Travel to northeast

Our trip to the northeast of Thailand/Laos was very helpful and we had a special time meeting many of the listeners to our programs. It was interesting to see many of the radio stations that broadcast the TWR-Thailand programs. The following pictures are just a few of the many I took. It gives you a glimpse of our travels.

sharing the road

everyday project of loading the truck with our luggage and covering it

one of the radio stations visited

monitoring our program

listeners we met

one of the government radio stations

a really cool tuk-tuk

Christian radio station close to the Mekong River

this lady trusted the Lord as her Savior when our staff shared the gospel with her, her husband is a Christian and had been praying for her 

beautiful hibiscus flowers...some were very large this one is about 5 inches wide

listeners rally

home visit across the Mekong

such a precious little guy

preparing us dinner...I will not comment of my counters being so low...they have none 

helping with bath time

it was very hot and I wished I could have a cool shower too but decided not:)

new listener friends

three sisters and me

a very kind lady that gave me a big hug...not so common here

with his new radio...he listens to the programs every day...when at work in a factory he plays it and the other workers can listen too.

Those with so little...

Within Chiang Mai there are many people who live with very little.

Recently we visited a "slum area" and a church that our friend pastors.

He comes here and preaches each Sunday afternoon.

He said there are about 15 people that come to worship together here.

Pastor Subin also has a church in Doisaket that he pastors and several families from this slum area have been able to relocate to his village and begin to build homes there.

The only access into this "slum area" is along the path which runs near the canal.

A young family that lives next door to the church.

Larry and Pastor Subin in front of the church.

Does a church building have to meet certain standards for you?

Thank you Jesus for being with us wherever we are.

"But the hour is coming and is now here,

when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,

for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

John 4:23,24

Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions : Together for the Gospel

Please take the time and listen to this powerful message.

Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions : Together for the Gospel

Beautiful golden tree

This beautiful golden tree symbolizes Thai royalty and is called Ratchaphruek (Cassie Fistula). The tree blooms annually in Feb-May and while the flowers are blossoming the tree sheds its leaves, leaving only bright yellow flowers hanging on the branches. We saw them all along the roadsides as we traveled this week but even better we have one to enjoy right next to our house.

God our Creator blesses us with His beautiful creations to enjoy...

Praise His name!

Songkran Festival - Thailand New Year

Songkran Festival or Thailand New Year is being celbrated all over Thailand and we "enjoyed" it even as we traveled up north this weekend (13 -15 April). It is also known as the Water Festival. In Chiang Mai the festival continues on for most of the week.

Hundreds and hundreds of people were along the roads and even highways throwing water from buckets at the cars and motorbikes passing by. Some used hoses to spray with. Many drive around in the back of trucks with a big barrel of water and throw water at others as they drive along. All done in fun and actually a good way to stay cool too. While in the vehicle we didn't get wet but when walking... just expect it.

This was going through a village area and there were several groups like this right in the road making sure every vehicle got wet.

Even while in the refugee camp the children were having fun throwing water at each other and us. There is a water pump behind them they were using to fill up their containers.

Happy New Year to our Thai friends!

Time for some YELLOW...

The mangos in our yard are actually providing some fruit this year.

And that sure makes me happy!!!

It is the season for MANGO...

 The YELLOW continues to some flowers blooming brightly...

Prison Ministry Trip

Our trip to Chiang Rai Province to the Thoeng District Prison went well. We left Chiang Mai very early as our scheduled time to visit was from 9am to 11am. Our team and partners provided music, cultural dance, the gospel message and also gave out packets with booklets/gifts to all of the 800 plus prisoners. There is a church pastor who is near the prison that helps to do follow-up with those who express a desire to follow Christ. They can also receive Bible lessons to grow in their faith.

For the first hour four of us went to the Women's Zone

and spent time with them sharing the gospel message, singing songs and praying.

We also gave each prisoner a packet with Bible booklets and a small gift.

We then joined the rest of the team in the men's zone and

 we helped hand out the packets to each  man.

Pray for these prisoners to find freedom in a personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ even while behind prison walls.

"Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" by Fernando Ortega

Praying this beautiful song will minister to your heart today.

Crown of Thorns

This plant is called a "Crown of Thorns".

The stem has large thorns all along it and sitting on top are these beautiful blossoms.

The flowers last several days and then new ones open out.

It is really an unusual plant but I have grown to really like them. 

 A very nasty 'crown of thorns' was shoved down on Jesus head ... not with pretty flowers on it.

As we begin the week before Easter my prayer is that we each reflect on the sacrifice made for the punishment of our sins and rejoice in our Risen Savior.

You can Listen to the Twelve Voices of Easter here and allow the stories to minister to your heart.

In our yard...

Some things that I saw in our yard today....

The mulberries are so nice and I enjoy some everyday now...

The sunflower seeds that I recently planted are growing nicely...

And I have some pretty yellow flowers blooming...

A baby squirrel climbing on the edge of our door...

An interesting insect resting in the crack of our patio table...

A very large type of fly on the side of the house...

My little cactus plant growing...

More flowers...

A pink and white hibiscus and the yellow type of smaller sunflowers...