Through your prayers and support, Tearfund and our local partners are helping churches in Thailand. Although they are a small minority, Thai churches are reaching out to some of the most marginalised indigenous people, many of whom still live in extreme poverty. This week, lift up these small local churches that are being equipped to reach out with the love of Jesus to their neighbours.
Sunday 7 January
Yellow Lahu are traditionally a semi-nomadic people group who usually live in remote mountains. All this changed when the Thai government relocated them out of the state-owned forest to a small plot of land in the foothills. Pray for families as they continue to settle in their new home in Ruammit Pattana.
Monday 8 January
Supapohn from Ruammit Pattana started to use local ingredients to make a natural washing-up liquid, which saves on household bills. She has plans to turn it into an income-generating business. She says, ‘Pray for me and my family. We want to keep learning and we ask God to strengthen us in our ministries. Pray for our church members who are engaged in jobs that will earn a good income.’
Tuesday 9 January
Pastor Jalae, the leader of Supapohn’s church – part of the Church of Christ in Thailand – has brought his once-troubled congregation together in unity. He says, ‘I want to pray for the church to be stable and all of us to serve God and have love and unity at all times. For my family, pray for my children and their studies, and for me as I serve as a pastor.’
Wednesday 10 January
Supapohn enjoys sharing her faith through her actions in the community.‘When we have something to share, like pork, we share it. I sometimes go to help an older person in the village who can't use the phone. We help each other as much as we can.’ Ask God how you can serve people in your community.
Thursday 11 January
Pastor Jalae wants his church to continue to thrive. ‘I want to see everyone knowing God more and becoming actively involved in worship, serving and sharing with others about the kingdom. And to understand the word of God better.’ Lift up Pastor Jalae’s requests and ask God to give him wisdom as he leads his church.
Friday 12 January
Mr Yuttana, a farmer, has been practising sustainable farming techniques that he learnt from Thailand Karen Baptist Convention, a Tearfund partner. Mr Yuttana says, ‘I would like you to pray for the health of my family and for wisdom and a blessing from God so that I can move forward as far as I can.
Saturday 13 January
To help protect the environment, Tearfund supports sustainable movements in Thailand, such as the Creation Care Network and the Rural Development Project, which produced a church and creation curriculum for church leaders. Ask that the message of caring for God’s creation will spread across the country to offer a more secure future for communities like Ruammit Pattana.
