observe as we all sang praises to God and dedicated her home to be a lighthouse of faith in her neighborhood.

Challenge from Scripture

Singing Northern Khmer Songs

Some of Pa Um's Neighbors

Service in Khmer

"It is more understanding for us to listen to the language which we speak."

That was what people say about the service in Khmer. Most of our members speak this language so we decided to try and we found that they really like it. We use the Khmer Bible and songs which have printed in Thai letters but reading in Khmer words.

Surin Baptist Church 24th Anniversary

Nate Beckman challenging the church for the future
Making a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord
Enjoying friends and good food!

 

Mother's Day Celebration

Mother's Day in Thailand is celebrated on the queen's birthday--August 12th. This past Sunday we honored all the mothers and grandmothers who were present in our services.

Grandma Pem received the honors for having the most children, grandchildren and great grandchildren present--9 in all!

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5

Matthew 19:13-15

This is a picture of the kids that Orawan and I go to teach English every Sunday afternoon. Did you see how cute they are? WE also teach them about GOD.. Please pray for us!!

Celebrating the King's 60-year Reign

Today our church joined in with the rest of the country in celebrating the 60-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Most people wore yellow which is the king's color. Our musicians began the service by playing the King's anthem while the people sang and held up their yellow flags with the king's emblem. We all read the king's declaration of religious freedom for the Thai people which was issued 37 years ago. Jim preached in the first hour from Romans 13:1-8, and Prayoon preached in the second hour. The Sunday School children colored and made their own flags to wave. It was a special day for all the believers, especially when you consider that Christians here are usually criticized for their faith and accused of not loving their country. Today's special day gave them an opportunity to show that they have not thrown away their great love for Thailand and their king.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." 1 Timothy 2:1,2

Surin Baptist Church Musicians

Singing the King's Anthem

Jim Preaching in the First Hour

Prayoon Preaching in the Second Hour

Children's Sunday School Class

Tha Sawang Village

Today (Saturday) Pa Nong, Orawan, Ya, Sai and I went to Tha Sawang Village in Surin. This small village is just 6 kilometers outside of our city limits. Tha Sawang Village has become famous for their skills in silk-weaving. In 2003 this obscure village was chosen to weave silk cloth for all the heads of state, including President George W. Bush, who came to Bangkok, Thailand for the APEC meeting. This year they were chosen to weave 24 pieces of silk for the King of Thailand in celebration of his 60th year on the throne. 128 people have been working on these intricate pieces of cloth 24 hours a day in 3 shifts with 58 people per shift, 6 people per loom since the end of April. They are working on the last 8 pieces, which must be ready for the BIG celebration on June 9th. We were all amazed and impressed with the dedication, hard work, and great skill of these villagers. I was reminded of Paul’s exhortation to us as we work for the King of Kings:

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Orawan, Pa Nong, Sai & Ya at Tha Sawang Village

Tha Sawang Village Children in Front of Finished Silk Cloth

Six Villagers Working Their Shift Weaving Silk for the King

Close-up View of Weaving Silk for the King