God is good that the work here is progressing. Seeing the youth that is getting mature spiritually is very refreshing and touching. I praise God for giving me this opportunity to work with these kind of people. Though I have been struggling in learning the Thai and Mien languages, but I believe that the plain word of God and the "lyrics theology" of the gospel songs every night had become the Holy Spirit's channel in helping the our Mien members grow. These people are so hungry for the WORD. My heart cries to God everyday, for I truly wish that many more could learn about Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation. The Miens are very wonderful people and can't afford seeing them dying without knowing our Savior.
We had just finished the 4 day Mien youth evangelistic camp in Kamphaeng phet Province last Dec. 20-24, 2007. I traveled 8 hours from my home base. The good things were I met many of the Mien youth whom I’d met last year’s camp, where I exposed myself to the Mien language and culture. More or less 20 Mien students from Chiangmai Adventist Academy and Mission College participated in that event. We stayed in a house where the meetings were held. It was a place where there is somewhat place for many visitors. The first day was busy, some students were teaching the village's children with Thai and Mien gospel songs and telling Bible stories while others went out inviting the whole village for the evening meeting and in the afternoon the place was clean up and we were ready to begin. By 6:30 p.m. the people started to arrive. As I watched, the people came walking, riding motorbike and car.
The success of our evening meeting will be determined by the effort of the Mien youth to invite people in the day time. This is far different from the Philippines style where we usually engage few months in advance to visit the neighbors and conduct Bible studies. I was reminded of how privilege many people in Christian countries where they can freely hear the word of God. But no Christian presence in that place, no laymen to do the work in advance. Instead each day the youth did more prayers for the success of the evangelistic meeting. We let them understand that we need more to depend on God to give us victory.
Everything went very well. We started the program with many people. The nightly program consists of singing Mien and Thai songs which is somewhat alternated. One way to let everyone understands. This was followed by singing the theme song then Sir Brian’s powerful sermon in Mien and Thai followed. The messages were so touching, inviting everyone to come to Christ, to repent while salvation’s door is still open. Each night more and more interest came. The last night’s meeting was so wonderful. That the meeting was packed with more than a hundred people. Most were standing since we had only 30 chairs. The youth perform 4 Biblical dramas, such as the 3 Magis, the birth of Jesus, the prodigal son and the raising of Jairus daughter. A short summary and spiritual implication followed after each presentation. Then Sir Brian did the final invitation to come to the feet of Jesus while there is a chance. The message was so penetrating that everyone was so quiet. Sir Brian talked about everything on Noah’s ark and how it fits and apply in these last days.
Everyone of us can tell his own story on how God has blessed the meeting. The true result of the meeting was immeasurable. It produces mature Mien disciples while we are obeying the command to preach the gospel in every tribe. The success of the meeting was due to the Holy Spirit of God and the sincere cooperation of the Mien youth. I could tell that the youth are getting mature to be called disciples, ready to go back home to represent Jesus to their respective villages. I had a privilege to handle some activities and speak encouragement in our group worships and had a small part of the whole activities. But all praises go to the Lord.
HELPING THEM TO GROW SPIRITUALLY
We humbly confess that we are still learning and still have much to learn. However, we have tried to involve them in evangelistic activities that could possibly foster spiritual growth. We are very interested in each of them as new Christian being equipped with the needed knowledge, skills and devotion to train others in the same way. We have been trying to do the best we could to let them feel the burden of saving others for God’s kingdom. We are happy when they will be busy discipling others. As we help the Mien students grow spiritual, it is so wonderful and encouraging when we see them beginning to understand God’s purpose of their lives, when God's Word really impacts their lives. Help us to pray that they will fully develop a deep and strong faith to carry out God's work.