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.