It’s not called a “mission field” for nothing.  The Bible often draws upon the analogy of the work of God’s kingdom here on earth as being like a farm field, one that is ripe for the harvest.  The spiritual seeds are sown through the Word.  Despite the attempts of earthly weeds to halter growth, an abundant spiritual harvest will be gathered through diligent cultivation and the blessing of the Lord. 

This spiritual truth is clearly evident in the blessings the Lord has continued to provide for the growth of the church in Hmong Village 9.  Situated near the foot of the Burmese mountains in Tak Province of western Thailand, the people of this Hmong village earn a living primarily from their work in the fields.  The climate and land allows them to have several planting and harvesting seasons within a given year.  The most recent harvests have included potatoes, peanuts, and avocados. 

The Lord has also been busy at work in the fields of Village 9, but His harvest is one of people. This mission field was first planted in the mid-1990’s by missionaries from Chiang Mai and Minnesota who were led by the Lord to establish contacts with the Village 9 residents.  People gathered for worship in a large open area in front of one of the believing family’s homes.  These outdoor services had many passersby - whether people or wandering animals. (more…)

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About thirty youths attended a three-day English camp put together by the mission team, who traveled across the country to get to the southern province. During the morning hours each day, a WELS missionary and Kingdom Workers served as English teachers, while students and staff from the “It is Finished” Bible Institute and By Grace Church in Chiang Mai filled in with songs and games.

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I’ve had a great deal of interest serving the Lord through Kingdom Workers for quite some time.  In my last semester of college, I got in contact with Kingdom Workers to see what possibilities were out there.  Although my academic focus in the university was Latin American studies, the job responsibilities for the Thailand mission assistant seemed to be the best match for my skills and interests.

The Baan Ruam Thai 9 Hmong Lutheran Church is in its second year of a program to bring these children back home, and it ensures that these children are receiving Christian training and education in the process. The fittingly named “Bring the Children Home” project provides funding for families to send their children to school in their home village on weekdays. The children then spend Friday night through Sunday afternoon at the church. There the children are provided with not only food to eat and a safe place to sleep, but most importantly a Christian education from the village evangelists.

Each weekend, the evangelists teach about Biblical truths, alongside classes in Hmong literacy, music lessons, and much more. The evangelists in the Hmong villages work tirelessly to share God’s love. Instead of taking the weekends off, they are teaching Bible classes, along with instruction in music and Hmong literacy, to the many children who stay at the church over the weekend. In the process, these children are gaining very valuable skills which will prepare them for a life of Christian service. In a homeland that primarily worships and fears spirit gods, how sweet is the sound of these children at Sunday morning worship singing praises to the Great I AM! As the church continues to “bring the children home” to their families in Village 9, it is a great blessing to know that through the Christian training provided, these children are being prepared to be brought to a heavenly Home someday.