Christmas Outreach Program

I had the privilege of doing a Christmas outreach program with a few other missionaries and some Thais through a church here in Krabi over the past three days. We went to six schools and spoke with about 1,500 students! Apparently many Thai's believe that Christmas is the Christian celebration of the New Year; so we explained the real reason for Christmas. We use the Christmas story to teach them English, we have a Thai share her testimony, and we do a skit about how God made us perfect but Satan brings distress and pain, but Gods answer was to send Jesus to bring redemption. Finally, all the students went home with a Gospel tract based on the Christmas story. It was good all three days, but this morning was especially incredible! This school was our smallest group at about 100 students in Elementary School, however this was the best school. They were the most well behaved and interactive of all of the schools. Not only did they listen and participate, we had many kids ask us questions to be answered to everyone. I was so surprised by the questions of these 8 - 12 year old children that I wrote them down to share with you:

Why was Jesus born?
What is the difference between Heaven and Hell?
When did Jesus go to Heaven?
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Where did Satan come from?
When does Hell come?

Needless to say, through answering these questions we got to expand from just talking about the birth of Jesus, to His life, death and resurrection! Please pray for these children that God has clearly begun a work in, that Satan would not come in and steal the seed that has been planted here. Praise the Lord for His miraculous workings!

Amen.

Merry Christ-mas (Worship of Jesus Christ)

Adultery!

I hope that catchy title got you to read this :)... I have been reading in Proverbs and I was so struck by how much empahasis Solomon puts on warning men (but it applies to women as well) against adultery that I wanted to share with you some of God's words on this. Please skim the first 10 chapters of Proverbs and you will see that 3 out of those 10 are words of caution on how to avoid the adulteress and warning by laying out the consequences...

Proverbs 5

"3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave."

(I think it interesting that he remarks how sweet and beautiful the temptation is in the beginning...)

"8 Keep to a path far from her,
do not go near the door of her house,

9 lest you give your best strength to others
and your years to one who is cruel,

10 lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich another man's house."

"15 Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,
your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone,
never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.

20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?"

Proverbs 6

"25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,

26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?

28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?"

I will conclude with all of Proverbs 7. I know it is long, but it is worth reading all of it...

Proverbs 7

" 1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"
and call understanding your kinsman;

5 they will keep you from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house
I looked out through the lattice.

7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who lacked judgment.

8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house

9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11 (She is loud and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;

12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)

13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:

14 "I have fellowship offerings [a] at home;
today I fulfilled my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!

16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.

17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning;
let's enjoy ourselves with love!

19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.

20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon."

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer [b] stepping into a noose [c]

23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.

25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.

26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.

27 Her house is a highway to the grave, [d]
leading down to the chambers of death."

If you are being tempted by sexual sin, REACH OUT to someone. If you have been snared by the temptress, REACH OUT to God and someone else!

God is faithful...

Just wanted to share an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness. In the Bible we read stories of God's faithfulness, but often it seems in life that it doesn't happen to me. I am finding that the more we take steps of faith where we really have to believe in God for miraculous things He comes through, and we get the blessing of experiencing His faithfulness in our lives...

Recently the Lord impressed upon my heart to begin a prayer meeting in the place where we live, Ao Nang. There currently is no church in Ao Nang and I greatly desire to see a place where God's name is exalted and God's people experience the Glory of God shining on this place. I have the desire to have a consistent prayer meeting occurring in Ao Nang that ultimately will become the church. Although we have this desire we lack other people to join us in beginning this gathering. After speaking with a dear brother of mine he reminded me that if God has given us a Word that is when it is time to act. It is not time to search for more Words, especially if none are given. He specifically challenged me to set a date to when we would have consistent prayer meetings occurring. He reminded me that when we put ourselves out there in setting a date, this creates urgency in our prayers, urgency in our striving, and gives us the faith to see God work in miraculous ways. So knowing that God was using him to clearly communicate to me, and confirming in prayer these things, I set the date of Oct 31st. I again contacted the people that I know in the area to let them know that I want to have our first meeting next week.

Well today God showed up and reminded me that it is His work to complete. I got a call from a guy named Andre whom had met another missionary friend of ours at a church in neighboring Krabi town last Sunday. He said he lived in Ao Nang and wanted to get together. We got together this afternoon and Andre and his wife Rita just moved to Ao Nang from Russia with the intention of starting a Russian Restaurant. Andre and Rita found christ due to the efforts of separate missionaries and met at Bible College. They served as missionaries within Russia and now have moved to Thailand to serve as business people on a mission! They are totally excited about being apart of prayer meetings and I can tell will be incredible witnesses to this place. I do not know yet how God is working, but I am so humbled and excited to be able to see Him move in miraculous ways! So great when you get to experience the miraculous, powerful love of the Father!

When you take big steps of faith, trusting in God alone to get you through, you won't be disappointed!

Puak rao ja namasagan phra Jao! (We will worship the Exalted Lord!)

Be Sent Out

As I was praying the other evening with another missionary God led us to pray for those we have influence with in the American Church. I also prayed that He would give us a platform to share on this topic, so I praise God for an answered prayer!

People are falling away from Christ because they are not taking the step of being sent out that being a disciple of Jesus demands. It is clear throughout the Gospels that Jesus disciples were sent out consistently while He was alive and after His resurrection [Luke 10:1-3; Matt 10:5-8; Acts 6:5-7; Acts 13, 14, 15]

Here is what I see happening… I (state your name here) go to church most of the time, pray semi-frequently, study the word semi-frequently, and even occasionally serve at my place of worship. Is this merely how I have allowed Christ to affect the pattern of my life? Or am I giving Him unrestricted Lordship of my life? Will I allow Christ to truly challenge me and take me places I wouldn't be compelled to go otherwise [Acts 20:22]. If I do not apply the knowledge I become so FULL of head knowledge that I literally get overstuffed and want to go to 'sleep' (like on Thanksgiving). This is the point at which people want to change churches (rational being the messages are the same and they aren't getting anything out of them anymore, worship doesn't do it for me anymore, etc.) or just move on altogether.

Jesus NEVER intended for us to just continually get filled with head knowledge and never GO OUT and use it! NEVER! Look at the pattern throughout Jesus' life. He would preach and then show them miraculous things, then He would send them out to do the same. Then He would gather them back together, ask them how things went (to show them that there faith could sustain them in those and even more difficult situations), teach them more, then SEND THEM BACK OUT!

We have experienced this in school as well. Even in basic courses we don't just learn from a book. At some point we are required to do a project or lab work. Why? Because they know that the only way for us to completely understand the lesson is for us to go experience it. In this example you are doing it under the supervision of the teacher, but later on if you continue in your learning you will be required to do field work, where you will take the knowledge and creativity that you have and complete a new project out in the field. This is what Christ calls us to do. Allow Him to give us creative input as we must trust in Him (because we finally are living in full faith) and apply the knowledge we already have to bring Glory to the Father. This is how Christ lived. This is how His followers will live.

One of the reasons we need to be sent out is that the bible doesn't make sense fully in our cultural context. Many of the stories cannot be understood unless we go to different places where we are able to apply the message in a different setting. For example, If we live in an urban setting, parables about vineyards and harvest time can only be imagined, we miss many, many insights because we have never labored in the soil.

Begin with your own life… When was the last time you allowed God to send you out to apply your knowledge in a new way? I would highly recommend to all followers of Christ to take a short term mission trip to a different country. You will begin to fulfill the final command that Jesus left us with, you will grow in ways you CANNOT by staying at home and you will understand the Gospel message in a new way.

You have more power than you think if you will just wield it! Go for it! Don't let anyone tell you you cannot. You can! I believe in you! God believes in you! If you have the Spirit of Christ in you then you can do ALL THINGS!

One Month... Culture Shock

Its been one month since we have arrived in Thailand. I would love to express a romantic picture of the first month and everything being incredible and perfect. I mean how could it be that bad right? Living in Ao Nang South Thailand, arguably one of the most picturesque paradises in the world. Enjoying the wonderful Thai people with my family. How could it get any better?


Maybe that is part of the hard part. I don't understand my feelings. I have felt extreme highs and lows since being here; Frustration, Anger, Depression, Doubt, Isolation, Abandonment, Lack of Control... These are just a few of the things that I have experienced over the past few weeks. More than anything else my mind and heart have felt like a battle field. Reading about the symptoms of culture shock and language shock have helped me at least to recognize that it isn't just me. Praying and trying to hold on to the strength of the Lord.

Coming to understand that I am not strong enough and I am still in need of a Savior.

Video - Kenya Mission Sampling

Mission Kenya Sampling from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

A sampling of clips from our 9 days in Kenya. Please also read the below text post "Sing to the Lord a new song - Lessons from Kenya" as well.

Worshipping,

Jeremy

Sing to the Lord a new song - Lessons from Kenya

"Sing to the Lord a new song" Psalm 96:1

You wont know the meaning of servant until you have spent a few days with these people. They are the most hard working people I have ever met. Our hosts, Vincent and Alice Ogutu do EVERYTHING for us. They wont let you do anything. Everyday they get up at 3 - 4AM to begin preparing the monstrous pot of food for the 21 orphans, 4 children and never ending stream of overnight guests. When we awake around 7AM we are greeted by hot water for our bath, in a place where the nearest water source is .5 mile away and the method of heating is over a fire (which they had to cut wood for and start). By the time we are done with our warm water bath we sit down to our feast of a breakfast. Pancakes, fresh Pineapple, Tea, Bread and often an assortment of other things (which they pile on your plate 4 inches high). Now this may not sound like a feast, until you are humbled to find out that there only source of income for themselves and the orphans is a small Pineapple garden which takes up a good portion of there property. For most people (75%+) in this area, it takes 3-4 days of work to make $1USD (please consider supporting them). After we had been there half the week we found out that they don't normally eat breakfast other than possibly a cup of pourage and tea. After our feast of a breakfast, before we head out to take care of our activities for the day we are asked for our dirty clothes so they can wash, dry, fold (and iron if we would let them, but that is where we had to put our foot down). When we arrive back for lunch they first bring a pitcher of water to each person to wash your hands before serving us another spread of a meal often rice cooked with tomatoes and onions to be eaten with a tomato broth and jupatta (African style tortillas). While we were gone they took care of every whim and fancy (which are many, considering the company and place) of my Son (even while he cries and screams) and carries and watches over our daughter so that we are not troubled by their needs. When we go out to take care of our afternoon business we are often greeted by little surprise treats such as soda, pineapple or other items of which most cost as much as they make in a day to a week. Twice during the week while I was out they washed the car we had rented (which the nearest water source from the car is .75 miles away). When the activities are done for the day we return to there love filled, always clamoring with activity, mud home to sit and converse by the light of hurricane lamps with the many friends and neighbors that are always stopping by. After sitting down we are served a pre-meal of tea and bread prior to our grand feast of Ugali (there staple food), squoomaweeky (greens), chicken in broth, pineapple, rice, tomatoes, jupatta and other delicious items as they cook and prepare for the other 30 - 40 mouths to feed for this meal alone. I rarely ever see our hosts at our meals because as we dine they are still working to prepare food or other items for the orphans.

It would be one thing if they only served, but they also have GREAT faith. With so little, they believe in a God who can and does do miraculous things. Three times a week they meet at 5AM (still pitch black) for what they call "Morning Glory" a time of prayer and worship that advances the Kingdom in Nyansakia, Kenya.

As I read and re-read over this post I almost want to throw it away because I cannot express what is inside of me. I can only sum it up by saying:

'We (the Western church) have a lot to learn from these brothers and sisters. We need to learn that people are INFINITELY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS. We only serve/share/give when it is fairly convenient. If it really impacts OUR schedule, OUR family, OUR finances, OUR personal agenda that is when we put on the brakes. This is not how Christ lived. This is not how His children live. So the question is how am I living. Am I living as His child or not?'

"Sing to the Lord a new song" this is what I learned in Kenya; So we have come up with a plan that will allow this Pastor (who receives no financial support from the fellowship) the church and orphanage to become self sufficient through the gift of the resources to farm a 2 acre parcel of land. I call upon the Western church to assist us in helping them. Look for a video describing our plan and how you can partner with God in Nyansakia, Kenya in the coming weeks.

Blessings in the name of Christ Jesus,

Jeremy Wight

Announcing our partnership with M300 Ministries

Lisa and I are humbled to announce our autonomous partnership with M300 Ministries. M300 represents and supports many valiant warriors for Christ all around the world. Founder and Director Wayne Gaines is an incredible man of God. For those that support us financially this will be a way for you to do so securely and receiving all of the tax benifits. Please see the report from Founder and Direct Wayne Gaines here: M300 Ministries Report

Idol Worship - Am I guilty?

Idol Worship from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

Angel's Jail Outreach Testimony

Angel's Testimony from Jail Outreach from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

Your going to want to hear this...

Muay Thai Training at a Muslim Village at Prayer Time

Muay Thai Muslim Village from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

This will give you a good idea of what we go into on some of our outreaches.

Lyon Village Overnight Outreach

Lyon Village -

Pretty incredible how God can work in such a short amount of time. When we came to Lyon Village, we were not sure how we would be received. Coming into an 80% Muslim and 20% Buddist Village we were not sure how the spiritual forces would react to 4 Christian missionaries walking into town...

We were so pleasantly surprised to be immediately greeted so warmly. The leader of the village basically gave us free reign to minister. We reconnected to one of the ladies who is also one of the leaders and she immediately took to Zina calling her family. We did not have a translator so I had been praying that God would work miraculously so that we would be able to communicate. Zina speaks some Thai, but the South dialect is very different than the North. God miraculously intervened as Zina called us aside freaking out because she could understand and communicate well above her natural abilities. This woman that we spoke with invited us into her home and said that I was now her son. Something that you must understand about Thai culture is that everything they speak (this is part of there language and culture) comes from the heart. So when she says that she really genuinely means it!

We came in not having a lot of set plans other than to pray, get a bearing on the needs of the community and test the spiritual waters of the area. We were blessed to make a friend named "Dee" who spoke decent English and gave us some great information on the people and there needs. The general consensus that we heard from many people is that they want to learn English. This is an incredible opportunity for the right person to minister here as they have a house, a community center and the people who need the love of Christ, they just need someone to minister here. Dee's son likes Muay Thai and noticed Docs shirt was from a Muay Thai camp and so we asked if he wanted to train a bit, (his son was 5). We began training/playing around with him and kids just started pouring in! Within 10 minutes we had probably 15 kids that we were teaching Muay Thai too.

After we got done teaching Muay Thai we spent some more time in conversation and meeting the people. I saw my friend from my profile picture, Khun Chow and he immediately recognized me. He brought me into his home and introduced me to his wife. He speaks no english and his wife speaks very little, but through the grace of God we were able to have a conversation! Its kind of a long story, but praise God that by myself and my 20 phrase Thai vocabulary and there broken English we were able to connect.

One of the people we met last time and reconnected with this time, Khun King Kong (yes thats his name :)) we spent some time with as well. This its an interesting character that Zina described as kind of snake like. He has a tattoo of a Tiger on his forehead and we asked him about it and he told us he had received that spirit. Zina explained that some of the Buddhists will go through a ceremony to receive these demonic spirits into there bodies so that they gain the power of that demon. You could see that as we spoke of love and expressed those sorts of things he went into a coma type of state where he was just completely out of it. Clearly you can see some spiritual principalities at work in this individual. Glad we were able to see him again, I could see a lot of ministry potential in him.

After finishing with Khun Chow I returned to our house only to find Zina teaching some of the kids dance lessons. I started assisting in teaching a little Cha-Cha and the kids came flooding back. We got to begin developing relationships and truly expressing love in Christs name to these children and some of the adults. I feel that the day was very successful for not knowing at all what we were walking into. The Harvest is RIPE here in this village for the person that God places here to reach.

Training Day Video

Here is a video I have been trying to get up for a week, but due to technical difficulties it has been delayed...

Training Day new from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

The Gospel isn't about me

As I worshipped yesterday with a gathering of Thai Believers in Krabi Town all in Thai language God talked to me and taught me A LOT!

I really came to a new level of understanding that the Gospel is not about me; The Gospel is about God. I know that sounds so elementary, but for most of us in our walk the majority of our thoughts and prayers to God (if you are like me) are about our hearing from Him, and our desire to know Him, and my Church and my... You get the point. Now I am not saying that any of those things are bad and that we shouldn't be thinking about and praying about those things, but when we are mainly focused on our walk with God, I think the natural tendency is to forget about others; Especially those outside of our church, city or state.

So here I am in a place where very few people profess the name of Jesus Christ, yet surrounded by worshippers jumping up and down, waving there arms and singing praises to the King of Kings, and all in a different language. WOW! A week ago I didnt even know these individuals existed, but here they are praising and worshipping the one true triune God. And while I didn't know these people existed, God did. And this scene is playing itself out all over the world, Russia, Uganda, Myanmar, Brazil... The Lord is gathering people to Himself. It SO brought perspective to the Word. God truly is raising up people from every tribe, tongue and nation to sing His praises.

Tiger Temple Adventure

Tiger Temple Adventure from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

Thailand Day 2 (On the ground) Video

Hope you enjoy the video. We have met a lot of people and been able to share Christ's love with them. Got to pray for a Muslim lady and connect with many others that we are praying for to join us in fellowship this weekend! Please pray for the people and the Holy Spirit to be upon us!

TH Day 1 from Jeremy Wight on Vimeo.

Thailand Mission Day 1!

It is hard to describe the great desire and yearning for more of Gods manifest presence. I long to enter the Holy of Holy's and at the same time I know it is Gods will that I would enter in. So the only realistic explanation is there is something in myself that is not yet given up to Christ. That there is some part of my self that must be given up so that I may gain everything. I long for this and know that at the same time that I must be aware of what it is that I need to enter that place, I know that on my own strength there is no way to enter that place. I must go through the pains of wrestling with God for His grace to remove this part of me that is keeping me from seeing His face. Pray that God would revive His work in my heart so that I may have a greater longing, desire and courage to submit my ALL to Him!

Please pray for Alena and Lynn who I met on the plane rides and was able to minister too.

Cleaning House

As I was reading this passage God really spoke to me. I pray that God speaks to you as well:

2 Chronicles 14
King Asa
1 Abijah died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His son Asa became the next king. For ten years into Asa's reign the country was at peace. 2-6 Asa was a good king. He did things right in God's eyes.He cleaned house: got rid of the pagan altars and shrines, smashed the sacred stone pillars, and chopped down the sex-and-religion groves (Asherim). He told Judah to center their lives in God, the God of their fathers, to do what the law said, and to follow the commandments. Because he got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the cities of Judah, his kingdom was at peace. Because the land was quiet and there was no war, he was able to build up a good defense system in Judah. God kept the peace.

Asa "Cleaned House"... As I prepare to go on my mission to Thailand I was reminded that I need to make sure I have "Cleaned House"; to make sure that I have not built up any altars or shrines to something other than God in my life. The first thing I thought of when I was reading that is that it cost Asa something to do this. He had to take laborers and resources to rid the country of these shrines.

The next thing I saw is that because he removed these things and centered the country on God there was peace. Just as we receive peace when we remove the shrines and focus our life on God.

Finally, he was able to build up a good defense system. Due to having removed these shrines and having the peace that God gave, he was able to prepare for future battles so that he would not be as vulnerable.

Wow! So later on in our lives when the temptations come our defenses are built up so that we will have a greater position in the battle.

I prayed to God to search my heart to see if there were any shrines that I needed to remove before I go to Thailand, so that I may be fully prepared... When I pray these things and am in tune to God, I am expecting to hear: "No son, your doing great, keep up the good work..." or at least to hear nothing... Well I didn't hear either of those, God said "Toys". "Toys?" I thought. I have been working on purging myself of things over the past few months so I thought surely this can't be, and tried to change the topic to something else; However the Spirit continued to persist, "Toys". So now I am trying to work out what that looks like, but I can tell you that is not what I wanted to hear.

If you really ask in faith and are willing to listen the Spirit will talk, just remember (as I forgot) when you pray to God and expect Him to want to deal with something YOU WANT Him to deal with, my experience is that He typically wants to deal with something else, and You won't want to deal with it, but that is the thing we need to submit before we can be filled more fully with His Spirit. Pray that I may submit the "Toys" in my life so that I may be more fully filled with His Spirit. Amen.

How are you doing with "Cleaning House"?