November Missions Report

DEAR PASTORS and BRETHREN,

Jeremiah 50:2 - "Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish and conceal not."

Greetings in the name of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Well, the time has flown by. We have been very busy, and things have been changing faster than we can keep up with. My wife and I has been doing well physically, emotionally and spiritually by the grace of God. He has been so good to us and we never cease to be amazed at His presence in our life and ministry here in Ratanakiri. Cold weather (19-20 C) is now in full swing, and we have a misty rain daily, and the sun doesn't shine too much here but we Praise the Lord that THE SON does continue to shine, and his Word does continue to go forth.

TRIBAL FUNERAL
Last week of October, my wife and I had an opportunity to attend and witness the first “Krueng” tribal funeral ceremony in one of the villages. About 20 minutes by motorcycle from the provincial capitol which is Banlung. The person who died was a 123 year old woman. She and her family were the first tribal believers here in Ratanakiri. The body of the woman was put in a solid and very heavy plain wood coffin that they got from the farm. I was able to help and carry the coffin up hill going to the burying place about 5-7 minutes away from the tribal village. Its really heavy and 10-12 people carried the coffin. During the ceremony, there were two groups of people, the Christian and the non-Christian. The believers sang praises and hymns and then the preaching of God’s Word in their own tribal language. That was amazing and a blessing to me and my wife to hear these “Hidden people” glorifying God. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! While the unbelievers do their thing like drinking, smoking, gambling, singing karaoke and on the way to the burial place, they threw a lot of $100 fake bills on the road and on the coffin. It is their belief that after this life, the woman will have a good life on another place better than her life before here on this earth. But to us Christians, ...to be absent with the body is to be present with the Lord. AMEN!

BAPTISMS
Last Sunday, three young men from another village who testified that they've accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior and who's been faithfully attending the services and ministry followed the Lord in the waters of baptism. After a month and a half of prayer and study, they finally decided to be baptized and be part of the family of Bethany Baptist Mission, Ratanakiri. Praise the Lord! Please do pray for these three young men that they will grow spiritually and be a blessing to their own families.

We, your missionaries on Ratanakiri extend out deep thanks to each of you that are constantly touching our lives through your prayers and financial support. We are constantly aware that your regular support and special gifts are often sacrifices made by those who remain faithful in increasingly difficult economic times. We thank God for each of you.'

PRAISE ITEMS:
- Good health, sustenance and protection

- Faithful supporters in our ministry that have been such an encouragement

- New opportunities: new ministries

- Fencing of the rented church- Opportunity to attend the tribal funeral

- Successful visit of my Pastor and company from my home church here in Ratanakiri

- Baptism (3 young men)

- Boat Festival last week of November

- Bethany Baptist Mission 1st Youth Fellowship in one of the lakes here in Ratanakiri

- Renewal of our visa (1 year)

PRAYER REQUEST:
-That God will prepare the way for future villages in the area.

- Renovation of the rented church and electric connection ($500

- Open doors for Bible Studies in the villages

- Spiritual growth of new believers

- Pray for power and effectiveness in preaching the Word of God

- That each of us will continue to grow closer to God

- That we will be empowered and equipped to do what He calls us to do

- Yearly house and church rent ($2,500)

- More churches committed to support the ministry here in Ratanakiri

- Increase and stable monthly support at least $2,500 a month

- Second hand used 4X4 pick-up

- God’s provisions on the upcoming marriage of my staff, his name is Cheik

Serving The Mighty God,

KIT and JANETH